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Current Research:

My primary research interest focuses on the issues of decentralization and its challenges for community development. Rapid urbanization in the developing world has exposed the inability of local governments to meet the basic needs of its citizens. Faced with demographic and financial pressures, governments are devolving responsibility for essential services (e.g., education, health etc.) to non-state actors (e.g., private or community-based organizations). One area of inquiry focuses on the challenges of this withdrawal for low-income households.

Another related research interest is the examination of the linkage between technology and governance. Historically, the nation-state in the developing world has often been seen as unaccountable and non-transparent to its citizenry. In recent years, governments have begun to use Information Technology (IT) as a way to respond to calls for ‘good governance.’ My research project in India examines how local governments are using IT to transform the way they connect to citizens, and investigates the promise of e-Governance initiatives for urban community development.

I am also interested in the issue of globalization and the challenges it poses for social work in the U.S. As a part of this theme, I examine the historical and contemporary representations of immigrants and their lives in U.S. social work literature.

Research Interests
International Social Development
Decentralization of Public Services

Information and Communication Technology and Governance in the developing world

Globalization

Immigration

Teaching Interests

Research Methods

Social Welfare Policy

Program Evaluation

Statistics

Recent Publications and Presentations

Refereed Journals:

Menon, N. & Acevedo, G. (2008). “Hidden Transcripts” of Globalization: The role of social work in the development of social welfare in the United States. Global Studies Journal, 1 (3), 39-48.

McBride, A. M., Brav, J., Menon, N. & Sherraden, M. (2006). Limitations of Civic Service: Critical perspectives. Community Development Journal, 41, 307-320. 

Menon, N., McBride, A. M., & Sherraden, M. (2003). Understanding service: Words in the context of history and culture. Service Enquiry: Service in the 21^st century, 149-156.

Yadama, G., & Menon, N. (2003). Fostering social development through civic and political engagement: How confidence in institutions and agency matter. Social Development Issues, 25 (1/2), 162-174.

Presentations:

Menon, N. & Acevedo, G. (2008, May). “Hidden Transcripts” of Globalization: The role of social work in the development of social welfare in the United States. Virtual Presentation at the Global Studies Conference, Chicago, USA, May 16-18, 2008.

Menon, N. & Ssewamala, F. (2007, July). Assets and Children’s Outcomes: A comparative study of Uganda and India. Paper presented at the 15^th International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD) Symposium, Hong Kong, SAR, China, July 16-20, 2007.

Grants

Faculty Fellowship (2008-2009), Fordham University – “Transparency and Technology: Examining e-Governance initiatives in Hyderabad, India”.

Professional Activities

Member of the Editorial Board, Asia Pacific Journal of Social Work and Development

Faculty Associate, Center for Social Development, Washington University in St. Louis