Robin L. Leake
Research Professor; Executive Director, Butler Institute for Families
What I do
Dr. Leake’s research is focused on supporting organizational and systems change efforts to better support children, family and communities. This includes leadership and workforce development, implementing evidence-based practices and ensuring a sustainable workforce. Research on organizational health and workforce factors can guide the development and implementation of evidence-informed initiatives that strengthen the workforce and delivery of trauma-informed family-centered practice.
Specialization(s)
addictions and substance use, child welfare, culturally responsive practice, evidence-based practice/implementation science, culturally responsive practice, behavioral health, indigenous and native peoples
Professional Biography
Robin Leake, Research Professor and Executive Director at the Butler Institute for Families, has over 20 years of experience in social science and intervention research and evaluation, specializing in the implementation of evidence-based practice, organizational and workforce assessment and supporting change efforts of human service agencies and systems. Dr. Leake has served as the principal investigator for numerous programs and studies at the federal, state, county, tribal and community level. She successfully designed and executed evaluation and research studies in the areas of child welfare, TANF/eligibility, early childhood, education, home visitation, substance use prevention and treatment.
Dr. Leake served as the Project Director for the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute to strengthen the child welfare workforce and led the Children's Bureau Capacity Building Center for Tribes, supporting tribal child welfare programs across the country in implementing evidence-informed programs that serve children and families. Dr. Leake’s current research focuses on addressing systemic challenges of human serving agencies in building a sustainable workforce, policies and practices to support children, families and communities.
Degree(s)
- Ph.D., Social/Health Psychology, SUNY Stony Brook, 1999
- BA, Psychology, University of Texas, 1993
