Elisabeth Sheff, Ph.D., CSE
Website: http://elisabethsheff.com
Email: drelisheff@gmail.com
Blog: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-polyamorists-next-door
Current Positions
Lecturer
- University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, Department of Social, Cultural, and Justice Studies
CEO, Director of Legal Services
- Sheff Consulting Group, 2012 to present
Previous Positions
Special Scholar in Residence, Soziologisches Institut
- University of Zurich, Switzerland, Fall Semester, 2018
Court Appointed Special Advocate
- Fulton County Family Court, Georgia, 2012 – 2017
Visiting Professor
- Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, 2013 – 2015
Visiting Lecturer, Department of Social Sciences
- Oglethorpe University, Atlanta, 2014-2015
Assistant Professor
- Georgia State University, Atlanta, 2004 – 2012
Visiting Professor
- University of Montana, Missoula, Spring 2004
Graduate Teacher Part-time Instructor (GTPI)
- University of Colorado, Boulder, 1997 – 2004
Education
Ph.D., Sociology
- University of Colorado, Boulder, 2005
- Dissertation
Sheff, Elisabeth. 2005. Gender, Family, and Sexuality: Exploring Polyamorous Community. Unpublished doctoral dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Colorado in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Sociology.
BA, Cum Laude
- California State University, Sonoma, 1994
Certifications
Sexuality Educator
- American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), 2013
Guardian Ad Litem, Court Appointed Special Advocate
- Fulton County Juvenile Court, Atlanta Georgia, 2012 – 2017
Massage Therapist
- Esalen Institute, Big Sur California, 1988
Specialty Areas
Alternative Sexualities, Family, Law, Policy, Gender, Deviance, Sociological Theories, Qualitative Methods
Publications
2019 Sheff, Elisabeth. Children in Polyamorous Families: Research Findings in Brief. Forthcoming.
2019 Sheff, Elisabeth. Polyamory IS Deviant, but Not for the Reasons You Might Think. Deviant Behavior. Forthcoming.
2019 Pallotta Chiarolli, Maria, Sheff, Elisabeth, and Mountford, Maria. Polyamorous Parenting in Contemporary Research: Developments and Future Directions in Goldberg, Abbie and Allen, Katherine (Eds) The Sage Encyclopedia of LGBTQ Studies Vol II. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
2018 Sheff, Elisabeth. “Marriage, Definition and Forms” in Encyclopedia of Intimate and Family Relationships. Pgs. 721-3. Macmillon.
2017 Sheff, Elisabeth. “What you can Learn from Polyamory” Greater Good in Action: Science-based Practices for a Meaningful Life. University of California, Berkeley. http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_you_can_learn_from_polyamory
2016 Sheff, Elisabeth. When Someone you Love is Polyamorous. Portland, OR: Thorntree Press.
2016 Sheff, Elisabeth. “Resilient Polyamorous Families” in in Critical & Experimental: Dimensions in Gender and Sexual Diversity (pgs. 257-280). Edited by Karian, Previn. Eastleigh, UK: Resonance Publications
2016 Kieran, Rachel, and Sheff, Elisabeth. “Distinguishing Between Intimate Partner Violence and BDSM/Kinky Sex in the Therapist’s Office and the Emergency Room” in Critical & Experimental: Dimensions in Gender and Sexual Diversity (Pgs. 141 – 159). Edited by Karian, Previn. Eastleigh, UK: Resonance Publications.
2015 Sheff, Elisabeth and Tesene, Megan. “Consensual Non-Monogamies in Industrialized Nations” in the Handbook of Sexualities edited by DeLamater, John and Plante, Rebecca. Pgs 223-242. New York: Springer.
2015 Sheff, Elisabeth. “Polyamorous Parenting” in The Sage Encyclopedia of LGBTQ Studies edited by Goldberg, Abbie. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
2015 Sheff, Elisabeth (Editor). Stories from the Polycule: Real Life in Polyamorous Families. Portland, OR: Thorntree Press.
2014 Sheff, Elisabeth. The Polyamorists Next Door: Inside Multiple Partner Relationships and Families. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield.
2014 Sheff, Elisabeth. “Not Necessarily Broken: Redefining Success when Polyamorous Relationships End” in Selves, Symbols and Sexualities: Contemporary Readings, edited by Newmahr, Staci and Weinberg, Thomas. Chapter 14, 201 – 214. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
2013 Goldfeder, Mark and Sheff, Elisabeth. “Children in Polyamorous Families: A First Empirical Look,” The Journal of Law and Social Deviance. Volume 5, pages 150 – 243. http://www.lsd-journal.net/archives/Volume5/ChildrenOfPolyamorousFamilies.pdf
2013 Sheff, Elisabeth. “Why do Some People Feel Threatened by Others’ Sexual Orientations?” in 100 Subcultures: A Journey Through Diversity. Edited by Bigum, Pernile. Copenhagen, Denmark: CO+ Publishing.
2013 Sheff, Elisabeth. “Workplace Issues facing LGBTQIA Employees” in What’s the Difference: Embracing Diversity edited by Eastman, Linda. Pages 115-126. Prospect, KY: PWN Books.
