Shayna Skakoon-Sparling, PhD.

   Shayna Sparling is an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department at the University of Guelph, in the area of Applied Social Psychology. Shayna is also a CTN Investigator, holds an Affiliate Faculty position with The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, and is an Affiliate Researcher with the Canadian Alliance for Social Connection and Health.

Shayna's research examines the need to belong, with a current focus on the roles of loneliness and social support in the health and well-being of marginalized populations such as gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. She also has a focus of work on stigma; how it impacts well-being and influences behaviour, but also when and how social support can buffer against the effects of stigma.

Shayna serves on the editorial boards of the Archives of Sexual Behavior, The Journal of Sex Research, and the Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality.

When she's not hard at work, Shayna enjoys bicycling around the city, reading fiction (especially a good sci-fi or mystery), catching up on pop culture, and spending time with her family and friends.