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Macy, Lanier named fellows in honor of their scholarship and leadership

Professor Rebecca Macy and assistant professor Paul Lanier were both recently honored for their scholarship and leadership in the social work profession.

Macy was selected as a 2019 Fellow of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare (AASWSW). The honor recognizes the distinguished accomplishments of scholars and practitioners who are “dedicated to achieving excellence in high-impact work that advances social good.”

Lanier was named as a 2019 Fellow of the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR). SSWR fellows are recognized for exemplary service, leadership and accomplishments in social work research.

Macy, who is the L. Richardson Preyer Distinguished Chair for Strengthening Families, has an extensive research portfolio that focuses on intimate partner violence and sexual assault. Named a fellow of the SSWR in 2015. Macy is also a past recipient of UNC’s Office of the Provost Award for Engaged Research.

A graduate of Tulane University (MSW ‘93) and University of Washington (Ph.D. ‘02), she has been part of the SSW faculty since 2002 and previously served as associate dean for academic affairs.

Lanier joined the SSW faculty in 2013 and serves as a faculty affiliate with the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research and the Injury Prevention Research Center, all at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Lanier is an expert in developing, evaluating, and scaling-up evidence-based prevention programs in child welfare, mental health, and early childhood systems.

His recent work has focused on engaging and supporting low-income families with young children, particularly new fathers. He recently led a statewide needs assessment of maternal, infant and early childhood home visiting programs.

A graduate of the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis (Ph.D. ’13) and the UNC School of Social Work (MSW ’08), Lanier was recognized last year for “excellence in mentoring doctoral students.”