Eric Kyere
- Ph.D., MSW
- Associate Professor
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IU Indianapolis
Contact
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(317) 278-6516
- ekyere@iu.edu
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902 W New York Street
902 W New York Street
About
Dr. Eric Kyere is an Assistant Professor of Social Work and Adjunct Professor of Africana Studies at the Indiana University, IUPUI. Dr. Kyere’s research seeks to examine and identify how racism revives itself with enduring impact on the persons of African descent both on the continental Africa and the diasporic world, ways to disrupt it, and reimagine a decolonized/anti-racist society. More specifically, Dr. Kyere focuses on the evolution of anti-black racism through enslavement, colonialism, and coloniality to construct collective cultural memory, trauma, and liberatory and thriving practices of the persons of African descent within an Atlantic framework. He applies research tools and skills from transdisciplinary perspective especially social science and humanities to engage communities of African descent especially youth and young adults across the Atlantic to map their proximity to both historical and continued effects of the evolution of anti-black racism, identify the various life thriving resistance strategies that Blacks have deployed, and synthesize these to synergistically construct decolonial/anti-racist narratives from the Atlantic framework. Dr. Kyere’s overall goal is to broadly assemble narratives that capture the experiences of Black and other marginalized people within the matrix of global colonial racial empire and build on them to inform anti-racist and decolonial research and education, and subsequently anti-racist and decolonized society.
He has expertise in a variety of areas including: students’ engagement, racial inequities in education and health, racial-ethnic socialization, racial identity with particular focus on persons of African descent’s developmental outcomes, parenting, equitable school climate, program evaluation, international social work, and human trafficking. Dr. Kyere earned his BA in social work in 2006 from the University of Ghana, MSW in 2011 from the Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, and PhD from the University of Pittsburgh in 2017. In addition, Dr. Kyere acquired a graduate certificate in African Studies from the University of Pittsburgh Center for International Studies.
Education
PhD
Emphasis/Major: Social Work2017 - University of Pittsburgh
Dissertation: Examining the Relationships between Racial-Ethnic Socialization, Racial Identity, and African American Youth’s Academic Outcomes: An Analysis with Implications for Social Work Research, Practice and Policy
MSW
Emphasis/Major: Social Work2011 - Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
BA
Emphasis/Major: Social Work with Political Science2006 - University of Ghana
Research Interests
Racial Disparities in Education and Health, Racial-Ethnic Socialization, Racial-Ethnic Identity and Youth of persons of African Descent's Developmental Outcomes. Positive Youth Development, Parenting, Equitable School Climate, Program Evaluation, International Social Work, and Human Trafficking
Teaching Interests
Human Behavior in the Social Environment
Generalist Social Work practice with individuals, children, and families, and communities
Children, Youth and families Policy
Social Work Research
Race, Ethnic, and Cultural Diversity in Social Work
School Social Work
International Social Work and Social Development
Publications
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Kyere, E. (2020). The Associations among teacher discrimination, parents and peer emotional support and African American youth school bonding . Families in Society , 101(4), 469-483.
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Kyere, E. (2020). The Role of Social Work Education in Fostering Empowerment of people of African Descent. The Significance of the History of Slavery and Colonialism.
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Kyere, E. (2020). Advancing Equity‑Based School Leadership: The Importance of Family–School Relationships. Urban Review , https://doi.org/10.1007/s11256-020-00557-z, 1-18. View Publication For Advancing Equity‑Based School Leadership: The Importance of Family–School Relationships
This narrative inquiry study presents the stories of five urban public school principals who continually enact and engage in praxis around school/family engagement as their social justice and equitable practices. The findings focus on how participants conceived and engaged in parent interaction: (1) the power of relationships, (2) resistance toward deficit thinking of parents and/or families, and (3) connecting their work with families to equity. An equity-based parent engagement model was developed on how the school leaders employ the power of relationships to engage parents, what participant interpreted their trusting relationship with parents reciprocated to them, and why they prioritize positive relationships with racially and ethnically diverse and economically disadvantage families. Overall, the findings extend emerging empirical research on the role of school leadership in effective parent engagement practice from an equity standpoint.
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Kyere, E., & Kyere, E. (2019). Meta-theoretical framework for understanding educational disparities among Black youth in the United States: Implications for social work. Urban Social Work, 3(2), 187-206.
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Kyere, E. (2018). Exploring the process by which positive racial identity develops and influences academic performance in Black youth. Implications for social work. Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work , 1-19. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/15313204.2018.1555502
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Kyere, E. (2018). An alternative to zero tolerance and Out-of-School Suspensions: A multiered Perspective . Ethnic and Cultural Diversity, 1-16. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/15313204.2018.1528914
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Kyere, E., Kyere, E., & , . (2018). A gardening metaphor: A framework for closing racial achievement gaps in America. Urban Education. Published. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/0042085918770721
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Kyere, E., , ., , ., , ., Kyere, E., & , . (2018). A critical race theoretical perspective of police shooting of unarmed Black Males in the USA: Implications for social work. Urban Social Work, 2(1), 33-47.
