Uma Segal
Professor
Ph.D., LCSW, Washington University
207 Bellerive Hall
314- 516-6379
umasegal@umsl.edu
To view a Faculty Video Interview, click here.
Uma A. Segal is Professor and Director of the Baccalaureate Social Work program and holds a research fellow position in the University’s Center for International Studies. She completed her doctorate in social work (Ph.D.) at Washington University, St. Louis, her Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) at the University of Texas at Arlington, and her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in cultural anthropology from Barnard College of Columbia University in New York.
Dr. Segal’s areas of research interest and publication are immigrant and refugee concerns, Asian American acculturation, and cross-national issues in family violence, with particular focus on India and Japan. She currently serves as the resident expert at the Katherine A. Kendall Institute (KAKI) of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and recently completed a cross-national project on immigration with the Economic Policy Institute in Bulgaria on behalf of CSWE. Another research project explored migration issues in Europe and North America and was spearheaded by the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy in Greece. In 2009, she was invited to Japan to present seminars on family violence, with particular relevance to Asian populations and to represent KAKI on a plenary panel on migration for the International Consortium for Social Development's biennial symposium in Mexico.
Uma Segal was appointed editor of the Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies in 2004. She has redirected its mission toward an international, interdisciplinary focus in addressing issues related to human migration and moved it to an electronic form of review.
Journal contact information
Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies
School of Social Work & Center for International Studies
304 Social Sciences and Business Building
Email: ijirs@umsl.edu
Tel, (314) 516-7195; Fax, (314) 516-6757
Summary Vitae
Special Interests: Immigrants and refugees, Asian Americans, and family violence
Recent Publications:
Segal, U., Mayadas, N., and Elliott, D. [eds. (In press, 2010)] Immigration worldwide, 30 Chapters. New York, NY: Oxford University Press (32 chapters-Chapters 1,2, and 30 by co-editors, Chapter 3 by U. Segal).
(Abstract: The ease of transportation, the globalization of the world market, the opening of borders and international immigration policies, the growing refugee movements, and the size of undocumented immigrant populations suggest that immigration worldwide is a phenomenon to which the social sciences across the globe must give increased attention. This book explores current patterns and policies of immigration in 25 countries as well as the European and African Unions, with analysis of implications for the countries, the immigrant populations, and global perspectives.)
Segal, U., (In press, 2009). Working with immigrants and refugees. In Link, R. & Healy, L. (eds.) Handbook of International Social Work, Oxford University Press, (pp. 18).
(Abstract: Migration worldwide continues to increase, as people move in, through, and out of countries and regions. Increasing openings of borders, as in the European Union, greater physical border controls, as in the southern United States, and ongoing perceptions of border fluidity, as in the African Union, present unprecedented opportunities and challenges to, among others, policy makers, service providers, and businesses and the migrants themselves. This chapter discusses general issues facing newcomers and host nations, suggests implications for social work practice, and provides some resources for further information.)
Segal, U. and Mayadas, N., (In press, 2009). In Lieberman, A., Women who have shaped the world, Lyceum Press, pp. 20.
Segal, U. (2009). United States: A land of opportunities? Special issue, dCIDOB Journal, Center for International Relations and Development Studies Foundation 107, 38-43, translated into Catalan.
)Abstract: This paper provides a broad-brush picture of immigration in the United States in the first decade of the 21st century, including immigration and immigrant policies, an immigrant profile, and the role of human and social capital in immigrant integration.)
Segal, U., and Watkins, J.M. (2008). United States and Bulgaria: Migration policies and programs. In Economic Policy Institute (ed). Immigrant integration policies. Sofia, Bulgaria: Prim Trade Co. 214 - 234.
(Abstract: This chapter makes some comparisons between the United States and Bulgaria regarding immigration, immigration policies, immigrant programs, and immigrant policies as they focus on immigrant integration.)
Segal, U. (2008). Immigration Policy. In Davis, L., et. al. (eds). Encyclopedia of Social Work, 20th Edition. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, Volume 2, 446-455.
Elliott, D. and Segal, U. (2008). International Social Work. In White, Barbara (ed), The comprehensive handbook of social work and social welfare. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 343-376.
Anme, T. and Segal, U. (In press 2008). Child development and childcare in Japan. Journal of Early Childhood Research 6(3), pp. 18.
(Abstract: With increasing numbers of women joining the workforce, there is a need for quality childcare. This project, conducted in Japan and using a large number of participants, sought to standardize an evaluation scale to measure the development of children. The development of children under six years of age (n=22,819) who are enrolled in childcare programs was evaluated by childcare professionals. Percentiles were calculated (10th, 50th, and 90th percentile points) for each item (total 192) of six development subscales (gross motor, fine motor, social competence, communication, vocabulary, and intelligence development). The results supported the validity of this scale in measuring child development in Japan.)
Segal, M., Segal, Z., Segal, N., and Segal, U. (2008). Effective communication and leadership essentials for a global workforce. International Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Change Management 8(6), 63-71.
(Abstract: With increasing globalization and the cross-national transfer of managers, it is essential that management training include a large dose of cross-cultural sensitivity and competence. This paper discusses essential skills of conducting business in cross-cultural contexts and implications for leadership and communication.)
Segal, U. (2008). Mexican Migration to the United States: A Focus on Missouri. Journal of Immigrant and Refugee Studies 6(3), 451-462.
(Abstract: Migration from Mexico has been essential to the economy
of the United States (U.S.), and prior to the passage of the North American
Free Trade Agreement in 1994, Mexican migration was largely seasonal.
With increasing border controls and the heightened dangers in entering the
U.S. illegally, Mexican migrants are making their move more permanent.
This qualitative pilot project explores critical junctures at which Mexican
migrants made the decision to establish residence in one city in Missouri.
Implications of their responses are explored.)
Courses:
FS 2009
- SW 2230 - Asians in Migration
- SW 5350 - Social Work and Human Service Organizations
- SW 5500 - Foundations of Human Behavior in the Social Environment