Practical Research.

Mixed methods researchers call it pragmatism. Philosophers call it functional contextualism. I call it an ethical imperative to conduct research that has clear applications to the health and well-being of those being studied. I believe strong research uses theory and methods that advance our understanding of explicit, meaningful outcomes. I.e., knowledge must be applied to practice. Research must be translational. I conduct research at the place where interesting meets useful. To date my work has focused on resilience and posttraumatic growth, gender and health (with a focus on masculinities), as well as improving healthcare outcomes in first-responders, military, and veterans. I am always open to new opportunities to collaborate; feel free to reach out. 

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Research Interests

Resilience & Posttraumatic Growth
Gender & Masculinities
Suicide Prevention
Health & Happiness

Research Production

15+ research publications
30+ conference presentations
20+ invited presentations, workshops, & keynotes
1 book published by Johns Hopkins University Press

Previous Research Positions at:
Ron Levant's Gender Research Team at the University of Akron
John Gottman's Relationship Research Institute
VA Puget Sound Health Care System

Sample Publications:
Gerdes, Z. (2022). Man Kind: Tools for Mental Health, Well-Being, and Modernizing Masculinity. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press. 
Gerdes, Z. T., Alto, K. M., Jadaszewski, S., D’Auria, F., & Levant, R. F. (2018). A content analysis of research on masculinity ideologies using all forms of the Male Role Norms Inventory (MRNI). Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 19(4), 584-599. doi:10.1037/men0000134
Gerdes, Z. T., & Levant, R. F. (2018). Complex relationships among masculine norms and health/well-being outcomes: Correlation patterns of the conformity to masculine norms inventory subscales. American Journal of Men’s Health, 12(2), 229-240. doi:10.1177/1557988317745910
Ball, S. L., Montpetite, M., Kowalski, C., Gerdes, Z., Kirsch, S., Graham, G. D., & Lowery, J. (2017). Care coordination agreements in the Veterans Healthcare Administration. Journal of Integrated Care, 25(3), 208-221. 
doi:10.1108/JICA-11-2016-0045

​Vita provided on request (email above)

"If you understand each other you will be kind to each other."
- John Steinbeck