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Dr. Candace Christensen
Assistant Professor
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University of Texas San Antonio Social Work Department
501 W. Cesar Chavez Blvd. candace.christensen@utsa.edu
San Antonio, TX 78207 801-971-7866
Professional Objective: To advocate for gender-based violence (GBV) prevention policy and intervention through research and advocacy in order to more accurately reflect and attend to individual and community social development: a) conduct research focusing on the social determinants of health (SDH) that contribute to and protect against GBV b) teaching, mentoring, and training that expands the awareness of culturally relevant and responsive social work services; c) provide leadership and service which advances social work’s role in GBV prevention.
Research Interests: Violence prevention related to gender and sexuality; understanding the social determinants of health that contribute to GBV; Utilize qualitative research methods to explore the SDH that contribute to GBV with youth, migrant communities, and sexual minorities. Disseminate research results that inform gender-based violence prevention policy development, intervention development, and qualitative research.
Teaching Interests: Global context of social work, social welfare policy, research methods, diversity and social justice, practice with communities and organizations, human behavior in the social environment, qualitative research methods, violence causes and prevention, theoretical perspectives on gender and sexuality. Professional Experience:
Assistant Professor, University of Texas San Antonio, Social Work Department August 2014 – Present
Conduct Research: Gender-based violence causes and prevention Teach courses: Global Context of Social Work, Generalist Practice
Assistant Professor, Idaho State University, Social Work Program (Pocatello, ID) August 2012 – August 2014
Conduct Research: Gender-based violence causes and prevention
Teach courses: Practice with Individuals and Families, Senior Capstone Course, Theoretical Perspectives on Gender and Sexuality, Grief and Loss for the Helping Profession
Education:
University of Utah, College of Social Work (Salt Lake City, UT) Received: August 2012 Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Dissertation Title: Using Theatre for Social Change to Address Violence Against College Women: A Qualitative Evaluation
Dissertation Chair: Professor David Derezotes, Ph.D.
University of Utah, College of Social Work (Salt Lake City, UT) Received: May 2008 Degree: Master of Social Work
Christensen 2 Major: Social Work
University of Texas at Dallas (Richardson, TX) Received: May 1997 Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Major: Double Major in Theatre Studies and Literature Publications:
Christensen, M.C., Wright, R.L., & Dunn, J. (2015). Navigating gender and violence with young children. Journal of Family Social Work,18(3), 202-221.
Christensen, M.C. & Hoover, S.M. (2015). Working with survivors of sexual violence from a sex positive perspective. Journal of Positive Sexuality, 1(2), 31-36.
Christensen, M.C. (2015). New tools: Young feminism in the rural west. Feminism & Psychology, 25(1), 45-49. Christensen, M.C., & Arczynski, A.V. (2014). Fostering student activism: Barriers, sharing, and dialectics. World
Journal of Social Science Research, 1(2), 151-165.
Williams, D.J., Thomas, J., Prior, E., & Christensen, C. (2014). From ‘SSC’ to the 4Cs’: Introducing a new framework for negotiating BDSM participation. Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality. Vol. 17. http://www.ejhs.org/volume17/BDSM.html
Williams, D.J., Thomas, J. & Christensen, C. (2014). ‘You need to cover your tattoos!’: Reconsidering standards of professional appearance in social work. Social Work, Online first:
http://sw.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2014/07/23/sw.swu025.extract
Christensen, M.C. (early 2016). Activating theatre for social change to prevent sexual violence on a college campus: A qualitative evaluation. NASPA: Journal about Women in Higher Education.
Neill, K. S., Christensen, M. C., & Williams, D J, (in press). Sexual violence. In L. Growette-Bostaph (Ed.), Crime victims and victimization. Riverwoods, IL: Wolters Kluwer.
Christensen, M.C. (2014). Engaging theatre for social change to address violence against college women: A qualitative investigation. British Journal of Social Work, 44(6), 1454-1471. doi: 10.1093/bjsw/bct006 Christensen, M.C. (2013). Using theatre for social change to prevent sexual violence. In K.V. Bletzer (Ed.),
Assaults: Prevalence, prevention, and psychological implications, (101-118). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Publishers.
Christensen, M.C. (2013). Using theatre of the oppressed to address sexual violence against women on college campuses. Trauma, Abuse, & Violence, 14(4), 282-294.
Christensen, M.C. (2013). Using feminist leadership to build a peer education program: A qualitative evaluation.
Journal ofQualitative Social Work, 12(3), 254-269. Under Review:
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Christensen, M.C., Gill, E., & Pérez, A. (Revise and Resubmit). The Ray Rice Domestic Violence Case: Constructing Black Masculinity through Newspaper Reports. Journal of Sports & Social Issues.
