Leia Saltzman named Associate Dean of Research
Leia Saltzman, formerly the Director of Research Strategy, Innovation, and Mentoring, has been appointed as Tulane School of Social Work’s Associate Dean of Research.
Saltzman joined Tulane School of Social Work as an Assistant Professor in 2017, teaching both online and on-campus in the Master of Social Work and Doctor of Social Work programs. Saltzman’s research works toward the development of sustainable mental health interventions for communities impacted by disaster, trauma, and violence. Saltzman plans to promote interdisciplinary collaborations and strengthen the impact of Tulane School of Social Work’s research on vulnerable populations.
“Our faculty are doing exceptional work that improves lives and strengthens communities. As Associate Dean of Research, I hope to elevate the visibility of that work, cultivate new relationships and funding opportunities, and support faculty in developing bold and impactful community-engaged research,” said Saltzman.
In 2025, Saltzman founded the Public Engagement, Accessibility, and Research Literacy (PEARL) Lab, which engages both undergraduate and graduate social work students in science communication and program evaluation efforts. Through creative initiatives like Social Work Zines and educational programming that connects students to faculty, PEARL Lab teaches students to analyze and synthesize research. In her new role, Saltzman plans to continue to build a research culture that transforms the way students think about scholarship.
“As we continue to grow our research enterprise, I'm excited to expand opportunities for students to contribute to research that is innovative, accessible, and deeply connected to the communities we serve,” Saltzman said. “My hope is that every student leaves Tulane with the confidence to understand, apply, and champion evidence-informed practice throughout their career.”
