Dr. Samantha Winter

Biography

Samantha C. Winter is an Associate Professor at the Columbia School of Social Work, with a research focus on the climatic and environmental social determinants influencing women's health and well-being, particularly within informal settlements in sub-Saharan East Africa. Dr. Winter employs a community-engaged and empowerment-based approach in her research, aiming to reduce health inequities faced by women in climate-vulnerable communities. Her current studies include longitudinal research on the mental health impacts of climate and violence on women in informal settlements in Kenya, and she is actively developing mobile health interventions to improve women's safety and well-being in these contexts. Dr. Winter's academic background includes a Ph.D. and Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University, and she also holds an MS in Environmental Engineering Science from Stanford University as well as a BS in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University. She is passionate about teaching and advocacy for climate and environmental justice, emphasizing the intersection of human behavior and the social environment in her work.

Research Interests