Megan Hicks

Megan Hicks is an Assistant Professor at Wayne State University's School of Social Work, conducting critical research on health disparities and juvenile justice outcomes among Black youth in Detroit. Her work examines adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), community risk factors, and relational protective mechanisms influencing healthy development, with leadership roles in evaluating the Wayne County juvenile justice system and studying social determinants of health in Black families.

Her academic credentials include a PhD in Human Development and Family Science from The University of Georgia (2017), an MS in the same field (2014), and a BA in Sociology from The Ohio State University (2011).

Dr. Hicks' research program centers on structural and interpersonal determinants of health in Black communities, employing complex quantitative methods to investigate juvenile justice involvement, mental health disparities, and protective factors. Her expertise spans program evaluation, prevention science, and community-based intervention development for Black youth and families, with methodological rigor in longitudinal analysis and large urban datasets.

Her 15 most recent publications (2021-2025) reveal consistent thematic focus on racial discrimination, trauma exposure, and systemic inequities affecting Black populations. Key methodological strengths include advanced statistical modeling of ACEs impacts, intersectional analysis of gender/race effects, and evaluation of criminal legal system interventions, demonstrating translational potential for policy reform.

Notable recognitions include:

• Society for Prevention Research 2018 Minority Travel Award
• Student and New Profession Best Paper Award (2017)
• Sloboda and Bukoski SPR Cup Winner for rapid data analysis (2017)

Dr. Hicks currently directs two major externally funded initiatives: a comprehensive evaluation of Wayne County's juvenile justice system and a community-engaged study of social determinants of health among Detroit's Black families. She mentors graduate students in research methods and evaluation, with grant-writing expertise supporting community-partnered projects aimed at reducing health disparities through evidence-based interventions.