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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 to 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 evaluate a 10-session anti-ageism peer support program for adults 50+ years of age called Aging Together. This group program, facilitated by trained older adults, aims to reduce internalized & relational ageism and enhance psychosocial well-being among older adults.

Dr. Steward currently serves as an advisory board member for the “Addressing Ageism in Healthcare” initiative through AARP & the Gerontological Society of America, and as an advisory committee member for the initiative “Reframing Aging and Disability in Wisconsin.” He is an editorial board member for the Journal of Gerontological Social Work and Journal of Intergenerational Relationships.

Dr. Steward is a licensed clinical social worker with practice experience in hospice care and developing healthy aging programs. 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 holds a Bachelor of Arts in music and has worked as a Certified Music Practitioner, where he provided therapeutic flute music for clients in healthcare settings.

Drawing from his research and social work practice experience, Dr. Steward teaches social work courses at UWM covering social gerontology, program evaluation, practice skills and concepts in aging and health, and social issues and critical policies affecting older adults.

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

Recent Grants:

  • 2024-2026: $46,500. Role: Principal Investigator (Co-Investigator: Lee, Y.). A Feasibility and Quasi-Experimental Study of the "Aging Together" Peer Support Program. Bader Philanthropies.

Media Coverage:

Recent Publications:

  • Steward, A. T., Keane, C. T., Lee, Y., & Cho, Y. (2025). A pilot and feasibility study of the Aging Together anti-ageism peer support program. Journal of Applied Gerontology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648251340445
  • Steward, A., Zhu, Y., De Fries, C., Dunbar, A. Z., & Trujillo, M. (2025). A phenomenological, intersectional exploration of ways older adults find support in response to ageism and racism. Journal of Gerontological Social Work. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/01634372.2025.2449653
  • Steward, A., De Fries, C., Dunbar, A Z., Trujillo, M., Zhu, Y., & Hasche, L. (in press). A phenomenological understanding of the lived experience of the intersectionality of ageism and racism among older adults: Interpersonal experiences. Journal of Social Work. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/14680173241253495
  • Steward, A., & Zhu, Y. (in press). Exploring mediation effects of internalized positive and negative age stereotypes between volunteer hours and purpose in life for adults 50+. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1086/730831
  • Steward, A., & Hasche, L. (2024). Do internalized age stereotypes mediate the relationship between volunteering and self-efficacy for adults 50+ years of age? International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 98(2),135-158. https://doi.org/10.1177/00914150231183139
  • Steward, A. (2023). Age discrimination in health care: The argument for a multi-level, intersectional response. Certified Senior Advisors Journal, 93(4), 47-52.
  • Steward, A., Zhu, Y., De Fries, C., Trujillo, M., & Hasche, L. (2023). A phenomenological, intersectional understanding of coping with ageism and racism among older adults. Journal of Aging Studies, 67, 101186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2023.101186
  • 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