2012 Sheff, Elisabeth. “Polyamory and Divorce” in Cultural Sociology of Divorce, an Encyclopedia, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
2011 Sheff, Elisabeth. “Polyamorous Families, Same-sex Marriage, and the Slippery Slope” Journal of Contemporary Ethnography 40(5): 487 – 520.
2011 Sheff, Elisabeth and Hammers, Corie. “The Privilege of Perversities: Race, Class, and Education Among Polyamorists and Kinksters” Psychology & Sexuality 2(3): 198-223.
2010 Sheff, Elisabeth. “Strategies in Polyamorous Parenting” in (Eds.) Barker, Meg and Langdridge, Darren, Understanding Non-monogamies. Pages 169 – 181. London: Routledge.
2008 Sheff, Elisabeth. “Polyamory” in Sex and Society. New York: Marshall Cavendish.
2007 Sheff, Elisabeth. “The Reluctant Polyamorist: Auto-ethnographic Research in a Sexualized Setting” in Stombler, M., Baunach, D., Burgess, E., Donnelly, D., and Simonds, W. (Eds.) Sex Matters: The Sexuality and Society Reader. Second Edition, Pgs. 111-118. New York: Pearson, Allyn, and Bacon.
2006 Sheff, Elisabeth. “Poly-Hegemonic Masculinities” Sexualities, 9(5): 621-642.
2006 Sheff, Elisabeth. “A Short Primer on Polyamory” in Choices in Relationships by David Knox and Caroline Schacht. Ninth Edition, Pgs. 94 – 95. Belmont, California: Wadsworth Publishing Company.
2005 Nielsen, Joyce; Robyn Marschke, Elisabeth Sheff, and Patricia Rankin. ”Vital Variables, Feminist Consciousness, and Insider/Outsider Status in Interaction Research: Confessions from a Feminist Empiricist Project” SIGNS: A Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 31(1): 1-28.
2005 Sheff, Elisabeth. “Polyamorous Women, Sexual Subjectivity, and Power” Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, 34(3):251-283.
2009 Reprinted in Ferraro, Kathleen. Women’s Lives. New York: Prentice Hall
2006 Reprinted in White, Jacqueline. TAKING SIDES: Clashing Views in Gender, Third Edition. New York: McGraw Hill.
2003 Sheff, Elisabeth. Review of Voicing Chicana Feminisms: Young Women Speak Out on Sexuality and Identity in Gender and Society, 17(6): 958-960.
1999 Uman, Deborah and Elisabeth Sheff. “Feminist Politics in Action: Organizing the Feminist Symposium” Feminist Collections: A Quarterly of Women’s Studies Resources, 20(3):19.
Works in Progress
Sheff, Elisabeth; Rhoten, Kimberly; and Lane, Jonathan. Polyamorous Families can be in the Best Interests of Children. Targeted for the Harvard Law Review.
Sheff, Elisabeth and Shenker, Benjamin. Towards a National Policy of Multiple Parents to Support Children. Targeted for the Journal of Family Issues.
Sheff, Elisabeth. Kinky Sex Gone Wrong: Consent, Age Play, and Breath Play. Targeted for the Archives of Sexual Behavior.
Sheff, Elisabeth. Growing up in a Polyamorous Family: Results from a Twenty-Five Year Study. For Rowman & Littlefield.
Sheff, Elisabeth. The Persistent Polyamorists: Aging in Polyamorous Families. For Rowman & Littlefield.
Sheff, Elisabeth. Should we Open Our Relationship?: A Guidebook for Couples Considering Consensual NonMonogamy. For Rowman & Littlefield.
Invited Conference Presentations
2019 Research Findings on Polyamorous Families, Lavender Law Annual Meeting, Philadelphia PA
2019 Polyamory Symposium Invited Presenter and Moderator, Vienna Austria, June 7, 2019.
2019 Distinguishing Between Sex Addiction and Consensual NonMonogamies, Keynote address to Finding Freedom LGBTQ Symposium, Palm Springs, CA
