Kristie Seelman

BS Psychology, Allegheny College
MSW, University of Denver
Ph.D., University of Denver

Dr. Kristie Seelman is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work. She currently teaches social work courses related to social justice and communication skills and has previously taught courses on human development, social welfare policy, research methods, and community partnerships.

In her research, Dr. Seelman uses critical theories and systemic perspectives to focus on the agency, resistance, and resilience of LGBTQIA+ populations, as well as ways to confront systems of oppression linked to gender and sexuality. She has also engaged in research related to LGBTQIA+ health disparities and barriers to care, anti-racist policy analysis, and LGBTQIA+ people’s experiences in social services and education settings.

An eclectic methodologist, Dr. Seelman engages in both qualitative and quantitative research, including the analysis of visual data such as photographs and videos. She has recently been exploring the use of 3D engines to create immersive worlds that can inform social work education and training.

Dr. Seelman currently holds a 4-year appointment on the U.S. Department of State’s Fulbright Specialist Roster. She was a 2020 Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN) fellow, carrying out multimedia research on LGBTQIA+ resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic in collaboration with computer scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Dr. Seelman’s scholarship has been published in journals such as Social Work, Annals of LGBTQ Public & Population Health, Affilia, Qualitative Social Work, Violence Against Women, and the International Journal of Transgender Health. Her research has received media attention from outlets such as The Washington Post, Slate, and Newsweek.

Students who are interested in receiving mentorship on research —particularly related to LGBTQIA+ topics— are encouraged to contact Dr. Seelman.