Shawna J. Lee

Dr. Shawna J. Lee is Professor and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. She directs the Parenting in Context Research Lab and the Program Evaluation Group (PEG), while serving as Co-Editor-in-Chief of Children and Youth Services Review. Her leadership extends to the Michigan Child Welfare Inter-University Consortium and the University of Michigan's statewide Title IV-E educational program.

• PhD in Social Work and Psychology (2005, University of Michigan)
• MS in Psychology (2003, University of Michigan)
• MPP in Public Policy (2002, University of Michigan)
• MSW in Social Work (2001, University of Michigan)
• BA in Psychology (1997, University of Michigan)

Lee's research focuses on child maltreatment, father-child relationships, parenting stress, and community-based interventions, with particular attention to low-income families and racial diversity. Her work examines how economic hardship, gender inequality, and pandemic stressors impact parenting behaviors and child outcomes. Recent studies explore innovative text-messaging interventions to engage fathers in parenting and the global implications of disciplinary practices.

Analysis of Lee's 15 most recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on father engagement in parenting, particularly among marginalized populations. Her work increasingly incorporates global perspectives on parenting practices across 60+ countries, while maintaining a focus on community-based interventions addressing food insecurity, diversity initiatives, and child welfare systems. The pandemic has significantly shaped her recent research trajectory, examining crisis impacts on family dynamics.

• 2025 SSWR Excellence in Research Award
• Diversity and Inclusion in Men in Families Research Article Award
• Article of the Year (2019)
• Research cited in Tech Explorist, Michigan News, and international media

As director of PEG, Lee has secured over $3 million in evaluation contracts focusing on community-engaged capacity building, DEI initiatives, Title IV-E programs, and food insecurity prevention. She has advised numerous state agencies including Michigan Children's Services and received grants from NIH, CMS, and private foundations. Her leadership in the Michigan Child Welfare Consortium has transformed child welfare education across 18 social work programs.

Lee's Parenting in Context Research Lab conducts innovative studies on paternal engagement, particularly through mobile technology interventions. Her work with the Title IV-E program has directly impacted state child welfare certification requirements, while PEG's evaluation capacity supports statewide initiatives addressing systemic inequities in Michigan.