My academic and denominational research centres on progressive religious involvement in the eugenics movement, especially that of Unitarians and Universalists, and the possibilities for a restorative justice response. I have presented on this topic for UUA General Assembly, the Unitarian Universalist Studies Network and plan to complete a PhD on my related research into queer, disabled Unitarian women who supported the movement for the History Department at Kings College, London.

Outside of academia, one of the main focuses of my ministry is to empower Unitarian Universalists to engage with and confront our denominational history with the eugenics movement, and the legacy of ableism and racism it has engendered. From the early to mid 1900s, Unitarians and Universalists widely supported the eugenics movements in both America and Britain, including the involvement of several prominent Unitarian figures in the Supreme Court decision Buck v. Bell, one of the most notorious victories of the American eugenics movement against people with intellectual disabilities. Although these stories have not been actively hidden as such, they have often remained untold within modern-day Unitarian Universalism.

My colleague Heidi Fiore and I are in the process of piloting an Adult Religious Education small-group curriculum for EqUUal Access, guiding congregational conversations around eugenics, how it impacts our current practices and theology, and how we can confront our history and work to build truly inclusive communities together. Participants will receive an overview of Unitarian and Universalist involvement with the eugenics movement and engage in facilitated circle process dialogue around this difficult topic, while learning about contemporary ableism and ‘new eugenics’ within our society and how to work towards repair.

More information about this curriculum will be available soon. If you’d like to receive updates, please fill out this form.

Curriculum: COMING SOON

Currently, I offer sermons, talks, and informal presentations on my research, our broader denominational involvement with eugenics, and related topics, such as the Scopes Monkey trial. I have generally presented to Unitarian Universalists, but can additionally speak to the particular involvement of other denominations, such as Anglicanism, Methodism, and the Society of Friends. If you have a project in mind related to my eugenics research, please feel free to reach out.

Eugenics was a widespread, progressive movement that was especially popular amongst Unitarians and Universalists in the early twentieth century. Many congregations are in the process of coming to terms with Unitarian involvement in enslavement in the United States, and eugenics is, regrettably, the next chapter in that story. If your congregation was founded prior to 1940 or so, there is a very high chance that this history is your own.

As part of confronting and reconciling with this painful past, and moving toward restorative justice in the present, many congregations and organisations find it meaningful to conduct archival research to uncover their own particular history with past harms. A basic introduction to this type of archival research will be included as an optional add-on to our soon-to-be-published curriculum, but it can also be beneficial to hire a subject matter expert who is familiar with period terms and figures. If your church or organisation is interested in commissioning a research project of this nature around eugenics, please reach out.

Pricing and timelines for this new service will vary significantly based on scope and travel requirements. My time with you will include a free workshop, sermon, or talk of your choice, a review of your archives, and a written report of my findings. As archives are highly variable, I cannot guarantee what I will discover, if anything. If I do not find anything significant, my report and the associated portion of the fee will be waived. I will keep whatever information I do discover in my database, and if I later locate relevant information about figures associated with your congregation elsewhere, I will pass it along to you.

Archival Research Services

Request Archival Assistance

The cost of this service is highly variable based on the scope and nature of your specific project. Travel, housing, and food costs will typically be included. Reach out for a more specific quote.