SP2 researchers recognized at Society for Social Work and Research conference

Researchers from Penn’s School of Social Policy and Practice (SP2) were recognized for their leadership and scholarship at the 2023 Annual Conference of the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR), held January 11 to 15 in Phoenix, Arizona.

SP2 Associate Professor Tamara Cadet, PhD, LICSW, MPH was elected to SSWR’s Board of Directors as a director at large in SSWR’s 2022 election, the results of which were announced at the conference.

“This is exciting news, and a fantastic accomplishment that reflects Dr. Cadet’s leadership in the field and the high regard in which she is held by her peers,” said SP2 Dean Sara Bachman.

During the conference, SP2 researchers—faculty, students, staff, and alumni—presented or co-presented on more than two dozen topics as part of a slate of more than 500 symposia, workshop, roundtable, paper, and poster presentations.

In addition, the society’s annual awards presentation recognized SP2 alumna Kalen Flynn, MSW’09, MSSP’10, PhD’18, as a recipient with Dr. Aaron Gottlieb of SSWR’s Excellence in Research Award, which is given for outstanding social work research that represents the highest scientific standards and advances knowledge.

Dr. Flynn, a research scientist with SP2’s Center for Guaranteed Income Research, received the award with Gottlieb for their article “The Legacy of Slavery and Mass Incarceration: Evidence from Felony Case Outcomes,” published in Social Service Review, 95(1), 3 – 35. The piece’s findings provide a data-based connection between mass incarceration and the history of slavery in the United States.

The SP2 researchers listed below addressed a range of issues through work presented at the conference. Topics included the health and well-being of a variety of populations — children and families, workers, youth in and aging out of foster care, women in rural Kenya, cancer patients, LGBTQ+ youth, incarcerated people, people experiencing homelessness, older adults, college students, refugees, immigrants, and others.

In addition, a Friday evening reception sponsored by SP2 was an opportunity for members of the School’s community to connect with the larger research community.

SP2 participants in SSWR 2023 Annual Conference presentations:

Millan AbiNader, PhD, Assistant Professor

Katie Barghaus, PhD, Researcher

Tamara Cadet, PhD, LICSW, MPH Associate Professor

Amy Castro, PhD, Associate Professor

Hyeri Choi, MSW, Doctoral Student

Dennis Culhane, PhD, Professor

Meredith Doherty, PhD, LCSW, Assistant Professor

Malitta Engstrom, PhD, Associate Professor

Michelle Evans-Chase, PhD, Lecturer

Toorjo Ghose, PhD, Associate Professor

Johanna K.P. Greeson, PhD, MSS, MLSP, Associate Professor

Sarah Gzesh, MSW, PhD Student

John Gyourko, MSW, PhD Student

Jessica Jacoby, MA, Senior Research Coordinator

Jessica Cho Kim, LCSW, PhD Student and Research Fellow

Victor Lushin, PhD, Lecturer

Chenyi Ma, PhD, Research Assistant Professor

Ioana Marinescu, PhD, Associate Professor

Marisa Mohrer, MSW, Social Worker

Phyllis Solomon, PhD, Professor

Amy E. Stein, PhD, Lecturer

Jessica Strassman, MSW, Doctoral Student

Dan Treglia, PhD

Sarah Wasch, MSW, Associate Director

Allison Werner-Lin, PhD, Associate Professor

About SP2

For more than 110 years, the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) has been a powerful force for good in the world, working towards social justice and social change through research and practice. SP2 contributes to the advancement of more effective, efficient, and humane human services through education, research, and civic engagement. The School offers five top-ranked, highly respected degree programs along with a range of certificate programs and dual degrees. SP2’s transdisciplinary research centers and initiatives — many collaborations with Penn’s other professional schools — yield innovative ideas and better ways to shape policy and service delivery. The passionate pursuit of social innovation, impact, and justice is at the heart of the School’s knowledge-building activities.