Dr. Kristen Schilt

Biography

Kristen Schilt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Chicago. Her research focuses on gender and sexualities, transgender studies, and the sociology of work and occupations. Schilt examines how cultural assumptions about gender and sexuality can perpetuate social inequalities. She has written extensively on the experiences of transgender individuals in the United States, contributing to the development of transgender studies as a recognized field within sociology. Her work utilizes qualitative methods to explore the dynamics of workplace transitions for transgender men, emphasizing the cultural and structural processes that influence their experiences. Schilt authored the book 'Guys? Transgender Men and the Persistence of Gender Inequality' which highlights the challenges faced by transgender men in the workforce. Additionally, she co-edited the volume 'Please Specify: Queer Methods in Sociology' which presents insights from researchers engaged in queer studies. Currently, she is working on several book projects, including one that revisits the historical context of gender-affirming care and the lives of individuals undergoing significant identity transformations.

Research Interests

Experience