2018 Evolutions of Chosen Families, Keynote address to Southwest Love Fest, April 6 – 8, 2018. Tuscon, AZ.
2017 A series of eight workshops on polyamory, invited featured speaker, Al Foro Poliamor, Spain, June 16-18, 2017.
2017 Which form of CNM is Right For YOU? Keynote Address to Outlantacon, May 12-14, 2017. Atlanta, GA
2016 Seven workshops, Featured speaker, Endless Poly Summer, Abrams Creek Conference Center, West Virginia, June 19-24, 2016
2016 Three workshops, Featured Speaker, Center for Alternative Lifestyles, January 30 – 31, 2016. Denver, CO
2015 The Status of Research on Non-monogamies, American Sociological Association, August 6, 2015. Chicago, IL
2015 Hope and Hardship: Issues for Polyamorous Families, Keynote Address Atlanta Poly Weekend, June 9, 2015. Atlanta, GA
2015 How Did we Get Here?: Family Changes and the Future of (non and serial) Monogamy, Keynote address to InfinityCon, November, Atlanta GA
2014 Bisexuality and ‘Unicorn Hunting’ Among Polyamorists, Atlanta Poly Weekend, June, Atlanta, GA
2014 Polyamorous Families with Children, Eighth Bi-Annual Poly Living Conference, February, Philadelphia PA and Ninth Bi-Annual Poly Living Conference, April, Denver CO
2011 The Polyamorists Next Door: Understanding Multiple-Partner Relationships, Ninth Annual Suburban Studies Conference: Love Marriage, & the Family, Kennesaw State University, April, Kennesaw, GA
2010 The Policy Implications of Polyaffectivity, National Council on Family Relations Annual Meeting, November, Minneapolis MN
2007 An Introduction to Polyamory: Definitions, Terminology, and Details, Society for Sex Therapy and Research Annual Meeting, March, Atlanta, GA
Select Conference Presentations
2016 Multiple Partner Marriage after Same Sex Marriage, DragonCon Skeptic Track, September 2, 2016
2016 Updates from The Polyamorists Next Door, DragonCon Science Track, September 3, 2016
2014 The Polyamorists Next Door, Decatur Book Festival, August, Decatur, Georgia
2014 Distinguishing Between Intimate Partner Violence and BDSM, Georgia Psychological Association Annual Meeting, May, Athens, GA
2014 Polyamorous Parenting, Third Annual International Conference on the Future of Monogamy and Non-monogamy, February, Berkeley CA
2013 Debunking the Legal Myths About Children in Polyamorous Families, the Woodhull Summit for Sexual Freedom, September, Washington DC
2013 Kids in Poly Families, DragonCon Skeptic Track, August, Atlanta GA
2013 Kinky Sex Makes the World Go Round, DragonCon Science Track, August, Atlanta GA
2013 What Professionals Need to Know About Kinky People: Understanding People in BDSM Relationships, DragonCon Science Track, August, Atlanta GA
2013 The Polyamorists Next Door, DragonCon Science Track, August, Atlanta GA
2013 What your Kids in Poly Families REALLY Think, Frolicon Think Track, March, Atlanta GA
2013 Dangers and Joys of Unicorn Hunting, Frolicon Think Track, March, Atlanta GA
2013 Freaky in Academia: Being Queer in the University, Frolicon Think Track, March, Atlanta GA
2013 Family Matters with Ricci Levy from the Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance, Atlanta Poly Weekend, March, Atlanta GA
2013 Results of the Polyamorous Family Study, Atlanta Poly Weekend, March, Atlanta GA
2013 Polyamorous Families with Children, International Academic Polyamory Conference, February, Berkeley, CA
2012 How Slippery is the Slope Between Same-Sex Marriage and Polyamory?, DragonCon Skeptic Track, August, Atlanta GA
2012 A Scientific Study of Polyamory: Results of a 15-year Study, DragonCon Science Track, August, Atlanta GA
2012 Child Protective Services and Children of Sexual Minorities, Society for the Study of Social Problems Annual Meeting, August, Denver, CO
2012 The State of Children in Polyamorous Families, American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting, May, Philadelphia, PA
2012 An Overview of Polyamorous Families: Fifteen Years Later, Southern Sociological Society Annual Meeting, March, New Orleans, LA
2011 Using Feminist Research Methods to Study Sexual Minorities, National Women’s Studies Association Annual Meeting, November, Atlanta, GA
2011 Bisexual Desire and the Unicorn: Polyamorists and Sexual Agency, Society for the Study of Social Problems Annual Meeting, August, Las Vegas, NV
2010 Navigating IRB Regulations in Sexuality Research, Society for the Study
of Social Problems Annual Meeting, August, Atlanta, GA
2010 If Single Parenthood is such a Problem, Why Object to Multiple Parents?,
Society for the Study of Social Problems Annual Meeting, August,
Atlanta, GA
2010 Success on the Academic Job Market, Southern Sociological Association
Annual Meeting, April, Atlanta, GA
2010 Ethnographic Fieldwork in a Sexualized Setting, Southern Sociological
Association Annual Meeting, April, Atlanta, GA
2009 Strategies in Polyamorous Parenting, Society for the Study of Social
Problems Annual Meeting, August, San Francisco, CA
2008 The Politics of Visibility: Sexual Minorities, Sexual Spaces, Society for
