Isok Kim

Isok Kim is an Associate Professor at the University at Buffalo’s School of Social Work, specializing in trauma-informed, human rights-centered approaches to social work research and practice. His work emphasizes community-based participatory research, particularly with Asian American communities and refugees. He holds dual doctorates in Social Work and Psychology from the University of Michigan and is a licensed clinical social worker in New York State. His research focuses on discrimination’s impact on acculturation and mental health outcomes among Asian Americans, refugee resettlement challenges, and interprofessional education for culturally competent care.

Education:

• PhD in Social Work and Psychology, University of Michigan (2012)
• MA in Psychology, University of Michigan (2008)
• MSW in Multi-Ethnic Practice, University of Washington (2000)
• BS in Psychology, University of Washington (1996)

Research Interests: Refugee-related trauma, post-resettlement challenges, cultural competence in interprofessional education, and community-based participatory research. His current projects include developing community-based research with Burmese/Karen refugees in Buffalo and adapting health literacy tools for marginalized populations.

Awards:

• Fahs-Beck Dissertation Research Fellowship (2011)

Professional Experience: Prior to academia, Kim worked as a mental health clinician at Asian Counseling and Referral Service in Seattle and the Monsignor Carr Institute in Buffalo. He is active in professional organizations such as the Council on Social Work Education and the Society for Social Work and Research.

Labs/Teams: Engaged in interdisciplinary collaborations to address social determinants of health through interprofessional education forums and culturally responsive service design.