Following a national search, Kevin P. Haggerty was selected as the new director of the School’s Social Development Research Group (SDRG), an interdisciplinary team of researchers who specialize in prevention science and positive youth development. The appointment is effective Sept. 16.
“Kevin brings an extraordi
nary breadth of experience and knowledge to this distinguished leadership position,” said Eddie Uehara, Professor and Ballmer Endowed Dean in Social Work, UW School of Social Work. “His passion for prevention research and his dedication to promoting healthy behaviors are unparalleled. A social worker, program developer, trainer, researcher and scientist, Kevin’s accomplished background uniquely qualifies him to lead this nationally recognized research center.”
For more than 25 years, Haggerty has focused on developing innovative ways to help parents, communities and schools better identify, assess and implement prevention-based interventions that help youth thrive and succeed. He has been with the School of Social Work since 1990, previously serving as the School’s director of research as well as SDRG’s assistant director and associate director. At present, he is researching the intersection of biological and environmental risks for drug abuse. He is an authority on substance abuse and delinquency prevention and has spoken, conducted trainings and written extensively in these areas.
When SDRG was founded in 1981, there were no programs proven to prevent problem behaviors and decrease risk among youth. Today, the field contains nearly five dozen initiatives, including Communities That Care and Raising Healthy Children, two programs developed by SDRG. Haggerty has been instrumental in moving this research forward, translating it into real-world settings that are helping communities, families and youth across the country. The research center’s previous director, Richard F. Catalano, will continue with SDRG as a researcher.
In calendar year 2013, SDRG’s funding included nearly $6 million in grants from public and private funders such as the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Institute of Justice, the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. SDRG’s staff of 60 scientists and researchers published 42 journal articles and book chapters in 2013.