the Study of Social Problems Annual Meeting, August, Boston, MA
2007 Polyamorous Parenting, Society for the Scientific Study of
Sexuality Annual Meeting, November, Indianapolis, Indiana
2007 Kink Identities in the United States, Society for the Scientific Study of
Sexuality Annual Meeting, November, Indianapolis, Indiana
2006 Boundaries of Kink Identities Post Internet Revolution, Society for the Study of Social Problems Annual Meeting, August, Montreal, Canada
2006 Polyamorists Queering Nontraditional Families, Southern Sociological Society Annual Meeting, March, New Orleans, LA
2005 Sex-Positive Pedagogy: Establishing a Sex-Positive Departmental Environment and Researching Sexuality at Georgia State University, Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality Eastern/Midcontinent Annual Meeting, November, Atlanta, GA
2005 Super Studs and Girlie Men: Spectrums of Polyamorous Masculinities, American Sociological Association Annual Meeting, August, Philadelphia, PA
2005 Having Children in Graduate School and Beyond, Southern Sociological Society Annual Meeting, April, Charlotte, NC
2003 Have Your Jake and Edith, Too: Bisexual Polyamorous Women and Desire, Society for the Study of Social Problems Annual Meeting, August, Atlanta, GA
2003 Queer Theory, Postmodernity, and Polyamorous Identity, Evaluation and Ethnography Contemporary Research Forum, July, Boulder, CO
2003 Polyamorous Community Lingo: Symbolic Interactionist View of Evolving Language, Sociology in Progress, March, Boulder, CO
2002 Unruly Women, American Sociological Association, Annual Meeting, August, Chicago, IL
2002 Implications of Online Community for Polyamorous Practitioners, American Sociological Association, August, Chicago, IL
2002 The Changing Family in the United States, Symposium on Current Issues at the United Methodist Church, May, Boulder, CO
2001 Ethical Sluts: Polyamorous Women and Feminist Sexual Agency, Society for the Study of Social Problems, Annual Meeting, August, Anaheim, CA
2001 Postmodern Polyamorous Families, American Sociological Association, Annual Meeting, August, Anaheim, CA
1999 Bisexual Identity, Interdisciplinary Feminist Symposium, Annual Meeting, January, Boulder, CO
1999 Growing Up Gay, Simulation learning exercise, Diversity Forum, January, Boulder, CO
1998 In Defense of Same Sex Marriage, Interdisciplinary Feminist Symposium, Annual Meeting, February, Boulder, CO
Select Popular Press Interviews
Podcasts and Live Webcasts
2019 Marriage and Martinis, “Conversation with Dr. Elisabeth Sheff Polyamory Expert” 5/20/2019. https://www.marriageandmartinis.com/podcast/episode/d525482e/conversation-with-polyamory-expert-dr-elisabeth-sheff
2019 The Breakup Monologues. Bonus Episode with Dr. Elisabeth Sheff. https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/ian-collins-wants-a-word/the-breakup-monologues/e/59287983
2019 Seek Discover Create, “Polyamory and you: Exploring Polyamorous…” Lexi Sylver, February 28, 2019. https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/voice-america/sdc-presents-seek-discover-create-with-lexi-sylver/e/59121662
2018 Multiamory, “Polyamory, Family, and Children” Episode 171, May 15, 2018. https://altparenting.substack.com/p/alt-parenting-3-poly-family-research-with-dr-eli-sheff
2017 The KinkyCast, “Dr. Elisabeth Sheff and the Polyamorists Next Door” Episode 198. https://www.kinkycast.com/archive/2017-archive/198—dr-elisabeth-sheff–.html
2017 Black People Kink, “Interview with Dr. French Vanilla, Elisabeth Sheff” https://www.blackpeoplekink.com/podcast-2/
2016 Talking to Kids About Sex, “Dr. Eli Sheff on Polyamorous Families” Anya Manes, http://talktokidsaboutsexseries.com/elisabethsheff
2016 Loving Without Bouraries, “Dr. Sheff on Family” Kitty Chambliss, September 14, 2016. http://lovingwithoutboundaries.com/2016/09/14/podcast-interview-dr-sheff-on-family-with-kittys-husband-jj-chambliss/
2016 Let’s Talk Sex, “Live with Dr. Eli”
2016 Poly in the Cities, “Dr. Elisabeth Sheff and Stories from the Polycule” October 25, 2015. Episode 27. https://polyinthecities.com/2015/10/25/episode-27-dr-elisabeth-sheff-and-stories-from-the-polycule/
2015 Polyamory Weekly, “Stories from the Polycule” November 29, 2015. http://polyweekly.com/2015/11/pw-456-stories-from-the-polycule/
2015 Multiamory, “Poly & Family with Dr. Elisabeth Sheff” Episode 45, September 25, 2015. http://www.multiamory.com/podcast/45-poly-family-with-dr-elisabeth-sheff or on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjeEp-IA5M4&feature=youtu.be
2015 Poly in the Cities, “Dr. Elisabeth Sheff and Stories from the Polycule” Episode 27, October 25, 2015. http://www.hopesandfears.com/hopes/now/question/216753-are-humans-meant-to-be-monogamous
2015 Dating Skills Review, “Successful Polyamory Strategies (That Can Make Monogamy Better Too) with Elisabeth Sheff” September 28, 2015. https://www.datingskillsreview.com/ep-101-successful-polyamory-strategies-elisabeth-sheff/
2015 The Other Future, “10 Quick Questions for Dr. Eli Sheff” by Roy Waidler, July 29, 2015. https://sites.google.com/site/theotherfuture/interviews
