Photo of Stephen L. Schensul, Ph.D.

Stephen L. Schensul, Ph.D.

Professor, Public Health Sciences
Director, Center for International Community Health Studies
Academic Office Location:
Public Health Sciences
UConn Health
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06030-6325
Phone: 860-679-1570
Fax: 860-679-5464
Email: schensul@uchc.edu

A member of the University for over 20 years, Dr. Schensul assumed the directorship of the Center for International Community Health Studies (CICHS) in 1986 and since that time has overseen the training of over 1000 health professionals from 80 countries. He has conducted training workshops on HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, and research methodology both in the United States and abroad. Professor Schensul has focused his career on community-based, applied health research which has been conducted in Northern Minnesota, Southwestern Uganda, a Westside Mexican American community in Chicago, multi-ethnic communities in Miami, the African American and Puerto Rican communities in Hartford, the shantytown communities of Lima, Peru and Nairobi, Kenya, and in urban communities in Mauritius, Sri Lanka and India. Dr. Schensul is the author of numerous articles, books, and book chapters on applied health research, community development, and sexual risk.

Education
DegreeInstitutionMajor
M.A.University of MinnesotaAnthropology
B.A.Hunter College of The City University of New YorkAnthropology
Ph.D.University of Minnesota Anthropology

Awards
Name of Award/HonorAwarding Organization
Career Achievement AwardSociety for Medical Anthropology
Provost’s Faculty Award for Excellence in Public Engagement University of Connecticut
Honorary Chair of United Nations Day for ConnecticutAppointment by Governor Jodi Rell
Founding Star Award25th Anniversary of the Charter Oak Health Center
International Editorial Board (2003-present)Cultural Health and Sexuality
Award of Recognition for 18 years of contribution to the Hispanic Health CouncilHispanic Health Council
Team Residency on Youth and Sexuality in the Developing World Bellagio Study and Conference Center, Rockefeller Mansion, Lake Como, Italy
Solon T. Kimball Award for Public & Applied Anthropology. Co-recipient with Dr. Jean J. Schensul of the Solon T. Kimball Award for Anthropology and Public Policy presented at the American Anthropological Association Annual Meetings, “An award offered on even-numbered years which recognizes outstanding achievement that has contributed to anthropology as an applied science.”American Anthropological Association
Award of Appreciation for Contributions as Co-Founder of Hispanic Health Council in Hartford, CTHispanic Health Council
Award presented in appreciation for skill and time given in the development of El CentroEl Centro de la Causa
Special Commendation Award in appreciation for the support and interest in the development of the Latino communityChicano Mental Health Training Program and El Centro de la Causa
Certificate of Award in appreciation for voluntary contributions to the community programB.A.S.T.A. Drug Abuse Program
Name & DescriptionCategoryRoleTypeScopeStart YearEnd Year
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Special Emphasis PanelStudy SectionMemberExternalNational20052005
Special Emphasis Panel (PAR-03-089), NIAID, Center for AIDS ResearchStudy SectionMemberExternalNational20052005
Academic Advancement Committee Education CommitteeMemberUConn HealthUniversity2005
Colorectal Advisory Committee Advisory CommitteeMemberUConn HealthUniversity20052007
Health Services and Organizational Delivery Study SectionStudy SectionAppointed Standing Member ExternalNational20042010
Medical School, Medical/Dental Student Research Day Advisory CommitteeCo-Chair UConn HealthUniversity2003
Medical School Faculty Council Advisory CommitteeMemberUConn HealthUniversity20032006
Continuing Education Advisory Committee Advisory CommitteeMemberUConn HealthUniversity20032004
Community Research Training for Health Academy students at Bulkeley High School in Hartford in collaboration with the Institute for Community Research Advisory CommitteeCoordinator ExternalLocal20022003
MPH Curriculum Committee Advisory CommitteeMemberUConn HealthUniversity20022006
RISHTA (Research and Intervention in Sexual Health: Theory to Action, an acronym meaning “relationship in Hindi and Urdu) at the International Institute for Population Sciences in Mumbai, India Professional/Scientific OrganizationCo-Founder and Developer UConn HealthInternational2001
