Ben Barr
- bbarr@samuelmerritt.edu
- Phone
- -
- Phone
- 925-286-6858
- Office
- Oakland
- Department
- Masters of Medical Social Work
What they teach
I teach introduction to research, social policy, group and community practice and the year long capstone course
Clinical practice area
My background is in medical and community-based practice, with a focus on LGBTQ+ health and nonprofit leadership. I’m interested in ways social workers can use evaluation and community partnerships to promote health. I bring these experiences into my teaching to help students connect research and evidence to empowerment-based social work practice.
Community involvement
I stay engaged in community health and social justice work through nonprofit board service, consultation, and community partnerships. I currently serve in a leadership role on a Regional Health Foundation board and on grant evaluation committees supporting organizations addressing mental health, racial equity, and LGBTQ+ health. I also consult with the leadership of several nonprofit organizations.
Notable affiliations
In addition to teaching at SMU, I volunteer on the board of the Contra Costa Regional Health Foundation and on grant review committees for the Horizons Foundation. I have also volunteered as a board consultant with NAMI Contra Costa and the Miles Hall Foundation. I’m a member of the Association for Community Organization and Social Action (ACOSA) and the Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care.
Selected scholarly highlights
My research has focused on bridging direct social work practice with community organizing and macro practice, and on using qualitative research to understand community needs. I’ve also published on support and services for LGBTQ+ communities. My work has included securing foundation and government funding for programs serving LGBTQ+ youth and older adults, HIV prevention, and mental health services.
