Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis

Park receives Horowitz Foundation grant

Roger — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:41:20 +0000

Soobin Park, a doctoral candidate at the ��, will receive a $10,000 grant from the Horowitz Foundation for Social Policy to support her PhD dissertation project. Park is among just 20 people receiving awards out of more than 845 applicants, a 2.4% acceptance rate. Her dissertation project is titled “Identifying Dementia Care Deserts: A National Study of Community Resource Gaps for People Living with Dementia.” “This project develops a Dementia Resource Environment index to identify where community-level dementia supports are most lacking,” she said. “By revealing ‘dementia care deserts,’ the study provides an evidence base for better targeting of community supports that enable older adults with dementia to remain safe and supported at home.” Established in 1997, the Horowitz Foundation...

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Health-related ballot measures more likely to pass

Roger — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 20:16:10 +0000

As voters are increasingly asked to decide complex health policy questions at the ballot box, new research from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis finds that healthcare-related ballot measures draw more voters to the polls and are more likely to pass than other initiatives — but they’re also especially sensitive to opposition spending by special interest groups. The study, “Health Policy and Direct Democracy: Predictors of Successful Measures, 2010–2024,” forthcoming in the Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, analyzed 448 statewide ballot measures across 34 states, including 96 measures directly related to healthcare policy. “Our findings show that healthcare policy stands apart in direct democracy,” said Caitlin McMurtry, an assistant professor at the Brown School and senior...

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WashU initiative testing soil, air in tornado-affected neighborhoods

Myra — Wed, 27 May 2026 17:56:25 +0000

The Clean STL project is a Washington University–led environmental health initiative focused on north St. Louis neighborhoods affected by the May 16, 2025, tornado. Researchers are studying whether the storm redistributed dangerous contaminants, especially lead, asbestos, and industrial dust, into residential yards, streets, and homes after older buildings were destroyed. The project combines university scientists, neighborhood organizations, and residents to map contamination risks and better understand long-term public health impacts in north city communities. Early findings suggest there is legitimate concern about lead exposure because many damaged buildings in north city were built before lead paint regulations existed. Researchers say tornado debris likely spread contaminated dust and building materials across surrounding blocks. Clean STL is now moving into a broader...

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Post-tornado soil tests find that lead is a problem—but not a new one

Myra — Tue, 26 May 2026 15:38:21 +0000

St. Louis is no stranger to the dangers of lead exposure, and in the aftermath of the May 16, 2025, tornado, people were worried. What does all that disturbed matter mean for people’s health? That question has sprung a team of academics into action over the past few months, testing soil for lead, and standing up further initiatives to proactively respond to the ongoing tornado recovery effort. Jeff Catalano, a professor of earth, planetary, and environmental sciences at Washington University, had questions. After fears of the potential risk for lead paint exposure following last year’s Palisades fire in Los Angeles, Catalano and others at WashU had the same thought following the tornado. “The thought was: well, this tornado dispersed a...

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Supporting data equity in the social sector

Roger — Mon, 18 May 2026 19:40:53 +0000

A new paper published in the Harvard Data Science Review outlines complementary models for rethinking how data is used in the social sector, emphasizing that technical expertise alone is not enough to ensure fair and effective outcomes. The paper, “Learning Models and Modalities to Build Data Equity Competencies,” argues that everyone is a data person, regardless of one’s role or title, and makes the case that centering community input, ethical decision-making and collaboration is essential for equitable and effective social sector data practice. Drawing on the work of Data for Social Impact (DSI) initiative at WashU and Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy (AISP) at the University of Pennsylvania, the authors show how equity-focused, nontechnical training programs can help practitioners better understand how data practices impact...

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To address post-tornado concerns, WashU teams with community groups to study environmental impacts

Myra — Tue, 12 May 2026 17:49:41 +0000

As the city of St. Louis nears a year since a tornado changed the lives of many, a local university and community organizations are working to understand some of the environmental impacts of the twister. Washington University researchers are studying soil samples from neighborhoods in St. Louis’ tornado-impacted areas, searching for lead contamination that may have spread when the May 16 tornado dispersed building materials across yards and soil. “We have a lot of older buildings in the area. Before about 1980, lead was still used in paint. That was on the walls of buildings, interiors, et cetera. When you have a tornado come through and distribute all that building material, disperse it all over the soil, all over yards,...

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Faculty named to Research.com’s 2026 ‘World’s Best Scientists’ list

admin — Tue, 12 May 2026 16:15:39 +0000

More than a dozen faculty members from the �� have been named to Research.com’s “World’s Best Scientist 2026” rankings, an annual list compiled by the global academic platform. In the “Best Psychology Scientists 2026” category, honorees include Melissa Jonson-Reid, Ralph and Muriel Pumphrey Professor of Social Work and associate dean for educational programs; Nancy Morrow-Howell, Betty Bofinger Brown Distinguished Professor of Social Policy; and Paz Galupo, Audre Lorde Distinguished Professor of Sexual Health and Education. Faculty recognized in the “Best Social Sciences and Humanities Scientists 2026” category include: “The presence of our faculty across multiple categories speaks to the interdisciplinary strength of the Brown School,” said Dorian Traube, the Neidorff Family and Centene Corporation Dean of the Brown School...

