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About Crystal Hayes, Ph.D., M.S.W.

Crystal M. Hayes, Ph.D., M.S.W.is Clinical Assistant Professor of Social Work at Sacred Heart University. 

Dr. Hayes' research and doula practice focuses on creating compassionate, trauma-informed, and supportive perinatal and postpartum programs and services for incarcerated pregnant women, transgender men, and gender nonbinary individuals. Her approach is guided by an intersectional lens, incorporating three critical theories: Black feminist thought, reproductive justice, and abolition. Through this framework, she aims to address the unique challenges faced by vulnerable populations, particularly incarcerated pregnant and postpartum people. As a prison-based doula and childbirth educator, Dr. Hayes is committed to working toward a just and free world where all people have access to optimal reproductive and sexual healthcare no matter their confinement status.

Positions

Present Clinical Assistant Professor Social Work, Sacred Heart University ‐ School of Social Work
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Disciplines

Research Interests

Grants

2016 - 2018 Collaborative Equity Research Grant on Women and Girls of Color
University of Connecticut
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Professional Service and Affiliations

2022 - Present Invited Research Incubator Participant, Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) University of California,San Francisco
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Honors and Awards

  • Doctoral Fellowship, University of Connecticut
  • Council on Social Work Education, Minority Doctoral Fellowship Program
  • Doctoral Scholarship, University of Connecticut
  • The COMPACT on Faculty Diversity Award, University of Connecticut
  • Doctoral Student Travel Scholarship, University of Connecticut
  • At Home in the World Faculty Fellowship, At the University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa and North Carolina State University
  • Five College Women's Studies Research Associateship, Mount Holyoke College
  • Vivian Michaelson Fellowship, University of Connecticut
  • 2016 recipient of the White House Equity Research Grant on Women and Girls of Color.

Courses

  • Research Methods
  • Anti-Racism
  • Advanced Policy
  • Social Welfare History and Policy

Education

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2015 - 2021 Ph.D. Social Work, University of Connecticut ‐ School of Social Work
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2004 - 2006 Master of Social Work, Smith College
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2000 - 2004 B.A. African and African American Studies, Political Science, Mount Holyoke College
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Links

Contact Information

School of Social Work
College of Arts & Sciences
West Campus West Building WCW*W3A312
203-396-6337

Email:

Peer-Reviewed (13)

Dissertation (1)

Blogs (3)

Conference Sessions (1)