Karen Gerdes

Emeritus Professor,

School of Social Work (SSW)

Other ASU affiliations

Emeritus Professor, Emeritus College

UCENT 807 PHOENIX, AZ 85004-3920
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Long Bio

Karen E Gerdes is an Emeritus Professor in the School of Social Work at Arizona State University at the Downtown campus. She earned a doctorate in social work from Florida State University. Her research interests include empathy, empathy measurement, conation and issues related Latino populations. She co-authored a social work textbook with Elizabeth Segal and Sue Steiner (2013 Fourth Edition) "An Introduction to the Profession: Becoming a Change Agent." Many of Gerdes' 36 publications focus on how students learn and process information. Professor Gerdes has been nominated for the ASU Parents Association Professor of the Year Award twice and in 2010 was recognized with a university-wide Faculty Achievement Award as an Outstanding Professor in Undergraduate Education.

Education

Ph.D. Social Work, Florida State University.

Research Interests

Empathy, Conation and issues impacting Latino populations

Publications

Gerdes, K. E. (2011). Empathy, sympathy and pity: 21st Century Definitions and Implications for Practice and Research. Journal of Social Service Research, 37(3), 5-12 (2011).
Gerdes, K. E. (2011). Introduction: 21st century conceptualizations of empathy: Implications for social work practice and research. Journal of Social Service Research, 37(3), 1-4 (2011).
Gerdes, K. E., & Segal, E. A., Jackson, K. F., & Mullins, J. (2011). Teaching empathy: A model rooted in social cognitive neuroscience and social justice. Journal of Social Work Education, 47(1), DOI: 10.5175/JSWE.2011.200900085 (2011).
Gerdes, K. E., Segal, E. A., & Lietz, C. (2010). Conceptualizing and measuring empathy: The need for clarity and consistency. The British Journal of Social Work, 40(7), 109-119 (2010).
Segal, E. A., Gerdes, K. E., & Steiner, S. (Third Edition). An Introduction to the Profession of Social Work: Becoming a change agent. (2010).
Gerdes, K. E., & Segal, E. A. (2009). A social work model of empathy. Advances in Social Work Practice, 10(2), 114-127 (2009).
Gerdes, Karen E, Segal, E., Steiner, S. An Introduction to the Profession of Social Work: Becoming a Change Agent. (2007).
Gerdes, Karen E, Segal, E., Steiner, S. Social Work and Social Welfare: An Introduction to the Profession. (2004).
. . Women and Girls in the Social Environment: Behavioral Perspectives (2004).
. . Controversial Issues in Social Policy (2003).

Research Activity

Gerdes,Karen E*, Segal,Elizabeth. Measuring Empathy in the 21st Century: The Development of a Social Work Empathy Index Rooted in Social Cognitive Neuroscience and Social. SILBERMAN, LOIS & SAMUEL FUND(6/1/2010 - 5/31/2012).
Gerdes,Karen E*. A Tri-University, Portable, Learner-Centered 34-Credit Hour Master of Social Work Degree Program. AZ BOARD OF REGENTS(7/1/2004 - 6/30/2005).
Gerdes,Karen E*. A TRI-UNIVERSITY PORTABLE, LEARNER-CENTERED 34 CREDIT HOUR MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK DEGREE PROGRAM. AZ BOARD OF REGENTS(1/1/2003 - 6/30/2004).

Presentations

Gerdes, Karen, Campbell, H., Steiner, S. Student Evaluations of Teaching: How You Teach and Who You Are. Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, 26th Annual Research Conference (Oct 2004).
Gerdes, Karen. Meet the Authors: Social Work Education. Workshop at Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting
Gerdes, Karen. Post Divorce Adjustment among Korean Immigrant Women Construction of a Child-Free Identity: Respecting Women's Choices. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting
Gerdes, Karen. Private Pain, Public Struggles: Bringing Violence Awareness into the Community. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting
Gerdes, Karen. Self-Reported Reasons for Divorce. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting
Gerdes, Karen. Teaching about Domestic Violence: What's the Text Got to Do with It?. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting
Gerdes, Karen. Women and Late Life: Empowering the Disempowered Body. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting

Service

ASU, Autisim Initiave Committee, Member (2007 - Present)
Reviewer (2005 - Present)
ASU, National Scholarships and Fellowships Committee, (2000 - Present)
Consulting Editor (2000 - Present)
ASU, School of Social Work, Faculty Search Committee, AA Member (2006 - 2007)
ASU, School of Social Work, Self-Study Committee for the Review of the Social Work Program, Member (2005 - 2006)
ASU, Downtown Curriculum Committee, Member (2005 - 2006)
ASU, BSW Student Organization, Faculty Advisor (2003 - 2005)
School of Social Work, Arizona State University, BSW Coordinator (2003 - 2005)
School of Social Work, Arizona State University, Flagstaff Tri-University Coordinator (2001 - 2005)
ASU, School of Social Work, Search Committee for Assistant and Associate Professors, (2005)
ASU, School of Social Work Personnel Committee: Promotion and Tenure, Chair (2003 - 2004)
ASU, School of Social Work, Search Committee for Associate Field Coordinator, (2004)
Planning Committee, (2004 - 2004)
ASU, School of Social Work Personnel Committee: Promotion and Tenure, (2001 - 2004)
ASU, School of Social Work, Search Committee for Assistant Professor,, (2004)
ASU, School of Social Work Personnel Committee: Promotion and Tenure, Chair (2002 - 2003)
ASU Search Committee for Director of BIS Program, Member (2003)
ASU, School of Social Work, Faculty Search Committee, (2003 - 2003)
ASU, School of Social Work, Search Committee for 3 - 75% Time Faculty Associates, (2003)
ASU Evaluation of the Office of Academic Transfer Articulation (OATA), Chair (2001 - 2001)
ASU, School of Social Work Search Committee for Program Coordinator, Senior, (2001 - 2001)
ASU, NCA Accreditation Team 5A - Undergraduate Instruction Core Committee, Member (2001 - 2001)
Member (2001)
APM Abstract Review Committee, Member (2001)
ASU, School of Social Work, Re-Accreditation Document Committee, (2000)
ASU General Studies Coordinator Search Committee, Member (2000)