HIV/AIDS Workshop, Yerevan, ArmeniaWorkshop/ConferenceLead TrainerUConn HealthInternational20012001
Maternal and Child Health Workshop, Ashgabat, TurkmenistanWorkshop/ConferenceLead Trainer and OrganizerUConn HealthInternational20012001
Special Emphasis Panel, Fogerty International Center, NIH, “International Research Scientist Award”Advisory CommitteeMemberExternalNational20002000
Fourth-Year Medical Selectives Committee and Head of the Research Selectives CommitteeAdvisory CommitteeMemberUConn HealthUniversity20002003
Youth Action Research Institute Professional/Scientific OrganizationParticipant instructor ExternalLocal19982002
Medical/Dental Student Research Day Workshop/ConferenceMemberUConn HealthUniversity19982003
Health Project Follow-up Workshop, Moscow, Russian Federation Workshop/ConferenceLead Trainer and OrganizerUConn HealthInternational19951995
IMPAX, Student global health interest groupAdvisory CommitteeAdvisorUConn HealthUniversity1995
Center for Intersectoral and Community Health Studies, Peradeniya, Sri LankaAdvisory CommitteeCo-FounderUConn HealthInternational19911991
Triangle Program (Universities of Connecticut, Peradeniya, and Antwerp) for Health Social Sciences funded by the European UnionEducation CommitteeExternalInternational19911993
Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Lima, PeruVisiting ProfessorshipProfessorExternalUniversity19861986
Instituto Investigaciones en Salud Publica, Cayetano Heredia University, Lima Peru Advisory CommitteeCo-FounderUConn HealthInternational19841986
Charter Oak Terrace/Rice Heights Health Center (Hartford), Board of Directors Advisory CommitteeMemberExternalLocal19841985
Hartford Community Mental Health Centers (National Institute of Mental Health) Board of Directors Advisory CommitteeMemberExternalLocal19811985
Hartford Community Mental Health Centers (National Institute of Mental Health)Advisory CommitteeCo-DeveloperExternalLocal19801983
Charter Oak Terrace/Rice Heights Health Center (Hartford). Advisory CommitteeCo-Founder/Co-DeveloperExternalLocal19791983
Hartford Primary Care ConsortiumAdvisory CommitteeCo-FounderExternalLocal19791979
Hartford Comprehensive School Health Plan (Passed by Board of Education-City of Hartford in December 1979)Advisory CommitteeCo-DeveloperExternalLocal19781979
Latina-Mother Infant Education Project: “Dar a Luz.” Mujeres Latinas en Accion. (Welbolt Foundation Grant)Advisory CommitteeCo-DeveloperExternalLocal19781985
Hispanic Health Council Advisory CommitteeCo-Founder/Co-DeveloperExternalLocal19771986
Department of Anthropology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KYVisiting ProfessorshipProfessorExternalUniversity19761976
Research and Program Development Team (1975-1976). In The association with Organized Migrants in Community Action (OMICA) in Homestead and Immokalee migrant labor campsAdvisory CommitteeOrganizerExternalRegional19751976
Jackson Memorial Hospital Community Mental Health Program Advisory CommitteeDirector ExternalRegional19741976
Clinical-Community Development Teams (1974-1976). In African American, Bahamian, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Haitian and senior citizen communities in northwest MiamiAdvisory CommitteeDeveloperExternalLocal19741976
Brotherhood against Slavery to Addiction (BASTA), National Institute of Mental Health GrantAdvisory CommitteeCo-Developer ExternalNational1973
El Centro de la Causa (Office of Education grant to youth and education center)Advisory CommitteeCo-Founder/Co-DeveloperExternalRegional1973
The Chicano Mental Health Training Program (National Institute of Mental Health Grant)Advisory CommitteeCo-Founder/Co-DeveloperExternalRegional19721976
American Anthropology AssociationProfessional/Scientific OrganizationFellowExternalNational
Society for Applied AnthropologyProfessional/Scientific OrganizationFellowExternalNational
Society of Medical AnthropologyProfessional/Scientific OrganizationFellowExternalNational
American Public Health Association; International Health Section, APHAProfessional/Scientific OrganizationMemberExternalInternational
Dr. Schensul is the principal investigator of a five-year (2007-2012) NIMH grant addressing the prevention of HIV/STI transmission within marriage in India. The project deals with culturally-based concepts of women’s health that show a significant association with a difficult life situation and HIV/STI risk.

