Joe Glass knows his way around the Big Ten Conference. After attending Michigan State University as an undergraduate and receiving his Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan, Glass is in his first year as an assistant professor in the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Social Work.
Glass worked in the information technology industry before opting to pursue a career in social work. He obtained his Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis earlier this year. His research focuses on addictions.
Welcome, Joe! Tell us about your research.
I primarily study the range of psychological and social factors that interfere with help seeking for alcohol problems. A major interest is the stigma of alcohol addiction as a barrier to help seeking.
Are there specifics resources you plan on exploring at UW-Madison?
I am excited to collaborate with Department of Veterans Affairs researchers. This is a huge school with a lot of research activity, so I look forward to meeting others on campus with similar interests.
What courses do you teach?
This fall I’m teaching Social Work 453, Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse.
What should students expect in the classroom?
I like to integrate technology as much as possible and hear students' perspectives. Most students have primary or secondary experience with alcohol and other drugs. I find it important to challenge lay perspectives and to help students think about alcohol and drugs from a scientific perspective.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I enjoy the outdoors and the challenge of a long hike over rocky mountains. I also like to cook Italian food.
What's the best thing you've done in Madison so far?
I recently visited a vegetable farm just outside of Madison and dug food right out of the ground. I can't imagine a better way to buy groceries.
What's the best book you've read recently?
Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut.