Heather D. Evans, PhD
| Title: | Assistant Professor, Core Faculty, Disability Studies Program; Director of Research, NW ADA Center; Associate Director, ADA National Network Knowledge Translation Center |
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| Division: | Research |
Heather Evans is a socio-legal scholar who focuses on the ways in which institutions such as the law, higher education, and the medical field interact with marginalized populations. She has conducted statistical analyses, ethnographic fieldwork, and evaluation research. Her current work is in the field of Critical Disability Studies examining disclosure, identity management, and workplace accommodations among people with physical, mental, and sensory differences that are not readily apparent. She is also committed to community based research and does consulting work for local social justice organizations, primarily focusing on disparities within the criminal justice system. Dr. Evans earned a PhD in Sociology at the University of Washington and spent eight years teaching courses in the Department of Sociology; Disability Studies Program; and the Law, Societies & Justice Department at UW. She joined the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine in July 2021 as an acting assistant professor and research director for the Northwest ADA Center.
Education and Training
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA, PhD, 2016
Teaching Interests
Dr. Evans teaches courses that are grounded in social justice frameworks. Topics include:
- Critical Disability Studies
- Disability Representation In Pop Culture
- Sociology Of Madness And "Mental Health" In The U.S.
- Teaching Social Science
- Research Methodologies
Research Interests
Dr. Evans's work is grounded in the field of Critical Disability Studies exploring disclosure, identity management, and workplace accommodations among people with physical, mental, and sensory differences that are not readily apparent. Her current research examines ways to dismantle ableism and foster disability allyship in medical education and training.