Christian Porter (he/him), MSW, is a doctoral student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work. He earned his Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Eastern Michigan University, followed by a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Pittsburgh. Christian’s path in social work is grounded in his frontline experiences across psychiatric emergency services, domestic violence shelters, and homeless shelters. Through these roles, he observed how deeply interconnected social issues can trap individuals and communities in cycles of poverty and marginalization. These insights continue to inform his critical approach to systems-level responses to social harm.
In addition to his academic work, Christian is actively involved in mutual aid networks and grassroots outreach, supporting non-institutional models of care that challenge traditional service delivery. His research focuses on housing and healthcare disparities, with an emphasis on developing alternatives to punitive systems such as incarceration, coercive treatment, and policing. His work aims to center community care, autonomy, and structural transformation in social work policy and practice.
Areas of Concentration
- Governance and criminalization of homelessness and poverty in the U.S.
- Histories of vagrancy laws and the regulation of public space
- Mutual aid and community-based survival practices
- Bridging grassroots advocacy with housing policy and action
- Comprehensive harm reduction strategies
Current Research Activities
Can Law Enforcement Training Address Racial and Ethnic Disproportionality? An Experimental Evaluation of Effective Youth Interactions, PI: Leah Jacobs, PhD
Role: Graduate Student Assistant
Improving the Care and Treatment of Homeless Individuals in the Emergency Department, PI: Max Hurwitz, DO
Role: Qualitative Research Assistant
