Research
Our mission is to conduct research that contributes to knowledge, promotes wellbeing for all citizens, and furthers the common good. Our school includes a diverse group of scholars with wide-ranging applied research interests united by an underlying commitment to social justice.
We are especially proud of our contributions to the local community, nation, and the world. Our faculty, doctoral students, and alumni are an active group of professional practitioners and scholars, many who are recognized nationally and internationally for their research. See "Spotlight on SSW Research" below for a sample of recent research.
Spotlight on SSW Research
"Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Virtual Engagement Methods for African Immigrants"
Researchers: Saida Abdi, PhD, and Chioma Nnaji, MEd, MPH
The national Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) awarded a grant for Saida Abdi, SSW assistant professor, and Chioma Nnaji, program director at the Multicultural AIDS Coalition in Boston, to lead a study to determine culturally and linguistically appropriate methods for African immigrants to receive health care virtually.
COVID-19 has highlighted health disparities consistently experienced by Black communities. However, disparities experienced by African immigrants are too often subsumed in data for all Black/African Americans. Several factors place African immigrants at greater risk of both acquiring coronavirus and experiencing severe symptoms or death: working high-contact jobs as essential or frontline workers, living in high-density housing, stigma, lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate information, and fears related to immigration status.
The proposed project will document the experiences of African immigrant patients in accessing and using virtual platforms. It also will use an African-based cultural model to bring together stakeholders to develop practical recommendations for patient centered and clinically effective engagement and information dissemination.