Meika R. Berlan

Meika R. Berlan

Class of 2016

Education:

BA in Organizational Communication, University of Central Florida, May 2005, MA in Nonprofit Management, University of Central Florida, May 2007

Research Interest:

Meika is interested in research of social policy, more specifically inequality related to gender, sexual minorities, and children and families.

Ph.D. Expected:

2016

Current Research:

Meika’s research interests are in social policy with a concentration on inequality. Her dissertation research is centered around gender and inequality, LGBT politics and policy. She is also conducted research about income inequality among nontraditional and minority families.

Dissertation Title: POLICY AND PARITY: How gender equality and reproductive technology influence the adoption of state marriage equality policies.

Teaching Interests:

  • Public Policy

  • Inequality

  • LGBT Politics and Policy

  • Social Stratification

  • Nonprofit Management

  • Women in Politics

  • Gender Equality

  • State Politics and Policy

  • Children & Families

Accomplishments:

  • UNC Charlotte Center for Graduate Life Fellow 2015-2016

Recent Publications:

  • Wemlinger, E. & Berlan, M.R (2016). Does Gender Equality Influence Volunteerism? A Cross-National Analysis of Women’s Volunteering Habits and Gender Equality. Voluntas, 27(2), 853-873.

Conferences Attended:

  • Presented – 2016 Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois. Voluntary Memberships and Equality: The Influence of Country Level Equality on The Voluntary Behavior of Men and Women. Presented with Elizabeth Wemlinger

  • Presented – 2015 Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management Fall Research Conference – Miami, Florida. Marriage Equality and Gender Equality: A Perfect Match?

  • Presented – 2014 Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management – Albuquerque, New Mexico “Is It Getting Lost in Translation?: Moving from LGBT Politics Towards Policy Solutions in the Academy” presented with Elizabeth Wemlinger

  • Presented – 2013 Southeastern Conference of Public Administration – Charlotte, North Carolina “Gender Equality and Marriage Equality – Are They A Perfect Match?”

  • Presented – 2013 Southeastern Conference of Public Administration – Charlotte, North Carolina “Do Women Volunteer at Different Organizations than Men? A Cross-National Analysis of the Influence of Gender on Volunteer Behavior” presented with Elizabeth Wemlinger

  • Presented – 2013 North Carolina Political Science Association – Raleigh, North Carolina “Does Gender Equality Influence Volunteerism? A Cross-National Analysis of Women’s Volunteering Habits and Gender Equity” presented with Elizabeth Wemlinger

  • Attended – 2014 Southern Sociological Society – Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Attended – 2013 Midwest Political Science Association – Chicago, Illinois

Professional Memberships:

  • Association of Public Policy and Management, American Political Science Association, American Statistical Association, American Sociological Association

  • American Political Science Association, National Capital Area Political Science Association

Biographical Information:

Originally from Treasure Island, FL Meika Berlan earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Central Floridain 2005, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in organizational communications and minor in general business. She continued her studies at the University of Central Florida, earning a master’s degree in nonprofit management in 2007. After working for 5 years in development for a national advocacy nonprofit she enrolled at UNC Charlotte in the fall of 2012 to pursue her doctoral degree in public policy.

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