Steven Soifer

Steven Soifer
Nationality	American
Citizenship	United States
Alma mater	Denison University Xavier University Washington University Brandeis University
Occupation	Independent Non-Profit Consultant Social Work Professor Author Researcher Social Worker
Organization	University of Mississippi (Chair and Professor) University of Memphis (Chair and Professor) International Paruresis Association (CEO & Co-Founder) American Restroom Association Inc (President and Co-founder)
Awards	Community Service Award Richard Lodge Prize Late Dr. B.H. Mehta Award University Teacher of the Year Fulbright Specialist Award
Website	paruresis.org americanrestroom.org

Steven Soifer is currently an independent non-profit research consultant. He was an American professor of social work at the University of Mississippi and the University of Memphis. He is the co-founder, advisor, and consultant at the International Paruresis Association, an organization dedicated to helping people who suffer from shy bladder syndrome. He also serves as the co-founder and president of the American Restroom Association Inc., an organization advocating for the availability of clean, safe, and well-designed public restrooms in America.

With a career spanning over four decades, Soifer has made significant strides in areas such as community organizing, community economic development, social phobia treatment, and the study of paruresis (shy bladder syndrome). He has published several books, numerous articles, and various commentaries recognized by the academic and professional communities. Soifer's commitment to improving the lives of individuals and communities is evident through his active involvement in various organizations, extensive community service, and dedication to fostering positive change in society.

Education

Soifer has an educational background in the field of social welfare, with multiple degrees and certifications to his name. He obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in psychology from Denison University in Granville, Ohio, in 1976. He then pursued a clinical psychology Program at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1979. In 1979, Soifer enrolled at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, to obtain his Master of Social Work (M.S.W.). He obtained his Ph.D. in Social Policy and Social Welfare from the Florence Heller Graduate School for Advanced Studies at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, in 1988.

Career

Non-Academic Work Experience

Throughout his career, Soifer has made significant contributions in non-academic roles, showcasing his dedication to community organizing, counseling, and empowering low- to moderate-income individuals. In 1974, Soifer started working as a group counselor and supervisor at the Samuel Field YM-YWHA in Little Neck, New York. He supported inner-city youth facing behavioral challenges and oversaw a team of five counselors.

In 1976, he served as a campaign organizer for the American Friends Service Committee in Dayton, Ohio. His work focused on the Stop the B1 Bomber campaign.

Additionally, Soifer held positions such as head organizer for South Dakota ACORN, where he achieved victories in local communities and obtained grants totalling over $50,000 for the organization. He also served as the state director of the Vermont Alliance and the state coordinator of the Vermont Food Coalition. Earlier, he served as the assistant to the director at the Cincinnati Institute of Justice, contributing to advocacy efforts.

As the director of community organizing at the Central Vermont Community Action Council, Soifer founded the tenants' group Tenants United For Fairness Vermont (TUFF VT), representing multiple associations, securing a legislative win for lot rent stabilization for mobile home park residents and many victories for low-income public housing tenants.

Moreover, Soifer has experience in clinical therapy, having worked at the Community Mental Health Center in Illinois and as a Milieu Therapist at the Elmhill Group Home in Vermont.

Academic Work Experience

Throughout his academic career, Soifer has held various significant positions in social work departments at prestigious universities, teaching a wide range of graduate and undergraduate courses in social work covering areas such as community practice, social policy, diversity, and social planning.

He served as a professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi from 2019 to 2021, doing a stint as chair of the department while maintaining his professorship.

Prior to this, from 2012 to 2019, Soifer was chair and professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee. As chair and professor, Soifer played a crucial role in curriculum design, faculty management, and research activities. Under his leadership, the master's program at the University of Memphis significantly improved its ranking and achieved full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education.

From 1994 to 2012, he served as an associate professor at the School of Social Work at the University of Maryland at Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1994, he served as an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont. Earlier in his career, from 1988 to 1993, he held an assistant professor position at the School of Social Work at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.

