WomenNC Research Project Update and Reflection - Amelia Steinbach

I have now been a scholar with WomenNC for about two months, and have enjoyed every minute. Over the last two months, I have been particularly grateful for my bond with the other scholars. That bond has made exceptional experiences, such as the UN Association Dinner at the NC State Faculty Club and our lunch at the North Carolina Executive Mansion last Thursday, that much more enjoyable. I am also very thankful for the support of the WomenNC network; I know that many of WomenNC’s affiliates are volunteers, and I greatly appreciate their dedication to the scholars’ research projects.

After discussions with several healthcare providers in the local Durham area, two major policy needs have presented themselves as a priority. The first policy issue is a dire need for affordable housing options in Durham. Many women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) are constrained by the fact that they do not have the financial resources to leave the abusive relationship and living situation. The second policy issue is the Ryan White grant funding that is allocated by both the federal government and the North Carolina general assembly to various entities across the state, including healthcare providers at Duke. While this funding is absolutely essential in terms of providing healthcare for HIV-positive individuals, there are still problems identified by those providers who work most closely with the grant funding and the patients whom it assists.

I am currently working through a literature review to identify the specific statistics relating to the issues of IPV and HIV/AIDS in Durham, as well as the state of affordable housing projects and work being done to address problems with Ryan White grant funding. In the coming weeks before the rough draft is due, I will be coordinating with my advisor, Felicia Browne, and completing my literature review and conversations with local leaders in order to write a sufficient rough draft for December 14th.

Amelia Steinbach's Hopes and Goals for the CSW Program 2018-2019

Hello, everyone!

My name is Amelia Steinbach and I am so excited and grateful to be a part of Women NC’s CSW Leadership Training Program. I am a sophomore at Duke University, studying Political Science and Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies. In addition to now studying in Durham, NC, I have lived in the city since I was two years old. Consequently, I have several strong connections to the Durham community, and am thrilled at the prospect of conducting and analyzing research this academic year in an effort to influence policy changes that will make Durham a more gender equal society.

For my research project, I am working with Felicia Browne from the Global Gender Center at RTI. After meeting with her on September 30th, I have decided on a more narrow research topic. I will be studying the impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) on the ability of women living in Durham to access medical care for the prevention and/or treatment of HIV/AIDS. My limited experience studying HIV/AIDS has led me to believe that the most privileged and educated segments of American society often are not aware of the extent to which this sexually transmitted infection (STI) continues to permeate historically disadvantaged groups in the United States, particularly black women. As one of the most diverse and progressive cities in North Carolina, but also one with extreme racial segregation and increasing gentrification,  Durham serves as a fascinating case study for the analysis of the intersection of IPV and HIV/AIDS care. Additionally, the fact that Durham is a city with governmental and community leaders committed to building a more egalitarian city is beneficial to this research, as my policy recommendations will be taken seriously by those with the power to advance legislative change.

My discussions with Felicia, Beth, and Dr. Reimann have helped me to develop the following next steps in drafting my research outline:

1. Receive contact information for the Durham Mayor’s Council for Women from Beth and reach out for their approval of my research topic.
2. Receive contact information for the outreach coordinator of the Durham Crisis Response Center from Beth and plan a meeting with representatives from the Center to discuss the intersectionality between IPV and HIV/AIDS care.
3. Review documents and studies sent by Felicia which specify HIV rates in North Carolina, specifically.
4. Reach out to Amelia Thompson, Rachel Dizney, and Julia Giner of the Duke Pediatric Infectious Disease Division. Set up meetings with each of them to present my research topic and discuss who they know in the community that focuses specifically on issues of IPV and HIV/AIDS.
5. Speak to Dr. Megan Huchko (a professor of mine this semester whose work at Duke focuses on global reproductive health) to discuss more resources in the community relating to my topic.
6. Review current legislation in Durham and North Carolina relating to IPV and HIV/AIDS, both as separate and congruent issues.
7. Evaluate racial and socioeconomic segregation in the city of Durham.