Elizabeth Armstrong

Elizabeth Armstrong is a Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Maine, where she has been a full-time faculty member since 2017. She holds a PhD in Social Work and Sociology from the University of Michigan’s Joint Doctoral Program, an MSW from the University of Michigan, and a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Simon’s Rock College of Bard.

Education:

• PhD in Social Work and Sociology, University of Michigan (Joint Doctoral Program)
• MSW with focus on Social Policy and Analysis, University of Michigan
• BA in Interdisciplinary Studies (Psychology & Human Services), Simon’s Rock College of Bard

Research Interests: Armstrong’s work bridges social work, sociology, and women’s studies, focusing on how societal frameworks shape responses to social issues like intimate partner violence, substance use, and child welfare. She explores intersectionality and employs mixed-methods approaches, including qualitative research and community-engaged studies. Current projects include collaborations with the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence and the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center on opioid-related issues and domestic violence.

Awards & Grants:

• Recipient of NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award
• Participant in the EMPOWER Program and Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center’s Faculty Fellows Program
• Summer Faculty Research Award (University of Maine)

Teaching & Programs: Armstrong teaches advanced research methods and human behavior courses. She leads the HRSA-funded Professional Opioid Workforce Response (POWR) Program, training MSW students to address Maine’s opioid epidemic through specialized placements and coursework, having trained 30 students by 2022.

Labs/Teams: Directs the POWR Program and collaborates with the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center on community-focused initiatives.