Janis Sayer, Ph.D., M.S.W.

Janis
Sayer

Senior Scientist, R&E

Janis Sayer, Ph.D., M.S.W., is a senior scientist at Advocates for Human Potential’s (AHP) Center for Research and Evaluation. Her current work includes conducting evaluations focused on substance use disorder under the Illinois State Opioid Response (SOR) grant and leading a team in conducting reviews of labor-related studies for the U.S. Department of Labor. Dr. Sayer has over ten years of experience conducting program evaluations and research studies that address health and human service needs, including those of persons with serious mental illness, older adults, and family caregivers. Prior to joining AHP, Dr. Sayer was a health services researcher at Rush University Medical Center Department of Social Work. In previous roles, Dr. Sayer worked as a psychiatric social worker and as a public health practitioner. Dr. Sayer was Chief Planning Analyst at the Chicago Department of Public Health for more than a decade, overseeing efforts in evaluation and quality improvement, program development, and planning and policy.

Dr. Sayer is experienced in program evaluation, quantitative and qualitative methods and analysis, community-based participatory research, focus groups, telephone and in-person interviewing, and literature review. She holds a Ph.D. in social work from University of Illinois at Chicago and a master of social work degree from the University of Pittsburgh.