SESW Social Work Student Researcher Spotlight: Tori Butler ’21
Meet Tori Butler, a senior social work major, who has been conducting research with Dr. Katie Kranz, of the social work department, this summer. Learn more about her experiences through our interview below.
What made you decide to be a social work major?
Going into PC, I knew that I wanted to go into a major that would lead me to help kids. I thought psychology was for me, but once I met Dr. Katie Kranz (she was the chair of the department at the time) at the involvement fair going into my freshman year, she finalized my decision. Social work carried the community aspect that I wanted and allowed for a large umbrella of possibilities. I then knew this helping profession was for me.
Tell us a little about the research that you are doing with Dr. Kranz.
The topic of the research I am assisting with is, Vulnerability in Action: What the Homeless Taught Us. The data for this qualitative research comes from past semesters of the Addictions course, taught by Dr. Kranz. The final audit evaluations that students wrote are important for drawing language on their perspectives of homelessness and what it can teach us.
My day-to-day tasks have me working on the literature review for this research and analyzing the audits in order to synthesize data. I have weekly meetings with Dr. Kranz to keep each other informed. As an ongoing piece to this research, we have submitted an abstract for a conference in New Orleans.
I have personal ties to this research. I live in a city, Baltimore, Maryland, where there is a lot of poverty present and where I have seen much homelessness in my lifetime. Once hearing about the Addictions course that Dr. Kranz teaches, which highlights homelessness, I was more than interested in learning about these issues in Rhode Island.
What are your aspirations/goals for the future after leaving PC?
As a senior at Providence College, I plan to go straight to graduate school for my master’s. Our social work program having an advanced standing is another reason why I wanted to become a social work major, as I will only need to go to grad school for one year if all continues as it has been. I do not have my mind set on a specific specialty yet, but I am hoping my internship this year helps push me in the best direction for me.
Any concluding thoughts?
Special thanks to Dr. Kranz for being there since the beginning of my social work path. Contributing to this research is an amazing opportunity that I will always remember.
