Research

Research & Scholarship at the School of Social Work

Our nationally and internationally recognized faculty, as well as our graduate students, conduct research and scholarly work to inform social policy and generate knowledge for the future of the profession. Research at the school spans a range of topics: child welfare, violence and trauma, mental health and substance misuse, political participation, and human rights at home and internationally. Utilizing state-of-the-art quantitative and qualitative methods, faculty and graduate students investigate issues here in Connecticut, as well as elsewhere in the United States and abroad.

We recently welcomed to our School the Innovations Institute, an interdisciplinary, translational research center, which builds research-based, inclusive, culturally-responsive, and transformative child-, youth-and family-serving systems and services, and develops the capacity of the workforce within these systems.

In addition, the school works alongside various Connecticut state agencies including the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the Office of Early Childhood to conduct research and evaluation projects to advance our community's response to some of the most pressing issues in social work today. Read more about our state partnerships. 

The Office of Research and Scholarship

The UConn School of Social Work's Office of Research & Scholarship (ORS) aims to support faculty in the conduct of both basic and applied research. We also highlight recent research activity, active grant awards, and other updates on our Research News page.

Vision

The UConn School of Social Work’s Office of Research and Scholarship promotes the integration of research and scholarship with the core values of the school. ORS is committed to supporting research and scholarship that serves as an engine of growth for the State of Connecticut.  We foster research and scholarship that informs policy and practice and that prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Goals

  • Promote and expand research and scholarship activities in collaboration with School of Social Work students, faculty, and staff.
  • Connect the school community with extramural support opportunities.
  • Raise the UConn SSW research and scholarship profile.
  • Assist members of the SSW community with the grants management process (both at submission and after awards are obtained).
  • Foster engagement and collaborations between the SSW community members and other scholars, agencies, organizations, and communities.

Questions? Please contact the Office of Research & Scholarship at ssw-ors@uconn.edu.

    Faculty Areas of Expertise

    Our expert faculty is committed to the generation and wide dissemination of cutting edge and impactful knowledge, informed by social justice and anti-oppressive lenses, through traditional and innovative research methodologies.

    List of People
    PhotoNameTitle
    Megan BertholdS. Megan Berthold, PhDProfessor
    F. Tony BonadioF. Tony Bonadio, PhDAssistant Research Professor
    Associate Professor David Byers headshotDavid S. Byers, MSW, Ph.D.Associate Professor and Director of the MSW Program
    Patricia Carlson, PhDPatricia Carlson, PhDAssistant Research Professor
    Kelsi CarolanKelsi Carolan, PhDAssistant Professor
    Headshot of Dean Laura CurranLaura Curran, Ph.D.Dean
    Caitlin Elsaesser, PhDCaitlin Elsaesser, PhDAssociate Professor
    Kimberly EstepKimberly Estep, MADirector for Systems Design and Implementation Strategies and Assistant Extension Professor
    Megan FeelyMegan Feely, PhDAssociate Professor
    Professor Bob Fisher head shotRobert Fisher, PhDProfessor
    Ann Marie GarranAnn Marie Garran, PhDAssociate Professor
    Alex Gitterman head shotAlex Gitterman, EdDProfessor
    Elizabeth GreenoElizabeth Greeno, PhDAssociate Research Professor
    Deborah HarburgerDeborah Harburger, MSWDirector of Policy and Financing and Assistant Extension Professor
    Scott Harding, PhDScott Harding, PhDInterim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Associate Professor and Co-Director, PhD Program
    Professor Nina HellerNina Rovinelli Heller, PhDProfessor and Dean Emerita
    Gio Iacono, PhDGio Iacono, PhDAssistant Professor
    Joy Learman, Ph.D.Joy Learman, Ph.D.Assistant Professor in Residence
    Regina Lester-HarriatRegina Lester-Harriat, LMSWAssistant Professor in Residence
    Kathryn R. Libal, Ph.D.Kathryn Libal, PhDAssociate Professor and Director, UConn Human Rights Institute
    Hsiu-Ju Lin, PhDHsiu-Ju Lin, PhDAssociate Research Professor
    Margaret Lloyd Sieger, PhDMargaret Lloyd Sieger, PhDAssociate Professor
    Elizabeth ManleyElizabeth Manley, LSWSenior Advisor for Health and Behavioral Health Policy and Assistant Extension Professor
    Associate Dean Jennifer ManuelJennifer Manuel, Ph.D.Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Research
    Marlene MatareseMarlene Matarese, PhDAssociate Research Professor
    BSW Director Paula NiemanPaula Nieman, PhDAssistant Professor in Residence and BSW Program Director
    Assistant Professor Nathanael OkpychNathanael Okpych, PhDAssociate Professor
    Meg PaceleyMeg Paceley, Ph.D.Associate Professor
    Rupal ParekhRupal Parekh, PhDAssistant Professor
    SSW building entranceKathryn ParrAssistant Research Professor
    Jon PhillipsJon Phillips, PhDAssistant Professor
    Lisa Werkmeister Rozas, PhDLisa Werkmeister Rozas, PhDProfessor
    Lesly Sanchez-VillarLesly Sanchez-Villar, LMSWAssistant Professor in Residence
    Sukhmani SinghSukhmani Singh, PhDASSISTANT PROFESSOR
    Tanya Rhodes SmithTanya Rhodes Smith, MSWInstructor in Residence and Director, Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work
    Ellen SmithEllen Smith, PhDAssociate Professor in Residence
    Denise SulzbachDenise Sulzbach, JDDirector of the TA Network and Assistant Extension Professor
    Professor Rebecca ThomasRebecca Thomas, PhDProfessor and Director, Center for International Social Work Studies
    Wendy Ulaszek, PhDWendy Ulaszek, PhDAssociate Research Professor
    Professor Cristina WilsonCristina Wilson, PhDProfessor and Interim Co-Director, PhD Program
    Innovations Institute Director Michelle ZabelMichelle Zabel, MSSExecutive Director of the Innovations Institute and Associate Extension Professor