As a qualitative researcher I regularly take an in-depth approach that focuses on marginalized populations; thus making concepts of race, class, gender, sexuality, and social justice regular aspects of my research. My approach heavily relies upon exploring the richness and complexity of lived-experiences as articulated by participants. I also regularly apply theories and approaches created by members of marginalized populations who are well-versed in the social sciences. For example, the research that I have conducted about Black women has been informed largely by the scholarship of womanist theorist, most notably that of Patricia Hill Collins, Kimberle Crenshaw, Brittney Cooper, and Kristie Dotson.

Over the past four years the research that I have conducted has focused on the unique standpoints of Black women at various intersections. These research studies centered around three primary questions; 1) what are the lived-experiences of Black women in the United States, 2) what meaning do Black women make of these experiences, and 3) what is the essence of those lived-experiences.

As principal investigator on three different research studies and co-investigator on two research studies (all of which explored lived experiences at the intersection of race and gender) has sharpened my qualitative procedural skills. My research has not only provided me the opportunity to present my findings at over 30 academic and professional conferences it has also contributed to my two most recent publications: She Persisted: The pursuit, persistence, & power of African American women in social work graduate programs at Historically Black Institutions (HBI), published last year in the Journal of Social Work Education and Mentor-shape: Mentoring Black Women in Doctoral Programs, published this year in the journal of Mentoring and Tutoring: Partnership in Learning.

My future research plans include disseminating findings from all five research projects through articles, books, and academic presentations. These studies have already raised several research questions. One of which is about the mental and emotional cost of the intellectual labor of Black women. Another related question is whether those effects are connected to their well-being, resilience, and ability to persist. I look forward to working collaboratively with colleagues and students who share my interest in exploring the lived-experiences of populations at their intersections. My career goal is to find a position where I can regularly integrate research, scholarship, teaching, and service. Researching, writing, teaching, and even public speaking are welcomed activities that have become regular aspects of my everyday life.  My investigative research over the past three years include the following:

Principal Investigator,       Rasheem, S.M. (2016-2017). Exploring Black Motherhood Through the Lens of Race, Class, & Gender. A Hermeneutic Phenomenological study. A Qualitative Study that included 50 participants.

Principal Investigator,     Rasheem, S.M. (2015-2016). Beyond the Threshold: Exploring the Intersections of Race, Gender, Welfare & Resilience. A Qualitative Study of 12 participants.

Principal Investigator,     Rasheem, S.M. (2015-2016). Maximizing Human Potential. A Qualitative Study of over 100 participants

Co-Investigator,                  Toney, D.; Mushonga, D.; Rasheem, S.M. (2015- 2016). Resilience factors of African-American women who have experienced Trauma. A Qualitative Study of 9 participants

Co-Investigator,     Estreet, A.; Rasheem, S.M.; Elbalghiti, M. (2015-2016) Vital voices. A Qualitative study that explored the intersections of Race, Gender and Substance Abuse. 7 Participants