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Portrait of Andrew Steward (white man), Assistant Professor of Social Work

Andrew Steward, PhD, LCSW

  • Assistant Professor, Social Work

Dr. Andrew Steward is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Helen Bader School of Social Welfare. Dr. Steward’s research explores gaps in understanding and responding to ageism through two primary aims: 1) to test programs and interventions that may reduce internalized ageism and enhance psychosocial health for older adults, and 2) to explore the intersectionality of ageism with other social justice issues. Currently, Dr. Steward is partnering with several community organizations to pilot a 10-session anti-ageism peer support program for adults 50+ years of age called Aging Together. This program aims to reduce internalized ageism and enhance self-efficacy, social connectedness, and cognitive function among older adults.

Dr. Steward received his MSW and PhD from the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work. He received a doctoral dissertation grant from the Fahs-Beck Fund for Research and Experimentation and was a Pre-Dissertation Fellow for the Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work (AGESW).

Dr. Steward is an LCSW with practice experience in hospice care and developing healthy aging programs. In particular, he was the lead developer of an intergenerational, lifelong learning initiative recognized by the International Council on Active Aging as one of the five most innovative wellness programs for older adults in North America in 2015. Dr. Steward also has a BA in music and has worked as a Certified Music Practitioner, where he provided therapeutic flute music for clients in healthcare settings.

Dr. Steward is committed to community-engaged scholarship, as demonstrated by his work as a research consultant for Experience Engaged (formerly Boomers Leading Change) and as the Intergenerational Program Evaluation Coordinator for Linkages Colorado, a collaborative of organizations committed to meaningful intergenerational program partnerships.

Education:

  • PhD, University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work, 2022
  • MSW, University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work, 2014
  • BA, University of Denver, 2012

Professional Interests:

  • Internalized ageism and psychosocial health among older adults
  • Intersectionality of ageism with other social justice issues
  • Arts-based research and therapeutic music

Media Coverage:

Recent Publications:

  • Steward, A. (2023). Embodied ageism: Our relationship with our bodies is at the heart of the matter. Certified Senior Advisors Journal, 91(2), 45-49.
  • Steward, A., De Fries, C., Dunbar, A. Z., Trujillo, M., Zhu, Y., Nicotera, N., & Hasche, L. (2023). A phenomenological understanding of the lived experience of the intersectionality of ageism and racism among older adults: Individual-level experiences. Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Social Sciences. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbad031 
  • Steward, A., Hasche, L., & Laser, J. (2022). Do internalized age stereotypes mediate the relationship between volunteerism and social connectedness for adults 50+? Journal of Aging Studies, 61, Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2022.101031
  • Schilz, M., Steward, A., Wang, K., Ingle, M. P., De Fries, C., & Hasche, L. (2022). The association between social network and fear of COVID-19 among older adults. Journal of Gerontological Social Work. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/01634372.2022.2045661
  • Jarrott, S., Leedahl, S., Shovali, T., De Fries, C. M., DelPo, A., Estus, E, Ganji, C., Hasche, L., Juris, J., MacInnes, R., Schilz, M., Scrivano, R., Steward, A., Taylor, C., & Walker, A. (2022). Intergenerational programming during the pandemic: Transformation during (constantly) changing times. Journal of Social Issues, 1-28. Advance online publication.https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12530
  • Steward, A., Hasche, L., Greenfield, J. C., Ingle, M. P., De Fries, C. M., Fix, R., King McLaughlin, J., Schilz, M., Hennig, M., & Bonatus, D. (2021). A review of participant, agency, and community outcomes of non-familial intergenerational programs. Journal of Social Work. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/14680173211057436
  • Steward, A., & McDevitt, K. (2021). “Otherwise we would be like an island”: A phenomenological understanding of intergenerational engagement aimed at reducing social isolation. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2021.1997870
  • Steward, A., & Hasche, L. (2021). Exploring lifestyle activities to reduce internalized ageism: Self-efficacy as a mediator between exercise, volunteering, computer use and self-perceptions of aging. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 94(3), 255-272. https://doi.org/10.1177/00914150211024175
  • Steward, A. (2021). Toward interventions to reduce internalized ageism. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 32(3), 336-355. https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2021.1898516
  • Steward, A., Hasche, L., Talamantes, M., & Bernhardt, M. (2020). The impact of intergenerational engagement on social work students’ attitudes toward aging: The example of Clermont College. Health and Social Work, 45(4), 250-258. https://doi.org/10.1093/hsw/hlaa023

Curriculum Vitae