Samantha Francois, PhD
Assistant Professor for School of Social Work, Executive Director of Violence Prevention Institute, Tulane University, Co-Director of Center for Youth Equality, CDC Center of Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention
Dr. Francois’ areas of expertise are in adolescent development, structural and neighborhood violence, and anti-racist research. As an interdisciplinary, community-engaged developmental scientist, Dr. Francois’ research uses systems perspectives and critical race theory to understand the intersections of individual, community, and structural factors that impact development in Black and African American youth. She also explores youth-led activism and organizing as community and structural violence prevention strategies. Dr. Francois is a mixed methods researcher who uses community-based, participatory, and action research frameworks. She designs and executes research through an anti-racist and intersectional lens aimed at social transformation and community liberation. Dr. Francois has a doctorate in psychological sciences, concentrated in developmental psychology, from Tulane University.