Dr. Ram A. Cnaan is a Professor and Director, Program for Religion and Social Policy Research at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy & Practice. He is the founder and Faculty Director the Goldring Reentry Initiative which works to reduce recidivism and help retuning citizens to better integrate in society. He is also a Global Eminent Scholar at Kyung Hee University Graduate Institute of Peace, South Korea. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Social Work and Social welfare.

He is the past president of ARNOVA (Association for Research on nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary action). He is the originator of the first practice doctoral degree in social work (DSW) which is now in its 10th year and is replicated by some 12 schools nationwide.

Processor Cnaan received his doctorate degree from the School of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh, and his BSW and MSW (both cum laude) from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.

Professor Cnaan has published numerous articles in scientific journals on a variety of social issues (mainly faith-based organizations, volunteerism, criminal justice, social policy, and social development). He serves on the editorial boards of 11 academic journals. He is the author or editor of eight academic books including The Other Philadelphia Story: How Local Congregations Support Quality of Life in Urban America (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2006) and Cases in Innovative Nonprofits: Organizations That Make a Difference (Sage, 2014). Currently, professor Cnaan works on three new books: one on religious organization and society; one on community organizations; and one a family history project. In his spare time Professor Cnaan collects and publish books on antique obsolete tools. He also collects Inuit prints. Professor Cnaan is considered an international expert in the areas of faith-based social care, volunteering, prisoners’ reentry, and social policy. He lectures widely and teaches regularly in four countries.