Cristina Araujo Brinkerhoff (PhD’23) Appointed Full-Time Lecturer at BU School of Social Work 

Cristina Araujo Brinkerhoff (PhD’23) has been appointed a full-time lecturer in the Macro Social Work Department at BU School of Social Work (BUSSW), effective September 1, 2024. She brings with her a wealth of social work experience and a deep commitment to equity, racial justice, and excellence in teaching.  

Brinkerhoff earned her Master of Arts in applied sociology from UMass Boston and completed her PhD in social work at BUSSW. Her dissertation explored the social networks of Brazilian immigrant mothers and their impact on mental health and well-being, offering valuable insights into health promotion for this community. As an immigrant, her research is grounded in her lived experience which informs her community-based, translational science approach. 

A community-engaged scholar and advocate for social and racial justice, Brinkerhoff has been instrumental in significant legislative efforts, including the passage of the Work and Family Mobility Act in Massachusetts. She also serves as director of research, evaluation, and development at the Brazilian Worker Center in Boston, where she has made substantial contributions to the community. Her scholarly work includes co-authorship of numerous papers and presentations at regional and national conferences. 

In addition to her research and advocacy, Brinkerhoff brings extensive teaching experience to her new full-time role. She has taught in the school’s on-campus and online MSW programs covering courses such as Communities and Organizations: Analysis and Intervention, Racial Justice and Cultural Oppression, and Social Work Theory and Practice with Refugees and Immigrants. Her learner-centered approach to teaching emphasizes mutual learning and growth, which aligns perfectly with BUSSW’s values. 

Learn More About Lecturer Brinkerhoff’s Work