Rachel Hagues

Rachel Hagues is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work at Samford University’s School of Public Health. She is actively engaged in teaching and research with a strong focus on vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls in Tanzania and refugee communities globally. Her work integrates social justice, human rights, faith-based approaches, and community development.

• PhD in Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia
• MSW in Social Work, University of Georgia
• BSFCS in Child and Family Development, University of Georgia

Her research centers on amplifying marginalized voices through qualitative and critical ethnographic methods. Key areas include gender discrimination, adolescent pregnancy policies, refugee resettlement, and the role of spirituality in social work practice. She emphasizes service-learning and international education as tools for anti-oppressive practice and human flourishing.

Her recent publications (2022–2024) reveal a strong trend in refugee women’s resilience, transnational family dynamics, faith-based support systems, and educational equity for pregnant girls in Africa. She frequently collaborates with colleagues like David Cecil on global refugee responses and ecological frameworks for training social workers.

Notable scientific awards include:

• Lilly Faculty Fellow (2023–2025)
• Mann Center Fellow in Community-Based Learning (2018–19)
• University of Georgia Alumni Outstanding Service Award (2016)
• Dissertation Completion Award (2012)

Rachel Hagues advises students and leads the Samford chapter of the International Justice Mission. She has presented at numerous national and international conferences, including the Council on Social Work Education and North American Association of Christian Social Workers. She has been involved in establishing a private secondary school for girls in Tanzania based on her dissertation work. Her teaching includes courses on Human Rights, Social Justice, and Community and Global Development.

She collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and faith-based organizations, particularly in refugee response contexts in Lebanon, Germany, and the U.S. Her work often explores how faith influences both practitioner motivation and client resilience.