Monthly Monitor: Making the Most of Summer
Guest Editor: Priyanjali Chakraborty (She/her)
In this issue, we explore topics related to networking, navigating summer and planning for research, and engaging in self-care.
This newsletter includes
Editorial: Making the Best of Your Summer by Priyanjali Chakraborty (She/her)
Resources for Designing Study Recruitment Materials by Hannah Boyke (They/them)
Maximizing Productivity and Relaxation by Julisa Tindall (She/her) and Shawn McNally (He/Him)
Navigating Academic Hierarchies by Leah Munroe
Introduction of Incoming SSWR DSC Members
Editorial: Making the Best of your Summer
Priyanjali Chakraborty (She/her)
One key lesson I've learned as a social worker from India is the importance of practicing what you preach, a principle I believe is also integral in academic spaces.
As bell hooks once said, "Knowledge rooted in experience shapes what we value and, as a consequence, how we know what we know as well as how we use what we know." This idea reminds us that our personal experiences play a vital role in shaping our understanding of the world and our actions.
I am mindful of ensuring this editorial remains informative rather than preachy, offering a broad overview of my activities over three summers as I transitioned from a PhD student to a PhD candidate. Depending on one's stage in the program, summers can be an excellent opportunity to explore various facets of PhD life and for us to pause, think, and reflect, a privilege often unavailable to those outside academia. I always found maintaining a consistent writing schedule challenging during the Fall and Spring semesters, while summers have been an opportune time with minimal distractions and reduced coursework to address pending tasks, such as completing manuscripts and looking for university resources including funding opportunities, such as research and dissertation grants, fellowships, and conferences. Additionally, for many international students, summers can be particularly financially rewarding, as most Graduate programs allow the opportunity to work additional hours.
As I type this in the sweltering heat of my beloved hometown in India, I reminisce about my childhood, back when summers were a time away from school and when the joy of doing nothing was unadulterated. The idea that summer is a time for rest has changed for me over the years. Being in a PhD program we are inclined to derive much of our happiness and life satisfaction from our academic productivity, often neglecting to prioritize self-care. Therefore, ensuring proper nutrition, adequate sleep, engaging in physical activities, and taking vacations, connecting with friends and family are paramount to our overall well-being all of which I was able to do over the past three summers.
Reflecting on my educational trajectory, much of my formative learning took place in India, which necessitated a significant adjustment to the educational system in the United States during my initial year in the PhD program. This transition was particularly rapid and challenging. However, I believe this experience is universally relevant to all individuals starting a PhD program. In hindsight, my first summer provided an invaluable opportunity to explore and recalibrate my mindset, informed by my experiences during the previous semesters. This period allowed for a critical pause and introspection, enabling me to consider and evaluate the progress I had made fostering a deeper understanding of the strategic planning needed for future semesters.
Resources for Designing Study Recruitment Materials
Hannah Boyke (They/Them)
Before we get into this, I do want to mention UNC’s resource for designing recruitment materials, which is one of the best that I have seen. It covers so many important points while providing really easy to understand examples.
Tips for Designing Recruitment Flyers (Both Print and Electronic)
I made a fake study using ChatGPT, which you can access the information for here. The only thing I didn’t retain was the criteria regarding mental health. Here’s an example of a fake recruitment flyer that I made with PowerPoint. You can use page setup to set the size of the document to 8.5x11, which is the A4 paper size that is typical.
Canva vs. PowerPoint
Canva is undoubtedly one of the most popular design platforms currently. However, I cannot lie. Although I pay for the Canva Pro account, I almost solely use PowerPoint for designing. Canva is great for printing, and I really like the Pro account for being able to access a wide array of pictures, icons, and graphics. When downloading these elements from Canva, always make sure to download them as a PNG and set the background to transparent! However, Canva can lag, and the UX isn’t my favorite. I also like PowerPoint because the accessibility checker can run while you are making the document, allowing you to set things like alternative text for images, check for reading order, and ensure contrast is sufficient.
QR Codes vs. Links
If you are only disseminating the material online, try using just links or a QR code and a clickable link. It’s important that a QR code is always coupled with a link!
Here are a couple websites to make free QR codes:
Canva has a QR code generator, which you can access by searching “QR code” in elements.
If you are sharing information about the study on social media, any hyperlinks won’t work because the flyer needs to be converted to a PNG or JPEG. Therefore, make sure that you include the relevant links within the text of the post! Also, make sure you set the alternative text of the image when posting it to social media.
Setting Alternative Text for Social Media Posts
Why does alternative text matter?
Here’s a link to a New York Times Article that discusses the importance of alternative text, and here’s another resource from Alex Haagaard that points out the flaws in auto-generated alt-text.
In the words of Bojana Coklyat and Shannon Finnegan, disabled artists and activists of Alt-Text as Poetry “we don’t just want alt text users to be able to access visual content on the internet, we want them to feel a sense of belonging in digital spaces”.
In all, though, if we want to engage in research that promotes justice, why would we be complacent with recruitment materials that are inherently inaccessible? Why wouldn’t we want to ensure that our research and recruitment materials are embedded in justice?
