Varsha Pandya, Ph.D., ACSW   Social Work Department  Old Main 27  Kutztown, PA 19530  Tel. (610) 646 4118  Fax (610) 683-4383 pandya@kutztown.edu

Biographical Statement:

Dr. Varsha Pandya obtained her doctoral degree in Social Welfare on January 2001 from Mandel School of Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Her study concentration was clinical research. She completed a qualitative study “Learning to be nonviolent” that documented accounts of change processes in domestically violent men in group therapy. She received her MSW degree in 1977 from University of Bombay, India, which was individually accredited by CSWE in 1992. She received her B.S. from University of Bombay as well. Dr. Pandya has many years of practice experience in the field of family violence, primarily in Indian settings. Her practice in U.S. was in the field of child abuse and neglect as a direct service provider as well as CASA. Dr. Pandya has extensive experience in teaching and guiding research projects and theses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Her publications (in-print, in-press, and accepted) demonstrate integration of her interests in group work practice, family violence, and evidence-based social work practice. These also reflect her developing interest in the field of gerontology. She has presented widely over the years, including at conferences on teaching in higher education. She considers herself as a lifelong learner and looks to continuously reach higher standards as a research educator and practice-researcher.

Teaching Interests

• Research methods
• Research guidance and advising
• Qualitative Methods
• Group Work Practice
• Family Violence and Child welfare related topics
• Gerontology
• Human Behavior in Social Environment: Micro and Mezzo levels
• Poverty and Social Work
• Human Diversity and Social Work

Research Interests

• Gerontology
• Effectiveness of group work practice
• Research on clinical practice
• Change processes in clients
• Child Welfare and Family Voilence

Publications

Pandya, V. (2008). Changing Narratives: Effects of Group Intervention on Domestically Violent Men. In AASWG  German-Chapter  MENSCH (CD). 30^TH International Symposium on Social work with Groups, AASWG,  June 19-22, Cologne, Germany.

Pandya V. (2005). Health Concerns for Grandmother Raising Grand Children in Cultural Contexts of USA. Indian Journal of Gerontology, 19(4), 477-486.

Pandya, V. (2005). Contemporary Group Work. In A. Gitterman & L. Shulman (Eds.) Mutual Aid Groups, Vulnerable and Resilient Populations, and the Life Cycle, Third Edition.

Pandya, V. & Gingerich, W. J. (2002). Group Therapy Interventions for Male Batterers: A Microethnographic study. Health & Social Work, 27, 47-55.

Pandya, V. (1999). Promotion of Maternal and Child Health: A Path model of care for substance using pregnant women. Journal of Primary Prevention, 19 (4), 297-314.

Recent Presentation

• Family and Group Decision-making Model: Moving towards Restorative Justice in Child Welfare (With George Kovarie / Jennifer Wallis – Berks County Children and Youth Services), 2007-08 Annual conference of Pennsylvania NASW chapter. March, 2008.

• Changing Narratives: Effects of group intervention on domestically violent men. 30^th International Symposium on Social Work with Groups, Cologne, Germany, June 2008.

• Assessment of Depressive Mood in Geriatric Clients: Tools and Resources. 2008-09 Annual conference of Pennsylvania NASW chapter. October, 2008.

• Family Group Decision Making (FGDM): Moving towards restorative justice in child welfare. (co-presented with Ms. Jennifer Wallis, Berks County Children and Youth Services), 2007-08Annual conference of Pennsylvania NASW chapter , Pittsburgh, spring 2008.

Professional memberships and service interests

• Member of National Association of Social workers (NASW), Association for Advancement of Social Work with Groups (AASWG), and Society for Social Work Research (SSWR).
• Curriculum development, Graduate education, Teaching effectiveness, Research ethics, and Institutional research and Assessment.
• Building collaborative partnerships with / serving on the boards of social service agencies in the community serving older adults, providing group work services, and/or serving individuals and families affected by violence.
• Building collaborations within the campus community for shared scholarly projects.