Leila Chiddick

Leila B. Chiddick is a fourth-year Global Studies major and Professional Writing minor. She is currently completing a Departmental Honors Thesis at the UCLA International Institute under the mentorship of Dr. Ugo Edu, a professor in the UCLA Department of African American Studies. Leila’s work analyzes existing global policies that aim to increase the well-being and healing of Black mothers and birthing people. In addition to her analysis, she will write a global policy on increasing healing spaces for Black mothers and birthing people, understanding if the universal implementation of doulas would support this initiative. She hopes her research can highlight the importance of Black women and birthing people’s personhood and healing in birthing spaces, contrary to current research, which commonly focuses on experiences of pain and harm. Outside of research, Leila is Co-President and Co-Founder of Collar Scholar at UCLA, a student organization that trains service animals and educates the UCLA community about accessibility. In addition, she works with Survivors + Allies, UCLA’s Campus Assault Resource and Education (CARE) Program, and UCLA’s Center for the Study of Women (CSW) to advance protections and support for survivors of sexual violence through prevention, research, and policy coalition building.