Taylan Stulting

Taylan Stulting (they/them) is a doctoral student in the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a Health Policy Research Scholar at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Their research uses abolitionist and decolonial frameworks to understand anti-trans violence as part of wider interpersonal, systemic, and state harms rooted in carceral and colonial systems, and how communities resist oppressive systems. Their work spans micro- and macro-levels, deepening understanding of how power, privilege, oppression, and sociohistorical and geopolitical structures shape spaces for healing, justice, and care, while also identifying policy, cultural, and systems-level change efforts grounded in liberatory values. As a queer, trans, and disabled survivor, Taylan draws on their lived experience to develop survivor-led, participatory, and qualitative methodologies. They are interested in how healing justice practices and values can be integrated into social work research, practice, and pedagogy. Outside of research, they draw on their experiences as a transgender athlete and rowing coach to advocate for trans inclusion in sports as a form of violence prevention and the development of trauma-informed coaching practices. Prior to starting their PhD, Taylan worked for ten years in the anti-violence field doing grassroots organizing, policy, direct services, and prevention. They hold a B.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies from Bucknell University, an M.A. in Gender, Violence and Conflict from the University of Sussex, and an M.S.W. with a Certificate in Trauma Practice from Simmons University.