Christensen, M.C., Wright, R.L., & Dunn, J. (Submitted Summer 2015). “It’s awkward stuff”: Navigating sexuality with young children. Child and Family Social Work.
Kim, J., Lee, H.Y., Christensen, M.C., & Merighi, J. (invited submission for special issue). Older adults’ technology use and social engagement: Do women and men differ? Journal of Gerontology.
Gill, E., Christensen, M.C., & Pérez, A. (Submitted Spring 2015). The Sale of the Atlanta Hawks: Is it Racism or White Ownership Playing the Race Card? Journal of Sports Sociology.
Book Reviews:
Christensen, C. (2012). Book Review of Unequal desires: Race and erotic capital in the stripping industry by Siobahn Brooks. Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work, 27(1), 118-119.
Christensen, C. (2012). Book Review of Feminism and affect at the scene of argument by Barbara Tomlinson.
Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work, 27(3), 345-346.
Christensen, C. (2012). Book Review of The purity myth by Jessica Valenti. Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work, 27(4), 457-457.
Newsletters:
Christensen, M.C. (Fall, 2008). AWP for Social Work, Association for Women in Psychology National Newsletter. Christensen, M.C. (January, 2013). Money and feminist practice. Salt Lake City, UT: Utah Association for Women
in Psychology Newsletter. Grants:
2014 – Christensen, M.C. & Harris, R.J. – College of Public Policy Faculty Research Grant – University of Texas San Antonio – “Organizational Climate and Sexual Assault Prevention: UTSA in Comparative
Perspective” ($4,000) – funded.
2013 – Christensen, M.C. (PI) & Wright, R. - National Institute of Health (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) – R03 Small Research Grant - “Gender-based Violence Prevention: What Parents Teach Adolescents” ($99,000) – unfunded.
2013 – Williams, DJ (PI), Christensen, M.C., & Prior, E. – The Kellogg Foundation – “Reducing sexual crime and empowering victims: Applying a “sex positive” framework in forensic social work.” ($70,000) – unfunded. 2013 – Christensen, M.C. (PI) & Wright, R. - Humanities and Social Science Research Committee – Idaho State
University– Research Grant – “Gender-based Violence Prevention: What do Parents Teach Children?” ($5,000) – funded.
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2013 – Williams, DJ (PI) & Christensen, M.C. – Cultural Affairs Committee – “Applying a sex positive framework in trauma-informed social work practice.” – ($500) – funded.
2012 – College of Arts and Letters –Idaho State University- Faculty Enhancement Grant – National Association of Forensic Social Work – Conference presentation ($1,200) – funded.
2011 –University of Utah – Student Travel Grant – Council on Social Work Education – Conference presentation ($800) – funded.
2010 –University of Utah – Student Travel Grant – Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed –Conference presentation ($800) – funded.
2009 –University of Utah – Student Travel Grant – Association for Women in Psychology – Conference presentation ($400) – funded.
2007 –University of Utah – Nagoya Scholarship – Study Spanish in Mexico – Study abroad opportunity ($1200) – funded.
Research Experience:
“Organizational Climate and Sexual Assault Prevention: UTSA in Comparative Perspective” January 2015 – indefinite. UTSA awarded a $4,000 grant to support this research. To further fund this research, a request for funding will be submitted to the Fahs-Beck Research Fund, the Ruth Landes Memorial Foundation, or the Feminist Review Trust in Spring 2015. This study focuses on assessing the campus climate at a federally designated research institution. This assessment will include disseminating a campus climate survey designed by the Rutger’s University Violence Institute to a diverse sample of students, staff, and faculty at a large state university in the Southwest. The survey assesses attitudes and behaviors associated with the acceptance and perpetration of sexual violence. To triangulate these findings, the research team will conduct focus group interviews and engage students in a participatory action Photovoice research project. The findings from this research will be used to inform policy, intervention, and evaluation development and implementation for the university and these implications may be transferrable to similar institutions. Gender-based violence prevention: What do parents teach children? December 2012 – May 2014. Idaho State University awarded a $5,000 grant to support this research. To further fund this research, a request for funding will be submitted to the National Institute of Health (R03) in October 2013 ($100,000). This study focuses on the phenomenology of what parents teach children about gender, sexuality, contraception, and violence. The objective is to understand the experiences parents have teaching children about these topics and the impact this teaching has on preventing gender-based violence (GBV) among youth. Research Questions: What are parents teaching their children about intimate relationships, including gender, sexuality, contraception, and violence? How does this education put children at risk for or protect against gender-based violence (sexual assault, domestic violence, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), unwanted pregnancy)? Data will be collected via in-depth interviews with a cross-sectional sample of individuals who are currently parents to children between the ages of three years and 18 years old. Qualitative methods will be used to analyze the data.
