Zakary (Zak) Amen is a 4th-year PhD Candidate at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Social Work. His research focuses on homelessness and reproductive healthcare; specific projects and studies have focused on these issues within Appalachia. Other research interests include mixed-methods research, teaching research methods and statistics in the MSW program, and program evaluation. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his partner and experiencing life in Chattanooga.
Dissertation
Understanding Provider Perspectives on Reproductive Healthcare Access in Homeless Service Settings using the Access Evaluation Framework
Research Interests
- Homelessness
- Reproductive Healthcare
- Research Methodology
- Mixed-Methods Research
Education
- Anticipated spring 2026: PhD, Social Work, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- BA-Anthropology, Wake Forest University
- MSW- University of Michigan
Featured Publications
- Ely, G., & Amen, Z. (2025). Abortion Before 20 Weeks. In Social Work and Reproductive Justice: A Necessary Fit. Oxford University Press.
- Cronley, C., Huslage, M., & Amen, Z. (2025). Gender Differences in Reasons for Entering and Time in the Coordinated Entry System Among Unaccompanied Adults: A Community Analysis Within the United States. Journal of Community Psychology, 53(4), e70017. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.70017
“If you care about something you have to protect it – If you’re lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it.”
John Irving