Here are some links that explain how to set alternative text for social media posts:
Important note if you’re making recruitment materials with PowerPoint on a Mac!
If you save the PowerPoint slide as a PDF, you won’t be able to have clickable links that are embedded into objects, such as text boxes or even just shapes. The fake recruitment flier I made (available here) uses hyperlinked shapes instead of text, as it allows you to have a larger clickable area and avoids the underline associated with the hyperlinking (because aesthetics)
However, if you’re using a Mac, and you save as a PDF, the file will not have the link embedded. To get the link to work correctly, you can open the file with Keynote (just double check that all formatting is correct) and then export it to PDF. Now, you will be able to have the clickable link.
Email hyperlinks in PowerPoint
If you want to have a link that allows potential participants to email the contact PI for more information, you can make a hyperlink in PowerPoint that auto-populates both the email address and the subject of the study when individuals’ click on it! (This is used on the fake flyer I made—when you click “Contact the Principal Investigator” it auto-populates an email to the address given with the subject filled in.
This hyperlink can be on text as well as objects, like a transparent shape. When doing the transparent shape, make sure that it is on the “front” layer. To set the hyperlink, you just right click and insert the hyperlink the same way as you would for text. [insert pictures]
Important!! PowerPoint on Mac does not tag PDFs for accessibility!!!!!
This is another reason to export to PDF via Keynote instead of in PowerPoint. In addition, you can also check how a screen reader would be able to read your flyer when you open the PDF by clicking “Edit” then “Speech” then “Start Speaking”. This can help you ensure that your materials would be read correctly.
More Accessibility Resources
I wrote about making conference presentations accessible, which you can access here, in the March 2023 newsletter. I have resources throughout that can help to promote the accessibility of materials when making design choices.
Quick Links for Aesthetic Choices
Colorhexa – website that provides hex codes for colors, and it has a bunch of really great functions, such as generating gradients between two colors, demonstrating colors with various types of color blindness, viewing colors against white and black backgrounds, and providing options to see the gradients of a single color.
Coolors.co – Website that has a color palette generator and option to explore color palettes. Some of the functions require an account, but it’s free for the most part.
Canva color palette generator—allows you to upload a picture and get the colors and hex-codes for those colors.
Unsplash for pictures
Maximizing Productivity and Relaxation
Julisa Tindall (She/her) and Shawn McNally (He/him)
As social work doctoral students, summer presents a unique opportunity to balance productivity with relaxation.
Whether you are advancing your research, working a job or assistantship, working on your dissertation, or taking a much-needed break, finding the right balance is crucial to making the most of this time. Here are some strategies to help you maximize productivity while ensuring you take time to relax and recharge.
Setting Clear Goals
Identifying Priorities: Start by identifying your most important tasks and projects. Determine what is urgent and what is important. This distinction helps prioritize and focus on tasks that truly matter.
Creating a Summer Plan: Use SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to set clear objectives for the summer. For example, if you aim to complete a chapter of your dissertation, break it down into smaller, manageable tasks and set deadlines for each. This is known as proximal goal setting, a strategy that can be exceedingly beneficial.
Time Management Strategies
Creating a Flexible Schedule: Design a schedule that balances fixed commitments with flexible time for leisure. Incorporate blocks of focused work time and regular breaks. Sample daily and weekly schedules can help structure your time effectively.
Utilizing Productivity Tools: Leverage productivity tools like Trello for project management, Google Calendar for scheduling, apps like Focus Booster to implement the Pomodoro Technique (discussed more below), or even a simple checklist. These tools can help you stay organized and track your progress.
Balancing Work and Relaxation
Allocating Time for Breaks: Taking regular breaks is essential to prevent burnout. The Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for 25 minutes followed by a 5-minute break, can help maintain focus and productivity while ensuring regular rest.
Incorporating Relaxation Activities: Incorporate activities that help you relax and unwind, such as reading, listening to music, meditation, or nature walks. Any hobby that you find enjoyable or relaxing, really! Schedule these activities into your daily routine to ensure you make time for relaxation.
Importance of Self-Care
Physical Health: Maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise are some ways to tend to your physical self-care. Take time to move your body (in ways that align with your level of mobility and support your unique health trajectory), which may assist you in winding down from a long day or supporting your energy levels throughout the day. Physical activity, whether it’s yoga, running, walking, or however you like to move your body, can also significantly boost your mental health and productivity. Making sure that we take time throughout the day to fuel and move our bodies (to the extent we are able to) can support our energy levels and promote our well-being. Additionally, if you don’t already have one, try establishing a consistent sleep routine. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all amount, it is generally recommended that adults get at least 7 hours of sleep per night. It might be tempting to sacrifice sleep to maximize productivity, but getting enough sleep and doing so consistently is actually far more likely to enhance our productivity.
Mental Health: Manage stress and anxiety through mindfulness practices, meditation, or journaling. Use available mental health support resources, such as university counseling services or online resources like Headspace and Calm.