2014 HuffPost Live “No Communication, No Open Relationship” Live Telecast with host Josh Zepps, http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/trying-an-open-relationship/53ac8d0178c90a0767000162
2014 The Sex Geeks ask about Atlanta Poly Weekend, May 15, 2014. http://sexgeeks.podbean.com/e/sexology-spotlight-atlanta-poly-weekend/
2014 io9 Live Webcast Ask An Expert About Polyamory, Marriage, and Families. http://io9.com/ask-a-sociologist-about-polyamory-marriage-and-famili-1564221488
2014 The Sex Geeks ask about research on polyamory, February 18, 2014. http://sexgeeks.podbean.com/2014/02/18/sexology-spotlight-polyamorous-families/
2014 Sex Out Loud with Tristan Taormino, January 17, 2014 http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/75333/dr-eli-sheff-an-anita-wagner-illig-on-polyamory-nonmonogamy-and-the-current-reality-of-relationships
2013 Sex with Timaree with Dr. Timaree Schmidt, October 8, 2013 http://sexwithtimaree.com/
2013 Sex Out Loud with Tristan Taormino, March 3, 2013 http://tristantaormino.com/2013/03/05/mar-8-nan-kinney-on-real-lesbian-movies-dr-eli-sheff-on-polyamory-and-families/
2012 The Trash Talk Show with Barb Tobias, September 27, 2012, http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thetrashtalkshow/2012/09/27/welcome-elisabeth-sheff-phd
2010 Polyamory Weekly, “Poly Families: New Sociological Research,” http://polyweekly.com/?s=sociology+of+poly+families
2009 How Stuff Works, “Stuff Mom Never Told You”
http://www.howstuffworks.com/search.php?terms=stuff+mom+never+told+you+
Domestic
2019 New York Magazine, “9 Things to Know about Having a Successful Open Relationship” Candice Jalili, April 3, 2019. https://www.thecut.com/article/open-relationship-how-to-guide.html
2018 Vogue, “What is Polyamory? This is What it’s Really Like to have Multiple Partners” Remy Rippon, October 26, 2018. https://www.vogue.com.au/culture/lifestyle/what-is-polyamory-this-is-what-its-really-like-to-have-multiple-partners/news-story/848f3c987c589a9ec656462d9836a66b?fbclid=IwAR2Fr8kUgW2pQBZ8h0wFiKHr19NhL6DO0_2qncYKhP9EldGgt4JNkCJw8g4
2017 The Philadelphia Inquirer, “You, Me, and Polyamory: Inside Philadelphia’s NonMonogamous Community” Anna Orso, December 14, 2017. https://www.inquirer.com/philly/living/sex_love_dating/relationships-sex-dating-polydelphia-20171214.html
2017 Women’s Health, “5 Steps You Should Take Before Starting an Open Relationship” Alexandria Gomez, June 27, 2017. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/relationships/a19984317/open-relationships/
2017 New York Magazine, “Maybe Monogamy Isn’t the Only Way to Love” Drake Baer, March 6, 2017. https://www.thecut.com/2017/03/science-of-polyamory-open-relationships-and-nonmonogamy.html
2016 Shape Magazine, “How to have a Healthy Polyamorous Relationship” Samantha Lefave, April 5, 2015. https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/sex-and-love/how-have-healthy-polyamorous-relationship
2014 The Atlantic, “Multiple Lovers, Without Jealousy,” July 21, Olga Khazan. http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/07/multiple-lovers-no-jealousy/374697/
2013 The Washingtonian, “Married but Not Exclusive” August, Vol.8, No. 11, Brooke
Lea Foster
2010 The Boston Globe, “Love’s New Frontier” January 23, 2010, Sandra Miller
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2010/01/03/loves_new_frontier/
2009 Newsweek, “Only You. And You. And You.” July 29, 2009, Jessica Bennet http://www.newsweek.com/2009/07/28/only-you-and-you-and-you.html
International
2011 Sunday London Times
2010 Mente e Cervello (the Italian edition of Scientific American),
2010 Elle magazine in Quebec
2008 Semana, Columbia
Online News and Magazines
2019 Pure Wow, The Most Common Open Relationship Rules, Michele Laufik, August 12, 2019. https://www.purewow.com/wellness/open-relationship-rules
2019 Chicago Tribune Redeye, “No Ordinary Love: Polyamorous Partners Celebrate Valentine’s Day Their Way” Demetria Mosley, February 12, 2019. https://www.chicagotribune.com/redeye/ct-redeye-how-polyamorous-couples-celebrate-valentines-day-0214-story.html
2018 Quartz, “Polyamorous Sex is the most Quietly Revolutionary Political Weapon in the United States” Olivia Goldhill, December 20, 2018. https://qz.com/1501725/polyamorous-sex-is-the-most-quietly-revolutionary-political-weapon-in-the-united-states/
2018 Cosmopolitan, “Your Everything-Guide to Starting an Open Relationship,” Julia Pugachevsky, November 27, 2018. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/advice/a6121/open-relationship-tips/
2018 Business Insider, “What it Means for Couples to go “Unicorn Hunting” – Andy Why it Usually Doesn’t End Well” Lindsay Dodgson, November 5, 2018. https://www.businessinsider.com/why-unicorn-hunting-in-polyamorous-relationships-isnt-a-good-idea-2017-11?r=UK
2018 Global News, “Choosing Your Own Family Members can be Life Saving: Here’s Why These Canadians Did it” Arti Patel, October 7, 2018. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/advice/a6121/open-relationship-tips/
