Kevin Poh Hiong Tan

Kevin Poh Hiong Tan is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean at the School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He also serves as an affiliate at the Center for Social & Behavioral Science and the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute. His research focuses on youth risk factors, protective factors, and developmental psychopathology, with an emphasis on school-based interventions and social-emotional learning. Tan holds a PhD from the University of Chicago, MSW from Washington University, and Bachelors (Honors) from National University of Singapore.

Educational Background:

• Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, National University of Singapore (2003)
• Master of Social Work, Washington University (2008)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work, University of Chicago (2016)

Research Interests:

Tan’s work integrates developmental psychopathology perspectives to design prevention strategies targeting youth at-risk profiles. Key areas include:

• Universal screening approaches for high school students
• School social work practice innovations
• Social-emotional learning interventions
• Simulation-based teaching methodologies

Recent Scholarship Trends:

Recent publications emphasize simulation-based education in social work, including historical analysis of simulation practices and doctoral student involvement in diversity training. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in school settings.

Teaching & Grants:

Tan teaches courses on child/adolescent social work and program evaluation. His grants focus on implementing prevention research in schools, though specific grant details are not disclosed in the text.

Public Engagement:

Media coverage highlights his projects on racial equity through social-emotional learning and teacher-student perspectives on freshmen’s social needs.