Avoiding Burnout
Recognizing the Signs of Burnout: Burnout can manifest as fatigue, irritability, and decreased performance. Recognize these signs early and take proactive measures. Personal stories from fellow PhD students can provide insight and reassurance.
Preventive Measures: Set boundaries to avoid over-committing. Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques regularly. Ensure you have downtime to recharge and disconnect from academic pressures.
Leveraging Support Systems
Building a Support Network: Stay connected with peers, mentors, advisors, friends, and family. Building a strong support network is crucial. Engage with your academic and personal community through virtual meetings, study groups, or social events. Even a simple “hello” or a quick chat can have positive two-way impacts!
Seeking Professional Development: Take advantage of workshops, conferences, and online courses. Professional development opportunities can enhance your skills and provide a productive break from routine academic work.
Reflecting and Adjusting
Regular Self-Assessment: Periodically check in with yourself to assess your progress and well-being. Reflect on what’s working and what’s not, and adjust your goals and schedule accordingly.
Celebrating Achievements: Recognize and celebrate your accomplishments, both big and small. Acknowledging your progress can boost motivation and provide a sense of fulfillment.
Balancing productivity and relaxation is vital to making the most of your summer as a social work doctoral student! By setting clear goals, managing your time effectively, and prioritizing self-care, you can hopefully have a fulfilling and balanced summer. Remember to reflect on your progress, adjust as needed, and celebrate your achievements along the way. Here’s to a productive and relaxing summer!
Additional Resources
Recommended readings on time management and self-care: “The Pomodoro Technique” by Francesco Cirillo and “Atomic Habits” by James Clear.
Recommended reading on motivation regulation strategies: “Which one works best? Considering the relative importance of motivational regulation strategies” by Malte Schwinger and Nantje Otterpohl.
Online tools: Trello, Google Calendar, Focus Booster.
University support services: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), academic advising offices.
Mental health resources: Headspace, Calm, local wellness centers.
Navigating Academic Hierarchies
Leah Monroe (She/her)
As doctoral students, we enter the academic world with a passion for research and a drive to contribute to the field of social work. However, academia comes with its own unique challenges, one of which is navigating the complex hierarchies inherent in academic institutions.
Dealing with hierarchies can be both daunting and crucial for our success. As I entered my program, I had this very naïve idea that a person-centered science like social work would have evolved past these things. I was wrong, but not necessarily in the way I thought I would be. I have mostly been fortunate to work with professionals who are transparent about their experiences navigating these waters. They have broken down the academic ranks and outlined the application process for joining a university tenure track. They also prepared us for the informal hierarchies that grow like weeds and wreak havoc on self-esteem. In human systems, relationships are formed among like-minded people. When we do it purposely, it is called networking, but regardless of intent, qualified individuals will find themselves on the outside.
IIn my time as a researcher, I have had the displeasure of meeting egos that superseded all my preconceived notions about academics. Interactions with these people require intense preparation, like readying myself for battle. All my arguments must be in order, and there is no room for mistakes. Through this process, though, I’ve found solace in camaraderie with my colleagues and identified some strategies to help others who encounter similar experiences.
Understanding Institutional Culture: Each academic institution has a unique culture. Take the time to understand your institution's norms and values, as this knowledge will help you navigate hierarchies more effectively.
Establishing Mentorship Relationships: Identify mentors within your department or field who can provide guidance on navigating academia. Mentors can offer valuable insights into the unwritten rules of academia and help you build a professional network.
Developing Assertiveness: As doctoral students, finding a balance between respect for authority and assertiveness is important. Learning to speak up for your ideas and needs is crucial for establishing yourself within the academic community.
Meeting Personal Needs: Your doctoral education is only one aspect of your life; take the time to engage in activities that fulfill other facets of yourself.
That said, there are still times when you will encounter messy power dynamics that stretch the bounds of assertiveness. Being mindful of these power dynamics and choosing your battles is necessary for preventing burnout. Seeking support from peers, mentors, and mental health professionals (not necessarily your colleagues) can help you get through this process. Despite my frustrations, I found that my ego has been a part of the problem, and taking a step back from my own pride has allowed me to gain new insight into the type of academic I hope to be.
Introducing Incoming SSWR DSC Members
SSWR Doctoral Student Committee welcomed 28 new members for the 2024-2025 academic year! Learn more about the new committee members below and find the full list of members (new and returning) here!
Communications Sub-Committee
Nari Yoo (She/her):
Nari is a PhD candidate in Social Work at New York University, focusing on improving mental health outcomes for racial/ethnic minorities and immigrants in the U.S. and South Korea. Her work explores the role of community-level factors such as advocacy and racial climate on mental health and technology-related factors, aiming to develop culturally and linguistically tailored community-based interventions. With a background in social welfare from Ewha Womans University, where she received both her B.A. and M.A., Nari combines computational social science methods with traditional research methods in the context of social work research. She's currently involved in research projects at the NYU Constance and Martin Silver Center on Data Science and Social Equity as a predoctoral fellow.