In addition, from 1981 to 1988, he held adjunct faculty and lecturer positions at various institutions, including Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont; Trinity College in Burlington, Vermont; and Community College of Vermont in Montpelier, Vermont.

Professional memberships

Soifer's commitment to professional growth and staying connected with the latest advancements in social work is evident through his active memberships in several prestigious organizations. These include the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA), the Association of Community Organization and Social Administration (ACOSA), the Jewish Faculty Associates (JFA), and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). By maintaining these affiliations, Soifer demonstrates his dedication to fostering professional networks and staying informed about the latest developments in the field.

Books, Seminars, Workshops, & Publications

Soifer, in addition to his contributions to the field of social work and academia, has also made significant research and advocacy efforts in the area of paruresis, a social anxiety disorder commonly known as shy bladder syndrome. Soifer's personal experience with the condition, which originated from a distressing incident during his childhood, fueled his dedication to understanding and addressing the challenges faced by individuals with paruresis.

His expertise in this field is evident through his extensive research, numerous journal publications, and ongoing collaboration on a book about paruresis. Soifer's workshops, conducted across the United States and in various countries, have provided valuable support and guidance to over 1000 unique clients and more than 1400 individuals in total who suffer from paruresis. Since 1997, he has organized over 150 workshops in 45 cities across 25 states in the U.S. and in eight different countries, helping individuals overcome the obstacles associated with shy bladder syndrome.

During these workshops, participants engage in discussions about their experiences and then work with therapists, referred to as their "pee-buddies." This process occurs in two stages. In the first stage, they practice under increasingly challenging conditions. In the second stage, they continue their practice in busy public restrooms, such as those found in restaurants or office buildings. By progressing through these stages, participants develop the necessary skills and confidence to effectively manage paruresis in real life situations.

Soifer's contributions have been widely recognized, with over 45 publications, an h-index of 12, an i-index of 14 and more than 838 citations on Google Scholar. He has gained respect and recognition in the academic community and among paruresis sufferers for his research on paruresis and social anxiety disorder, which has significantly contributed to the understanding and treatment of this condition.

As a prolific author, Soifer has extensively published various books on topics including community development, cooperative models, land trusts, housing markets, policy interventions, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for social phobia, and paruresis.

Media Appearances

Soifer has been featured in numerous media outlets, including radio stations, newspapers, magazines, and TV stations worldwide. His expertise and insights have reached a wide audience through interviews on platforms such as The Doctors TV show, The Wall Street Journal, Sunday New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Jerusalem Post, Time, Newsweek, U.S. News, USA Today.com, The Atlantic.com, Redbook, Men's Health, Women's World, and many others.

He has also been interviewed on popular radio shows like Howard Stern (twice) and Joan Rivers, as well as on international programs such as the BBC, the Andrew Denton Show (Australia), New Zealand, Swedish, Irish, and Italian public radio stations. These media appearances have provided valuable opportunities to share his knowledge and insights on various topics with a global audience.

Community Service

Throughout his career, Soifer has actively engaged in community service initiatives, showcasing his dedication to creating positive change. He co-founded the International Paruresis Association, Inc., in 1996, where he serves as CEO, advisor, and consultant. This organization is committed to assisting individuals who experience shy bladder syndrome.

Since 2004, Soifer has played a key role as a co-founder and president of the American Restroom Association, an organization advocating for clean, safe, and well-designed public restrooms across the United States.

Additionally, he has held positions such as organizer and president of the Idlewild Neighbourhood Watch Association, lead organizing consultant for the Messick-Bunytn Neighbourhood Association in the Memphis University District, and consultant for various organizations, including the Bridge Organizing Project, Empower Baltimore, and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Task Force. Soifer's extensive involvement in community service reflects his dedication to improving the lives of individuals and communities.

