Research
Research
Embedded Files
I approach research as a collaborative and community-rooted process grounded in disability justice, accessibility, and participatory engagement. My work centers the knowledge of people with lived experience and uses qualitative, arts-based, and community-based methods to explore how systems shape everyday experiences of disability, relationality, and identity, as well as practices of collective care and movement-building. I am particularly interested in translating research into accessible, actionable forms that support organizing, advocacy, and collective understanding.
Research Experience
Research Experience
Research Assistant | Hartford, CT | May 2026 – Present
Research Assistant | Hartford, CT | May 2026 – Present
Conduct mixed-methods research on restraint and seclusion practices affecting students with disabilities to inform recommendations for the Transforming Children's Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee.
Design and facilitate interviews and focus groups with policymakers, advocates, service providers, educators, and government agency representatives.
Conduct policy, regulatory, and gray literature reviews on restraint and seclusion practices and evidence-based behavior intervention implementation.
Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to identify trends, implementation challenges, and policy opportunities.
Synthesize research findings into reports and policy recommendations for diverse audiences.
Action Researcher | Remote | September 2025 – Present
Action Researcher | Remote | September 2025 – Present
Engage in participatory action research on youth and young adult homelessness with a group of young adults with lived experience
Participate in cross-sector collaboration with young adults, service providers, and stakeholders to advance systems-level change for unhoused youth and young adults
Apply the Equity Capacity-Centered Design framework to examine inequities and inform recommendations
Facilitate skill-building in legislative advocacy and storytelling among young adults with lived experience of homelessness
Ensure research and recommendations reflect the experiences of people with disabilities and trans individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability, including barriers to safe and accessible housing
Research Assistant | Hartford, CT | February 2025 – Present
Research Assistant | Hartford, CT | February 2025 – Present
Co-conceptualize qualitative and arts-based studies pertaining to marginalized disabled communities
Engage in grounded theory and thematic analysis of qualitative interview transcripts
Co-author 10+ manuscripts, including contributing to literature reviews, conceptual frameworks, findings, discussion, and implications sections, and facilitating revisions for resubmission
Engage in Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes for qualitative and community-based research, including protocol development, data management, and compliance with human subjects research requirements
Draft funding proposals for internal funding
Author abstracts for conference presentations at academic and disciplinary conferences at national and international levels (12)
Lead lab development in disability justice principles across research projects
Graduate Fellow | Farmington, CT | August 2025 – May 2026
Conducted literature reviews and synthesized research on disability services, evidence-based practices, and policy.
Examined issues impacting people with disabilities through research, with a focus on disciplinary disproportionality and the accessibility of community organizing and advocacy spaces.
Collaborated with self-advocates, families, and interdisciplinary professionals to support inclusive, community-engaged research.
ACADEMIC AFFILIATIONS
ACADEMIC AFFILIATIONS
Queer and Trans Resistance, Intervention, Solidarity, and Equity (QT-RISE) Research Lab 2025-2026
Health Equity Innovation and Collaboration (HEIC) Lab 2025-2026
Sexuality, Relationships, and Gender (SRG) Research Collective 2025-2026
LGBTQ Caucus of Social Work Students & Faculty (Council on Social Work Education) 2025-2026
Research Skills:
Research Skills:
Qualitative and arts-based research design
Community-based and participatory research methods
Interview and focus group facilitation
Thematic and grounded theory coding and analysis
Literature review and interdisciplinary research synthesis
Presenting research to academic and community audiences
Dedoose (qualitative analysis software)
Select Research Interests:
Select Research Interests:
Queer, Disabled, and alternative relationalities and sexualities
Disability justice-grounded movement strategies
Collective, critical, and cross-disability accessibility practices
Community-based participatory action research
Collective care frameworks and practices
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Published
Published
Iacono, G., Harrington, K. Y., Lawrence, S. E., Learman, J., Manuel, J. I., Meehan, Q., Muro, P., Roman-Hampton, V., Singh, S., & Rozas, L. W. (2025). Critical hope and resistance through collective poetic inquiry: A response to federal attacks on queer and trans communities by scholar-advocates. QED: A Journal in GLBTQ Worldmaking, 12(1), 171–185. https://doi.org/10.14321/qed.12.1.0171
Under Review
Under Review
Evans, S., Meehan, Q., Paceley, M.S., Jen, S., Carolan, K., (under revision) Queer and Trans Disabled Imagined Futures as Resistance to a Hostile Sociopolitical Climate: An Arts-Based Disability, Sexual, and Gender Justice Study. Abstract accepted for special issue on Disability and Sexual Justice in Women’s Reproductive Health.
Withey-Rila, C., Paceley, M. S., Meehan, Q., & Schwartz, J. J. (under review). Trans/Nonbinary sexualities and prioritizing pleasure. 2nd edition. In S. K. Kattari, M. K. Kinney, L. Kattari, & N.E. Walls (Eds.), Social Work and Health Care with Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals and Communities, 2nd Edition. Routledge.
