Adrian Shanker integrates original research into his work. An independent researcher, Adrian has primarily focused on LGBTQI+ health disparity research as well oral history. Some of his research includes:
Al Shanker Centennial Oral History Project
Albert Shanker was an iconic teachers union leader who served as President of the NYC United Federation of Teachers from 1964-1985 during a period of significant teacher strikes, President of the American Federation of Teachers from 1974 until his death in 1997 during a period of significant education reform. He also co-founded Education International, the coalition of global teachers union organizations. His impact on education policy, the trade union movement, and democracy endures. In advance of Al Shanker’s 2028 centennial, Adrian Shanker created the Al Shanker Centennial Oral History Project, to build an archive of interviews from people who worked with Al in his lifetime.
This is an ongoing project — interviews so far include: Senator Lamar Alexander, Eric Chenoweth, Chester E. Finn Jr., Rachelle Horowitz, Loretta Johnson, Phil Kugler, Alan Lubin, Herb Magidson, David Mandel, Ed McElroy, Sally Muravchik, Walter Naegle, Bella Rosenberg, David Sherman, and Ruth Wattenberg.
This project has received partial funding from New York State United Teachers and The Albert Shanker Institute. Email Adrian to support this project.
Pennsylvania LGBTQ COVID-19 Vaccine Survey
Adrian Shanker, along with Christina Graham Brasavage, Dr. Kathleen Carrick, and Dr. Tamara Moss led a 2021 study to collect data about vaccine hesitancy and barriers to care among Pennsylvania’s LGBTQ residents in the first year of COVID-19 vaccine availability. Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center sponsored the study in partnership with the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research at Bryn Mawr College. The study ran online from March to April 2021 across the state of Pennsylvania and included 1,659 respondents. This was one of a very small number of studies across the U.S. investigating LGBTQ people’s vaccine hesitancy during the initial push for COVID-19 vaccinations. Read the report.
Pennsylvania LGBTQ Health Needs Assessment
Funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the Pennsylvania LGBTQ Health Needs Assessment was piloted by Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in 2015 and 2016 with regional surveys and established as a biannual survey in 2018 to comprehensively evaluate health needs, health disparities, and barriers to care impacting LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians. This data became a model for state-based data collections on LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing, collecting critical data on healthcare experiences, nutrition, exercise, tobacco use, drug and alcohol use, sexual health, mental health, and food and housing security.
Adrian Shanker is a co-founder and collaborating investigator of the Pennsylvania LGBTQ Health Needs Assessment, along with Dr. Scout, Robert Coulter (2015-2016) and Jennifer Keith (2018-2022) on the 2015/2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022 needs assessments. The project continues today with new leadership.