Overview
SHAWN is a community-engaged research project that examines the impact of criminal-legal changes during COVID-19 on the HIV risk behaviors and protective factors of justice-involved women who use drugs.
Life history interviews will be conducted with justice-involved women, with a focus on key turning points in their lives.
Calendar-based interviews will document and understand participants’ lived experiences during COVID-19.
Digital Storytelling Workshop will create dialogue and a platform for women to construct and share narratives about their lives.
Findings seek to inform HIV prevention programs and criminal-legal policies.
This project intentionally engages undergraduate social work majors at Southern CT State University in all aspects of the study planning, implementation, and analysis processes. A goal of this training program is to facilitate opportunity for people who have been historically underrepresented in academic and research positions, including people of color, LGBTQ+ communities, and women, to become social science leaders.