Soifer has served as a manuscript reviewer for publications such as Current Psychology, the Egyptian Journal of Social Work, Columbia University Press, Oxford University Press, and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Soifer has been a member of the National Association of Deans and Directors and the Council on Social Work Education since 2012, and he participated in the Leadership Academy of Aging in 2014–15. He has also held roles such as chairing symposiums, serving on editorial boards, and participating in roundtable discussions at conferences and events organized by the Council on Social Work Education, the National Association of Social Workers, and the Association for Community Organization and Social Administration. Additionally, Soifer has served as a task force chair, reviewer, and discussant for various publications and organizations in the field.

Soifer has been actively involved in securing funding for various projects throughout his career. Notably, in 2001, he led a team in the "Study of Baltimore's Affordable Housing Situation," which received a $130,000 grant from the Baltimore Community Foundation. Additionally, Soifer has been recognized for his research on social work educators' attitudes and teaching practices concerning Jews and anti-Semitism, receiving grants from the University of Washington's Graduate School Research Fund ($7,681) and School of Social Work Research Development Fund ($1,410) in 1991.

Awards and recognitions

• University of Maryland School of Social Work Community Service Award, 1999-2000
• Nominated for the Richard Lodge Prize for outstanding contributions to the development of social work theory, Adelphi School of Social Work, 1999
• Co-winner of the 1999 Late Dr. B.H. Mehta Award for the article "Social Work: A Profession in Search of a Paradigm," Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Indian Journal of Social Work.
• Nominated for University Teacher of the Year, University of Washington School of Social Work, 1997
• Placed on the Fulbright Specialist Award Roster for a period of 3 years (2018–2021) on behalf of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and World Learning Program
• Chosen as one of six faculty members featured in the University of Washington video "Teaching in the Diverse Classroom," 1991

Bibliography

Author

• Paruresis or Shy Bladder Syndrome : A Weekend Workshop (2013)
• Community land trusts (2012)
• Limited equity cooperatives.(2012)
• Shy Bladder Syndrome: An Update.(2012)
• Overview of community economic development in social work (2001)
• Mobile home park lot "rent control": A successful rural legislative campaign (2001)
• The evolution of the bathroom and its implications for paruresis (2000)
• Racism and social welfare (1997)
• Soifer, S. D. (1991). The socialist Mayor: Bernard Sanders in Burlington, Vermont (1991)

Co-author

• The Secret Social Phobia: Shy Bladder Syndrome or Paruresis (2020)
• Community economic development in social work (2014)
• Doing democracy: The MAP model for organizing social movements (2002)
• Shy bladder syndrome: Your step-by-step guide to overcoming paruresis (2001)
• Do you suffer from shy bladder syndrome? (2000)
• Prospects for community organization (1997)
• Toward a hybrid model for effective organizing in communities of color (1994)

Books

• Soifer, Steven; Zgourides, George; Himle, Joe; O'Brien, Nan (2017). The Secret Social Phobia: Shy Bladder Syndrome. Independently published. p. 241. ISBN 978-1-9734-0626-6. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
• Soifer, Steven; McNeely, Joseph; Costa, Cathy; Pickering-Bernheim, Nancy (2014). Community Economic Development in Social Work. Columbia University Press. p. 584. ISBN 978-0-231-13395-1. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
• Moyer, Bill; McAllister, JoAnn; Finley, Mary Lou; Soifer, Steven (2001). Doing Democracy: The MAP Model for Organizing Social Movements. New Society Publishers. p. 240. ISBN 978-0-86571-418-2. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
• Soifer, Steven; Zgourides, George D.; Himle, Joseph; Pickering, Nancy L. (2001). Shy Bladder Syndrome: Your Step-By-Step Guide to Overcoming Paruresis. New Harbinger Publications. p. 150. ISBN 978-1-57224-227-2. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
• Soifer, Steven (June 30, 1991). The Socialist Mayor: Bernard Sanders in Burlington, Vermont. Praeger. p. 312. ISBN 978-0-89789-219-3. Retrieved 6 June 2023.

