UK Social Work Alumnus Presents Work at Doctoral Symposium

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 6, 2012) — A recent doctoral graduate from the University of Kentucky College of Social Work was invited to present his dissertation research at the 24th National Symposium on Doctoral Research in Social Work, held at The Ohio State University on April 20.

Christson Adedoyin, who received his Ph.D. in social work in 2011, presented his dissertation, titled "What Media Works Best to Improve Screening Behaviors Among African Americans? A Systematic Review of Effective Cancer Education Media Interventions."

Each year, the symposium invites doctoral students in social work nationally to submit abstracts of their doctoral dissertation and compete for presentation at the annual National Symposium on Doctoral Research in Social Work. The best dissertations are selected by a jury of social work faculty and the successful candidates are invited to OSU campus to present their dissertation.  

"Our small program has been very successful in having our graduates recognized in this national competition," said David Royse, director of the UK College of Social Work's doctoral program. "Our first doctoral graduate was in 2002, and since that time we’ve had seven graduates selected to participate in OSU’s doctoral symposia. It isn’t just our subjective opinion that our students are great. It's wonderful when others say that our students’ scholarship is exemplary."

Adedoyin, who came to Kentucky from Nigeria, agrees that his success reflects well upon the college.

"This is an honor and testament to the quality of doctoral education I received here at UK," Adedoyin said. "I will be forever grateful for the education and opportunities that the University of Kentucky provided for me and my wife during our time here."

Adedoyin served on the College of Social Work faculty since finishing his doctoral studies here. His academic interests include: health literacy and health disparities among African Americans, faith-based social services, poverty across the life-span, aging, systematic reviews, children and family welfare policies, international social work, and global health issues.

In the fall Adedoyin will begin a new appointment as assistant professor of social work (tenure track) at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C.

MEDIA CONTACT: Keith Hautala, (859) 323-2396; keith.hautala@uky.edu