Gretchen Sisson, PhD | ANSIRH

Gretchen Sisson, PhD is a qualitative sociologist whose research focuses on social constructions of parenthood, specifically examining abortion and pregnancy decision-making, teen pregnancy and young parenthood, infertility and assisted reproductive technologies, and adoption and birth/first motherhood. She is the lead investigator for ANSIRH's Abortion Onscreen program, which examines the representation of abortion on American film and television, and the impact of such portrayals. Dr. Sisson also studies adoption within the context of the reproductive health and justice movements with her book forthcoming in 2024. She serves on the Boards of Directors for WDN Action (a sister organization of the Women Donors Network) and Emerge America. She received her BA from Amherst College and her PhD from Boston College.

The latest research

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‘I could see myself doing something like that’: US women’s engagement with characters who experience abortion, adoption and surrogacy on Little Fires Everywhere

“You can’t tell this story without abortion”: television creators on narrative intention and development of abortion stories on their shows

Who are the women who relinquish infants for adoption? Domestic adoption and contemporary birth motherhood in the United States

The Turnaway Study

Abortion Onscreen

September 21, 2021

Prime-time abortion on Grey's Anatomy: What do US viewers learn from fictional portrayals of abortion on television?

News

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December 1, 2023

It’s Easier to Just Take: PW Talks with Gretchen Sisson

Publishers Weekly

November 20, 2023

Abortion Wins Elections for Democrats. What Should Advocates Demand in Return?

November 7, 2023

Abortion Pipeline Project to debut at 2024 Athena Film Festival

Columbia Spectator

Ongoing studies

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The Turnaway Study

Abortion Onscreen