News

Gelsdorf_Bassett
May 15, 2020

Opinion: Now is the time to prioritize mental health

It is estimated that only 2% of people around the world have access to mental health and psychosocial support, or MHPSS. The question is, will COVID-19 offer us a chance to change this? Batten’s Kirsten Gelsdorf and Lucy Bassett provide critical insights into the barriers to progress in MHPSS interventions, and identify opportunities to prioritize and invest in new programs going forward.

Candlelight March
Aug 21, 2019

University Faculty Learn How to Live More Connected Lives by Confronting Difficult Past

This past June, Batten professors Lucy Bassett and Andrew Pennock participated in the University’s Teaching Race at UVA seminar. Launched in the summer of 2018, the seminar which is an initiative of the Office of the Provost grew out of a desire to deepen faculty’s understanding of the University’s and greater Charlottesville’s complicated history with race.

First generation students
Jun 04, 2019

Batten Professor and Student Play a Pivotal Role in UVA's Successful New Tour for First Gen Students

University of Virginia President Jim Ryan has said one of his missions is that UVA “opens wide the door to opportunity for first-generation, low and middle-income students.” A group of students embraced that spirit even before Ryan joined the University last year and this past semester, opened their arms to local first-generation students with a day of programing tailor-made for them by current first-gen students at UVA.

Jan 09, 2019

Collaborative Visual Storytelling

Before winter break commenced, students, professors, and staff from the Batten School and University gathered with members of the United Nations in Minor Hall to study the art of storytelling—or at least one aspect of it.

Kirsten Gelsdorf
Oct 25, 2018

What do you get when you cross a doctor and an impact investor? A reviewer’s perspective on the Humanitarian Grand Challenge

Professor Gelsdorf was selected to support the United States Agency for International Development Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), the UK Department for International Development (DFID), and Grand Challenges Canada in advising them on projects to be a part of their multi-million Fund for Creating Hope in Conflict: A Humanitarian Grand Challenge. This Fund seeks to accelerate solutions that enable life-saving or life-improving assistance to reach the most vulnerable in conflict. 

Garrett Hall at Sunset

Stay Up To Date with the Latest Batten News and Events