This project follows a six-year (2001-2007) NIMH funded project focused on married men in Mumbai. As a part of this project, non-allopathic providers (ayurvedic, unani and homeopaths) were trained in HIV/STI counseling and education and syndromic management to address men’s culturally defined symptoms related to sexual health that showed a significant association with sexual risk behavior. Prior research on cultural concepts of sexual risk and health have been conducted in Mauritius (1991-1994) and in Sri Lanka (1995-1999).

Journal Articles

Books

  • Schensul, S; Schensul, J; LeCompte, M. Initiating Ethnographic Research: A Mixed Methods Approach 2012 Jan;
  • Verma R, Pelto P, Schensul S, Joshi A, eds. Sexuality in the Time of AIDS: Contemporary Perspectives from Communities in India 2004 Jan;
  • Just M, Shaw C, Fisher W, Schensul S Coping in a Troubled Society: An Environmental Approach to Mental Health 1974 Jan;

Book Chapters

  • Religiosity, Empowerment and Emotional Health Among Muslim Women in Urban Poor India
    Kostick K, Schensul S L'Islam en anthropologie de la santé mentale : Théorie, ethnographie et clinique d'un regard alternatif 2010 Jan;
  • Sexual Risk Reduction among Married Women and Men in Urban India: An Anthropological Intervention
    Schensul S, Verma RK, Nastasi BK, Saggurti N, Mekki-Berrada Anthropology and Public Health: Bridging Differences in Culture and Society 2009 Jan;
  • Reflecting Diversity and Complexity in Marital Sexual Relationships in a Low-Income Community in Mumbai
    Maitra S, Schensul S Reproductive health in India: New Evidence 2008 Jan;
  • AIDS, mobility and commercial sex in Ethiopia: Implications for policy.
    Van Blerk, L AIDS care 2007 Jan;19(1):79-86
  • Knowledge of AIDS and HIV risk-related sexual behavior among Nigerian naval personnel.
    Nwokoji, Ugboga Adaji; Ajuwon, Ademola J BMC public health 2004 Jun;424
  • Male Sexual Health Problems in Mumbai: Cultural Constructs that Present Opportunities for HIV/AIDS Risk Reduction
    Verma R, Schensul S Sexuality in the Time of AIDS: Contemporary Perspectives from Communities in India 2004 Jan;
  • Married Women in Extramarital Relationships in a Rural Area of Gujarat
    Lakhani A, Schensul S, Mahale P Sexuality in the Time of AIDS: Contemporary Perspectives from Communities in India 2004 Jan;
  • Public Reputation v. Private Risk for Young Women in a Rural Area in Gujarat
    Mehta A, Schensul S, Fall S Sexuality in the Time of AIDS: Contemporary Perspectives from Communities in India 2004 Jan;
  • The Evolution of Marital Relationships and Sexual Risk in an Urban Slum Community in Mumbai
    Maitra A, Schensul S Sexuality in the Time of AIDS: Contemporary Perspectives from Communities in India 2004 Jan;
  • The Time of AIDS in India
    Verma R, Pelto P, Schensul S, Joshi A Sexuality in the Time of AIDS: Contemporary Perspectives from Communities in India 2004 Jan;
  • Essential Ethnographic Methods
    Schensul S, Schensul J, LeCompte The Ethnographer’s Toolkit 1999 Jan;
  • Establishing Public Health Research in Urban Undeserved Areas
    Schensul S Tropical Urban Nutrition 1987 Jan;79-106
  • Perspectives on Collaborative Research
    Schensul S Collaborative Research and Social Change: Applied Anthropology in Action 1987 Jan;211-220
  • La Operation: An analysis of Sterilization in a Puerto Rican Community in Connecticut
    Gonzalez M, Guarnaccia P, Barrera V, Schensul S Latina Women in Transition 1982 Jan;
  • Self Help Groups and Social Advocacy: A Contrast in Beliefs and Strategies
    Schensul S, Schensul J Self Help Groups 1982 Jan;
  • Advocacy and Applied Anthropology
    Schensul S, Schensul J Social Scientists as Advocates: Views from the Applied Disciplines 1979 Jan;121-166
  • The Role of Applied Research in the Development of Health Services in a Chicano Community in Chicago
    Schensul S, Bakszysz-Bymel M Topias and Utopias in Health 1975 Jan;71-89
  • Action Research: the Applied Anthropologist in a Community Mental Health Program
    Schensul S Anthropology Beyond the University 1973 Jan;106-119

