Jennifer M. Gómez

Jennifer M. Gómez, PhD, Board Member and Chair of the Research Advisory Committee at the Center for Institutional Courage, is an Assistant Professor at Boston University (BU) School of Social Work, Faculty Affiliate at the Center for Innovation in Social Work & Health at BU, and incoming Faculty Affiliate at the Center for Antiracist Research at BU. She is also a member of the Scientific Committee at the International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation (ISSTD) and the American Psychological Association (APA) Presidential Task Force for Culturally Informed Trauma & Grief Kits. Additionally, she is a guest co-editor of two special issues in Journal of Trauma & Dissociation- Discrimination, Violence, & Healing in Marginalized Communities (2021) and Self Injury & Suicidality: The Impact of Trauma & Dissociation (2015). Dr. Gómez’ research centers around cultural betrayal trauma theory (CBTT), which she created as a Black feminist, critical race theoretical framework for empirically examining violence and mental, physical, behavioral, and cultural health outcomes for Black and other marginalized youth, young adults, and elders within the impactful context of racism and other structural inequalities. She has published over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, other scholarly writings, professional development documents, and pieces for the general public. Her work has been funded by the Ford Foundation Fellowships Program, administered by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, & Medicine (NASEM), and the Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research (MCUAAAR)—National Institute on Aging (NIA). Partially funded by the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (CASBS) at Stanford University (2021-22 CASBS Fellowship), her book, “The Cultural Betrayal of Black Women & Girls: A Black Feminist Approach to Healing from Sexual Abuse” (American Psychological Association; July 2023), is relevant for diverse audiences: race scholars, trauma researchers, trauma clinicians, Black feminists/womanists, changemakers/advocates/activists, Black women survivors, survivors who are not Black women, and anyone who wants to better understand and support Black women and girls who experience racism, intersectional oppression, and sexual violence. Dr. Gómez’ ultimate goal for her work is to promote equity, equality, and healing for individuals, families, communities, institutions, and society.