Chapters

• Soifer, S.D. (forthcoming). The Trump resistance movement : A MAP model. In J. McAllister. Still Doing Democracy. Human Science Institute.
• Soifer, S.D. and McNeely, J. B. (2021). Community economic development. In Mizrahi, T. (Ed.). Encyclopedia of Macro Social Work. Oxford University Press.
• Soifer, S. D. and Albert, W. (2016). Treating social anxiety disorder in schools : The example of paruresis. In R.J. Waller (Ed.) (Pp. 282-301). Mental health promotions in school, Vol. 2. Oak Park, IL : Bentham Science Publishers.
• Soifer, S. D. (2013). Paruresis or Shy Bladder Syndrome : A weekend workshop. In J. Clements & L. Grobman (Eds.) Groupwork : New Days in the Lives of Social Workers, Harrisburg, PA : White Hat Communications. 113-116.
• Soifer, S. D. (2012). Limited equity cooperatives. In A. T. Carswell (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Housing, 2nd Ed., Vol. 1. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. 425-427.
• Soifer, S. D. (2012). Community land trusts. In A. T. Carswell (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Housing, 2nd Ed., Vol. 1. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. 70-73.
• Soifer, S.D. (2001). Overview of community economic development in social work. In A. Roberts & G. Greene (Eds.) Social Workers’ Desk Reference, New York: Oxford University Press. 557-562.
• Soifer, S. D. (2001). Mobile home park lot "rent control": A successful rural legislative campaign. In J. Rothman, J. Erlich, & J.E. Tropman (Eds.) Strategies of community intervention: Sixth edition. Itasca, IL: Peacock. 394-403.
• Soifer, S. D. (1997). Racism and social welfare. In W. Devore and Fletcher, B.J. Human diversity content in social work education: A collection of course outlines with content on racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity. Alexandria, VA: CSWE.
• Wenocur, S. & Soifer, S. D. (1997). Prospects for community organization. In M. Reisch & E. Gambrill (Eds.), Social work in the 21st century, pp. 198-208. Thousand Oaks, CA. Pine Forge Press.
• Bradshaw, C., Soifer, S. D., Gutierrez, L. M. (1994). Toward a hybrid model for effective organizing in communities of color. In A. Faulkner, M. RobertsDeGennaro, and M. Weil (Eds.), Diversity and development in community practice (pp. 2541). Binghampton, N. Y.: The Haworth Press.

Journal articles

• Delavega, E., Lennon-Dearing, R., Neely-Barnes, S., Soifer, S., & Crawford, C. (2017). Engaged scholarship: A signature research methodology for social work. Journal of Social Work Education.
• Abefa-Gyan, T., Barrett, J. & Soifer, S. (2012). Virtual organizational development and the history of the internet: A case study of parallel evolution. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 3(2), 295-301.
• Soifer, S., Himle, J., & Walsh, K. (2010). Paruresis: (Shy Bladder Syndrome) – A Cognitive-behavioral treatment approach. Social Work in Health Care, 49(5), 494-507.
• Soifer, S., Nicaise, G., Chancellor, M. & Gordon, D. (2009). CNE - Paruresis or shy bladder syndrome: An unknown urologic malady? Urologic Nursing, 29(2): 87-93.
• Hammelstein, P. & Soifer, S. (2006). Is shy bladder syndrome (paruresis) correctly classified as a social phobia? Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 20(3): 296-311.
• Vythilingum, B., Stein, D. J., Soifer, S. (2002). Is “shy bladder syndrome” a subtype of social anxiety disorder? A survey of people with paruresis. Depression and Anxiety, 16(2): 84-7.
• Soifer, S.D. & Ziprin, R. (2001, January). Paruresis or shy bladder syndrome: The little known social phobia. The Behavior Therapist.
• Gutierrez, L., Fredricksen, K., and Soifer, S. D. (1999): Perspectives of social work faculty on diversity and societal oppression content: Results from a national survey. Journal of Social Work Education, 33 (3), 409-419.
• Soifer, S. D. & Singer, J. (1999). The campaign to restore the Disability Assistance and Loan Program (DALP) in the state of Maryland. Journal of Community Practice, 6(2), 1-10.
• Soifer, S. D. (1999). Social work: A profession in search of a paradigm. Indian Journal of Social Work, 60(1), 37-55.
• Soifer, S. D. (1998). Mobile home park lot "rent control": A successful rural legislative campaign. Journal of Community Practice, 5(3), 25-37.
• Soifer, S. D. (1998). A rural tenant organizing model: The case of TUFF-Vermont. Journal of Community Practice, 5(2), 1-14.
• Bradshaw, C., Soifer, S. D., & Gutierrez, L. M. (1994). Toward a hybrid model for effective organizing in communities of color. Journal of Community Practice, 1(1), 2541.
• Soifer, S. D. & Resnick, H. (1993). Prospects for social work cooperatives in the 1990s. Administration in Social Work, 17(3), 99116.
• Almeleh, N. S., Soifer, S. D., Gottlieb, N., & Gutierrez, L. M. (1993). Women’s achievement of empowerment through activism in the workplace. Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work, 8(1), 2639.
• Soifer, S. D., Balassone, M. L., & Johnstone, J. (1992). Prospects for national health care in the United States. Journal of Health and Social Policy, 3(3), 117.
• Soifer, S. D. (1991). Infusing content about Jews and about antiSemitism into the curricula. Journal of Social Work Education, 27(2), 156167.
• Soifer, S. D. (1990). The Burlington Community Land Trust: A socialist approach to affordable housing? Journal of Urban Affairs, 12(3), 237252.
• Soifer, S. D. (1990). Socialism in Burlington, Vermont: Implications for social welfare. Journal of Progressive Human Services, 1(2), 4357.

