Laurel Sprague

Laurel Sprague, Ph.D., is the Research Director and Blachford/Cooper Distinguished Scholar at the Williams Institute. Her focus is the health and social/political inclusion of LGBTQ people, sex workers, people who use drugs, and HIV communities. She has publications in medical and social science journals, books, and UN reports and has presented to the UN Human Rights Council, WHO, NIH, and Congressional Black Caucus. Laurel has led Community and Youth Engagement for the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS in Geneva, coordinating efforts with UN Member States, communities, and researchers to strengthen grassroots leadership and services. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Wayne State University, focused on political representation of marginalized groups, a M.S. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Nova Southeastern University, and a B.A. in English from the University of Michigan.