Research Interests
Tara Powell received her B.A. from University of Iowa, MSW and MPH from Tulane University in New Orleans and her PhD in Social Work from the University of Texas in Austin. She has had a long career in research and practice on post-disaster behavioral-health working as both a school social worker and researcher in disaster affected communities throughout the U.S. and abroad. Dr. Powell has also led multiple research projects focused on post-trauma recovery and evidence-based interventions, obtained organizational funding for her research, and has co-authored a number of articles in peer reviewed journals and book chapters. She also specializes in curriculum development and co-created the Journey of Hope, a school-based psycho-educational program to help children develop positive coping strategies in response to trauma and stress after a disaster.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor Powell is collaborating with the organization, Save the Children, to adapt the Journey of Hope to a virtual model. She also is leading a research project examining frontline healthcare providers experiences working in tent hospitals treating COVID-19 patients in New York City.
Education
BA, Communication Studies, University of Iowa, 2001
MSW, Tulane University, 2006
PhD, Social Work, University of Texas - Austin, 2014
Additional Campus Affiliations
Associate Professor, School of Social Work
Affiliate, Center for Social & Behavioral Science
Affiliate, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute
Recent Publications
Lee-Johnson, N. M., Scott, J. L., & Powell, T. (2025). Mapping Collective Action: A Case Study of Identifying Assets and Actions During Community Mental Health Workshops to Address the Effects of Environmental Inequities. Social Sciences, 14(5), Article 284. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14050284
Scott, J., Leytham-Powell, T., Morales-RodrÃguez, I., Suarez-Rodriguez, A., Yuma, P., & Muller, J. (2025). The disparate impact of Hurricane Maria: the relationship between recovery of public services, traumatic stress and household income of healthcare and social service industry workers. Environmental Hazards, 24(2), 127-143. https://doi.org/10.1080/17477891.2024.2351383
Powell, T., & Knox, K. (2024). Natural Disasters, Pandemics, and Other Crises. In C. Franklin (Ed.), The School Services Sourcebook: A Guide for School-Based Professionals (3 ed., pp. 468-478). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780197603413.003.0035
Powell, T., & Muller, J. (2024). Students With Adverse Childhood Experiences. In C. Franklin (Ed.), The School Services Sourcebook: A Guide for School-Based Professionals (3 ed., pp. 112-123). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780197603413.003.0009
Powell, T., Wetzel, G., & Cardoso, J. B. (2024). The Dynamic Adaptation of the Journey of Hope: A School-Based Intervention to Support Pandemic and Disaster–Affected Children and Youth. Children and Schools, 46(4), 233-243. https://doi.org/10.1093/cs/cdae020