Emily Lamunu (She/Her)
Emily Lamunu, currently a second-year Ph.D. student at the Boston University School of Social Work, holds a master’s degree in social work from Baylor University. With a particular focus on international social work, Emily is passionate about making impactful contributions, especially within the global and public health sectors.
Bonnie Horgos (She/her)
Bonnie Horgos is in her third year of pursuing a PhD in Social Work at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, with a Doctoral Minor in Quantitative Methods in Education from the Department of Educational Psychology. She has presented her research locally, nationally, and internationally. She uses use a mixed-methods approach grounded in critical feminist theory to research topics including alcohol and substance use, misuse, and disorders; the impact of gender and culture on perceptions of alcohol use; addiction in immigrant and refugee populations; and intergenerational trauma. Her dissertation will focus on how gender and culture impacts Hungarian-American women's perceptions of alcohol use, misuse, and disorder. In addition to her research background, Bonnie is a licensed graduate social worker with clinical experience in co-occurring substance and alcohol use disorders, intergenerational trauma, gender-based violence, mass incarceration, and individuals experiencing psychosis. She works for her advisor, Dr. Lynette M. Renner, as a Graduate Research Assistant, as well as at the University of Minnesota's Psychiatry Department as a Mental Health Motivation Coach the for Early Psychosis Intervention Network (EPINET), which works with individuals who recently experienced their first episode of psychosis. In addition, she serves as the Communications Editor for Hungarian Cultural Studies, the peer-reviewed journal for the American-Hungarian Educators Association.
D'Wayne James (He/him/his)
Born in the heart of Boston, MA, D’Wayne's journey through academia has been driven by a deep-rooted passion for social change, mental health education, and community well-being. D’Wayne earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Social Work from Adelphi University, where he developed skills in understanding and addressing complex societal issues from a direct practice lens. Currently in the third year of his doctoral program at Howard University School of Social Work, his research interest lies at the nexus of social media, mental health, and the Black community. With an unwavering commitment to mental health education and access, he aims to explore the multifaceted impact of digital platforms on the psychological well-being of Black individuals. By investigating the intricate relationship between virtual interactions and mental health outcomes, he aspires to contribute to developing culturally relevant interventions that can bridge mental health disparities.
Seon Kyeong Ahn (She/ her)
I am a doctoral student living in South Korea. As an undergraduate college student, I majored in social welfare in 2005, received a master's degree, and am currently undergoing a doctoral course. After obtaining Korea's national social welfare certificate, I have worked at various social welfare sites for more than 10 years, and recently, I have been conducting various evidence-based studies.
Umaira Khan (She/her)
Umaira (she/her) is a 3rd year PhD student at University of Houston. Her research focuses on mental health and emotional wellbeing among youth and students with disabilities. Her work aims to disrupt pathologizing constructions of mental health and emotional disabilities. Umaira has a background in therapeutic foster care, where she was a therapist with youth that were aging out of foster care. She also taught in a K-8 public school in NYC for several years with students that were identified with the disability “emotional disturbance.” Her interdisciplinary approach to research is directly informed by her experience in clinical social work and teaching.
Umaira obtained her Master of Social Work from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY and her Masters in Science for Teaching from Pace University in New York City. In addition to her doctoral studies, she currently practices as a Youth Therapist at a nonprofit agency for refugee and immigrant communities in Houston, Texas.
Student Engagement Sub-Committee
Kammeron Newton (She/her)
Kammeron is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Work at Our Lady of the Lake University located in San Antonio, Texas. Her academic journey commenced with earning a Bachelor and Master's degrees in Social Work from Indiana Wesleyan University, providing a solid foundation for her ongoing exploration. With over a decade of experience in Population Health and Social Services, Kammeron has honed their expertise, specializing in Behavioral Health and Research for the past three years. Presently, she hold the position of Clinical Research Coordinator II at Emory University School of Medicine, specifically within the Renal division in Atlanta, Georgia. In this role, Kammeron demonstrates unwavering dedication as she navigate the intricate landscape of clinical research in human physiology with a focus on Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
Kammeron's research interest converges on elucidating the intricate interplay between Human Physiology and socio-economic determinants, particularly within chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hypertension among low and middle-income demographics. With a keen focus on understanding and addressing racial disparities, her research endeavors aim to unravel the underlying mechanisms through which socio-economic factors exert influence on disease progression and treatment outcomes. By delving into this complex nexus, Kammeron seeks to advance society’s understanding of health disparities and pave the way for targeted interventions that mitigate adverse health outcomes within vulnerable populations.
Alex Ochs (He/him)
Alex is a doctoral candidate in the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver. His research focuses on health care access and health inequities among young adults, particularly young adults experiencing homelessness and those affected by HIV. He is particularly interested in the important role of social networks in shaping decision related to care utilization. Alex's research and teaching are deeply informed by his clinical experiences as both a psychotherapist and medical social worker. He is excited to work alongside colleagues to in the SSWR Doctoral Student Committee to support the needs of social work doctoral students.
