Before joining the School of Social Work at Stephen F. Austin State University, Dr. James Morris spent twelve years as a social worker in New Orleans. He worked for various nonprofit agencies that provide access to health care, case management services, and advocacy. His research has focused mainly on the differential impacts of Hurricane Katrina on musicians, with a focus on issues of resiliency and vulnerability, the impact of social support networks, community connection, mentoring, and the psychological impact of music for those affected by disaster and/or displacement. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (2001), a Master of Social Work (2005), and a Ph.D. (2013) from Tulane University.