Amy Chanmugam

Amy Chanmugam, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and a member of the College for Health, Community and Policy (HCAP). Her work focuses on trauma-informed social work practice, family systems, and interventions for survivors of violence.

• Education: Ph.D. and M.S. in Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin; B.A. in Psychology and German Literature from Vassar College

Amy Chanmugam’s research explores intimate partner violence, with emphasis on child/adolescent exposure, firearm-related risks, and survivor-defined recovery. She examines shelter-based family interventions, school social work, and trauma responses through qualitative methodologies, often addressing policy implications.

Her publications highlight trends in domestic violence risk assessment, firearm violence prevention, and transnational recovery frameworks. Key themes include trauma-informed care, survivor advocacy, and systemic responses to abuse.

• Scientific Awards: SSWR Fellow (2017)

Her grant-funded projects include Centering Survivor Perspectives on Recovery from Trafficking ($90,000 total funding over 2020–2023) and a Domestic Violence Survey ($150,000, 2020). She has presented at major conferences like the Society for Social Work and Research and American Public Health Association annual meetings.