Jennifer Singh

Associate Professor

Member Of:
  • School of History and Sociology
Fax Number:
404-894-0535
Office Location:
Old CE Building G22
Office Hours:
Fall 2020 by appointment only
Related Links:

Overview

Personal Pronouns:
she, her, hers

Jennifer S. Singh is associate professor in the School of History and Sociology. She has a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California, San Francisco and specializes in medical sociology and science and technology studies. Her research investigates the intersections of genetics, health and society, which draws on her experiences of working in the biotechnology industry in molecular biology and as a public health researcher at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Her book, Multiple Autisms: Spectrums of Advocacy and Genomic Science, explores a range of perspectives from scientists, activists, parents, and people living with autism surrounding the rise and implementation of autism genetics research. In addition to research on the social and scientific understandings of diseases based on emerging medical technologies, Singh is also conducting research on the structural inequities to autism diagnosis and services based on race, class and gender. She is also co-founder of the Break the Cycle of Autism Disparities Working Group that brings together different areas of expertise across academic and private institutes in Atlanta, GA who are dedicated to investigating and addressing autism service disparities across the lifespan. 

Education:
  • Ph.D. in Sociology, University of California, San Francisco
  • Master of Public Health, Institute for Public Health Genetics at the University of Washington, School of Public Health and Community Medicine
  • B.S. in Biological Sciences from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Awards and
Distinctions:
  • Serve Learn Sustain (SLS) Award for Excellence in Sustainability Teaching https://serve-learn-sustain.gatech.edu/professor-jennifer-singh-winner-2019-sls-award-excellence-community-engaged-sustainability-teaching
Areas of
Expertise:
  • Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Biomedical Ethics
  • Biotechnology
  • Disease Classification And Diagnosis
  • Ethnographic Research
  • Genetic Technology
  • Genetics
  • Health Inequalities
  • Mental Health
  • Neuroscience
  • Public Health
  • Qualitative Research
  • Science, Technology And Society
  • Sociology Of Medicine And Health

Interests

Research Fields:
  • Agriculture, Health, and the Environment
  • Modern Global History/Science, Technology, and Nationalism
  • U.S. Society and Politics/Policy Perspectives
Geographic
Focuses:
  • North America
  • United States
  • United States - Georgia
Issues:
  • Gender
  • Health
  • Inequality and Social Justice
  • Race/Ethnicity
  • Autism
  • Bioethics, Bioscience, Biotechnology
  • Community engagement
  • Emerging Technologies - Innovation
  • Genetics
  • Perspectives on technology
  • Science and Technology

Courses

  • HTS-2698: Research Assistantship
  • HTS-3082: Sociology of Science
  • HTS-3086: Soc of Medicine & Health
  • HTS-3088: Race Medicine & Science
  • HTS-3823: Special Topics
  • HTS-4086: Sem Health Med & Society
  • HTS-6123: Social & Cultural BIOMED
  • HTS-7001: Sociohistorical Analysis
  • HTS-8002: Perspectives-Tech&Sci
  • SOC-1101: Intro to Sociology

Selected Publications

Books

  • Multiple Autisms: Spectrums of Advocacy and Genomic Science
    Date: 2016

    Is there a gene for autism? Despite a billion-dollar, twenty-year effort to find out—and the more elusive the answer, the greater the search seems to become—no single autism gene has been identified. In Multiple Autisms, Jennifer S. Singh sets out to discover how autism emerged as a genetic disorder and how this affects those who study autism and those who live with it. This is the first sustained analysis of the practices, politics, and meaning of autism genetics from a scientific, cultural, and social perspective.

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Recent Publications

Journal Articles

  • Contextualizing the Social and Structural Constraints of Accessing Autism Services among Single Black Female Caregivers in Atlanta, Georgia
    In: International Journal of Child Health and Human Development [Peer Reviewed]
    Date: 2020

    Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects 1 in 59 children and represent the fastest growing developmental disorder in the United States. However, disparities in ASD evaluation, diagnosis, and services exist based on social factors such as race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. To date, limited qualitative research has been conducted that focuses on the experiences of single black female caregivers of children with ASD who live in low-income, minority, and underserved communities in the United States. Objective: This study aimed to understand interrelated social and structural factors that place children and their families with limited resources at risk of delayed ASD diagnostic services and limited therapeutic services. Methods: The study design is based on in-depth interviews conducted with single black female caregivers of children with ASD who rely on state Medicaid health insurance in metro Atlanta, Georgia (N = 21). A grounded theory analysis of the interviews was used to systematically identify themes and multi-level barriers to ASD services. Results: Despite improvements over the past several decades in diagnosing children with ASD, this study identified multiple and interacting social, economic, and residential barriers to accessing ASD services. Two themes were identified that contextualize barriers to ASD services: bureaucratic processes and geographic location of services. These barriers were compounded by the consequences of being a single female parent, including having limited income, employment options, and social capital. Practical recommendations to break the cycle of ASD service disparities are discussed.

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