The Junior Koenig & Ruth Knee Institute for Transformative Scholarship aims to foster the development and application of social science as a mechanism to improve quality of life for individuals, families, and communities. To do this we cultivate resources and work to remove barriers, to support a multitude of Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work affiliated faculty, centers, and programs related to research and dissemination. The Institute is committed to developing creative intersectional solutions for the multifaceted social, interpersonal, structural, and organizational problems in its service to people, either directly or in proxy through its support of school related entities. Much in the spirit of our endowed namesake, the Institute is focused on forging new paths, particularly in spaces where traditional approaches have failed. We endeavor to collectively mechanize intellectual and social capitol to advance equity and develop sustainable solutions for our society’s most complex problems.
Ruth Knee was a national leader in the field of social work. Among her innumerable achievements, Ruth played an integral role in organizations such as the National Association of Social Workers and their Social Work Pioneers Program; helped in the drafting of Medicaid and Medicare legislation and the implementation of the Community Mental Health Act; and was appointed to the President's Commission on Mental Health. Ruth also created the first social work program for the United States military at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C.
An alumna of the University of Oklahoma, Ruth accomplished much in her lifetime and hoped to continue her legacy even after her death. Ruth left an endowment to the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work with the wishes that the gift be utilized in improving the quality of systems and programs that serve communities and families in Oklahoma and elsewhere.
Building on Ruth's legacy and gift, the Ruth Knee Institute for Transformative Scholarship was founded in 2009.
For information about how to join our team as a Knee Scholar, contact Dr. Christina Miller at crmiller@ou.edu
The Knee Scholars program is designed to support graduate students in GRA positions within the Ruth Knee Institute. These students work for an academic year and support multiple research initiatives of the center. Scholars are often co-authors on published reports and academic products and highly involved in community engaged research. These positions are stipend supported.
Andrew Helt
Graduate Research Assistant - OU Food First Pharmacy
Master of Social Work Student
Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work
University of Oklahoma - Tulsa
Dina Schupack
Graduate Research Assistant
Master of Social Work Student
Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work
University of Oklahoma - Tulsa
Instructions for applying for Knee funding are listed below:
Application packets should include the following:
The Ruth Knee Institute is available to support students, faculty, and community members in an assortment of ways through collaborative research, evaluation, educational, and training initiatives.
