Dr. Heather E. Deal currently serves as an assistant professor of Social Work in the College of Community and Public Affairs at Binghamton University. Her research developed out of her extensive experience in social work practice in Christian congregations and faith-based organizations, including Habitat for Humanity NYC, Baptist Women in Ministry, and the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University. Her broad research interests include congregational social justice advocacy, how congregations can combat the rise of Christian nationalism, and equity for women and LGBTQ+ individuals in religious congregations. Deal believes research should produce applicable tools to strengthen individuals, organizations, and communities. She is currently developing a tool to help Christian congregations assess their attitudes and actions toward gender equity. She also studies social work faculty perceptions of institutional betrayal, institutional courage, and moral injury, with attention to how institutional contexts shape professional wellbeing, ethics, and practice. In addition, she is researching pastors’ experiences with Christian nationalism in their congregations as groundwork for evidence-based, contextual, and practical tools to equip pastors to lead faithfully and effectively in divided times. Deal has presented at various national conferences. At the 2025 North American Association of Christians in Social Work (NACSW) Annual Program Meeting, she presented “Beyond Affirmation: How Baptist Congregations Create Empowering Environments for Women.” At the 2024 NACSW Annual Meeting, she presented “Navigating the RFMA: Implications Post-Dobbs vs Jackson,” and in 2023, she presented “Christian Nationalism and the Christian Social Worker,” “Promoting Sustainability in Social Work: Perspectives of Educators/Students,” and “Minority Stress Theory and Applications to Spirituality in LGBTQ People.” At the 2023 Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, she presented “Culture Wars in Social Work Classrooms and Beyond: How Should Social Work Educators Respond?”
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