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 Unpublished doctoral dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Colorado in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of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 ProjectSIGNS: 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+

Print

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.

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