Smith Hall 739C
Biography
Shayna Morrison is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Marshall University. Her research investigates the application of burgeoning technologies, such as AI, VR, and haptic interfaces, in providing social support during periods of stress with the aim of promoting improved health outcomes. She has expertise in developing and testing support humanoid agents in VR and is now expanding her study into generative LLM models. For this research, she was awarded the American Sociological Association’s prestigious Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant, formerly funded through the NSF. The College of Liberal Arts has provided funding for Shayna to start Marshall’s first combined AI/VR laboratory. Her interest in community health also informed her work as a survey researcher for the CDC’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System and the Mid-Atlantic Research and Training Institute for Community and Behavioral Health, following over a decade of experience in various social service advocacy roles. She is passionate about using technology for social good and is looking for opportunities to connect with local service agencies who want to explore alternative modalities for supporting positive mental health.
Shayna holds a PhD in Sociology from Kent State and an M.A. from the School for International Training, where her love of cross-cultural studies deepened. Her teaching interests intersect culture, gender, social psychology, and technology. Shayna has taught for the American Academy at The Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná in Curitiba, Brazil, Case Western University, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Outside of the classroom, Shayna enjoys supporting international programs in the area and exploring nature by foot or paddle.