2018 AltParenting, “Poly Family Research with Dr. Eli Sheff” August 26, 2018. https://altparenting.substack.com/p/alt-parenting-3-poly-family-research-with-dr-eli-sheff
2018 Glam, “Survey Says This is What Women Really Want on Valentine’s Day” Zoe Weiner, February 12, 2018. https://www.glam.com/relationships/women-want-to-try-out-new-things-in-bedroom/
2017 the native society, “Spotlight on Research: Dr. Elisabeth Sheff” https://www.thenativesociety.com/nativeadmission/2018/1/9/dr-elisabeth-sheff-expert-witness-relationship-consultant-pu.html
2017 Business Insider, “This is Why Polaymorous People Don’t Feel Jealousy” Lindsay Dodgson, November 28, 2017. https://www.businessinsider.com/people-with-multiple-partners-really-might-not-feel-jealousy-2017-11?r=UK
2017 Well and Good, “Are Open Relationships the Healthiest Kind?” Zoe Weiner, July 11, 2017. https://www.wellandgood.com/good-advice/health-pros-cons-of-open-relationship/
2017 Psych2Go, “Polyamory: An Eye-Opening Interview with Dr. Elisabeth Sheff” https://psych2go.net/polyamory-eye-opening-interview-elisabeth-sheff/
2016 Poly Role Models, “Conversations with Dr. Eli” https://polyrolemodels.tumblr.com/post/131651255275/dr-elisabeth-sheff
2015 Polyamory Weekly, “Q & A with Stories from the Polycule author Elisabeth Sheff” November 10, 2015. http://polyweekly.com/?s=Sheff
2015 Vice, “Death is Way More Complicated When you are Polyamorous,” by Simon Davis. November 9, 2015. http://www.vice.com/read/death-is-way-more-complicated-when-youre-polyamorous-511
2015 Hopes and Fears, “Are Humans Meant to be Monogamous?” by Laura Yan, October 28, 2015. http://www.hopesandfears.com/hopes/now/question/216753-are-humans-meant-to-be-monogamous
2014 The Atlantic, “Multiple Lovers, Without Jealousy” by Olga Khazan, July 21,
2014. http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/07/multiple-lovers-no-jealousy/374697/
2014 Huffington Post, “Who are the Polyamorists Next Door?” by Arin Greenwood, March 5. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/05/elisabeth-sheff-polyamory_n_4898961.html?1394034298
2013 CNN.com, “Polyamory: When Three is not a Crowd” by Emmannuella Grinberg, October 26. http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/26/living/relationships-polyamory/index.html?hpt=hp_c3
2013 livescience, “New Sexual Revolution: Polyamory May be Good For You” by Stephanie Pappas, February 14. http://www.livescience.com/27129-polyamory-good-relationships.html?goback=%2Egde_1793414_member_21
2010 Momlogic.com, “It’s Not Swinging if You’re Committed!” by Ronda Kaysen, February 9. http://www.momlogic.com/2010/02/swinging_for_the_committed_set_polyamorous.php
2010 Seattle Met, “More to Love, and Much More Time Spent on Communication” by Kathryn Robinson, June 15. http://www.seattlemet.com/issues/archives/articles/polyamory-elisabeth-sheff-0610/1/
Radio
2019 “The New Sexual Revolution: Polyamory on the Rise.” 1A, National Public Radio, February 18, 2019. https://the1a.org/shows/2019-02-18/polyamory
2014 You and Me, Plus Three, Break Through Radio, Host Lisa Autz, June 6, http://breakthruradio.com/#/post/?blog=72&post=37821#.U5ILCqo05t0.wordpress
2013 Central Time, Wisconsin Public Radio, 4:30PM, November 18, 2013 http://www.wpr.org/polyamorists-next-door
2012 The Women’s Radio Network http://www.krcn1060.com/
2011 National Public Radio program Youth Radio for an episode entitled “Families like Ours,” airing Fall 2011
2009 Radio Slovenia interview February 11, 2009
Television
2017 Appearance, ABC News, “How this Polyamorous Couple Plans to Celebrate Valentine’s Day” Joi-Marie McKenzie, February 10, 2017. https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/polyamorous-couple-plans-celebrate-valentines-day/story?id=45376083
2016 Appearance, Love Maps, “Exploring Polyamory” AIB Broadcasting Network, August 25, 2016. www.aibtv.com/aibeverywhere
2014 Appearance, Sunrise morning show, Sydney, Australia, “Me, My Husband, and My Lover” https://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/video/watch/22603755/me-my-husband-and-my-lover/
2012 Appearance, The Ricki Lake Show episode “Let’s Talk About Sex”
2011 Appearance, National Geographic television series Taboo episode entitled “Odd Couples” (aired on January 17, 2012, episode 8)
2010 Background information for the Discovery Channel’s I’m Pregnant And…,
2009 Background information for the Canadian National Television series The Bigger Picture
2006 Appearance, Why are Women Marrying Later?, CNN
Film
2014 Appearance in Why Knot? http://whyknotmovie.com/
2011 Appearance in BDSM: Education and Experience
2011 Consultation for Transgender Lives (documentary in production)
Grants and Awards
2013 LGBTQ Rights are Human Rights Campaign Competition, United States Human Rights Network and the Woodhull Alliance for Sexual Freedom, $1,800
2012 Erwin O. Smigel Award, Society for the Study of Social Problems, $500
