Jodi O'Brien is an American sociologist and academic known for her contributions to the study of gender, sexuality, health, and LGBTQ + issues. She holds a professorship in the Department of Sociology and the Women's and Gender Studies Program at the University of South Carolina. O'Brien’s research focuses on the social determinants of health among lesbian, bisexual, and queer populations, as well as the social construction of sexual identities and the intersection of gender, sexuality, and social policy.
O'Brien is the author of several scholarly works, including Lesbian Studies: A Critical Introduction (Routledge, 2013), which provides an overview of lesbian scholarship and its methodological approaches. She has also published numerous peer‑reviewed articles examining health disparities, mental health, and social experiences of LGBTQ + individuals, contributing to both sociological theory and public health discourse.
In addition to her research and publications, O'Brien is active in academic service, serving on editorial boards for journals related to gender and sexuality studies, and participating in professional organizations such as the American Sociological Association. Her work is frequently cited in discussions of LGBTQ + health equity and the sociological analysis of sexual orientation.