University of Tennessee College of Social Work (UTCSW) faculty members are at the forefront of groundbreaking research and innovation that shape the future of social work education, practice, and policy. Their dedication to advancing knowledge is evident in innovative studies, influential publications, and collaborative projects that address pressing social challenges. By combining expertise with passion, these outstanding faculty members continually drive progress, making a lasting impact on communities locally, statewide, and beyond.
Read below to learn more about recent accomplishments from several UTCSW faculty and students.
Digital Learning
Dr. Kate Chaffin recently spearheaded an innovative virtual reality experience after securing grant funding to bring the idea to life. Chaffin collaborated closely with UT’s Digital Learning team to shape the scenarios, ensure alignment with course goals, and even appeared in the video herself—playing the role of the client. What makes the project stand out is its use of reality-based 360-degree video footage rather than simulated “gaming” environments. This approach makes the learning experience uniquely authentic, and few social work programs nationwide have implemented anything like it.
Domestic Violence
Dr. Kristen Ravi recently presented at the European Conference on Domestic Violence in Barcelona, Spain, on behalf of research teams that included UTCSW faculty and students, Dr. Courtney Cronley, Dr. Anne Conway, PhD Student Ishita Kapur, PhD Student Ashlee Lawler, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences associate professor Dr. Megan Haselschwerdt, and colleagues at Loyola University Chicago and University of Memphis. Of note was the international panel on children’s exposure to coercive control, which included international colleagues from Finland, Norway, Australia, and Canada.
Academic Achievement of Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence in the United States: Results from a Nationally Representative Sample.
Support vs. Surveillance: A Qualitative Study of Mothers’ Lived Experiences of Parenting in an IPV Shelter in the United States.
https://www.ecdv2025.com/
Extreme Heat and Climate Anxiety
Dr. Lisa Zottarelli and DSW student Erin Teigen recently had a publication accepted in the Social Work in Public Health journal. Their article, “Impacted by Extreme Heat and Climate Anxiety: Applying the Construal Level Theory for Psychological Distancing,” stemmed from Erin’s research project in the DSW program.
https://doi.org/10.1080/19371918.2025.2566676
Extreme Heat Preparedness
Dr. Fiona Doherty recently had a paper published in PLOS Climate. Her article titled “Extreme heat preparedness and coping among older adults: A rapid review” discusses extreme heat events and how they are increasing in frequency, duration, and intensity owing to climate change. In light of older adults’ heightened risks of heat-related morbidity and mortality, this rapid review examines and updates current knowledge about their preparedness and coping behaviors for extreme heat.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000689
Nashville Area Interprofessional Education
Clinical Assistant Professor Allison Diehl serves as the interprofessional education (IPE) coordinator for the Nashville area and recently announced a Community-Based Interprofessional Education (CB-IPE) opportunity on the Nashville campus. Eight Nashville-based social work students recently enrolled in the third year of the community-based IPE opportunity. Students meet twice per month during the fall semester, collaborating with other professions (pharmacy, nursing, law, and divinity students) to address the needs of older adults and adults with disabilities. Through direct practice opportunities, students learn to apply their social work skills and knowledge while collaborating effectively with other disciplines. This is a collaboration between Vanderbilt University, Lipscomb University, Belmont University, and the University of Tennessee, with Vanderbilt University School of Nursing serving as the lead organizer.
Treating Young Adult Anxiety
Drs. Michael Mason, Doug Coatsworth, and Nikola Zaharakis, along with colleagues from the University of Kentucky, Pennsylvania State University, and Temple University recently had a paper published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders titled “Treating Young Adult Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Text-Message Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial Testing Efficacy and Clinical Mechanisms.”
The study showed that approximately one in five young adults has experienced generalized anxiety disorder in the past year. Compared with other age groups, they are least likely to receive mental health treatment despite reporting greater need for these services. To address these issues, the research team conducted a randomized clinical trial with 102 young adults using an 8-week, automated text message-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy.
The full study and results can be found here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0887618525001252
Veterinary Social Work
Dr. Pam Linden was recently quoted in an article in the VIN News Service, the media arm of the Veterinary Information Network. “Putting veterinary social workers on the map” discusses that while Veterinary Social Work has solid recognition in North America, there are early efforts underway to establish veterinary social work as a distinct vocation in Australia and the United Kingdom, potentially bringing increased global recognition to the role.
https://news.vin.com/default.aspxpid=210&Id=12893252&f5=1&fbclid=IwZnRzaANT9tBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHuWuiUF4G93pemLyJz2fwdfU_40FtFF4B43JuV_yiO-BxBJPe1WyMFra6QeY_aem__K-dTR0Y4CXqpnCxDN5Xhw
Violent Political Rhetoric
Dr. Bill Nugent, along with BSSW graduate Hope Clayton, BSSW graduate and current MSSW student Margaret Fiddler, and three PhD graduates, Drs. Aritra Moulick, Namrata Muckherjee, and Sangmi Kim recently had a paper accepted for publication in the Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research. The paper is titled “The relationship between violent political rhetoric and non-suicide non-external cause (natural) death rates in the United States.” https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/738618