RESEARCH STATEMENT
My research activities address how to embed social equity in bureaucratic processes and develop culturally intelligent solutions to problems plaguing communities. I am especially interested in embedding social equity into the design, development, and implement policies and programs. The application of a social equity lens to uphold the pillars of public administration and ethical principles of the National Association of Social Workers. By embedding social equity in practice, policies, and research we ensure that racially and ethnically diverse communities have access to services and programs.
As an interdisciplinary scholar with graduate training in both social work and public administration, my interests lie in the integration of social equity and cultural competence during policy processes and in early career training to dismantle barriers to access and reduce administrative burdens. I value using a mixed methods approach in my research as individual testimonies provide insight into lived experiences and serve to illuminate stories told by data. My extensive experience developing survey tools provides my work with the insights needed to inform theory and practice in public administration, public management, and social work.
Dissertation: Advancing Social Equity and Reducing the Administrative Burden of Complaints
My research explores the administrative burdens associated with police complaint processes and the factors that impact (increase/decrease) burdens experienced by diverse populations. By understanding the consequences of administrative burdens on diverse populations and how various processes increase experienced burdens, my work aims to reduce inequities associated with interacting with law enforcement.
After identifying barriers to accessing government services identified in the literature, I set out to better understand police complaint processes themselves. My research on this topic includes a two-part data collection process:
1. Using North Carolina police department as a sample, I collected information on the processes for residents submitting complaints against police officers and identified learning, compliance, and psychological costs associated with complaint processes.
2. Using a qualitative survey, I explore how community residents perceive these burdens (learning, compliance, and/or psychological costs).
With this research, I aim to contribute to the social equity literature by creating transparency scores for police departments and operationalizing how administrative burdens are felt by diverse populations.
Publications
Building on my extensive experience researching, designing, and developing the Raleigh Police Department's ACORNS (Addressing Crises through Outreach, Referrals, Networking, and Service) Team, a co-response team of social workers and law enforcement officers, I examine the process of designing and implementing innovative policies and programs across the United States. In "The Essential Role of Human Service Nonprofits in Restorative Justice Policy Implementation" [Revise & Resubmit], we examined and conducted interviews on a restorative justice program in Illinois. Called Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (or R3) this policy allowed for the reinvestment of a portion of Cannabis tax revenues back into disinvested communities disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs and over-policing.
In Queering LGBT Police Liaisons, we explore the complicated relationship that law enforcement has with the LGBTQ+ community. By applying queer theory and utilizing LGBTQ+ community leaders as a resource, we discuss how police agencies can improve relationships with a growing population of LGBTQ+ community members and officers while dismantling cisheteronormative beliefs which serve to categorize LGBTQ+ individuals as social and sexual deviants [Under Contract, In Progress].
In “The Impact of COVID-19 on Diverse Communities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case for Culturally Competent Intervention Strategies.”, I examine the US’s long history of denying marginalized populations access to adequate and culturally competent healthcare and how this has allowed for discriminatory practices to influence the quality of care received by individuals in minority communities. Despite the preventative measures taken to halt the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, vulnerable populations such as low-income individuals and those belonging to racial and ethnic minorities have been disproportionately impacted. This paper explores if culturally competent intervention strategies in North Carolina were effective and makes the case for culturally competent healthcare access and practices.
Living through the pandemic and engaging with community leaders. It became clear to me that despite the development of disaster protocols for elected officials and community leaders, there is still work to be done preparing the next generation of leaders for equitable disaster policies. As I have taught many different courses (see Teaching), I developed a social equity disaster simulation which uses a "choose your own adventure" approach to teach students and practitioners about the importance of embedding social equity in disaster preparation planning and during active disasters to reduce disproportionate mortality rates [under review].
PROFESSIONAL
Impact Of Research Agenda
As the US continues to grow in diversity, so too will the need for social equity scholars and practitioners trained. With diversity increasing, social equity scholars must work to dismantle inherent biases to develop and deliver culturally competent programs and services for all groups.
Outside the Academy
I am interested in bridging the gap between research and practice and turning "best practices into better practices". I have served as a consultant for the Raleigh Police Department where I developed the ACORNS (Addressing Crises through Outreach, Referrals, Networking, and Service) Unit. A co-response unit of social workers and police officers who assist individuals in need struggling with homelessness, substance use, and mental illness. I also researched, wrote, and developed policies for RPD, while building community relationships after the murder of George Floyd. For my work, I was awarded the Chief's Citation Award in 2021.
My service to the profession includes being an ASPA member and serving on several committees. I am a member of the Section for Women in Public Administration Newsletter Committee and elected Secretary of the Section on Professional and Organizational Development and Treasurer of Research Triangle ASPA chapters. I was named an ASPA 2022 Founders Fellow. I also serve as a Peer Mentor and Libraries Representative in my doctoral program, provide MSW supervision for graduate social work students, and serve as a reviewer on the NASW-NC Presidents Award committee.