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, ., Kyere, E., & , . (2018). Educational expectations in African American families: Assessing the importance of immediate performance requirements. Race and Social Problems. Published. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s1255
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Kyere, E. (2018). Targeting Parental Verbal Aggression toward Children for Explaining and Intervening In Gender-Based Violence (pp. 147-164). Nova.
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Conahan, J., & Kyere, E. (2015). Community readiness: Responding to the needs of human trafficking victims. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Educational Studies, 10(3), 1-17. View Publication For Community readiness: Responding to the needs of human trafficking victims
© 2015 (selection and editorial matter) Common Ground. This study seeks to investigate whether social workers and human service organizations (agency directors) are knowledgeable of the issues associated with human trafficking victims. This investigation would help to determine if social service agencies are prepared to effectively assess and intervene in human trafficking cases. The results demonstrate the need for training concerning the magnitude of the problem and how to identify victims. Until funders and providers view the enormity of human trafficking in Pennsylvania, there will continue to be a lack of funding and resources, including a lack of anti-trafficking specific service providers in the community.
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Graham, J., Kyere, E., & Jackson, T. The trauma-sensitive urban educator model: An interdisciplinary framework for preservice urban educators. In Garo, A., L., Butler, R. B., & Lewis, W. C., The urban educators’ trauma toolkit: Transformative school-based strategies for students exposed to violence.
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Kyere, E. Teacher role in absenteeism: Discrimination, identity, and intersectionality—A person-in-environment analysis (pp. 99-106).
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Kyere, E. The role of racial-ethnic identity in understanding depression symptoms in the context of racial discrimination among African American . Society for Social Work Research . Accepted.
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Kyere, E. Racialized health care inequities: An historical perspective dating to slavery.
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Kyere, E. Racial/Ethnic socialization and faith: Essential ingredients for achieving liberation and empowerment among African American youth . Social Work & Christianity, 4(3), 259-274. https://doi.org/DOI:10.34043/swc.48i3.245
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Kyere, E. Kyere, E., Fukui, S., & Holly Jr, J. (2021). Fostering higher academic performance in African American youth through enhanced self-efficacy: The importance of integrated racial-ethnic identity. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 21(7), 20-33. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 21(7), 20-33.
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Kyere, E. Exploring the Independent and Interactive Effects of Political Identification and Moral Foundations in Perceiving Threats from Latino Immigrants in the United States. The International Journal of Interdisciplinary Global Studies, 16(2), 133-28. https://doi.org/ https://doi.org/10.18848/2324-755X/CGP/v16i02/13-28
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Kyere, E. Differential impact, differential adjustments: diverse experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic by college students in an Upper-Midwestern University, USA. SN Social Sciences , 1(12), 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-021-00287-3
Presentations
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Kyere, E. (2022). Understanding Academic Outcomes: Mediational Effect of Teacher-based Discrimination. Society for Social Work Research , Washington , DC.
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Kyere, E. (2021). Examination of the Associations among Depression, Academic-Self-concept, and Racial Stress in African American Middle Scholars. Implications for School Social Work. Society for Social Work Research .
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Kyere, E. (2021). Fostering connections, creating, identity, exposing and interrogating racism: The importance of critical dialogue around slavery and racialization through enslaved dungeons in Ghana. Society for Social Work Research .
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Kyere, E. (2020). Naming and confronting racism as a social determinant of health: Extending genogram’s assessment principle. Kutztown University .
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Kyere, E. (2020). Did the wealth and income gaps grow across religious groups after the great recession?. Society for Social Work , Washington , DC.
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Kyere, E. (2020). Fostering higher academic performance in African American youth through enhanced self-efficacy: The importance of integrated racial-ethnic identity. Society for Social Work Research , Washington , DC United States.
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Kyere, E. (2020). Fostering higher academic performance in African American youth through enhanced self-efficacy: The importance of integrated racial-ethnic identity. Society for Social Work Research , Washington, DC.
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, E. (2020). The nexus among teacher discrimination, parents and peer emotional support and African American youth school bonding. Society for Social Work Research , Washington , DC United States.
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Kyere, E., & Kyere, E. (2019). Advancing equity-based leadership: The importance of family-school partnership. American Education Research Association , Toronto , Canada.
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Kyere, E. (2019). Exploring the Role of Political Ideology and Moral foundations in Perceived Threats from Latino immigrants. Society for Social Work research, San Francisco, CA United States.
