Professor, Chair of Department of Social Work
University Hall 3156
(205) 975-8478
Research and Teaching Interests: Social determinants of health and mental health; youth, interpersonal, and community violence; race and racial justice; diversity and anti-oppressive practices; theory, research methods and evaluation research; classroom pedagogy
Office Hours: By appointment
Education:
- BA, Lee University, Tennessee, Psychology
- MA, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Experimental Psychology
- MSW, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Interpersonal Practice
- PhD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Social Work and Psychology
Dr. Pitner’s research centers on social cognition (particularly stereotypes, prejudice, and stigma) while also examining interpersonal violence, youth and community-based civic engagement, and classroom pedagogy. His primary line of research examines youth, interpersonal, and neighborhood violence, with an emphasis on community-engaged approaches to prevention and intervention. His secondary area of research focuses on diversity, racial and social justice, and anti-oppressive practices in social work training and pedagogy.
He has taught at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, including courses on research methods, evaluation research, diversity and social justice, human behavior in the social environment, conceptual modeling, and global social welfare and human rights.