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Assessing the Impact of Race-based Trauma

Assistant Professor of Practice Carmen Foster, along with research partners Dr. Mary Held, and College alumna Adrianna Carter (MSSW), have been awarded one of the university’s Diversity Challenge Grants from the Division of Diversity and Engagement.

Carmen Reese Foster
Carmen Foster

Their mixed-methods project, “Assessing the Impact of Race-based Trauma on the Mental Health of Black Social Work Providers” will survey 100 Black social workers and interview 20 of them to learn more about: 1) the levels of clinical symptomatology of Black social work providers due to race-based trauma, 2) levels of work-related burnout and compassion fatigue due to the exposure of client trauma, and 3) the types of support systems that need to be in place to prevent burnout and to build resilience in Black social workers.

Mary Lehman Held
Mary Held

They will work closely with the Coalition of Black Social Workers on outreach, engagement, and communication. Their project will operate in spring and summer 2021.

The Diversity Challenge Grants are available for teaching or research projects that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), racial injustice, systemic racism, class, human dignity, or social justice. Projects should demonstrate relevance, research, reciprocity, and resilience.  

Adrianna Carter

The mission for the Division of Diversity and Engagement is to collaborate with campus and external communities to create inclusive learning and work environments. This is achieved through cultivating partnerships, supporting initiatives, and advocating for policies that promote civility, accountability, cultural competency, and equitable access to resources and opportunities. https://diversity.utk.edu/