Bio
Samantha Bates, Ph.D., LISW-S, is a licensed independent social worker with more than 10 years of experience working with socially vulnerable youth in various settings, including schools, communities, afterschool programs, and sport. Her research focuses on positive youth development. This work includes exploring how to leverage sport as a context for social-emotional learning, identifying evidence-based and culturally responsive mental health interventions, and harnessing the power of education to transform youth outcomes.
Bates graduated with her doctorate from The Ohio State University (OSU), where she served as a social work supervisor in a local dropout recovery high school and led research for the Community and Youth Collaborative Institute (CAYCI) and the OSU LiFEsports Initiative. She then went on to work as an Assistant Professor at Texas Christian University for three years before returning to OSU. Bates currently has authored or co-authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications, seven book chapters, 30 community-based evaluation reports, and over 75 national conference presentations. Her teaching experience includes the instruction of courses in areas such as positive youth development in sport, generalist social work practice, and school social work. Bates was recognized with the OSU CSW Undergraduate Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award in 2023.
Education
PhD - The Ohio State University, 2018 - Social Work
MSW - Louisiana State University, 2014 - Social Work
BS - Louisiana State University, 2012 - Psychology
Areas of Expertise
Positive youth development
Sport-based social-emotional learning
School social work
School-based mental health
Areas of Interest for Mentoring PhD Students
Positive youth development
School social work
Mixed methods research
Experiential learning and pedagogy
Self-care and wellness for women in academia