Research Office News

Assistant Professor Shanna Kattari and Lecturer Leonardo Kattari were awarded the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression Scholarship Award at the Council on Social Work Education annual meeting, as co-authors on the paper “Differential Experiences of Dating Violence and Sexual Violence Among Trans/Gender Diverse Youths.” The award recognizes scholarship that contributes to knowledge about sexual orientation and gender identity and expression; the individual and systemic issues associated with these topics; the development of social work curriculum materials and faculty growth opportunities relevant to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression; and the experiences of individuals who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and/or two-spirit.

Assistant Professor Sunggeun (Ethan) Park’s research is cited in the Stanford Social Innovation Review.  Park and his co-author’s research shows that when local social service organizations take the lead in making policy decisions, the rates of homelessness decrease. “Collaborative governance can best improve client outcomes when it is truly collaborative and providers are given meaningful ways to engage with and influence the process,” they write.

The U-M Working Group to Advance Social Science Scholarship and Teaching on Latinx Youth and Families — which includes Associate Professor David Córdova, Professor Lorraine Gutiérrez, Associate Professor Robert Ortega and Assistant Professor Fernanda Cross — is featured in Diverse Issues in Higher Education. The group unites faculty and graduate students from across disciplines both in and outside of U-M to discuss research, share advice and form a strong community of Latinx scholars.

Professor William Elliott is quoted in a New York Times article about the effects of Child Savings Accounts. New York City has announced a pilot program in which a savings account with $100 will be opened for every public school kindergartener. Elliott describes how even these small amounts can significantly increase a child’s likelihood of going to college, in part by offering students and parents a sense of both possibility and control. “They feel like they can change their destiny and their future,” he said.

Professor Luke Shaefer discusses the child tax credits with The New York Times, “Of 4 Family Policies in Democrats’ Bill, Which Deserves Priority?” Shaefer argued: “The child tax credit is elegant in that it does something for all low- and middle-income families.” “It does the most to empower families to do what they think is best for their families.”

Professor William Elliott’s opinion article in the Gotham Gazette argues that poor children and families need both poverty alleviation and child savings programs. Elliott writes, “I am arguing that the drive Americans have demonstrated throughout history comes from more than having enough money to pay the bills each week, it comes from the promise of a better future.”

Associate Professor Terri Friedline’s study is cited in an NBC News article about a U.S. Postal Service pilot program offering financial services, which could lead to a return in postal banking. Friedline’s study showed that 69% of U.S. census tracts with local post offices do not have community bank branches, making it difficult for residents to access financial services. The postal service offered banking services in local branches from 1911-1967.

Professor Brad Zebrack, PhD student Nina Jackson Levin and Assistant Professor Anao Zhang are researchers and leaders of the new Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Oncology program, which was recently established at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and the Rogel Cancer Center. They discuss the program, and why it’s important to have a program that addresses the unique needs of cancer patients of this age, with the U-M Lab Blog.