Madison Haiman (She/her)
Madison Haiman is a doctoral student at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work and a 2023-2024 CSWE-SSWR-GADE Policy Fellow. She received her Bachelor of Science, majoring in Addiction and Recovery, and Master of Social Work from The University of Alabama. Madison’s research program is centered around maternal and reproductive justice, focusing on perinatal substance use. During her MSW program, Madison became more aware of the influence that policy has on social work practice and became increasingly passionate about policy and macro-level social work. More specifically, becoming passionate about the role research has in informing policy. Her goals shifted from wanting to practice clinical social work to wanting to tackle the harmful policies in place that impact maternal health, especially policies that impact maternal mental health and substance use. This goal led to her pursuing her PhD in Social Work where she plans to develop valid and reliable research to reinforce the need for policy change.
Madison has been a research assistant at the Center for Maternal Health Equity (CMHE) at Morehouse School of Medicine, under the leadership of Dr. Natalie Hernandez, since 2021. As a part of CMHE, she has been involved with several community-engaged projects to address maternal and reproductive health equity across the lifespan. Madison has also been involved with the Health, Behavior, Research, and Training Institute (HBRT) at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work, under the leadership of Drs. Mary Velasquez and Kirk von Sternberg, since beginning her doctoral program in 2022. HBRT is focused on preventing substance exposed pregnancies through the CHOICES intervention.
Slyvia Annan (She/her)
Sylvia Annan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker whose passion is to use her skills, knowledge and abilities to advance the cause of Social Work to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable populations. She has over 15 years experience practicing micro social work in diverse settings as well as Social Work Administration. She is currently enrolled in SW PhD program hoping to develop her research, policy and advocacy skills to influence policies that impact minority groups.
Julia Lesnick (She/her)
Julia Lesnick is an emerging scholar of youth justice. Her research examines public spending on youth and community development and juvenile legal system policies and programs. In particular, she studies justice divestment, investment, and reinvestment policy mechanisms through a social welfare perspective, focusing on the equity and life course health effects of these spending decisions. As a doctoral student in Social Welfare at UCLA, Julia’s projects include a mixed methods study of community participation in public budgeting and allocation of juvenile crime prevention funds, a scoping review of juvenile system reform trends during the 21st century, a randomized control trial of universal basic income for youth re-entering the community following incarceration, and a community-engaged qualitative study of youth voice and civic engagement with young people involved in the legal system.
Julia is also a practitioner and advocate for justice. After earning her MSW in 2023, Julia became a restorative justice mediator and joined a statewide coalition advocating for legislative reform to ensure community representation in public spending in the juvenile system. Prior to UCLA, Julia served as an AmeriCorps VISTA at the NYC Division of Youth and Family Justice, and taught in a prison-based college degree program during her undergraduate studies at Cornell.
Mamie Harper (She/her)
Mamie is called by many the 'Children's Champion". For the past 15 years, she has severed as a social worker in many capacities such as a school social worker, therapist, and community advocate. Mamie is the Executive Director and Founder of Carrie’s Closet of Georgia where she works to ensures that, "No child looking like the trauma they are enduring." To that end, Mamie is currently a PhD student in the UGA school of Social Work where she is seeking to increase her learning of entrepreneurship and social welfare of children and families.
Mamie currently is a proud daughter, sister, and Godmother to many. In her free time, she enjoys watching sports (especially her Bulldawgs), working as a Girl Scout troop leader, being with family, and listening to 90s R&B and Hip Hop.
Ninah Bell (She/her)
Ninah Bell (she/ her/ hers) has over 17 years of experience within the social services and non-profit sector. A current doctoral candidate and graduate-level teaching assistant with Morgan State University’s School of Social Work; she began establishing her foundation as a progressive social worker on the campus of Temple University as an active student leader and grassroots organizer. After receiving her dual BA in Journalism and African American Studies; Ninah furthered her abilities by focusing on working with marginalized communities, project development, and mid-level project management. Over time, her areas of expertise grew to include working with victims and survivors of domestic/intimate partner violence, commercial sexual exploitation, human sex trafficking, and individuals experiencing homelessness. Upon obtaining her Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California with a focus on Macro Social Work, Social Innovation & Non- Profit Leadership; Ninah brought her talents to Charm City where she served as a Program Compliance Officer with the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services for 3.5 years. Currently, Ninah is the Director of Youth Programs for the Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition where she oversees one of Baltimore City’s major youth workforce development hubs. A fierce advocate of women, survivors of domestic violence, and social justice; Ninah is now a dedicated mother of three, a published poet, and a member of the historically Black organization; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated.
