معرفی
Dr. Kota Takayama is a tenured Associate Professor and Director of the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program at Gallaudet University, specializing in behavioral health, disaster interventions, and accessibility for Deaf and hard of hearing populations. He holds a Ph.D. in Social Work Research from Japan College of Social Work, an MSW from Gallaudet, and an MS in clinical psychology/disability science from University of Tsukuba. His research focuses on crisis management for marginalized communities, health literacy, and disaster preparedness, with notable work on earthquake early warning systems and pandemic communication inequities.
Teaching specialties include social work practice, research methods, and macro interventions, with courses such as SWK-741/742 (Social Work Practice I/II), SWK-756 (Quantitative Research), and SWK-760 (School Social Work). He advises numerous graduate students and serves on Gallaudet's IRB, Tenure Committee, and World Deaf Leadership Search Committee. His interdisciplinary approach bridges social work education with disability studies, emphasizing cultural wealth within Deaf communities and systemic barriers in healthcare/education.
Key contributions include analyzing disaster risk reduction policies, developing inclusive communication strategies for emergencies, and evaluating behavioral health service accessibility. His 2021 study on Deaf communities' pandemic perceptions highlighted critical gaps in health information access, while his 2024 review of earthquake early warning systems proposed tactile/visual alert improvements. He also co-chairs Gallaudet's Deaf-Centered Disaster Risk Reduction initiatives.