Filomena Critelli

Filomena Critelli is an Associate Professor, Director of Undergraduate Studies, and Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the School of Social Work at the University at Buffalo. Her work integrates global human rights perspectives with social work education and research. She holds a PhD in Social Welfare from the University at Albany and an MSW from the University at Buffalo, alongside a BA in Sociology.

• Education:
• PhD, Social Welfare, University at Albany (2003)
• MSW, University at Buffalo (1977)
• BA, Sociology, SUNY Buffalo State College (1974)

Research Interests: Filomena’s work focuses on gender-based violence across domestic and global contexts, global migration’s impact on human rights, trauma-informed approaches to social work, and advancing social justice through education. Her fieldwork in Pakistan since 2006 examines women’s rights and empowerment. She also explores human rights challenges faced by immigrants and refugees.

Publications Trends: Her recent articles analyze intersectionality in refugee trauma, gender roles in resettlement contexts, labor migration effects on families in Kyrgyzstan, and trauma-informed care for immigrant survivors of domestic violence. These studies emphasize culturally responsive interventions and policy reforms.

• Awards:
  • 2019 UB CISP Outstanding Contributions to International Education Award
  • American Institute for Pakistan Studies Research & Teaching Fellowship

Advising & Grants: As Co-Director of the Institute for Sustainable Global Engagement, she coordinates cross-national research projects and global academic exchanges. Her work bridges theory and practice, promoting trauma-informed and human rights-oriented social work education. No formal student advisees are listed, but her leadership shapes global social work curricula.

Labs/Teams: Co-Director of the Institute for Sustainable Global Engagement, fostering international collaborative research and education initiatives.