معرفی
Dr. Akanksha Anand serves as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Morgan State University's School of Community Health and Policy, bridging social work and public health through research on social welfare policy, healthcare workforce well-being, and maternal-child health equity. Previously, she directed programs at SUNY and conducted NIMHD/NIA-funded postdoctoral research at Columbia University Irving Medical Center focused on stress interventions for frontline clinicians.
Her academic credentials include:
- Ph.D. in Social Welfare, Social Policy & Administration (Fordham University)
- Postdoctoral Research Scientist (Columbia University Irving Medical Center)
- M.Phil. in Social Welfare Policy & Human Relations (University of Delhi)
- M.S.W. in Medical & Psychiatric Social Welfare (Tata Institute of Social Sciences)
- B.A. (Hons.) in Psychology with Philosophy minor (Lady Shri Ram College)
Dr. Anand's research investigates work-life stressors, organizational support systems, and digital health interventions for healthcare workers, while addressing intimate partner violence in South Asian communities, juvenile well-being, and cardiovascular health disparities. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates social work frameworks with public health methodologies to develop scalable solutions for underserved populations, particularly focusing on minority women, immigrants, and rural communities.
Recent publications reveal consistent emphasis on health equity across diverse contexts—from maternal health disparities in immigrant communities to policy implementation challenges in Indian higher education. Her work consistently centers marginalized populations through intersectional analysis of race, gender, and socioeconomic status, with growing emphasis on digital health strategies and organizational interventions for workforce well-being.
Award recognitions include:
- Harvard Fellowship on Emotional Well-Being & Physical Health (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health/University College London)
- Johns Hopkins University Measurement Course certification for health equity research
She has secured external funding from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services and New York Academy of Medicine for projects targeting juvenile well-being and rural cardiovascular health disparities. Her grant portfolio demonstrates strategic focus on community-engaged research that builds institutional capacity in social service and healthcare organizations to advance health equity.
Dr. Anand actively collaborates with community partners through the School of Community Health and Policy's initiatives, particularly in advancing birth equity and developing culturally responsive interventions for South Asian populations. Her work integrates clinical, policy, and community perspectives to address systemic health disparities.