Engaging theatre for social change to address violence against women: A qualitative investigation: Spring 2011. This research project explores the experiences of undergraduate students who participated in a theatre-based, peer-education, sexual assault prevention intervention presentation. The program was established
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and informed through the use of two models of Theatre for Social Change theory and practice: Theatre of the Oppressed (Boal, 1985) and Theatre for Community, Conflict, and Dialogue (Rohd, 1998). Both models emphasize a collaborative leadership style and process, which includes subverting social norms, an ethic of care, and collaboratively constructing communal knowledge. Data were collected via focus group interviews, field notes, photographs, and peer debriefing after each performance. Data reveal how this intervention motivates participants to subvert social norms on sexual violence, and act with an ethic of care within their community. Data also reveal valuable implications for future practice and research development.
Using feminist leadership to build a peer education program: A qualitative evaluation: Fall 2010. This research explores the experiences of six college students learning and using feminist leadership techniques for the creation and implementation of a performance-based, peer education, sexual assault prevention program. The program was established and governed through the use of two models for feminist leadership, Visions; Building a Feminist Community (Hawxhurst and Morrow, 1984) and Theatre for Community, Conflict, and Dialogue (Rohd, 1998). Both models emphasize a collaborative leadership style and process, which includes a strengths focus, ethic of care, and modeling responsibility to the group. Data were collected via in-depth interviews, field notes, and written evaluations focusing on the group experience. Data reveal how the creation and implementation of this program impacts students’ engagement with feminist leadership practices and how this shapes them as leaders. Data also reveal valuable implications for future practice, policy, and research development.
Using theatre of the oppressed to prevent sexual violence against college women: Summer 2011. The aim of this review is to summarize and synthesize quantitative and qualitative research that explores the impact theatre of the oppressed theory and practice has on sexual assault prevention. This article begins with sexual assault definitions, prevalence rates, and describes the impact on survivors, as well as recommended
solutions. A description of theatre of the oppressed theory and practice follows. Next is a synthesis of empirical studies investigating the effects and impact of using theatre in prevention education. Finally an overview of findings from this review yields valuable recommendations and implications for using theatre of the oppressed techniques in campus sexual assault prevention efforts.
Qualitative evaluation of a theatre-based sexual assault prevention program with sexual assault response providers: Spring 2010. This study explores the experiences of sexual assault response providers, college students, and community members who participated in a theatre-based, peer-education, sexual assault prevention presentation. The program was established and informed through the use of Critical Pedagogy and Theatre for Social Change theory and practice: Pedagogy of the Oppressed (Friere, 1970) and Theatre of the Oppressed (Boal, 1985), as well as Multicultural feminist theory and approaches (hooks, 1984; Saulnier, 2008; INCITE, 2010) Data were collected via field notes, reflexive evaluations, and focus group interviews. Findings reveal how this intervention motivates participants to engage the topic on an emotional level, act as an ally to sexual assault survivors, and communicate consent before and during a sexual experience. Valuable implications for future practice and research development are explored. Peer-Reviewed Conference Presentations:
Christensen, M.C. (March 2015). How parents process gender and violence through Mindfulness. Poster presentation at Association for Women in Psychology Conference, San Franciscos, CA.
Christensen, M.C. (March 2015). Building and Maintaining Multicultural Feminist Research Support Communities. Roundtable presentation at Association for Women in Psychology Conference, San Francisco, CA.
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Christensen, M.C. (October 2013). Engaging theatre for social change to address violence against college women: A qualitative investigation. Paper presentation at Council on Social Work Education Conference, Dallas, TX.
Christensen, M.C. (April 2013). Using theatre of the oppressed to prevent sexual violence against women on college campuses. Paper presentation at National Organization of Forensic Social Work Conference, Seattle, WA.
Christensen, M.C. (April 2013). Reducing sexual crime and empowering victims: Applying a “sex positive” framework in forensic social work. Workshop at National Organization of Forensic Social Work Conference, Seattle, WA.
Christensen, M.C. (March 2013). Using feminist leadership to build a peer education program. Paper presentation at Association for Women in Psychology Conference, Salt Lake City, UT.
Christensen, M.C.(2011, November). Introduction to theatre of the oppressed techniques for sexual assault prevention. Workshop presentation at National Women Studies Association Conference, Atlanta GA. Christensen, M.C.(2011, July). Feminism and boal: Compatible? Roundtable Discussion at Pedagogy and
Theatre of the Oppressed Conference, Chicago, IL.
