Joseph P. Ryan

Joseph P. Ryan is a Professor at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. He serves as Co-Director of the Child and Adolescent Data Lab, an applied research center focused on data-driven policy and practice in child welfare and juvenile justice. His work includes studies such as:

• Randomized clinical trial of recovery coaches for substance-abusing parents in Illinois (AODA Demonstration)
• Foster care placement prevention for young children in Michigan (MI Family Demonstration)
• Pay for Success (social impact bonds) study for high-risk adolescents in Illinois
• Kellogg Foundation Education and Equity study on educational outcomes for foster youth

Ryan’s research spans child welfare, juvenile justice, public policy, and racial equity, with a focus on data utilization for systemic reform. His recent publications analyze:

• Racial disparities in child maltreatment reporting
• AI applications for confidential data analysis
• Environmental impacts on child abuse
• Opioid-related risk stratification for families

He holds editorial roles at four journals and has received awards for public impact and research excellence. Ryan also teaches courses like Child Welfare System and Integrative Seminar: Child Maltreatment, emphasizing empirical evidence in academic and practical settings.