Hogg Foundation for Mental Health

Hogg Foundation Awards Moore Fellowship to Doctoral Student in the UT School of Social Work

March 25, 2008

AUSTIN – The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health has awarded the 2008 Harry E. and Bernice M. Moore Fellowship to doctoral candidate Neely Mahapatra for her research on the effects of domestic violence on women of South Asian origin.

Mahapatra is a student in the School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin. She is researching the life experiences of women of South Asian origin who experience domestic violence in the United States. She is examining their behavior patterns in seeking help from formal agencies and informal networks during crisis. She also is identifying socio-cultural factors that promote or inhibit women in seeking help while in crisis.

"My knowledge and interest in women's issues have evolved from my experience as a student and researcher and through the mentorship of distinguished teachers in the School of Social Work," Mahapatra said. "My work is providing source data, not only as a basis for developing theoretical formulations on violence against women in minority groups in the U.S., but also to increase understanding of how to prevent or respond to their experiences of intimate partner violence."

The Moore Fellowship was established in 1995 to support studies of the human experience in crises. Dr. Harry Moore was a professor and sociologist at the university for nearly 30 years until his death in 1966. He specialized in disaster studies, especially the aftermath of Texas tornadoes and hurricanes.

The fellowship is awarded to a doctoral student in the field of sociology, nursing, psychology, or social work at the university. The recipient must be completing a dissertation on the human experience in crises, including those resulting from natural or other major disasters or, more broadly, stress and adversity.

"Ms. Mahapatra is focusing on a timely, culturally significant area of study that reflects the intent of the Moores to promote research on people in crisis," said Dr. King Davis, executive director of the foundation. "We look forward to supporting her research and learning from it."

The fellowship includes a one-time award of $20,000. As a term of the fellowship, Mahapatra will present to the foundation her research and a copy of her final dissertation, "South Asian Women and Domestic Violence: Incidence and Formal and Informal Help-Seeking."

The Hogg Foundation was founded in 1940 by the children of former Texas Governor James Stephen Hogg to promote improved mental health for the people of Texas. The foundation's grants and programs support mental health consumer services, research, policy analysis and public education projects in Texas.