SSW Interim Dean: Richard Gelles

Dr. Richard Gelles has been named interim dean of the School of Social Work, effective September 1. His appointment was announced August 30 by President Judith Rodin and Provost Robert Barchi.

"Dr. Gelles, the Joanne T. and Raymond B. Welsh Professor in Child Welfare and Family Violence, is an accomplished scholar, outstanding researcher and experienced administrator," Dr. Rodin said.

Recognized nationally and internationally as one of the leading theorists and researchers in the study of family violence, Dr. Gelles is the author or co-author of 23 books and more than 100 articles, chapters and papers on the subject of family violence. His book, Behind Closed Doors, published in 1980, established family violence as a contemporary social problem, and helped to frame the debate and research agenda in this area for the next decade.

He played a critical role in National Family Violence surveys which are the most frequently cited research in scholarly works on this issue. Before coming to Penn in July 1998, Dr. Gelles served as director of the Family Violence Research Program at the University of Rhode Island where he held a number of administrative roles, including department chair and dean of arts and sciences.

"We are delighted that Richard has agreed to lead the school during this time of transition and look forward to working together with him during the coming year," said Dr. Barchi.

Dr. Gelles has been the co-director of the Center for the Study of Youth Policy and for the past year, also served as the co-director of the Center for Children's Policy, Practice and Research. He was a recipient of the SSW Teaching Award last year (Almanac May 16, 2000).

Dr. Gelles earned his B.A. from Bates College, his M.A. in sociology from the University of Rochester and his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of New Hampshire.

Former SSW dean Ira Schwartz left Penn to become provost at Temple University (Almanac July 17).