Meredith Bagwell-Gray

Meredith Bagwell-Gray is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Welfare at the University of Kansas. She holds a PhD in Social Work from Arizona State University (2016) and a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin (2009). Her research focuses on health equity and the intersections of race, gender, and environmental/contextual factors (e.g., rural living, IPV exposure) on women’s health and safety. She designs trauma-informed interventions, such as sexual safety planning to address HIV/STI risk and cervical cancer prevention among IPV survivors, supported by grants like the American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant.

Education:

• PhD in Social Work, Arizona State University, 2016
• MSW, University of Texas at Austin, 2009

Research Interests:

Dr. Bagwell-Gray prioritizes reducing health disparities for IPV survivors, particularly through culturally adapted interventions. Her work emphasizes sexual safety planning, digital health tools, and community-based strategies to address HIV/STI risks, substance use, and trauma. She also explores the temporal and psychological impacts of IPV on survivors’ healing processes.

Grants & Awards:

• Recipient of Arizona State University’s Graduate Education Dissertation Fellowship (2016) and University Graduate Fellowship (2016).
• Co-Principal Investigator on a $2.7M grant from the US DHHS to evaluate child welfare programs addressing domestic violence (2016–2021).

Professional Contributions:

She serves as a reviewer for journals like Journal of Interpersonal Violence and Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, and actively presents at national conferences on IPV and health. Her clinical practice as an advocate and therapist informs her research, ensuring practical, survivor-centered approaches.