Deborah K. Padgett

Deborah K. Padgett is a Professor at New York University (NYU), affiliated with the College of Global Public Health and the Department of Anthropology. She holds a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and additional postdoctoral training in public health and psychiatric epidemiology. Her work focuses on homelessness, mental health services, and qualitative research methods. Padgett has authored influential books such as *Housing First: Ending Homelessness, Changing Systems and Transforming Lives* (2016) and edited key texts like *The Handbook of Ethnicity, Aging, and Mental Health* (1995). Her research spans international contexts, including studies on homelessness in India. She has led numerous NIH-funded studies, including the New York Services Study (2004-2008) and the New York Recovery Study (2010-2015), examining housing and recovery among formerly homeless adults.

Padgett’s accolades include the NYU Distinguished Teaching Award (2012), Fellowships with the American Academy of Social Work and Research (2011), and the Society for Social Work and Research (2013). She previously directed NYU’s Global Public Health PhD program and co-founded the Deborah K. Padgett Early Career Award. Her current courses include 'Qualitative Methods' and 'Anthropological Perspectives in Global Health.'

Research interests emphasize cross-cutting themes like Housing First policies, substance use recovery, and aging among marginalized populations. She collaborates globally, including with India’s Banyan organization. Grants and awards reflect her commitment to evidence-based solutions for homelessness and mental health disparities. Her work bridges academia and policy, advocating for systemic change through rigorous qualitative and mixed-methods approaches.