Khalil Salim is a 4th-year doctoral student in the Community Psychology concentration of the Health Psychology Program at UNC Charlotte, which focuses on research and practice addressing health, health
disparities, and healthy communities. He joined the Urban Institute in 2018 and currently serves as the Project Manager for the Coordinated Entry Research and Evaluation Study which is working to improve services for those experiencing a housing crisis and/or homelessness in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.
He also works on various research and evaluation projects with local community agencies and nonprofits to help assess their programming and provide recommendations to improve their outcomes or impact. Khalil earned his Master’s degree in Community Psychology from UNC Charlotte. His work at the Urban Institute is informed by his experience and training in capacity building, strategic planning, nonprofit management, program evaluation, and applied research.
What are your main research interests?
Designing, implementing, and evaluating community-based interventions and/or programs that promote positive outcomes for underserved and marginalized populations. I am especially interested in research or programming related to the social determinants of health such as education, housing, poverty, and healthcare access.
What drew you to your field?
I was drawn to my field because I wanted to help solve issues in my community through collaborative research and action, but with an emphasis on changing systems and settings to better meet the needs of individuals and communities.
What do you find rewarding about your work?
Knowing that my work is helping produce new knowledge about social issues or program effectiveness, and at the same time informing program or policy changes that can advance the well-being of people in my community.
What do you hope to accomplish, or change, through your work?
I hope to help programs or policymakers draw on the best available evidence and translate that evidence into practice, particularly when it comes to addressing health disparities, achieving equity, and improving community well-being.
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