Paceley, M. S., Evans, S., Hamor, L., Green, S., Iacono, G., Riquino, M., Meehan, Q., Marshall, E. (under review) Structural and systemic issues impacting crisis intervention services for LGBTQ+ communities in the Midwest U.S. Social Work in Public Health.
Paceley, M. S., Roman-Hampton, V., Harrington, K., Meehan, Q., Evans, S., Bishop, M., Gzesh, A., Kynn, J., Fish, J. N., Tucker, T., Perry, K., & Iacono. G. (under review). Loving fiercely: A grounded theory model of parental processes to mitigate harm to transgender youth caused by the anti-trans sociopolitical climate. Abstract accepted for special issue on Innovations in research on LGBTQ+ youth mental health: A special issue in honor of Dr. Jeremy T. Goldbach in Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity.
Iacono, G., Muro, P., Evans, S., RomanHampton, V., McGeough, B., Thigpen, K., Meehan, Q., Gzesh, A., Perry, K., Prince, D. M., Greenwood, M., & Paceley, M. S. (under review). Exploring mental health providers’ support of transgender and gender expansive youths' mental health in the context of threats to gender affirming care [Manuscript submitted for publication]. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity (Special issue on innovations in research on LGBTQ+ youth mental health in honor of Dr. Jeremy T. Goldbach).
Hong, C., Zhao, J., Muro, P., Fraenkel, M.L., Conley, R., Meehan, Q., & Manuel, J.I. (under review). Mental health outcomes, associated factors, and help-seeking among rural LGBTQ+ populations in the United States: A scoping review. Journal of Rural Health.
Manuscripts in Progress
Manuscripts in Progress
Meehan, Q. Cripping Queer Intimacies: Reimagining Love, Care, and Interdependence in an Ableist World. Invited submission for: Canadian Journal of Disability Studies. (Due July 5).
Harrington, K.Y., Paceley, M.S., Iacono, G., Evans, S., Roman-Hampton, V., Meehan, Q., Prince, D., & McGeough, B. “Like a dystopian fiction novel”: A found poem on the experiences of advocates working for trans equity in a hostile sociopolitical climate. Planned submission for: Qualitative Social Work..
Meehan, Q., Alexander, e., Paceley, M. Uplifting art as a survival tactic in these times. Art as Resistance in Social Work Practice, a volume for Critical Praxes in Arts-Based Social Work. Routledge. (Due August 1).
Paceley, M. S., Meehan, Q., Medina, J., Hardrick, J., & Hines, M. (in progress). Art as resistance: A praxis for social change and community building in social work. Authors 2-5 are co-second authors. Abstract accepted for a chapter in edited book: Art as Resistance in Social Work Practice, a volume for Critical Praxes in Arts-Based Social Work. Routledge. (Due August 1).
Paceley, M.S., Iacono, G. Harrington, K.Y., Lawrence, S.E., Learman, J., Manuel, J., Meehan, Q., Muro, P. Roman-Hampton, V. Singh, S., Weeks, A., & Werkmeister Rozas, L. (in progress). Poetic Inquiry and Arts-Based Praxis in the Academy: Resisting the Hostile Anti-Trans Political Climate in the U.S. as Social Work Scholars.
Authors 1-2 are co-first authors.
Authors 3-12 are co-second authors, listed alphabetically.
Abstract submitted for consideration in edited book: Artwork and Corporeality in Critical SW Practice. Routledge.
Meehan, Q., Paiz Pineda, E. Improving Accessibility in Community Spaces: Insights from Disabled People and Organizers in Connecticut.
Books and Edited Volumes in Progress
Books and Edited Volumes in Progress
alexander, e, Paceley, M.S., & Meehan, Q. (Eds.) (in progress). Heartwork: Art as Embodied Social Work Practice. Routledge.
alexander, e, Paceley, M.S., & Meehan, Q. (Eds.) (in progress). Art as Praxis for Resisting Oppressive Systems. Routledge.
Paceley, M.S., alexander, e., & Meehan, Q. (Eds.) (in progress). Arts in Social Work Education: A Praxis of Marronage and Love. Routledge.
Journals
Journals
Peer-Reviewed Presentations
Peer-Reviewed Presentations
Evans, S., Meehan, Q., Paceley, M. S., Iacono, G., Roman-Hampton, V., Bishop, M., Gzesh, A., Kynn, J., & Fish, J.N. (2026, August). Anti-Trans Attacks from the State: Impacts and Parental Strategies to Mitigate Harm for TGE Youth. {Paper Presentation. Society for Research on Child Development: Special Topic Meeting: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Childhood and Adolescence: A Global Forum on Development, Health, and Rights. Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Iacono, G., Muro, P., McGeough, B., Evans, S., Prince, D.M., Roman-Hampton, V., Gzesh, A., Meehan, Q., Paceley, M. S., Perry, K., & Greenwood, E. (2026, August). Mental Health Providers’ Support of Transgender Youth Amid Restrictions on Gender-Affirming Care in the USA. [Paper Presentation]. Society for Research on Child Development: Special Topic Meeting: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Childhood and Adolescence: A Global Forum on Development, Health, and Rights. Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Paceley, M.S., Meehan, Q. (2026, July). Artistic Imagining of Queer, Trans, Disabled Futures Amidst a Hostile Sociopolitical Climate. [Performance & Presentation]. Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed Conference: Democracy in the Ashes: Voices of Resistance, Songs of Transformation. Minneapolis, MN.
