Soma Sen

Soma Sen

Promotion to Professor

Years at SJSU: 11

Department: Social Work

RSCA focus: Understanding and addressing health disparities among marginalized groups

Professor Soma Sen’s recent research is focused on the social epidemiology of HIV/AIDS. She sees her work understanding and addressing health disparities among marginalized groups as a social justice issue. With grants, a year-long fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco, and a one-semester sabbatical in 2015, Sen has solidified and furthered her research agenda. Her publications include two book chapters, two manuscripts under review, two in preparation and 15 articles in peer-reviewed journals, as well as conference presentations.

“My various RSCA projects are motivated by my passion to create a more just society,” she said.

Along with her research, Sen currently serves on the Academic Senate, worked with the group UndocuAllies to support DACA students, and served on a Strategic Planning Task Force.

“My experience as a faculty member in the School of Social Work at SJSU who came to this country as an international student has been extremely rewarding,” she said. “My profession’s code of ethics of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relations, integrity, and competence serve as my guiding principles as I continue to develop as an educator, researcher, and a social worker.”

Note: Congratulations to the 43 faculty members who received tenure and/or promotion for 2018-19. We have invited each faculty member to participate in a series of posts profiling their teaching, service, and research, scholarship and creativity activities. Those faculty who opted to participate will be featured throughout the fall semester on the Academic Spotlight blog and the digital sign in the Administration Building lobby.