معرفی
Sheryl Groden is an Associate Professor of Social Work in the College of Health Sciences at the University of Michigan-Flint, specializing in community health interventions for vulnerable populations. Her work bridges social work practice with technology access initiatives, particularly focusing on older adults in underserved communities like Flint, Michigan.
Education
- Ph.D. in Social Work & Helping Service (2016)
Research Focus
Dr. Groden's research centers on the digital divide among aging populations, community food security systems, and interprofessional healthcare collaboration. She employs mixed-methods approaches to study how technological barriers impact health outcomes in low-income communities, with significant emphasis on pandemic-era adaptations of social services. Her work consistently addresses health disparities through community-engaged frameworks.
Scholarly Trends
Her recent publications (2022-2024) demonstrate converging interests in technology access, food justice, and gerontological health services. Articles reveal methodological emphasis on qualitative community assessments and stakeholder perspectives, with increasing focus on intersectional vulnerabilities during public health emergencies. The research trajectory shows progression from identifying digital barriers to developing targeted interventions like technology training programs.
Honors
- Golden Apple Award (2023)
- TCLT Proposal Writing Academy Award (2023)
Research Leadership
As principal investigator, Dr. Groden directs multiple community-based projects addressing critical gaps in elder services. Her grants emphasize practical implementation through interdisciplinary teams combining social work, healthcare, and technology expertise.
- Active Projects: First Episode Psychosis NAVIGATE ($94,998), Digital Divide 3.0 ($6,050), NSF REU Site in Digital Accessibility ($429,397)
- Completed: UM-Flint SPICE Program ($2,500)
Collaborative Networks
She co-leads the Genesee County Digital Divide Research Team with colleagues Donna Case and Michelle Sahli, operating through the Healthy Flint Research Coordinating Center. This initiative partners with local agencies to translate research into community technology training programs for homebound seniors.