Booklets

• McFerren, D. R. & Soifer, S.D. (2014). Executive summary: A call for collective action: tackling social challenges in Memphis,” The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change, Memphis, TN.
• Soifer, S. D. (2000). The evolution of the bathroom and its implications for paruresis. Baltimore: The International Paruresis Association, Inc.
• Soifer, S., Zgourides, G., and Himle, J. (2000). Do you suffer from shy bladder syndrome? Baltimore: The International Paruresis Association, Inc.

Other articles

• Soifer, S. D. & Greenwell, H. (2017, March 12). “Guest column: Memphis services for homeless need drastic change. Commercial Appeal, Op-ed piece.
• Soifer, S.D. (2014, July 20). “Guest column: Memphis must get grip on childhood poverty,” Commercial Appeal, Op-ed piece.
• Soifer, S. D. & Rathke, W. (2010, October 12). “A foreclosure moratorium and other fixes for the housing market,” Baltimore Sun, Op-ed Piece.
• Soifer, S. D. & Neumann, J. (2007, December 27). “Trading one evil for another,” The Baltimore Examiner, Viewpoint, p. 23.
• Soifer, S. D. (2007, March 23). “Maryland legislature must pass bottle deposit bill,” The Baltimore Examiner, Op-ed piece.
• Soifer, S. D. (2004, February 26). “Fairness vs. Phobias,” St. Louis Post Dispatch, Op-ed piece.
• Soifer, S. D. & Povich, D. (2002, May 10). "Banking on the city's poor," Baltimore Sun, Op-ed piece, p. 23a.
• Soifer, S. D. (2001, October 23). "Create affordable housing trust funds in Baltimore," Baltimore Sun, Op-ed piece, p. 23a.
• Soifer, S. D. & Zipping, R. (1999). Q & A: My daughter has been diagnosed with paruresis. Family Urology, (3), 4, p. 1.
• Soifer, S. D. (1998, Spring). New strides being made in treating paruresis (shy bladder syndrome). ADAA Reporter, Vol. IX, No. 2, pp. 9-12.
• Soifer, S. D. (1992, March 1824). Viewpoint: How to tackle the issue of national health care. In These Times.
• Soifer, S. D. (1987, May 10). U.S. has role to play in Middle East (Commentary). Burlington Free Press (Burlington, VT).
• Soifer, S. D. (1985, September 24). Reagan's legacy (Readers write). Christian Science Monitor.
• Soifer, S. D. (1985, September 1117). Community is possible (Book review). In These Times (Chicago, IL).
• Soifer, S. D. (1982, August 5). Holes in Reagan's economics (Commentary). TimesArgus. (BarreMontpelier, VT).
• Soifer, S. D. (1982, July 1). Common fears in the Middle East (Commentary). TimesArgus