2008 Writing Across the Curriculum Faculty Development Grant, Georgia State University, $2,000
2006 Sociology Department Research Support Award, Georgia State University, $1,000
2005 Research Initiation Grant for “Overlapping Sexual Identities” project, Georgia State University, $10,000
2004 Sociology Department Research Support Award, Georgia State University, $1,000
2004 First Place, Graduate Student Paper Competition, Society for the Study of Social Problems, Family Division
2003 Betsy Moen “Walk the Talk” Award for Feminist Research, Activism, and Teaching, University of Colorado, Feminist Scholars in Sociology
2002 First Place, Graduate Student Paper Competition, Society for the Study of Social Problems, Sexual Behavior, Politics, and Communities Division
2002 Beverly Sears Graduate Student Research Award, University of Colorado, Boulder, $630
Affiliations
2019 – 2020 Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
2012 – 2019 American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)
2012 – 2019 Woodhull Alliance for Sexual Freedom
2006 – 2019 Community Academic Consortium for Research on Alternative Sexualities (CARAS)
2006 – 2019 PolyamoryResearchers
2005 – 2012 Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS)
2001 – 2012 Society for the Study of Social Problems (SSSP)
2001 – 2012 Sociologists for Women in Society (SWS)
1996 – 2011 American Sociological Association (ASA)
2004 – 2012 Women’s Studies Institute (WSI), Georgia State University
Professional Service
Organizations Sheff Founded
2014 Atlanta Social Science Tavern
2012 Sheff Consulting Group
2006 PolyResearchers
Established Organizations
2019 Co-Chair, Legal Issues Facing Consensual NonMonogamists, Division 44, American Psychological Association
2015 Session Organizer, American Sociological Association, Annual Meeting
2014 Editorial Board, Electronic Journal of Human Sexualities
2014 External Reviewer, New York University Press
2012–2016 Director, Family Matters Project, Woodhull Alliance for Sexual Freedom
2011-2016 Court Appointed Special Advocate, Fulton County, Georgia
2011-2013 Member, Board of Directors, Society for the Study of Social Problems
2012 Volunteer, Workplace Summit, Out and Equal, October, Baltimore MD
2012 Volunteer, Creating Change Conference, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, September, Atlanta GA
2011 External Reviewer, Journal of Contemporary Ethnography
2011 External Reviewer, Sexualities
2011 Panel Organizer, Society for the Study of Social Problems, Family and Research Divisions
2011 Mentor to two graduate students, Society for the Study of Social Problems Mentoring Program for the Annual Meeting, August, Las Vegas, NV
2010 External Reviewer, Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality
2009 Panel Organizer, Society for the Study of Social Problems, Family Division
2008-2010 Chair, Society for the Study of Social Problems, Sexual Behavior, Politics and Communities Division
2009 External Reviewer, Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality
2008 Chair, Society for the Study of Social Problems Outstanding Student Paper Competition Committee, Sexual Behavior, Politics and
Communities Division
2008 – 2009 Local Arrangements Committee, Sociologists for Women in Society Winter meeting, Savannah, Georgia, February 2009
2008 Panel Organizer, Current Research in Polyamory, Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Western Regional Meeting, March, San
Diego, CA
2007 Membership Committee, Southern Sociological Society
2007 Membership Committee, Sociologists for Women in Society
2007 External Reviewer, Temple University Press
2007 External Reviewer, Sage Publications/Pine Forge Press
2007 Co-chair, Fundraising Committee, Sociologists for Women in Society
2007 Panel Organizer, The View From the End: Experienced Graduate Students and What They Wish They Had Known When They Started Grad School, Southern Sociological Society Annual Meeting, March, Atlanta, GA
2007 Panel Organizer, Sociology of the (Sexed and Gendered) Body. Southern Sociological Society Annual Meeting, March, Atlanta, GA
2006 Committee Member, Student Paper Competition for the Sexual Behavior, Politics, and Communities Division, Society for the Study of Social Problems
2006 HAND mentor program coordinator, Sociologists for Women in Society
2006 Membership committee regional coordinator, Sociologists for Women in Society
2006 External Reviewer, Journal of Sex Roles
2006 External Reviewer, Temple University Press
2006 External Reviewer, Signs Journal
2006 Discussant and Presider, Risky Professions: Politics of being “Sexed” in Academia, Society for the Study of Social Problems Annual Meeting, August, Montreal, Canada
2006 Panel Organizer, Queer and Beyond: Families in the New Millennium, Southern Sociological Society Annual Meeting, March, New Orleans, LA
2005 Panel Organizer, Creating a Sex-Positive Academic and Research Environment at Georgia State University, Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality Annual Meeting, October, Atlanta, GA