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Panel examines migration policy, vulnerability and survivor support

Fri, 08 May 2026 18:22:53 +0000

The Clark-Fox Policy Institute, Forced Migration Initiative and the Brown School Global Programs Office recently convened researchers and frontline practitioners working across the United States and internationally for “Borders, Vulnerability, and Protection: Rethinking Trafficking and Migration Policy,” a panel exploring the lived realities of migrants and trafficking survivors and the policy environments that influence their experiences. Hosted as part of the Clark-Fox Policy Institute’s Senior Policy Fellows initiative, the event reflected the institute’s commitment to connecting research, lived experience and policy to advance more effective and evidence-informed solutions for children, families and communities. The panel was led by Brown School faculty member and CFPI Senior Policy Fellow Mitra Naseh, assistant professor and founding director of the Forced Migration Initiative, and included social work scholar and researcher...

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Student wins Skandalaris Center funding for youth civic engagement venture

admin — Thu, 07 May 2026 17:54:32 +0000

A �� has won funding to expand a youth civic engagement initiative aimed at increasing public understanding of policy issues and supporting emerging leaders. Ella Dennis, who is pursuing a master’s degree in social work, was awarded an Innovation Grant through the WashU Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship during the Spring 2026 Skandalaris Venture Competition (SVC) on April 15. Dennis was named an Innovator Funding winner for her startup, the Alliance for Civic Engagement (ACE). The ��-centered policy program provides hands-on mentorship and publication opportunities to young policy thinkers while producing accessible, nonpartisan policy briefs to cultivate a more informed public. “Too often, policy conversations feel inaccessible to the very people most affected by them, including young people,” Dennis said....

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Brown School honors alumni, supporters with 2026 Awards of Distinction

admin — Mon, 04 May 2026 19:11:11 +0000

The �� presented its 2026 Awards of Distinction on April 23, honoring alumni and supporters for their work advancing positive change in communities worldwide. The annual awards recognize individuals whose efforts reflect the school’s mission and commitment to improve lives globally. Hear their stories below. Emerging Leader Award Recipients Jenna Hampton Pomponi: MSW/MSP ’20 – Director of advocacy and federal programs, Council of State Community Development Agencies (COSCDA) Jenna Hampton Pomponi is a Washington, D.C.,-based policy professional dedicated to improving affordable housing and community development programs. She currently leads government relations for the Council of State Community Development Agencies (COSCDA), a network of state agencies that administer federal programs for affordable housing, economic development, disaster recovery, and more....

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Halvorsen named co-director of Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging

admin — Mon, 04 May 2026 07:55:00 +0000

Cal J. Halvorsen, a gerontological social work scholar and associate professor at Washington University’s Brown School, will step into a new leadership role this summer as co-director of the Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging. Beginning in July, Halvorsen will share leadership of the center with Brian Carpenter, a professor of psychological and brain in Arts & Sciences. He succeeds Nancy Morrow-Howell, the Betty Bofinger Brown Distinguished Professor of Social Policy at the Brown School, who is stepping back after more than a decade as co-director. Morrow-Howell will remain involved as a senior adviser. Halvorsen will also serve as assistant dean for faculty affairs at the Brown School beginning July 1. Dorian Traube, the Neidorff Family and Centene Corporation Dean of...

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Chiang receives 2026 Community Impact Award

admin — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 20:18:14 +0000

Mei-Hsi Chiang, assistant director of evaluation and dissemination at the Brown School Evaluation Center, has received the 2026 WashU Community Impact Award. The award recognizes an employee who builds and sustains partnerships that benefit both WashU and the broader St. Louis community. Honorees are nominated by colleagues and selected by a universitywide committee. Recipients receive a personalized, engraved award. “I’m deeply grateful and honored to receive this award,” Chiang said. “It reflects the collaborative work I’ve been fortunate to do with community partners across St. Louis. Their commitment to equitable outcomes for individuals and communities they serve is what makes this impact possible.” Chiang earned her Master of Social Work from the Brown School in 2016. She joined the Evaluation Center...

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Sarah Harding named 2026 Brown School �� marshal

admin — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 08:03:00 +0000

Sarah Harding has been selected as the 2026 �� marshal for the Brown School’s recognition ceremony, an honor that will place her at the front of the Class of 2026 on Wednesday, May 13. As �� marshal, Harding will carry the school banner and lead fellow degree candidates into the ceremony at WashU’s Athletic Complex Field House on the Danforth Campus. Marshals are chosen through faculty and peer nominations that recognize academic achievement, practicum engagement, and contributions to the school community. Harding will earn a master’s degree in social work with a concentration in children, youth, and family. Raised primarily in Southern Illinois, Harding said she was drawn to the Brown School after hearing strong recommendations from alumni who spoke...

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Liz Smith named Brown School �� speaker

admin — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 07:31:00 +0000

Liz Smith will serve as the �� speaker at the Brown School’s recognition ceremony on May 13, marking the completion of her master’s degree in social work and a brief break before returning in the fall to begin her doctoral program. A Massachusetts native, Smith didn’t initially plan a career in social work. After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a conversation with her therapist helped reframe her interests. “My therapist at the time told me that what I described sounded more like social work than psychology. So, I began looking up social work programs,” she said. Smith learned about the Brown School through a friend in St. Louis. Soon after, things began to align. She applied for positions in the area and was flown...

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Brown School �� recognized for harm reduction practicum work

admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:37:55 +0000

As she prepares to graduate soon with a master’s degree in social work from ��, Isla Frazier says her practicum experience in a hospital-based harm reduction program has helped her translate research into clinical practice. Frazier was recently named the 2026 recipient of the Tasch-Kopolow Scholarship from PreventEd, an honor recognizing her commitment to achieving excellence in a professional career serving the substance use field. During her Master of Social Work program, Frazier completed her first practicum at the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri. She is now finishing her second placement with the Injection Drug Use Bridge to Health Program at the WashU School of Medicine’s Division of Infectious Diseases, a hospital-based harm reduction initiative...

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