Dr. Alyssa Lynne-Joseph (she/her pronouns) is an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at Wichita State University (WSU). Her research interests lie at the intersection of medical sociology, gender and sexuality studies, and global and transnational sociology. She is currently working on a book manuscript entitled Global Transformations in Transgender Medicine: How Clinicians, Patients, and Activists Create Gender-Affirming Healthcare, under advance contract with New York University Press. This book draws on four years of research in Thailand, the U.S., and virtual spaces.
Dr. Lynne-Joseph recently began a new research project that analyzes media coverage of restrictions on gender-affirming healthcare for youth across U.S. states. Based on content analysis of state-level newspaper media, the project aims to deconstruct claims to expertise made by various social actors and examine how the messages conveyed shape public opinion on medicine and gender.
In previous research, she has argued for the contemporary relevance of W.E.B. Du Bois’ concept of “double consciousness” in sociology by analyzing how cisnormativity and colonialism affect processes of self-formation for Thai kathoey. In collaboration with Dr. Jillana Enteen, she has also studied how Thai transgender women establish healthcare models that integrate HIV-related care with trans-specific healthcare needs. Her research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the Department of Education (Foreign Language and Area Studies), and the Sexualities Project at Northwestern.
In addition to her research, Dr. Lynne-Joseph currently teaches introductory sociology courses and courses related to the social aspects of medicine, such as Medical Sociology and Health and Lifestyles at WSU. She has previously taught undergraduate courses for the International Studies program and the Department of Sociology at Northwestern University. Based on her own experiences as a first-generation college student, Dr. Lynne-Joseph strives to create an inclusive learning environment for all students.
Dr. Lynne-Joseph received her doctorate in Sociology, a certificate in Gender and Sexuality Studies, and a Searle certificate in Advanced Teaching & Learning from Northwestern University. Her research has been published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Social Problems, Social Science & Medicine, and Culture, Health, and Sexuality.
Alyssa Lynne-Joseph, Ph.D. 