Professor Lawson holds a joint appointment in the School of Social Welfare. He also serves as Special Assistant to the Provost for the university's Urban engagement agenda, an agenda that includes interdisciplinary education and research. He is a Leadership Associate in the National Network for Educational Renewal. He came to the University at Albany in January 2000, following a 30-year career that includes professorial and administrative service at the University of Washington, the University of British Columbia, Miami (Ohio) University, and the University of Utah. Lawson specializes in university, school, family, and community partnerships, especially complex community change initiatives focused on poverty, social-geographic isolation, and social-economic exclusion. He is a co-author of several recent books including Family-centered Policies and Practices: International Implications (2001); Innovative Practices With Vulnerable Children and Families (2000); and, Expanding Partnerships for Vulnerable Children and Families (1996). His grants and consultations have focused on expanded models for school improvement and parent involvement; comprehensive after-school programs; integrated social and health services for child welfare systems and for school systems; and interprofessional education and training. His international involvement includes service in the Netherlands on the Advisory Board for the National Institute of Education and Youth Care.
Recent Publications of Hal A. Lawson
Anderson-Butcher, D., Lawson, H., et al., (2002). Eliciting theories of change from youth care workers and youth participants. The Journal of Child and Youth Care Work, 17, 130-151.
(with D. Anderson-Butcher, et. al.). (in press). Design teams as learning systems for complex systems change: Evaluation data and implications for higher education. Human Behavior in the Social Environment.
(D. Anderson-Butcher, first author). (2002). An evaluation of child welfare design teams in four states. Journal of Health and Social Policy, 15, 131-161.
(in press). Pursuing and securing collaboration to improve results. In M. Brabeck and M. Walsh (Eds.), The contribution of interprofessional collaboration and comprehensive services to teaching and learning. The National Society for the Study of Education Yearbook 2002. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Devine, J., & Lawson, H. (2003). The complexity of school violence: Commentary from the USA. In P. Smith (Ed.), Violence in schools: The response in Europe (pp. 332-351). London: Routledge.
