Staff Bios

Dr. Larry E. Davis

Dr. Larry E. Davis is the Dean of the Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh, where he is the Donald M. Henderson Professor and also the Director of the Center on Race and Social Problems. Dr. Davis came to the University of Pittsburgh in the fall of 2001. He had been a faculty member at the George Warren Brown Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri since 1977, where he was a Professor of Social Work and Psychology and the holder of the E. Desmond Lee Chair in Ethnic and Racial Diversity.

Dr. Davis received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan’s dual-degree program in social work and psychology in 1977. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University and a Masters in social work and a Masters in psychology from the University of Michigan. His professional interests include interracial group dynamics, the impact of race, gender, and class on interpersonal interactions, African American family formation, and youth.

He has received research funding from sources such as the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Health, and National Institute of Mental Health. Some of his publications include “Too Many Blacks, Too Many Whites: Seeking a Racial Balance: Predicting Positive Academic Intentions Among African American Males and Females,” “Assessment of Practitioner Cross-Racial Treatment Experiences,” and “Essential Components of Groupwork with Black Americans.” He has written, edited, or co-authored four books: Race, Gender and Class: Guidelines for Practice with Individuals, Families and Groups (co-authored with Enola Proctor), Ethnic Issues in Adolescent Mental Health (Co-edited with Arlene Stiffman), Black and Single: Finding and Choosing a Partner who is Right for You (3rd edition 2004), and Working with African American Males: A Guide to Practice. He is a frequent lecturer and has given such talks as “The State of Black Singles in America” at the Smithsoni an Lecture Series in Washington D.C.

Dr. Ralph L. Bangs

Dr. Bangs is Associate Director of the Center on Race and Social Problems in the Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Bangs’ current research is on improving African American high school education and transitions to post-secondary school and on increasing contracting with minority and women-owned businesses.

Dr. Bangs is co-editor of the book The State of Black Youth in Pittsburgh and has produced more than 40 reports on the Pittsburgh region. Many of these reports can be found at www.ucsur.pitt.edu; click on publications. The reports include:

Black-White Benchmarks Reports in 2004 and several other Black-White benchmarks reports in the 1990s

Three reports on diversity among board members and elected officials in the region

Three “Black Papers” on African American Health in Allegheny County in 2002

A Basic Living Cost and Living Wage study in 1997 on local poverty conditions by race

In 1997 the YWCA of Pittsburgh gave Dr. Bangs a Racial Justice Award for speaking out on the findings of his Benchmarks reports. Dr. Bangs was also recognized as “Best Researcher” by In Pittsburgh newspaper in March 2000.

Dr. Bangs received a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh in Public Policy Research and Analysis and a Masters of Public Administration from Ohio State University.

Dr. Hide Yamatani

Dr. Hide Yamatani is Associate Dean for Research in the Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh. He is a Faculty Associate in the school’s Center on Race and Social Problems and has been a Professor in the school since 1978. Dr. Yamatani received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, a master’s degree and a doctorate from the Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the university’s Katz Graduate Business.

Dr. Yamatani has published numerous articles and book chapters on afflicted individual, community, and region evaluation, race and gender issues, and troubled employee assistance and workplace enhancement.

Dr. Solveig Spjeldnes

As a postdoctoral associate with the Center on Race and Social Problems, Dr. Spjeldnes (formerly Peters) is responsible for research activities to support Dr. Yamatani and other CRSP researchers analyzing data and preparing manuscripts for refereed journal publication as well as assisting with research grant applications. She also conducts her own scholarly research and policy analyses focused on influences that affect the well-being of African American children with low-income. Research interests include risk and protective factors related to family (e.g. interparental relations, parenting, maternal depressive symptoms, parental incarceration, father involvement, and social supports) and educational disparities and child care.

Dr. Spjeldnes also serves as an academic advisor to MSW students. Her educational credentials include a BS in Education/Special Education, an MAEd, an MSW, and a PhD. Her last two degrees were earned at the University of Pittsburgh where she earned a 4.0 and a 3.91 GPA respectively.