Social determinants, Behavioral health, Substance use disorders, Health disparities

Dr. Rachel S. Ryding is a sociologist and mixed-methodologist who specializes in enhancing health equity and dismantling structural inequality. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Delaware, where she completed her dissertation on the cultural contradictions of alcohol and gender norms among mothers online. Her research interests include social determinants of health, behavioral health and substance use disorders, maternal substance use, health disparities, and risk and protective factors in both youth and adult populations.

Dr. Ryding has a wide range of skills in both quantitative and qualitative research methods, as well as experience in data collection, analysis, and product development based on research findings. She has worked on evaluations of federal grants and university-based programs, offering technical assistance to stakeholders and grant recipients and providing data-driven solutions. She is knowledgeable about GIS technology using ArcPro and ArcOnline.

Dr. Ryding has published several peer-reviewed articles on topics related to substance use, recovery, and health disparities. Her work has appeared in the Disability and Health Journal, Addiction Research & Theory, and the Journal of Children and Poverty. She has also presented her research at various conferences and has been invited to speak at several events. She has been awarded several grants, awards, and fellowships throughout her academic career. Dr. Ryding is a member of several professional associations, including the Southern Sociological Society and the Society for the Study of Social Problems.