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Roberta R. Greene, Ph.D.Professor and The Louis and Ann Wolens Centennial Chair in Gerontology and Social Welfare |
School of Social Work: |
Professional Interests
Human behavior theory, social work with older adults and their families, intergenerational caregiving, curriculum development.
Education
- Ph.D., University of Maryland
- MSW, Michigan state University
- BS, Michigan State University
About
Dr. Roberta Greene is a Professor and the Louis and Ann Wolens Centennial Chair in Gerontology and Social Welfare at the School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin.
A native Floridian, Dr. Greene grew up during the time of segregation and learned to advocate and protest from her mother at an early age. She received her MSW from Michigan State University and her Ph.D. in human development from the University of Maryland. Dr. Greene's work experience has included clinical social work with older adults and their families, marriage and family therapy, as well as refugee resettlement. She has worked for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) as a staff member and was instrumental in passing the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act (OBRA). Dr. Greene also worked for the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) as a curriculum development specialist.
Before coming to The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work, Dr. Greene taught at George Mason University, the University of Maryland, the University of Georgia, and served as Dean at Indiana University School of Social Work.
Dr. Greene is the author of seven texts and numerous research articles. She currently is continuing her scholarship through filmmaking and Web site design. In addition, she serves on a number of editorial review boards including the Journal of Social Work Education.
Dr. Greene teaches undergraduate and graduate courses including human behavior in the social environment, diversity, and social work with older adults and their families. A mother of three adult children, Adam, Jeff, and Nancy, and grandmother of six, Carlin, Sandra, Orla, Zoe, Evan, and Colin, Dr. Greene is a recipient of the 2004 NASW Pioneer Award and the AGE-SW 2005 Career Achievement Award.
Teaching
Office Hours:
Visit the School's Electronic Classroom for course list and syllabi.
Research Projects
Completed projects have the year of completion.
- Life Care Institute
- Practicum Partnership Program
- Autonomy in the Face of Depression in Nursing Homes: What Do Nursing Home Residents and Staff Have to Say about the Residents' Depression and Intervention Needs? (2007)
- Study of Texas Nursing Homes (2007)
- What is Your Caregiver IQ? Facts and Questions for Exploration (2007)
- The Adult Protective Services Client Assessment and Risk Evaluation Form (APS CARE form) Validation Study (2006)
- Risk and Resilience Among Children and Families: What Protective Factors are at Play? (2003)
What is Your Caregiving IQ? - This website has been developed to dispel many of the fictitious ideas about older people. With the help of factual information and questions for reflection, you will be prepared to be a better caregiver. As you take the pop quizzes, use the information as it applies to you and/or your family member.
Latest Books
Resiliency
Social Work With the Aged and their Families
Human Behavior Theory and Social work Practice
Serving Diverse Constituencies: Appling the Ecological perspective

