Sarah Bexell

Clinical Professor

http://socialwork.du.edu/about/gssw-directory/sarah-bexell

Community Commons, 2055 E. Evans Ave. Denver, CO 80208

What I do

We cannot ignore the interweaving of life on Earth. The human induced Sixth Mass Extinction is bringing immense suffering and threatening human survival. I aim to help students and society participate in the global movement to protect life on Earth.

Specialization(s)

civic and community engagement, environment, higher education, ecological justice, regenerative paradigm, international social work/global practice, K-12 education, social justice, animal protection

Professional Biography

Clinical Professor Sarah Bexell teaches and does research in the areas of ecological justice, regenerative design, and animal rights. She works to motivate humans to adopt more humane and regenerative behaviors at the micro, mezzo and macro levels of society.

Degree(s)

Ph.D., Early Childhood Education/Science & Conservation, Georgia State University, 2006
M.Ed., Science Education, Georgia State University, 1998
MA, Biological Anthropology, Northern Illinois University, 1995
BA, Biology/Environmental Studies, Augustana College, 1991

Professional Affiliations

Other
Other
Society for Social Work Research (SSWR)

Featured Publications

Bexell, S. M., Decker Sparks, J. >, Tejada, J., & Rechkemmer, A. (2019). An analysis of inclusion gaps in sustainable development themes: Findings from a review of recent social work literature. International Social Work, 64(2), 864–876. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1177/0020872818755860

Bexell, S., Clayton, S., & Myers, G. (2019). Children and animals: The importance of human-other animal relationships in fostering resilience in children. In P. Tedeschi & M. A. Jenkins (Eds.), Transforming trauma: Resilience and healing through our connections with animals (pp. 217–240). Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press.

Clayton, S., Bexell, S., Ping, X., Zhihe, Z., Jing, L. W., Wei, C. H., & Yan, H. (2018). Confronting the wildlife trade through public education at zoological institutions in Chengdu, P.R. China. Zoo Biology, 37(2), 119–129. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21402

DesMarais, E. A., Bexell, S. M., & Bhadra, S. (2015). Reflexive development: A model for helping social workers contribute to a sustainable global future. . Social Work Education: The International Journal, 1–14.

Bexell, S. M., Jarrett, O. S., & Xu, P. (2013). The effects of a summer camp program in China on children’s knowledge, attitudes and behaviors toward animals: a model for conservation education. Visitor Studies, 16(1), 59–81.

Bexell, S. (2020). "Cool to be kind": An evaluation of a classroom-based humane education intervention. In A handbook of humane education. Palgrave Macmillan.

Bexell, S. (2023). "This image haunts me to this day": Exploring the psychological impacts of wildlife loss on conservation professionals through photovoice. Ecopsychology, 15(3), 294–304. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2022.0095

Bexell, S. (2022). Attitudes toward nonhuman animals during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in China. Anthrozoos, 35(2), 219–235. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2021.1974701

Bexell, S., Saitta, D. J., Sher, A. A., & Sutton, P. C. (2023). Co-Creation of a Center for a Regenerative Future. Sustainability, 15(17), 12861. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3390/su151712861

Foust, C. R., & Bexell, S. (2025). Alignment thinking and complementary curriculum: A qualitative study addressing the need for environmental education. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 57(3), 303–326. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2024.239259

Presentations

Bexell, S. (2019). An emerging research and training agenda in humane education. Sixth Annual Oxford Animal Ethics Summer School. Oxford, England: Oxford Center for Animal Ethics.

Bexell, S. (2019). An analysis of inclusion gaps in sustainable development themes. Speaker for Organized Session: Assessing Scholarship on Social Work and the Environment. San Francisco, CA, USA: Society for Social Work Research Annual Conference.

Bexell, S., Clayton, S., & Ping, X. (2018). Environmental literacy and nature experience in Chengdu, China. Giant Panda Annual Meeting. Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

Bexell, S. (2024). "This image haunts me to this day": Exploring the psychological impacts of wildlife loss on conservation professionals through photovoice. North American Congress for Conservation Biology. Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Bexell, S. (2022). Global Environmental Change: Physical and Mental Health Impacts. Denver, CO, USA: Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver.

Petrila, A. T., & Bexell, S. (2024). Ecological justice: Psychological ramifications and curricula considerations. Southeast Europe Academic Women’s Leadership Network Annual Conference. Sofia, Bulgaria.

Bexell, S. (2022). Animal Protection through a Humane Education Approach. Effective Humane Education Panel Discussion. Online: Sturm College of Law, University of Denver.

Bexell, S. (2020). Aren’t there enough (human) problems in the world already: considering the role of animals and the environment in social justice. Council for Social Work Education. Online.

Bexell, S. M. (2022). Education for Ecological Justice. Denver, CO, USA: Department of Geography and the Environment, University of Denver.

Bexell, S., & Senecal, J. (2019). Crafting an effective humane education program. Sixth Annual Oxford Animal Ethics Summer School. Oxford, England: Oxford Center for Animal Ethics.

Awards

2018-2019 Excellence in Teaching Award, Graduate School of Social Work