2005 External Reviewer, Roxbury Publishing.
2005 Panel Discussant and Presider, Exploring Sexualities, Society for the Study of Social Problems Annual Meeting, August, Philadelphia, PA
2004 Panel Organizer, Alternative/Non-Normative Families, Pacific Sociological Association Annual Meeting, April 2005, Portland, OR
2002 Discussant and Presider, New Directions in Sociology Roundtable, American Sociological Association Annual Meeting, August, Chicago, IL
2001–2003 External Reviewer, Harper and Row
Select Academic Service
2019 Co-Editor, Sex and Gender Diversity Book Series, Rowman & Littlefield
2011 – 2012 Chair of the Sex and Gender Concentration Qualifying Exam Committee, member Technology Committee, Colloquium Committee, Department of Sociology, Georgia State University; Graduate Committee, WEAVE Evaluation Committee, and Comprehensive Exam Committee, Women’s Studies Institute, Georgia State University
2010 – 2011 Colloquium Committee, Executive Committee, Community Outreach Committee, Department of Sociology, Georgia State University; Executive Committee, Graduate Committee, and Comprehensive Exam Committee, Women’s Studies Institute, Georgia State University
2009 – 2010 Colloquium Committee, Executive Committee, Community Outreach Committee, Department of Sociology, Georgia State University
2008 – 2009 Executive Committee, Graduate Committee, and Chair Evaluation Committee, Women’s Studies Institute, Georgia State University
2008 – 2009 Undergraduate Committee, Research Committee, and Colloquium Committees, Sociology Department, Georgia State University
2007-2008 Executive Committee, Graduate Committee, and Research Committees, Sociology Department, Georgia State University
2006 Family and Lifecourse Concentration Area Self Study, Sociology Department, Georgia State University
2006-2007 Teaching Committee, Sociopath Committee, Diversity Committee, Sociology Department, Georgia State University
2002-2003 Advisory Board Member, Leadership Education for Advancement and Promotion, University of Colorado
1999-2002 Advisory Board Member, Women’s Resource Center, University of Colorado
1999-2000 Organizer, Department of Sociology Diversity Committee, University of Colorado
1999-2000 President, Interdisciplinary Feminist Symposium Committee, University of Colorado
1997-1999 Organizer, Interdisciplinary Feminist Symposium, University of Colorado
Select Research Experience
- (2006 – 2019) Longitudinal Polyamorous Family Study. Longitudinal ethnographic and internet study of people who identify as polyamorous and are parents. This study examines polyamorous families’ relational structures, stability or continuity, parenting practices, perceived impact on children, division of household and parental labor, and interactions with extended and/or biolegal families.
- (2014) Optimal Aging in Diverse Relationships. A three-part study with Co-PI with Tracey Gendron (Assistant Professor of Gerontology, Virginia Commonwealth University), we are designing a survey and interview protocols examining health, life satisfaction, and social support among non-monogamists living in the United States including adulterers/cheaters, polyamorists, polygamists, swingers, and others with multiple partners. Pending the outcome of our application for a grant, we hope to purchase a question about
- (2014) General Social Survey Proposal. In collaboration with an interdisciplinary team, I am proposing a question on the prevalence of non-monogamy and/or module on attitudes towards various forms of no-monogamy for the 2016 General Social Survey call for proposals for unfunded questions.
- (2005 – 2006) Are you Kinky? This pilot study originally attempted to test an Internet questionnaire related to people who identify as kinky. The pilot study indicated that the questionnaire was an inappropriate tool for such a complex subject and the second portion of the study focused on to refining an interview template. This study is temporarily halted while I wait to receive notification from a granting agency regarding receipt of a grant to fund the research.
- (June 2003 – December 2003) Bureau of Science Initiatives and Ethnography and Evaluation Research. Interviewed alumni of science program at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Created code book and coded open-ended responses to undergraduate and advisor surveys.
- (December 2002 – December 2003) National Science Foundation Advance Grant and University of Colorado, Boulder. Assisted the Leadership Education Advancement and Promotion (LEAP) project by collecting data on pay equity, writing and distributing climate survey, annotating bibliographies, and writing reports detailing our findings.
- (June 1997 – December 1998) National Renewable Energy Laboratory and University of Colorado, Boulder. Assisted a pilot study in which I interviewed utility customers regarding grid-tied rooftop photovoltaic systems, designed the code-book, and coded the interviews. We then created and distributed a questionnaire, and I managed the resulting data.
- (1996 – 2005) Dissertation of Polyamorous Subcultures in the United States. Seven years of participant observation, in-depth interviews, documentary analysis, and data analysis for my dissertation research.