Dr. Elizabeth Allen, an Assistant Professor of Social Work at UDC, combines her expertise in trauma, justice-involved populations, and racial and gender disparities with her work as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, advocating for the abolition of oppressive systems and focusing on desistance and community reentry for individuals impacted by incarceration and addiction.
Experience
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work, University of Connecticut Master of Social Work, University of Connecticut Bachelor of Science in Interpersonal Communication, Minor in Psychology, Central Connecticut State University
Roles
Assistant Professor of Social Work, UDC, 2022-Present Member, National Legal Aid and Defenders Association, 2021-22 Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Therapist/Owner, 2019-Present Clinical Social Worker, York Correctional Institution, Connecticut Department of Corrections, 1995-2015
Courses Taught
Social Welfare Policy I and II Human Behavior and Social Environment II Social Work Practice III (Macro Practice) Trauma and Its Impact Group Work Micro and Macro Theories in Social Work Human Rights and Mass Incarceration Research I Program Evaluation
Expertise
Trauma Behavioral Health and Addiction Certified Therapist in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) Desistance: supporting individuals in successfully rebuilding their lives after incarceration and addiction Applying Critical Theory to micro practice Groups with justice-involved and other mandatory clients
Research Focus / Works in Progress
Criminal Legal System; justice-involved women; racial and gender disparities in criminal legal systems; interaction between social work profession and law enforcement; desistance and community reentry; abolition of oppressive systems; behavioral health in correctional settings; smart decarceration; photovoice research; urban youth with lived experience of parental incarceration; lack of access to restrooms and impact on public health; historical analysis of interaction between social work professionals and law enforcement; indigent defense fees; lived experiences in U.S. criminal legal systems
Leadership
Member, Unlock the Box, 2024-Present Member, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, UCD, 2024-Present
Impact
Selected Publications
Murray, B. J., Erwin, J., Leotti, S., Allen, E., Bakko, M., Jacobs, L. A., Hostetter, C. R., Tomczak, S. M., & Fixler, A. (2024). ‘Compassionate’ control: Social work and the rise of carceral feminism in progressive era police reform. Social Sciences, 13(9), 454. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13090454
Allen, E. (2018). Our stories–our journey: An empowerment group approach for justice-involved women using Pecha-Kucha.Social Work With Groups, 41(4), 336–349. https://doi.org/10.1080/01609513.2017.1358129
Allen, E. (2018). Justice-involved women: Narratives, marginalization, identity and community reintegration. Affilia, 33(3), 346-362. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886109918762555
Selected Presentations
Allen, E. (2019). Justice-involved women and redemptive narratives: The importance of identity and marginalization for desistance. American Society of Criminology Conference, San Francisco, California.
Allen, E. (2019). Panelist, Women and desistance. American Society of Criminology Conference, San Francisco, California.
Allen, E. (2018). Barriers to reentry for justice-involved populations.Society for Social Work Research Conference, Washington, D.C.
Allen, E. (2018). Panelist,Recidivism as an intended consequence: A frank discussion about criminal justice policy.Society for Social Work Research Conference, Washington, D.C.
Invited Participations
Allen, E. (2024). Neurobiology of trauma. Law School Immigration and Human Rights Clinic, UDC, Washington, D.C.
Allen, E. (2024). Trauma, secondary trauma, and burnout. Law School Immigration and Human Rights Clinic, UDC, Washington, D.C.
Allen, E. (2023). Trauma, secondary trauma, and burnout. Law School Immigration and Human Rights Clinic, UDC, Washington, D.C.