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Kyere, E. (2019). Racial-Ethnic Socialization: A path to liberation and identity formation of the people of African descent. Trans-Atlantic Round Table on Race and Religion , Nairobi, Kenya.
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Kyere, E. (2019). Counteracting the toxic effects of racial-ethnic discrimination on students’ engagement in the U.S. The importance of racial-ethnic identity. International Network of School Attendance , Oslo, Norway.
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Kyere, E. (2018). Racial history through genogram as mechanism for justice oriented social work practice. Council on Social Work Education , Orlando, FL.
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Kyere, E. (2018). Interprofessional collaboration for educational justice in Black youth from a gardener’s perspective. Council of Social Work Education , Orlando, FL.
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Kyere, E. (2018). Exploring the mechanisms by which positive racial identity develops, and influences academic performance in Black youth. SRA, Minneapolis , MN United States.
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Kyere, E., & Kyere, E. (2018). Let’s reduce the number of black and brown students being suspended: Why race neutral interventions don’t work. School Social Work of America, Columbus , OH United States.
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Kyere, E. (2018). Promoting Educational Engagement and Achievement in the Black Community: The Importance of Racial Socialization. NABSW, Indianapolis, IN United States.
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Kyere, E., Huguley, J., & , . (2018). Fostering Persistence and Achievement in African American Middle Scholars: The Importance of Parents’ Discussion of Racial/Cultural Heritage. SSWR, Washington DC , DC United States.
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Kyere, E., Joseph, A., & , . (2017). Alternative to Zero Tolerance Policies and Out-of- School Suspensions: A multi-tiered centered perspective. CSWE, Dallas , TX United States.
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Kyere, E. (2017). Gardening Metaphor, Evolving Framework for Closing Racial Achievement Gap: Implications for Social Work. CSWE, Dallas , TX United States.
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Kyere, E. (2017). Gardening Metaphor: Evolving Approach for Advancing Equity-Based Excellence in Black Youth’s Education. ASALH, Cincinnati , OH United States.
Contract Fellowship Grants
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Examining the relationships among parenting, racial-ethnic socialization and identity, and Black youth educational and mental health outcomes
Co-PD/PI: Eric Kyere
Institutional Services
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Committee Member
2020 - IUB and IUPUI Search CommitteeDeciding selection criteria
Reviewing Candidates' application materials
Screening for interviews
Interviewing Candidates
Evaluating Candidates visits to campus -
Committee Chair
2019 - International and Global Affairs Committee -
Committee Member
2018 - MSW Committee -
Committee Member
2018 - Africana Studies Department -
2017 - Black Faculty CouncilEncourage Black students retention on campus by providing encouragement of students Participate in student graduation event Attend Black student graduation -
Committee Member
2017 - Christine Bishop's qualifying ExamsProvided feedback/suggestions to strengthen Christine's proposal. Provided useful articles to help the candidate around positive youth development of Latino youth. Reviewed the candidates written paper as well as her article critique and provided useful comments. -
Student Advisor/Mentor
2018 - Co-supervising Adwoa Ulzen's independent study in the fall of 2018Provided guidance and support to student in her independent study proposal through monthly meetings Connected the student to resources (e.g. articles and individual contacts in Ghana) Reviewed written work and provided feedback -
Committee Member
2017 - MSW Direct Search CommitteeDecided on selection criteria
Reviewed Candidates' application materials
Met with Candidates for lunch
Interviewed Candidates
Evaluated Candidates visits to campus
Media Appearance
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Racial inequity in healthcare
2020 - Immigrant and Welcome Center -
Responsible innovation, gene editing, and race: Amplifying Black perspectives in pursuit of improved
2020 - CRISPRcon
Read the Story Responsible innovation, gene editing, and race: Amplifying Black perspectives in pursuit of improved -
Enslaved people’s health was ignored from the country’s beginning, laying the groundwork for today’s health disparities
2020 - Conversation
Read the Story Enslaved people’s health was ignored from the country’s beginning, laying the groundwork for today’s health disparities
Memberships
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School Social Work of America
2018 to Present -
National Association of Black Social Workers
2017 to Present -
Association for the Study of African American Life and History
2017 to Present -
Society for Research on Adolescents
2016 to Present -
Society for Social Work Research
2015 to Present -
Council on Social Work Education
2015 to Present
Professional Services
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Reviewer, Journal Article
2019 to Present - Society for Social Work Research -
Reviewer, Journal Article
2019 to Present - Journal of Families in Society -
Reviewer, Journal Article
2019 to Present - Gender and Society Journal -
Reviewer, Journal Article
2018 to Present - Advances in Social Work -
Reviewer, Journal Article
2018 to Present - Journal of Urban Education -
Reviewer, Conference Paper
2018 to 2018 - Council of Social Work Education