Madison Xiaoyao Bogard (She/her)
Madison (Madi) is a doctoral student at Columbia University School of Social Work researching the intersections of intimate partner violence (IPV), illicit drug use, and criminalization among women. Her current research focuses on substance use coercion and the facilitation of domestic minor sex trafficking through drug dependence. Currently, Madison is a fellow in the NIH T-32 Predoctoral Training Program on HIV and Substance Use in the Criminal Justice System, under the mentorship of Dr. Victoria Frye. Her goal is to develop a syndemic-focused intervention to enhance safe drug use and reduce health-related risk factors associated with substance use coercion, such as intimate partner homicide and accidental overdose. Prior to her doctoral studies, Madison worked as a counselor and legal advocate for criminalized survivors detained at Rikers Island. She also served as a case manager for incarcerated men in Detroit, MI. In her personal time, Madison runs a community mutual aid initiative providing survivors of IPV and sex trafficking with free tattoo cover-ups. Madison earned her BA from Rutgers University, New Brunswick in 2019 and her MSW from Columbia University School of Social Work in 2023.
Kristi Ka’apu (She/her)
Kristi Ka`apu is a licensed clinical social worker and passionate advocate for Indigenous communities, weaving together her Native Hawaiian heritage with her expertise in social work to empower marginalized populations. Graduating with a Master of Social Work degree from Tulane University in 2018, Kristi specialized in mental health and trauma, laying the foundation for her career. With a deep understanding of the complexities within Indigenous and tribal populations, Kristi has held various roles in community-based settings. Her focus has been on mental health, wellness, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive interventions, all aimed at fostering resilience and empowerment. In addition to her doctoral pursuits at Tulane University, Kristi currently serves as the Program Manager for the Weaving Healthy Families Program, where she leads community-engaged and culturally relevant research initiatives aimed at promoting family resilience and healthy living skills for Indigenous communities. Her role allows her to merge her academic pursuits with practical, hands-on efforts to effect positive change. Kristi's research interests align closely with her professional experiences and personal values. By centering the voices and experiences of marginalized communities, Kristi's research aims to drive meaningful change and promote equity in social work practice.
Samantha Williams (She/They)
Samantha Shavon Williams is a PhD Candidate at the University at Buffalo (UB), in the dissertation proposal phase of the program. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker in the State of New York, practices as a Crisis Clinician for youth and adolescents, and has recently accepted a position as a Program Director of School Based Services. She has a BA in History and African American Studies from Buffalo State University and a MSW from UB. Samantha is a founder, past vice president, and current member of the University at Buffalo's chapter of the Association of Black Social Workers. Currently, she is a graduate assistant at the UB Center for Urban Studies, studying the impact of disaster management on Black communities. Samantha's dissertation topic focuses on school of social work-community partnership's role in developing economically distressed, Black and Brown neighborhoods. Using a mixed-method approach, she is collecting data from MSW students, neighborhood residents, community organizations, and social work faculty to understand how experiential learning activities (field education, service learning, etc) can strengthen town-gown relationships.
Mentoring Sub-Committee
Mavis Smith (She/her)
Mavis earned her master's degree in Social Work at New York University;equipping her with the knowledge and skills to provide effective clinical support. She is currently a medical social worker, psychotherapist, and a student. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Welfare at Yeshiva University.
Santhoshraj Srinivasan (He/him)
Santhoshraj Srinivasan, a Ph.D. student in Social Work at the University of Tennessee and originally from India, specializes in trauma-informed care, Targeted intervention strategies and Mental health. His research is aimed at tackling critical issues such as maternal mental health, adolescent drug dependency, and the well-being of incarcerated individuals. Santhoshraj has a diverse professional background that includes roles as a research assistant, project coordinator, correctional counselor, and evaluator of public health projects for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India. Through these experiences, he is deeply committed to using his knowledge and skills to address social inequities and enhance public health outcomes.
Erick da Luz Scherf (He/him/ele)
Erick da Luz Scherf, MSW, is a PhD student and Graduate Council Fellow in the School of Social Work at the University of Alabama. Before coming to the United States, he completed a Master of Social Work degree at the University of Stavanger in Norway through the Erasmus Mundus mobility program, and a Bachelor of International Relations and Politics in his home country of Brazil. His academic pursuits have centered around critical inquiry in Social Work and Health Sciences. Erick has a strong track record of research experience and publications in the fields of social work, public health, and human rights. He is currently a volunteer Research Assistant in the Sleep Health Equity (SHE) research group at the University of Alabama and has been previously affiliated with human rights research projects in Denmark and Brazil. More recently, his focus has been on investigating health disparities among minoritized and racialized migrants in the U.S., and he joined The Initiative on Social Work and Forced Migration at Washington University in St. Louis. to work on these and other themes.
Carina Montoya (She/they)
Carina Montoya (she/they) is a current Social Welfare doctoral student at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. Carina received a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in Religious Studies from Arizona State University in 2017 and completed their Master of Social Work with a specialization in Public Child Welfare from Arizona State University in 2019. Carina worked for three years in public child welfare, in their final role providing specialized case management to identified survivors of child sexual exploitation. In Arizona, Carina provided trauma-informed care as an adolescent trauma and equine therapist in a community-based agency, particularly within a specialized program providing therapeutic services to adolescents involved in child sex trafficking and exploitation. Currently, Carina is a licensed social worker with a clinical trauma certificate, working as an EMDR-trained therapist in Ohio providing services primarily to trauma survivors and to queer and neurodivergent individuals.
