Gary Parker, PhD

Gary Parker, MSW, PhD, has dedicated his career to bridging research, policy, and practice to advance social and economic justice. As a strategic leader, educator, and advocate, he has spent more than 20 years shaping public policy and empowering communities through innovative initiatives and collaborative partnerships.

At Washington University in St. Louis, Gary serves as Associate Dean for External Affairs at the Brown School and director of the Clark-Fox Policy Institute. As Associate Dean, he leads the school’s communications and professional development initiatives, ensuring its continued reputation as a top-tier institution for social work and social policy education.

As the inaugural director of the Clark-Fox Policy Institute, Gary advances its mission to promote social and economic justice for children and families. Through research translation, community engagement, and the convening of policymakers, scholars, and leaders, the institute addresses pressing societal challenges such as improving access to quality, affordable early childhood education, ensuring adequate support systems for working parents, and advancing racial equity. Under his leadership, the institute has become a trusted resource for evidence-informed policy solutions and transformative advocacy.

Gary is also the president of Influencing Social Policy, a national membership organization of social work faculty and practitioners dedicated to policy. Through education, research, advocacy, and a supportive community, ISP strengthens the impact of social work on local, state, and national policy landscapes.

Previously, as deputy director of the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research, Gary helped establish the institute as a nationally recognized leader in addressing poverty through innovative, research-driven approaches. His contributions included policy analysis, community-based participatory research, and impactful initiatives that bridged academic findings with real-world outcomes.

Throughout his career, Gary has convened national summits and authored influential policy briefs, peer-reviewed journal articles, and Op-eds, as well as provided leadership on critical issues affecting vulnerable populations. A former board member of Forward Through Ferguson and one of the founders of the St. Louis Racial Equity Summit, he has been a steadfast advocate for racial justice and systemic change.

Gary earned his MSW from Hunter College and his PhD in social work from Hebrew University in Jerusalem. His work reflects an enduring commitment to using knowledge and collaboration to build a more just and inclusive society.