Member of the Month: Amy Bailey

Amy Bailey, PhD
University of Illinois Chicago

What brought you to IAPHS?

Sara Curran brought me to IAPHS! I’ve always been an historical demographer. When my scholarship was shifting to encompass health inequities, Sara suggested that I take a look at IAPHS, and it seemed like a fantastic fit.

What discipline(s) does your research fall under?

I’m trained as a sociologist and demographer. I’ve also recently completed an MPH in epidemiology, so am moving into that space. I’ve generally published in journals that center sociology, but my latest project, connecting historical violence to contemporary pregnancy outcomes, is probably also well-placed in epidemiology and public health.

What other disciplines pique your interest? Are there additional disciplines you are interested in incorporating in your own research?

I really appreciate history, as well as scholarship on policy and political science. As the questions I’m asking have broadened to incorporate health inequities, I’m increasingly interested in epigenetics and the biological consequences of historical trauma. The next logical steps for understanding the contemporary health consequences of historical trauma will be challenging, and the next step I’d want to take involves incorporating epigenetic processes.

What are you planning to do in the future? Goals for the next five years?

Other than work goals, I’m planning to travel more. I have an African trip planned in my head, but we’d need to take a few months on the continent to make it all happen. In my dream trip we would visit Morocco, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Cameroon, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, and Senegambia. So maybe that’s two or three extended trips? I’ve got friends from nearly all of these countries, and they’ve given me some great suggestions on places to visit. And of course, I’m always interested in more suggestions!

What is your favorite thing about IAPHS?

It’s fantastic to be able to connect with so many deeply intelligent people who are interested in the same sorts of questions that I am. I also really love how supportive IAPHS is of grad students and other junior scholars. The organization and the people associated with it are so generous with opportunities for people at the stage in their careers where they can be transformative.

Do you have pets?

I don’t right now, although I usually do. I’m generally a childless cat lady who loves my life and is extremely happy and satisfied with the choices I’ve made.

What do you do for fun?

I love to walk, hike, sing, and dance. I do a lot of crafts. I love theater and opera. I have a goal of learning to play the guitar. And I have the best community of friends anyone could ask for.

What’s something that recently made you smile?

My husband and I were hiking in the Olympic National Park and we came across a black bear. It was at a safe distance – probably 50 yards away. So we were able to watch it for a bit. It was an amazing experience. I’ve heard bears in the wild, but I hadn’t seen one before.

What book have you read recently, and why would you recommend it?

Tommy Orange’s two-book series There, There and Wandering Stars are amazing. They follow multiple generations of a family that is historically part of the Cheyenne nation, now living in Oakland. They are beautifully written and speak to some of the questions I’m engaged in with my research.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?

My former boss at the Northwest AIDS Foundation, Steven B. Johnson, used to say, “Don’t let them live in your head rent-free!” It’s a great perspective and I’ve found it to be quite liberating.

If the readers want to reach you, what’s the best way to contact you? (website, email, social media, etc.)

I’m on LinkedIn, and also folks can reach me at my email: akbailey@uic.edu.