Christensen, M.C.(2010, November). Theatre-based education: Embodied pedagogy for social change. Panel discussion at National Women Studies Association Conference, Denver, CO.
Christensen, M.C.(2010, June). Theoretical underpinnings of boal. Roundtable Discussion at Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed Conference, Austin, TX.
Christensen, M.C.(2010, February). Using art for social justice: Part II. Roundtable Discussion at Association for Women in Psychology Conference, Portland, OR.
Christensen, M.C.(2008, March). Using art for social justice: Part I. Roundtable Discussion at Association for Women in Psychology Conference, San Diego, CA.
Invited Presentations:
Invited Panelist: Take Back the Night. Sexual Assault Prevention Month. University of Texas San Antonio, Equal Opportunity Services, San Antonio, TX (Spring 2015).
Invited Presentation: Gender-based Violence: What do Parents Teach Children? Humanities Café. Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID. (Spring 2014).
Invited Presentation: Reducing sexual crime and empowering victims: Applying a “sex positive” framework in social work practice. Workshop speaker. Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID. (Spring 2013).
Invited Presentation: Sexual assault prevention. Workshop leader/speaker. 2nd annual Restoring Lives
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Invited Presentation: Engaging theatre for social change to address violence against college women: A qualitative evaluation. Poster session. 75th Anniversary College of Social Work, University of
Utah, Salt Lake City, UT. (Spring 2012)
Invited Speaker: Sexual Assault Prevention. University of Utah, Upward Bound, Salt Lake City, UT (Summer, 2011).
Invited Speaker: Take Back the Night. Sexual Assault Prevention Month. University of Utah, Housing and Residential Education, Salt Lake City, UT (Spring 2011).
Invited Speaker: Difficult Dialogues: Parents with LGBTQ Children. Utah Pride Center, Salt Lake City, UT (Spring 2011).
Invited Speaker: Amor y Logica. Parent Support Team, Utah Fostercare Foundation, Salt Lake City, UT (Spring 2009). Teaching Experience: Instructor: Spring 2015 Generalist Practice UTSA MSW Program Instructor: Fall 2014
Global Context of Social Work UTSA MSW Program
Instructor: Spring 2014
Practice with Individuals and Families Idaho State University BSW Program
Integration of Social Work Methods – Online Idaho State University BSW Program
Instructor: Fall 2013
Explaining Gender and Sexuality
Idaho State University Masters in Sociology Practice with Individuals and Families Idaho State University BSW Program
Integration of Social Work Methods - Online Idaho State University BSW Program
Instructor: Spring 2013:
Practice with Individuals and Families Idaho State University BSW Program
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Intervention Evaluation Team – (one of several instructors) Idaho State University
Integration of Social Work Methods - Online Idaho State University BSW Program
Instructor: Fall 2012:
Practice with Individuals and Families Idaho State University BSW Program Grief and Loss for the Helping Profession Idaho State University BSW Program
Integration of Social Work Methods - Online Idaho State University BSW Program
Instructor: Spring 2012:
Social Work Practice with Communities & Organization University of Utah MSW Program
Practicum Seminar
University of Utah BSW Program Instructor: Fall 2011:
Advanced Social Policy: Public Services
University of Utah MSW Program Practicum Seminar
University of Utah BSW Program Practice Experience:
Intervention Evaluation Team, Idaho State University, Spring 2013 – Spring 2014
Conduct psychosocial assessments with parents of children who have pervasive developmental disorders
Facilitator/ Executive Director, revolUtion, University of Utah, Fall 2010-Spring 2012
Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of Peer-led Sexual Assault Prevention Program Supervisor, Hartland Partnership, MSW Program, University of Utah, Fall 2009-Summer 2010 Supervise
BSW and MSW Interns in Practicum Placement
Therapist, Valley Mental Health, Salt Lake City, UT, August 2008-August 2009
Practiced individual, family, and group counseling with youth and parents referred by the Department of Children and Family Services System.
Social Work Intern, Women’s Resource Center, University of Utah, Fall 2007-Spring 2008
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Social Work Intern, Utah Health and Human Rights Project, Fall 2006-Spring 2007
Practiced case management and advocacy with refugee and immigrant population. Awards and Honors:
2013 – Council on Social Work Education Feminist Scholarship Manuscript Award
2011 - Mary Eleanor Wilby Memorial Scholarship, University of Utah, Doctoral Scholarship for Women 2008 - Belle S. Spafford Award, University of Utah, Empowering Women through Social Work
