I am a third-year doctoral student at the Graduate School of Social Work.  I received my MSW and BSW from the University of Nevada, Reno where I focused on policy change and implementation, particularly in juvenile justice.  After completing my MSW I worked as a school social worker on a federal grant providing services to students and families with histories of trauma.  Most recently I worked at an inpatient behavioral health hospital in assessment and referral. My direct practice experience influenced my interest in studying poverty and homelessness through a critical lens, particularly how poverty discourse influences the resources that are available to folks and, in turn, the health and well-being of individuals. 

I have had the opportunity to evaluate innovative responses to homelessness with the Center for Housing and Homelessness Research including tiny home villages and safe parking programs. I am currently on the research team for the Denver Basic Income Project where we will assess outcomes of a direct cash transfer to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Denver. 

• The influence of stigma on policy implementation
• Innovative responses to homelessness and housing instability
• Civic engagement among disenfranchised communities
• Policy advocacy

Contact me

katie.calhoun@du.edu