Leila Wood, PhD, MSSW (she/her) is a Professor at the Center for Violence Prevention, School of Nursing, at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). Dr. Wood is a social work researcher with a PhD and BSW from Indiana University and a MSSW from The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Wood’s program of research focuses on community and college-campus based interpersonal violence intervention and prevention approaches and the health impacts of interpersonal violence, specifically intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault. This includes assessing the impact of residential and non-residential advocacy (support) services on the prevention of future violence and survivor well-being; evaluations of IPV housing; studies on the extent and impact of sexual assault, IPV, stalking and sexual harassment on college campuses, and a statewide assessment of children’s services in IPV agencies. Dr. Wood focuses her work across the lifespan, with a focus on adults and children at risk for IPV and sexual assault. She is a mixed methods researcher with expertise in qualitative methods. Dr. Wood uses collaborative research models with community-based partners to meet the research and evaluation needs of the practice and policy communities across the state. Dr. Wood has extensive social work practice experience working survivors of IPV and sexual assault. Her work is funded by the National Institute on Justice and the Criminal Justice Division, State of Texas.
Research Interests:
- Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Assault Interventions
- Violence, Trauma and Health Disparities
- Substance Misuse/Abuse and Violence
- Violence Prevention
- Qualitative methods
- Program Evaluation
Recent projects include:
- The Texas Council on Family Violence State Plan: Understanding the Experiences and Health and Service Needs of Survivors using Family Violence Services
- Evaluation of Campus-based Advocacy Services
- National Institute of Justice/ Office for Victims of Crime
- ETA: Evaluation of Technology-based Advocacy Services