Paceley, M.S., Evans, S., Meehan, Q., Jen, S., Carolan, K. (2026, April). How to Resist the Sociopolitical Climate Through Queer, Trans, Disabled Imagined Futures. [Workshop]. Southern Connecticut State University Women’s and Gender Studies Conference. New Haven, CT.
Meehan, Q. (2026, February). Cripping Queer Intimacies: Reimagining Love, Care, and Interdependence in an Ableist World. [Paper Presentation]. Sexuality, Disability, and Power to Disrupt Conference. Virtual.
Paceley, M.S., Meehan, Q., Evans, S., Jen, S., Carolan, K. (2026, February) Disrupting Hate and Harm toward Queer and Trans Disabled Communities in the U.S. through Creative Dreaming and Imagining Better Futures. [Paper Presentation] Sexuality, Disability, and Power to Disrupt Conference. Virtual.
Hong, C., Muro, P., Meehan, Q., Conley, R., Eldredge, M. (2026, January). Mental Health Outcomes, Associated Factors, and Help-Seeking Among Rural LGBTQ+ Populations in the United States: A Scoping Review. [Poster Presentation]. Society for Social Work and Research Conference. Washington, DC.
Paceley, M.S., Iacono, G., Bietsch, B., Harrington, K.Y., Lawerence, S.E., Learman, J., Manuel, J.I., Meehan, Q., Muro, P., Roman-Hampton, V., Singh, S., Werkmeister Rozas, L. (2026, January) Critical Hope and Resistance through Collective Poetic Inquiry: A Response to Federal Attacks on Queer and Trans Communities by Scholar Advocates. [Paper Presentation]. Society for Social Work and Research Conference. Washington, DC.
Evans, S., Paceley, M.S., Iacono, G., McGeough, B., Prince, D. & Meehan, Q. (2026, January). “These are clients of ours and we have a duty and a right to serve and honor them”: Therapists' experiences supporting transgender and gender expansive clients within an anti-trans political climate. [Poster Presentation]. Society for Social Work and Research Conference. Washington, DC.
Hong, C., Muro, P., Meehan, Q., Conley, R., & Eldredge, M. (2025, November). Mental health outcomes, associated factors, and help-seeking among rural LGBTQ+ populations in the United States: A scoping review. [Paper Presentation]. New England Rural Health Association Conference. Groton, CT.
Meehan, Q. (2025, October). Cripping Queer Intimacies: Reimagining Love, Care, and Interdependence in an Ableist World [Paper Presentation]. Lesbian Lives Conference. New York, NY.
Evans, S., Paceley, M.S., Meehan, Q., Carolan, K., & Jen, S. (2025, October). Embracing the resistive nature of imagined futures for disabled LGBTQ+ communities: A community-engaged, research-informed practice project. [Paper Presentation]. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting. Denver, CO.
Evans, S., Paceley, M.S., Meehan, Q., Carolan, K., & Jen, S.R. (2025, September). Queer and Trans Futures for Disabled LGBTQ+ Communities: Resisting the Current Hostile Sociopolitical Climate through Imagined Futures [Paper Presentation]. LGBTQ Research Symposium. Virtual.
Meehan, Q. (2025, September). Cripping Queer Intimacies: Reimagining Love, Care, and Interdependence in an Ableist World [Workshop]. LGBTQ Research Symposium. Virtual.
Conferences
Conferences
Navigating Access Friction Framework
Navigating Access Friction Framework
Meehan, a second-year MSW student concentrating in Community Organizing, completed their independent study under the mentorship of Associate Professor Meg Paceley. Rather than producing a single research product, Meehan worked across several collaborative and independent projects, many of which center lived experience as a site of knowledge.
"Working one-on-one with Dr. Paceley has been an incredibly generative experience," Meehan says. “Their mentorship allowed me to engage deeply in collaborative research while also developing projects that have personal meaning for me.”
Paceley notes Meehan’s efforts encouraging other members of their research team to integrate more disability justice. "Quinn has shown great promise as a researcher, gaining skills and experience in qualitative and arts-based methods, academic writing, and even navigating the ethics board review process,” Paceley says. “I’m excited to see where they go next in their career."
Writing Samples
Writing Samples
English and Spanish outreach flyers for a participatory study focused on improving accessibility in community spaces and understanding barriers faced by Disabled community members and organizers working to create more accessible environments.
Semi-structured interview guide used in a participatory study examining barriers to accessibility in community spaces and the experiences of Disabled community members and organizers.
Slides for a paper presentation on Cripping Queer Intimacies: Reimagining Love, Care, and Interdependence in an Ableist World, an autoethnography examining my experiences as a queer, trans, and Disabled person in relationships. Presented at the LGBTQ+ Research Symposium, the Lesbian Lives Conference, and (Re)making the World: A "How-To" Conference on Feminist, Crip, and Decolonial Worldmaking.
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