As we begin the semester, we're highlighting Bryn Mawr's newest faculty members. The College supports faculty excellence in both research and teaching.
Assistant Professor Kerry Lee, Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research
My research centers on understanding the factors related to family violence perpetration among racial and ethnic minority and other marginalized populations, with a specific focus on the role of trauma (i.e., adverse childhood experiences, child maltreatment), substance abuse, and mental illnesses regarding the functioning of children, adults, and families. To date, my scholarship has addressed three overarching areas, internationally and within the U.S.: family violence, trauma/child maltreatment, and substance abuse. Furthermore, I have had rigorous training in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research designs, as well as the use of culturally relevant evidenced-based intervention and research strategies. My commitment to better understand and address the structural inequality and inequities within the Black population and my research experiences have motivated my research agenda.
Given my cumulative research experience, my future research plan is five-fold: (1) collect primary qualitative and quantitative data to examine, among other factors, the association between ethnic differences, substance abuse, trauma, and intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration among Black individuals in the U.S. and globally to aid in the development of culturally relevant interventions and integrated health services to address these disparities; (2) examine other potential explanations (e.g., prenatal exposures, substance abuse, child opportunity index) for high rates of family violence and trauma among minority populations, especially Blacks; (3) examine rates of, and contextual differences in IPV perpetration and childhood trauma among Black individuals in the U.S. and globally; (4) utilize the ecobio developmental framework to understand the long term and intergenerational effects of trauma and their persistent threats to healthy development of children and their families; and (5) to better understand the effectiveness of service utilization in treating and addressing traumatic experiences, substance abuse, and violence within Black families.
Bryn Mawr's Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research prepares students to become effective social work practitioners, advocates for social and economic justice, and leaders in the social work profession. Students learn about work with individuals, families and groups, as well as social work with organizations and communities. Students learn a holistic approach to social work practice with an emphasis on the importance of diversity and inclusion. GSSWSR's accredited program awards a Master of Social Service (M.S.S.) degree, which is equivalent to an M.S.W.