Laura Swan

Dr. Laura Swan is a social worker and public health researcher dedicated to advancing reproductive health equity. Her work centers on expanding access to contraception and abortion, with a strong commitment to eliminating discrimination and coercion from care. Dr. Swan leads collaborative, mixed-methods research that investigates provider-driven coercion in contraceptive counseling, partner-perpetrated reproductive coercion, and the effects of state and federal policies on reproductive autonomy. Her current projects also explore the abortion preferences and experiences of Black birthing people, with the goal of informing more just and person-centered care.

Dr. Swan holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Appalachian State University, a Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and a PhD in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with practice experience as a hospital social worker.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An artist

What is your favorite thing to nerd out about?
Reality TV, musicals, enneagram personality types

What is your favorite hobby or pastime?
Cross-stitching