Carina is a member of the Healing, Empowerment, Antiviolence Research Team (HEART) at CWRU and is currently engaged in various community-based research projects. Carina's research interests include sexual abuse intervention/prevention; effectively addressing sexual violence; expansion of trauma-informed services to gender-expansive and LGBTQIA+ identities; gender and sexuality identity and development; and adolescent well-being.
Juliann Li Verdugo (she/她/ella)
Juliann Li Verdugo is a proud first-generation Chinese American scholar from San Diego, California. She received a Bachelor of Science in clinical psychology from the University of California at San Diego (2017) and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan (2019). Juliann has led and contributed to various research projects focused on topics including severe mental illness, psychosis, Asian American mental health, and culturally tailored interventions. Since graduating with her MSW, Juliann served as the project coordinator for a NIH-funded grant conducting community-based participatory research on schizophrenia spectrum disorders, suicide prevention, and community mental health. Juliann is also a licensed clinical social worker and worked for over 3 years as a clinician in Michigan, practicing therapy in both Mandarin and Spanish. As a current PhD student in social welfare at the University of Washington, Juliann is passionate about exploring and reducing mental health disparities particularly among Asian diaspora and Latino/e/a populations. She plans to develop a research program enhancing equity and increasing access to, and quality of, mental healthcare services among marginalized communities, especially to support families impacted by severe mental illness. For fun, Juliann loves traveling, walking in nature, playing video games such as The Legend of Zelda, and spending time with her husky Strider.
Michelle Zaragoza (She/Ella)
Michelle Zaragoza, LCSW, is a Chancellor’s Fellow and doctoral student in the School of Social Welfare at the University of California, Berkeley. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology and Social Behavior, and Education Sciences from the University of California, Irvine. Centering on immigrant families, her research interests lie at the intersection of immigration, social stratification, and well-being. Her current research focuses on using participatory methods to explore the mental health and well-being of Mexican and Central American unaccompanied immigrant youth as they navigate their resettlement experiences in the United States. She comes to this work as a first-generation Latina and the daughter of immigrant parents. Michelle also brings diverse professional social work experience and background as a licensed clinical social worker and mental health therapist, having served Latinx immigrant families in Los Angeles, California.
Michelle is currently a Graduate Student Researcher at the Immigration and Child Welfare Lab led by Dr. Kristina Lovato at the University of California, Berkeley. She also serves as a clinical supervisor at a virtual mental health organization serving UC Berkeley students and operates a small private practice that provides somatic and mindfulness-based psychotherapy and clinical and community health consultation services. Outside of her research and professional activities, Michelle enjoys hiking, nature, baking/cooking, and dancing.
Juan Wang (She/her)
Juan Wang is a PhD student in the College of Social Work, University of South Carolina. She received her MSW in 2023 from Renmin University of China. She has a rich background in early childhood education systems within diverse cultural contexts, expertise in children’s social-emotional development, and family parenting. Her academic focus is on promoting inclusivity in early childhood education and care. Her research interests include early childhood expulsion and suspension practices, mental health consultation, and positive parenting program.
Shawn Parra (they/ele/el)
Shawn (they/ele/él) is an Afro-Latine individual who is currently part of the SSWR Mentoring Sub-Committee. Shawn has completed their BA (2014) & MA (2016) in Psychology and their MSW (2020) from Boston University. In their MSW program, they majored in clinical social work, minored in macro social work, and specialized in trauma & violence studies. Shawn is currently at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) completing a PhD in Social Work and their dissertation is called "The Emotional Wellbeing and Coping Strategies of BIPOC LGBTQ+ Youth: A Grounded Theory Study". Shawn has mainly worked in community health and healthcare settings. Clinically, they have experience as an in-home therapist, school-based counselor, and outpatient therapist. Shawn has worked with all ages, but their focus has been more with youth and families. As Shawn speaks Spanish, a lot of their training has been in generalist practice to be able to meet the needs of our underserved Spanish-speaking population. However, their career including their research has primarily been focused on intersectionality, BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ rights and mental health, and family relationships. Thus, Shawn aims to be collaborative, patient-centered, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive in all of their work.
Hui Hu (She/her)
Hui Hu is a PhD candidate at the Department of Social Work and Social Administration at the University of Hong Kong. Her research focuses on youth mental health, digital well-being, developing and evaluating school-based Social-Emotional Learning programs for underserved and marginalized populations.
Conference Sub-Committee
Krushika Uday Patankar (She/her)
Krushika’s research lies at the intersection of women's im/migration, child welfare and domestic violence, alongside understanding family separation and divorce experiences. Her particular foci include studying intervention development and implementation of restorative justice based approaches to domestic violence; she centers the exploration and understanding of lived experiences of families surviving multiple systems involvement and uncovers the impacts of differing notions of justice in service delivery. Currently, she teaches BSW and MSW classes at NYU alongside being a Graduate Research Fellow at the New York University Center on Violence and Recovery. Krushika has served as a longstanding communal support and educator for children with developmental disorders in her hometown of Muscat, Oman, and pioneered a peer support program for communal mental health treatment at NYU Abu Dhabi in 2014. Krushika holds a Masters in Social Work from New York University's Silver School of Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Psychology from New York University Abu Dhabi.
