I am a historian of the modern United States with special
interests in the human sciences, social engineering, and therapeutic
culture. My most recent book is Kinship by Design: A History of
Adoption in the Modern United States (University of Chicago Press,
2008). I have also written two other books. One
is about the impact of psychology on public policy and culture during
and after World War II: The
Romance of American Psychology: Political Culture in the Age of Experts (University
of California Press, 1995). The other is a contribution to a series
of books for young readers on Issues in Lesbian and Gay Life: Psychiatry,
Psychology, and Homosexuality (New York: Chelsea House,
1995). My work has been supported by fellowships at
Harvard Law School and Radcliffe's Bunting Institute, as well as by a
major research grant from the Science and Technology Studies Program
of the National Science Foundation. My current research project is titled “Autism, Between Rights and Risks.” During 2011-2012, it was supported by a Fellowship from the American Council of Learned Societies.