Angela Curl, Ph.D.

Professional Experience

Miami University, MSW Program Director, 2022 – present
Miami University, Associate Professor, Family Science & Social Work, 2019 – present
Miami University, BSW Program Director, 2018 – 2022
Scripps Gerontology Center, Research Fellow, 2015 – present
Miami University, Assistant Professor, Family Science & Social Work, 2015 – 2019
University of Missouri, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, 2007 – 2015
Project Coordinator, Council on Social Work Education, Alexandria, VA, 2003 – 2004
Research Assistant, Council on Social Work Education, Alexandria, VA, 1999 – 2001
Program Associate, National Association of Community Action Agencies, Washington, DC, 1999
Administrative Assistant, Family Center of Children’s Harbor, Birmingham, AL, 1997

Honors, Awards, and Grants

Honors and Awards:

Gerontological Society of America Fellow, 2017 – present
Marie Haug Award for Exemplary Performance in Gerontological Studies, 2006

Grants:

Human Animal Bond Research Initiative Foundation (Co-Investigator, 2015-2017; $43,462)
Project Title: Companion Animals, Social Engagement, and Psychological Well-being in Mid and Later
Adulthood
Hartford Faculty Scholar (Principal Investigator, 2008-2011; $100,000), John A. Hartford Foundation through a grant to the Gerontological Society of America
Project Title: The Impact of Retirement on Heart Problems: A Multilevel Dyadic Analysis of Longitudinal
Secondary Data
Hartford Doctoral Fellow (Principal Investigator, 2004-2006; $40,000), John A. Hartford Foundation through a grant to the Gerontological Society of America
Project Title: The Impact of Retirement on Trajectories of Physical Health of Married Couples
Grantmakers in Aging Fellow (Principal Investigator, 2003), Grantmakers in Aging. Grant provided travel funds to present at the Grantmakers in Aging conference in Cleveland, Ohio.

Biography

I joined the faculty of Miami University in August 2015, after being on faculty at the University of Missouri from 2007-2015. My research examines the relationship between health and engagement (e.g., work, volunteering, caregiving, social participation) of older adults. Specifically, my research focuses on the areas of retirement and driving transitions and human-animal interactions. One of the most influential factors impacting productive and social engagement is health. In this vein, my research addresses the role of health factors (e.g., body weight, functional limitations, depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment) in influencing and being influenced by engagement, while additional studies have examined health of older adults more broadly. These studies are designed to inform policy decisions as well as direct practice with older adults.

Courses

FSW 295 Research and Evaluation Methods
FSW 312 Human Behavior in the Social Environment
FSW/SOC 435/535 Death Studies
FSW 616 Graduate Social Work Research I
FSW 617 Human Behavior in the Social Environment

Degrees

Ph.D. in Social Welfare, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
MSW University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
BSW Taylor University, Indiana