DeKeitra Griffin (He/King)
DeKeitra Griffin, licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), started as an advocate for HIV/AIDS as a senior in high school by taking friends to their appointments and becoming informed about HIV. He volunteered with local organizations within the field of HIV in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, and continued the service while attending school in Pittsburgh, PA. DeKeitra experienced a traumatic event that led to him being diagnosed with HIV May 12, 2011. He decided to move home to Dallas and finish school while changing majors from neuroscience to psychology after health complications. DeKeitra studied at the University of Texas at Arlington by completing bachelor’s in psychology, Master of Social Work, and Master of Public Administration. He serves as a board member for the Professional Association of Social Workers in HIV/AIDS and steering committee member for the United States People Living with HIV Caucus. DeKeitra is a is currently attending Louisiana State University as a social work PhD student. He uses his lived experiences including living with HIV, survivor of date rape, former sex worker, and survivor of intimate partner violence to become a stronger advocate with his studies. DeKeitra aims to be a researcher for the LGBTQIA+ community by focusing on intimate partner violence, sex work, mental health, substance use, and HIV.
Emily Nothnagle (She/her)
Emily Nothnagle is a second-year MSW-PhD student in the College of Social Work at The Ohio State University. Emily earned a BS in Psychology, a BA in Music, and a BA in Anthropology while serving as a three-time captain of the championship varsity pistol team from The Ohio State University. As a former Ohio State student-athlete, Emily is passionate about destigmatizing mental health and promoting wellness in the athletic community. Prior to her graduate studies, Emily worked for LiFEsports at The Ohio State University as a Research Management Associate where she collaborated on the Coach Beyond initiative to deliver coach trainings across the state of Ohio. Specifically, Emily collaborates on coach education curriculum design, dissemination, and evaluation to prepare coaches to promote life skills and social-emotional health through sport. As a social worker, scholar, former athlete, and overall sport enthusiast, Emily seeks to infuse social work practices, values, and principles in her research and practice with athletes and coaches to create positive sport environments that foster well-being and positive youth development through sport.
DSC Call for Nominations: Doctoral Student Achievements
Celebrate doctoral students’ accomplishments in research, practice, and/or degree milestones!
SSWR DSC Communications Subcommittee has an ongoing call for nominations to showcase social work doctoral student achievements.Nominate a colleague (or yourself) to have their recent accomplishments featured on SSWR DSC social media and in a future DSC newsletter.
The nomination form asks for your name, pronouns, program, a description of the accomplishment(s), information about your research, and brief bio information. If you want, you can also upload a photo of the nominee for us to share and tell us your social media handles to mention in the posts. Student achievements will be posted to social media and the SSWR DSC website as they are received. Achievements will also be featured on the SSWR DSC Newsletter.
View past students showcased for their achievements here.
CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE A COLLEAGUE (OR YOURSELF) TO BE FEATURED
Social Work Snippets
Job Opportunities and Funding
University of Georgia Post-Doctoral Fellowship (Anticipated Start Date 9/1/2024)
The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies Scholars Program (Deadline Friday 9/20/2024)
NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship (Deadline 10/3/2024)
Do you need help navigating the academic job market? Check out Dr. Kess Ballentine’s playlist and free workbook to guide you through every step of landing an academic job. Subscribe to her YouTube channel for tips and tricks for MSW & PhD Students and early career researchers!
Call for Papers
Deadline: 9/30/2024
Abolitionist Perspectives in Social Work
Deadline: Ongoing
Call for Submissions
The database spreadsheet BIPOC-Authored Social Work Papers
Deadline: Ongoing
Additional Resources
RESOURCES FOR NEWER CONFERENCE PRESENTERS AND ATTTENDEES
How to Give a Scientific Talk: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07780-5
Video on How to Confidently Present your Research at Conferences: https://asiaedit.com/webinar/how-to-confidently-present-your-research-at-conferences-in-person-and-online
Not following “SWRnet”?
Formerly known as the IASWR Listserv, SWRnet (Social Work Research Network) was launched in October 2009 to continue serving the social work research community by providing regular updates on funding opportunities, calls for papers, conference deadlines and newly published research. SWRnet is administered by the Boston University School of Social Work.
IMAGE USE INFORMATION
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Disclaimer: This newsletter is created as free service by SSWR Doctoral Student Committee Communications Subcommittee members:
Alauna Reckley (She/Her)
Hannah Boyke (They/Them)
Priyanjali Chakraborty (She/Her)
Julisa Tindall (She/Her)
Charles Labarre (He/Him)
Shawn McNally (He/Him)
Katie Maureen McCoog (She/Her)
Shani Saxon (She/Her)
Saira Afzal (She/Her)
Leah Munroe (She/Her)
The opinions expressed in this newsletter are the opinions of the individuals listed above alone and do not claim to represent the opinions of SSWR or the SSWR Doctoral Student Committee