Presentations

• April 2021 “Trump Resistance Movement: An Application of the MAP Model,” Southwestern Social Science Association 2021 Centennial Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (virtual presentation)
• Oct. 2019 “The Anti-Trump Resistance Movement: An Update Using a MAP Analysis,” 48th Annual AL-MS Social Work Education Conference, Oxford, MS
• Sept. 2018 “Securing our Democracy: The Work Ahead. Human Sciences Institute Retreat and Conference, Burlingame, CA.
• June 2018 “Toilet Design Innovation in the U.S.” presentation at the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) for 10 representatives from China on the topic of Public Hygiene and Health.
• May 2018 “The ARA (American Restroom Association) and Toilet Design Innovation in the United States.” China’s National Tourism Administration, the Seminar on the Chinese Toilet Revolution, the 10th China International Tourism Commodities Fair.
• April 2018 “The Anti-Trump Resistance Movement: A MAP Analysis,” the 6th Annual University of Memphis Social Work Symposium
• February 2018 “The Anti-Trump Resistance Movement: A MAP Analysis,” NED talk, University of Memphis Library faculty presentations.
• October 2017 “Still Doing Democracy: Finding Common Ground and Acting for the Common Good,” Human Sciences Institute, Salt Lake City, UT.
• October 2015 “Positive and Negative Aspects of Social Work Participation in Interdisciplinary Doctoral Programs,” Council on Social Work Education, Denver, CO.
• October 2014 Panelist, “A Call for Collective Action: Tackling Social Challenges in Memphis,” The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change, Memphis, TN.
• October 2014 “The Benefits and Challenges of Nontraditional Field Placements in Social Work Education,” Council on Social Work Education, Tampa, FL.
• July 2013 “Shy Bladder Syndrome (Paruresis): What Every Clinician Should Know About It,” World Congress of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy, Lima, Peru (not presented due to last minute conflict)
• November 2012-“Enabled Scholarship: Sustainable Collaboration as the Holy Grail of Social Work Praxis,” Council on Social Work Education, Washington, D.C.
• April 2012-“Paruresis or Shy Bladder Syndrome: A Clinical Update,” Anxiety Disorders Association of America, Arlington, VA.
• March 2010-“Shy Bladder Syndrome: Understanding the Mechanism of Paruresis,” Society of Urologic Nursing and Associates, Tampa, FL.
• December 2003-Movement Action Plan (MA) Presentation at the Barbara Smith School for Social Change, Philadelphia, PA.
• December 2003-Major Speaker at the Annual Association of Medical Review Officers, Las Vegas, NV on Paruresis.
• May 2002-“Results from Paruresis Workshops Around the World,” American Psychiatric Association meeting, Philadelphia, poster session.
• March 2000-“Paruresis: An Overview,” presentation at Masters’ Workshop on Social Phobias, 20th annual Anxiety Disorders Association of America conference (ADAA), Washington, D.C.
• March 2000-Training for Clinicians working with Paruretics, ADAA, Washington, D.C.
• November 1999-“Paruresis or Shy Bladder Syndrome: What Every Clinician Should Know,” Clinical Roundtable, at the 33rd Association for Advancement in Behavioral Therapy (AABT) Annual Conference, Toronto, Canada.
• March 1999-“Community Building,” presentation to Social Work Caucus of Washington County, MD.
• March 1999-"Treating Paruresis or Shy Bladder Syndrome: What Every Clinician Should Know," at the 19th annual ADAA National Conference, San Diego, CA.
• July 1998-"The Need for a New World Order: A Case for World Federalism," at the Joint World Congress of the IFSW & the IASSW, Jerusalem, Israel. (Not presented due to lack of travel funds.)
• March 1998-"Working with Paruretic or Shy Bladder Clients: The Results of a Successful Workshop," Poster Session, ADAA 18th National Conference, Boston, MA.
• November 1997-"Connecting with Communities: Guidance for Human Service Professionals," panelist at the University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, MD.
