School of Social Work

Associate Professor 

Terri Friedline’s research on racialized costs of banking was highlighted in a recent CBS News story, “Blacks and Latinos say they pay higher bank fees — research suggests they're right.” Friedline’s research found that the average cost of maintaining a checking account was $262.09 higher for Latinos, $190.09 higher for blacks and $25.53 higher for Asian-Americans when compared to white customers.

Shanna Kattari’s series, “Nonbinary Identities and Individuals in Research, Community, and the Academy” was included in U-M’s LGBTQA resources for faculty and staff. “As a cisgender person in the academy, I wanted to intentionally create a space for nonbinary scholars to share their knowledge and/or lived experiences, to help remedy some of the erasure and invisibility experienced by this community and population,” Kattari told the University Record.

Paula Allen-Meares, Norma Radin Collegiate Professor Emerita of Social Work, Professor Emerita of Education and Dean Emerita, is named a 2020 Society for Social Work and Research Fellow. The Society for Social Work and Research Fellows are members who have served with distinction to advance the mission of the Society — to advance, disseminate and translate research that addresses issues of social work practice and policy and promotes a diverse, equitable and just society. SSWR Fellows serve as role models and mentors for individuals pursuing careers in social work research.

Heather Tidrick joint PhD student in social work and anthropology, successfully defended her dissertation, " Roma Integration and Institutional Practices with Roma/Gypsies in Postsocialist Hungary.” Her committee consisted of Sandra K. Danziger (co-chair), Alaina Lemon (co-chair), Krisztina E. Fehervary, Laura Lein and Gayle S. Rubin.

Ruth Dunkle, Wilbur J. Cohen Collegiate Professor of Social Work is named a 2020 Society for Social Work and Research Fellow. The Society for Social Work and Research Fellows are members who have served with distinction to advance the mission of the Society — to advance, disseminate and translate research that addresses issues of social work practice and policy and promotes a diverse, equitable and just society. SSWR Fellows serve as role models and mentors for individuals pursuing careers in social work research.

Professor Rogério M. Pinto is a panelist for “How can the nuclear sector pivot and become a leader in inclusion, diversity and community-based practices?” at the Nuclear Futures Workshop in Washington D.C. The workshop, sponsored by U-M Fastest Path to Zero, brings together experts in energy, climate and community-oriented issues critical to any community which is considering a new generation nuclear power plant. 

LEO Lecturer Ayesha Ghazi Edwin has been appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to serve on the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission. The commission’s vision is to fully engage Asian and Pacific Americans in Michigan.

Field Faculty Rosalva Osorio has been appointed to the Task Force on Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and Developmental Neuroscience, a collaborative project between the Council on Social Work Education and the Erickson Institute.

Ashley Hajski, Joint PhD student in social work and psychology, successfully defended her dissertation titled, "Young Families in the Community: An Exploratory Analysis of Child Welfare Contact Among Young Mothers and their Children." Her committee consisted of Barry Checkoway (co-chair), Lorraine Gutiérrez (co-chair), Joe Ryan and Monique Ward.

Assistant Professor Jamie Mitchell discussed the lack of diversity in the subjects of medical research studies and how diseases and treatment differ based on race and gender with Michigan Radio. “We don’t have a lot of confidence to be able to tell patients, yes we’ve actually tested this Alzheimer’s intervention, this depression intervention, with people who look like you, who may have a similar background and upbringing as you, who may have faced some of the same stressors — such as discrimination — as you,” Mitchell said.