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Raised in Tokyo and Hawaii, Shana Merrifield is a recent graduate of Tufts University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Asian Studies. It was during her year abroad in Copenhagen where she started focusing on transnational migration, and became involved with the anti-trafficking movement while researching for the Danish NGO HopeNow. Upon returning to Tufts, she examined how the sex trade reproduces pre-existing social inequalities by conducting a qualitative research project on racialized sexism in the commercial sex industry. This helped connect her with anti-trafficking organization IMUAlliance, where she worked as a victim support advocate. She recently relocated to New Zealand and currently works at the Auckland Law School. Shana hopes to continue broadening her knowledge on anti-trafficking and plans to create a program for high school health classes to address sensitive issues around sex trafficking.
Updated May 2019