I firmly believe in the emancipatory power of social work education. It equips students with the knowledge and tools to critically examine social structures and power dynamics, understand the root causes of inequality and injustice, and work towards creating a more equitable and just society. Social work education goes beyond simply imparting knowledge; it fosters a sense of social responsibility and empowers students to become agents of change.
I am also passionate about democratizing knowledge, particularly in the areas of research methods, quantitative analysis, and computational social science. I believe that these tools and skills are essential for effectively serving diverse populations and addressing complex social issues. This is one of the driving forces behind my research blog, where I share resources, tutorials, and insights to make these methods more accessible to students, practitioners, and community members.
Further, I strive to incorporate a QuantCrit perspective into my teaching, encouraging students to critically examine the ways in which quantitative methods can perpetuate or challenge existing power structures and social inequalities. Finally, I aim to foster a balanced approach to utilizing data science and computational tools in social work and mental health practice by integrating both critical and optimistic views of technology. My goal is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to harness the power of these tools for social good while remaining mindful of their potential limitations and biases.
Teaching Experience
Adjunct Instructor
- Lab for Generalized Linear Models (PHDSW-GS 3067) Silver School of Social Work at New York University. Spring 2024/Spring 2025.
- Lab for Introductory Statistics (PHDSW-GS 3028) Silver School of Social Work at New York University. Fall 2024/Fall 2025.
- Using Artificial Intelligence to Support Youth Mental Health (MSWELGS 3121) Silver School of Social Work at New York University. Spring 2024/Spring 2025.
- 3-day Statistics Camp for Incoming PhD Students. Silver School of Social Work at New York University. Summer 2023/Summer 2024.
Quotes from students
- “Nari was extremely adaptable to our learning styles. Nari was incredibly open to our asks and suggestions. She was consistently and amazingly available to us. She was so focused on our learning and was always willing to share information and resources with us. I was and am very impressed and appreciative of her work with us in this course.”
- “Nari is a phenomenal instructor. I love how she always met us where we were in our learning and was incredibly encouraging.”
- “Nari is the kind of instructor everyone should have. Her kindness, generosity, patience, passion, and knowledge make he an incredible professor and educator. I would not have been able to succeed without her assistance.”
Post-Master Certificate Director / Instructor
- Using Artificial Intelligence to Support Mental Health. Silver School of Social Work at New York University.
Guest Speaker
- Navigating the Intersection of Data Science and Social Work Research [slides]. Conducting Research with Diverse Populations at NYU Silver School of Social Work. Spring 2024.
- Measurement Issues in Studying Diverse Populations and Evaluating Measurement Invariance and Cultural Validity [slides].Conducting Research with Diverse Populations at NYU Silver School of Social Work. Spring 2022/Spring 2023.
- The Influences of Immigration and Globalization on Wellbeing of Families. [slides]. Human Behavior in the Social Environment I at NYU Silver School of Social Work. Fall 2023.
- Text as Data for Social Work Research. Lunch and Learn Seminar at NYU Silver School of Social Work. Spring 2023.
Mentoring Experience
I am deeply committed to mentoring and supporting students in their academic and professional journeys. I recognize the profound impact that mentorship can have, particularly for students from underrepresented backgrounds or those navigating academia without social networks.
- Lab Mentor, Quality Undergraduate Education and Scholarly Training Program. Department of Applied Psychology at New York University. Summer 2022/Summer 2023.
- Mentored 5 undergraduate students interested in applying to PhD Program
- Speaker. Developing Resumes, CVs, & Websites for Graduate School. Professional Development for Quality Undergraduate Education and Scholarly Training at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Summer 2022/Summer 2023.
- Tutor, Independent Research. Department of Applied Psychology at New York University. Spring 2023.
