Where to find me and my work...
Want to connect or collaborate?
I am always looking for likeminded scholars, cultural commentators, and social activists to work with. Contact me to discuss possible projects or presentations.
Elected to the ISSA Board of Directors
I am excited to announce that I have been elected to the International Single Studies Association (ISSA) Board of Directors for the 2026-2028 term. I will be serving alongside an esteemed panel that includes Naomi Cahn, Chao-ju Chen, Ketaki Chowkhani, Joan DelFattore, Keren Eisen, and Geoff MacDonald. I look forward to working with the board in advancing the objectives of ISSA.
Book Coming Soon!!
Autonomous Women: Shifting the Conversation Surrounding Childfree and Single Women of Color
I am thrilled to announce that I have signed an advance contract with Rutgers University Press to publish my forthcoming book: Autonomous Women: Shifting the Conversation Surrounding Childfree and Single Women of Color. This book utilizes the data from my dissertation “Autonomous Women: An Examination of the Lives and Experiences of Childfree, Never-Married Single Women of Color from a Decolonial Feminist Perspective.” Please return for updates on release dates. Full manuscript due October 15, 2026.
Chapters
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Single Majority: Women Who Choose Singular Lives
Chapter 2: All About My Mother (‘s Choices): How Autonomous Women are Shaped by Their Mother’s Choices and Limitations
Chapter 3: Juliet and Rose Made Horrible Decisions: An Alternative to Heteronormative Romantic Love Relationships
Chapter 4: I Didn’t Ask for a Prince, but I’ll Keep the Horse: Autonomous Women are Not Yearning to be Saved
Chapter 5: All You Need is ... Financial Stability: Financial Independence Lays an Important Foundation for an Autonomous Lifestyle
Chapter 6: Don’t Cry for Me, I’ll be in Argentina: Autonomous Women are no Longer Waiting for Permission to Make Life Choices
Chapter 7: Childhoods are not just for Children: Early Caretaking Roles Have an Impact on Motherhood Decisions
Chapter 8: I don’t WANT to know Nothing about Birthing No Babies: Decisions Not to Mother Made Early in Life Without Vacillation
Chapter 9: White Feminists didn’t “fuck the patriarchy”; They Married White Supremacy: How the Politics of Race and Gender Impact Autonomous WOC
Chapter 10: Autonomous Woman – Stay Away from Me: A Singular Life Does Not Mean a Life Without Meaning
New Article Out Now!!
“Coloniality, Capitalism, and Patriarchy: Childfree, Never-Married Black Women and Women of Color on
New article from my dissertation is finally out! Excited for this one, below is the citation.
Phillips, Kimberly Martinez. 2025. “Coloniality, Capitalism, and Patriarchy: Childfree, Never-Married Black Women and Women of Color on the Rise.” Journal of Black Sexuality and Relationships 12 (3): 113–44. https://doi.org/10.1353/bsr.2025.a987573.
My Work Mentioned in Cosmo!!
“Is It Just Us? Or Are The Single Cat Ladies Happier?”
I am briefly mentioned in the above article. Link here: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/relationships/a70178115/is-it-just-us-single-cat-ladies/
5th International Singles Studies Conference
July 8, 2026 (hybrid conference) Edinburgh, Scotland
As a Co-Chair of Conference Subcommittee for ISSA (International Singles Studies Association) 5th Annual Conference, I am excited to share the call for abstracts for the 5th Annual Single Studies Association (ISSA) Conference. ISSA website: https://sites.google.com/mail.huji.ac.il/singlehoodstudies/events/annual-conference
The theme of this year’s conference is “The Single Majority: Single Studies for a Changing Society.” In many parts of the world, single adults now make up a significant and growing share of the population. This conference seeks contributions that deepen our understanding of single life in its many evolving forms and contexts, and that critically examine how rising rates of singlehood are transforming social norms, economic structures, cultural narratives, and policy landscapes.
NewWomen's Health article
My interview for Women's Health magazine
My research is featured in the new Women’s Health Magazine. The article “Single Women Are Thriving in 2025. Experts Explain What’s Really Driving Their Joy” written by Amy Wilkinson can be found in the following link:
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/relationships/a69094229/single-women-happiness/
New Publication is Now Out!!
Planning Trips not Weddings: Intersecting Single and Childfree Women of Color
My article “Planning Trips not Weddings: Intersecting Single and Childfree Women of Color” is now published in the special issue “Towards Intersectional Feminist Singlehood Studies” in the Dutch journal Tijdschrift voor Genderstudies
https://doi.org/10.5117/TVGN2025.2-3.002.MART
https://www.linkedin.com/company/tijdschrift-voor-genderstudies
York University Appointment
Visiting Scholar for 2025/2026 academic year at Center for Feminist Research, York University
I have begun my Visiting Scholar appointment at the Centre for Feminist Research at York University. This is not a paid position, but it will allow me to continue to network with academic communities and hopefully to conduct more research on the issues that are important to me. To learn more about the Centre at York University visit https://www.yorku.ca/cfr/