Bio
Shichang is a PhD student in social work at Columbia University. Their research interests revolve around health disparities among LGBTQ+ individuals and individuals with diverse gender expressions, particularly how lived experiences shape their mental health. Shichang seeks to examine the underlying mechanism of health disparities and apply research findings to enhance social work practices.
Shichang can identify as queer, feminist, postmodernist, and a clinical social worker. They hold MSW degrees from both the University of Michigan and Peking University. They have worked as a trauma-informed practitioner and an anti-oppression activist, providing clinical services and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals and families impacted by child maltreatment in China. They are the founder of Global Qnection, a university-recognized initiative supporting LGBTQ+ international students and advocating for global queer cultures and rights.
Shichang believes themselves a beneficiary and victim of Eastern Asian culture. Shichang was a Pokemon trainer, the Hero of Hyrule, a traveler on Teyvat, a devotee of Dream of the Red Chamber, and a nostalgic fan of the Big Three anime, Wuxia, and early 21st-century Taiwanese music.