Book Sections

  • Advocacy and applied anthropology
    Schensul S, Schensul J Social Scientists as Advocates 1978 Jan;

Conference Papers

Newsletters

  • A Proposed Curriculum for the Third Decade of Medical Anthropology
    Schensul S Anthropology Newsletter 1993 Jan;(May):

Other

  • 1996-97 trends in opposition to comprehensive sexuality education in public schools in the United States.
    Mayer, R SIECUS report 2001 Jan;25(6):20-6
  • Assessing Community Support Systems for Mothers Seeking Treatment for Sick Children
    Schensul S, Bojko M, Foster-Bey C Manual Developed for the World Health Organization, Division of Child Health and Development 2000 Jan;
  • Media Evaluation, State Indicators and an Instrument for the Evaluation of Community-Based, Abstinence-Only Programs
    Schensul S Connecticut Department of Public Health 1999 Jan;
  • Youth and Sexual Risk in Sri Lanka
    Silva KT, Schensul S, et al. Women and AIDS Research Program Phase II, Research Report Series No. 3, International Center for Research on Women, Washington, DC 1997 Jan;
  • Young Women, Work and AIDS-Related Risk Behavior in Mauritius
    Schensul S, Oodit G, Schensul J, et al Women and AIDS Research Program. International Center for Research on Women 1995 Jan;
  • Healthy Start Evaluation: Midpoint Report
    Eisenburg M, Schensul S State of Connecticut Department of Health and Addiction Services 1994 Jan;
  • A Study of Women Admitted to Hospitals with Complications Due to Abortion
    Oodit G, Schensul S, Bhowon U Reproductive Health Section of the World Health Organization 1993 Jan;
  • STDs and Stroke in Bridgeport
    Schensul S, Eisenburg M, Glasgow J State of Connecticut Department of Health Services 1993 Jan;
  • Utilizing State Generated Data by Local Health Departments
    Glasgow J, Schensul S, Eisenburg M State of Connecticut Department of Health Services 1992 Jan;
  • Ethnographic Approaches to the Evaluation of HIV Counseling and Testing for Intravenous Drug Users in Methadone Programs
    Schensul S, Swanson N Centers for Diseases/Control, Atlanta, GA 1991 Jan;
  • A Theoretical Framework for Analysis, Case Studies, and Policy Development for Urban Children in Especially Dangerous Circumstances
    Schensul S International Child Development Center of UNICIEF, Florence, Italy 1989 Jan;
  • Institutional Capacity Building for Child Survival and Development Nairobi
    Schensul S, Schensul J Kenya Country Office of UNICEF 1989 Jan;
  • Review of the Diarrheal Disease Portfolio of the Office of Health
    Horwitz A, Curlin G, Elliot V, Ramalingaswami V, Schensul S Agency for International Development 1989 Jan;
  • Urban Children in Difficult Circumstances
    Schensul S, Schensul J Kenya Country Office of USAID 1989 Jan;
  • Urban Shantytown Development and Pediatric illness in the Pueblos Jovenes of Lima, Peru
    Schensul S, Schensul J University of Connecticut Research Foundation 1984 Jan;
  • Introduction: the Hispanic Health Council.
    Schensul S.L., Borrero M. Social Anthropology 1982 Jan;11(1):1-8

Reviews