• October 1997- "Community Organizing in the 21st Century,” luncheon speaker at the National Association of Social Workers Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
• October 1997-"Community Economic Development (CED): A New Tool for Social Work," co-presenter at the University of Maryland School of Social Work, Baltimore, MD.
• March 1997-"Paruresis (Shy Bladder Syndrome): The Little Known Common Social Phobia," at the ADAA 17th National Conference, New Orleans, LA.
• February 1997-"Tenant Organizing: What Public Interest Lawyers Need to Know in Order to be Effective," Antioch Law School Clinic, Washington, D.C.
• February 1996 -"Rural Community Organization Practice: A Case Example," at the Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Washington, D.C.
• June 1995-"Recovering from the Elections," strategy roundtable discussion at the National Bertha Capen Reynolds Society Conference, Philadelphia, PA.
• January 1995-"Mobile Home Park Lot Rent Stabilization," public testimony before the Senate General and Housing Affairs Committee, Vermont State Legislature, Montpelier, VT.
• July 1994-"Liberation/Oppression Theory and Practice," workshop co-leader at the National Bertha Capen Reynolds Society Conference, Seattle, WA.
• January 1994- "The Problems with Welfare Reform," written testimony given to the House Health, Education, and Welfare Committee, Vermont State Legislature, Montpelier, VT.
• February 1993-"Social Work Educators' Attitudes, Knowledge, and Teaching Practices About Infusing Content on Jews and the Problem of Anti Semitism in Social Work Curricula," at the Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, New York, N.Y.
• April 1991-"Hate Crimes at the University of Washington," to the Puget Sound Task Force on Human Rights, Seattle, WA.
• March 1991-"Toward an Effective Organizing Model in Communities of Color," Council on Social Work APM meeting, New Orleans, LA. (Not presented because of participants' scheduling conflicts.)
• March 1990-"The Infusion of Content on Jews as a Minority Group and the Problem of Anti Semitism into Social Work Curricula," at the Council on Social Work Education APM Meeting, Reno, NV.
• October 1989- "The Relevance of Worker Cooperatives to Social Work," at the National Association of Social Workers Conference, San Francisco, CA.
• April 1988-"The Burlington Community Land Trust," at a panel entitled The Possibilities and Limits of Municipal Socialism/Populism, New York State Political Science Association, Albany, N.Y.
• March 1988-"From Personal Growth to Social Change,” colloquium presentation given to the faculty of Vermont College, Montpelier, VT.
• May 1987-"Social Change Through the Electoral Process,” colloquium presentation at St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN.
• April 1987-"The Prospects of Socialism in Vermont," at a panel with Murray Bookchin and others, entitled Municipal Socialism: The Burlington, Vermont Experience, 5th Annual Socialist Scholars Conference, N.Y, N.Y.
• October 1986- "Current Socialist Experience in Vermont," given at the 4th Session of the Democratic Socialist Conference, Heller School, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA.
• April 1986-"Electoral Politics and Social Change," given at the 3rd Annual Social Change Conference, Heller School, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA.
• March 1986-"On a Resolution for a Constitutional Amendment to Guarantee the Right to Employment at a Fair Wage," testimony given before the House Government Operations Committee, Vermont State Legislature, Montpelier, VT.
• November 1985-"Is New England Telephone's 54 Percent Rate Hike Justifiable?" testimony given before the Vermont Public Service Board, Barre, VT.

  

External links

• International Paruresis Association
• American Restroom Association
• Steven Soifer on Facebook
• Steven Soifer on Twitter
• Steven Soifer on LinkedIn
• Steven Soifer on Google Scholar
• Steven Soifer on YouTube