Florida State University’s Center for the Study and Promotion of Communities, Families and Children will launch its inaugural research lecture series, “Engage, Inform, & Influence,” this month.
The series commences with a lecture by Samantha Goldfarb, an assistant professor in the FSU College of Medicine and the College of Human Sciences. She’ll present, “Substance Use During Pregnancy: Time for Policy to Catch Up with Research,” at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, at the FSU College of Social Work, University Center C, Room 5301.
“One of the biggest barriers I think we face in the United States is that despite prevention, treatment and policy efforts, we are still surrounded by stigma on substance abuse in this country,” Goldfarb said. “This is especially true for vulnerable, pregnant women who engage in substance abuse or are already addicted and most times don’t even know they are pregnant.”
Goldfarb has a background in public health, with specialized training in health care policy research relating to maternal and child health issues. Her research focuses on understanding the impact of state health and drug policies on maternal and perinatal outcomes.
“This lecture series brings together university researchers with key community stakeholders to foster meaningful interdisciplinary connections as well as translational research that informs policy and practice across a broad range of disciplines,” said Ellen Piekalkiewicz, the center’s director.
The lecture series features distinguished researchers from among the faculty at Florida State University and other higher learning institutions across the country. Future lectures in the series will take place:
Wednesday, Nov. 28
T.K. Logan, University of Kentucky Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, will discuss “Assessing and Addressing the Hidden Crime of Stalking.”
Friday, Jan. 25, 2019
Jeffrey Lacasse, assistant professor of social work, and Jonathan Leo, Lincoln Memorial University College of Medicine, will discuss “Challenging the Narrative of Chemical Imbalance: A Look at the Evidence.”
Friday, March 29, 2019
Tanya Renn, assistant professor of social work, and Michele Staton, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, will discuss “Examining the Relationship Between Childhood Victimization, High-risk Behavior, and Health Among Criminal Justice-Involved Women.”
All lectures will take place from 3 to 4 p.m. at the FSU College of Social Work, University Center C, Room 5301.
To learn more about these events or the Center for the Study and Promotion of Communities, Families and Children, contact Ellen Piekalkiewicz at epiekalkiewicz@fsu.edu.