William Ellery Samuels, PhD

Assistant Professor

William Ellery Samuels is an assistant professor at the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing.

Profile

My research centers on using careful measurement in field-based research both to understand how people can overcome adversity to succeed and how to promote prosocial development. I investigate resilience primarily through the lens of executive functioning among disadvantaged adolescents; I investigate prosocial development through animal- and nature-based educational and service learning programs for children in diverse cultures.

I also enjoy collaborating to apply my knowledge of experimental methods and statistics to a range of social and health science endeavors. My expertise includes traditional psychometric & item response theory analyses, instrument development, and multilevel & structural equation modeling. I also have considerable experience conducting studies—including randomized control trials—in difficult, field-based settings.

In my courses, I strive to include diverse perspectives to create rich and inviting learning environments so that students can develop understanding through critical reflection and the scientific method.

Educational Background

PhD, Psychometrics and Experimental Psychology, University of Texas at Arlington, 2004
MS, Experimental Psychology, University of Texas at Arlington, 2000
BS, Biopsychology, Juniata College

Honors and Awards

2017: Champion of Education Award “for demonstrating a passion and a commitment to improvements in education,” John W. Lavelle Preparatory Charter School.
2015: Eta Lambda Chapter of the Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars.
2009, 2011, & 2012: Recognized by the president of the College of Staten Island for “major scholarly publications ... that have brought distinction to the College” (award discontinued in 2013).

Research

Dr. Samuel’s research centers on using careful measurement in field-based research both to understand how people can overcome adversity to succeed and how to promote prosocial development. He investigates resilience primarily through the lens of executive functioning among disadvantaged adolescents; he investigates prosocial development through animal- and nature-based educational and service learning programs for children in diverse cultures.

Grants and Publications

Executive Functioning & Development Articles

Samuels, W. E., Tournaki, N., Sacks, S., Blackman, S., Sacks, J., Byalin, K., & Zilinski, C. (2019). Predicting GPAs with executive functioning assessed by teachers and by the students themselves. The European Educational Researcher, 2(3), 173–194. https://doi.org/10.31757/euer.232
Samuels, W. E., Tournaki, N., Blackman, S., & Zilinski, C. (2016). Executive functioning predicts academic achievement in middle school: A 4-year longitudinal study. The Journal of Educational Research, 109(5), 478–490. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220671.2014.979913.
Samuels, W. E. & Reinhartz, J. (2000). Teen voices: Insight for fostering prosocial behaviors in school. Teacher Educators’ Journal, 10(1), 11–27.

Animal-Assisted Education & Interventions Articles

Meers, L. L., Contalbrigo, L., Samuels, W. E., Duarte-Gan, C., Berckmans, D., Laufer, S. J., Stevens, V. A., Walsh, E. A., & Normando, S. R. (2022). Canine-assisted interventions and the relevance of welfare assessments for human health, and the transmission of zoonosis: A literature review. Frontiers in Veterinary Science: Animal Behavior and Welfare, 9, 9 pp. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.899889
Meers, L. L., Contalbrigo, L., Stevens, V. A., , Ulitina, O. M., Laufer, S. J., & Samuels, W. E. (2021). The state of animal-assisted intervention: COVID-19 safety protocols and ethical considerations. Journal of Applied Animal Ethics Research, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1163/25889567-bja10019
Samuels, W. E. (2020). A world of good: A humane education program’s effects on lower-elementary students’ environmental behaviors. International Journal of Humane Education, 1(1), 32–66.
Samuels, W. E. (2018). Nurturing kindness naturally: A humane education program’s effect on the prosocial behavior of first and second graders across China. International Journal of Educational Research, 91, 49–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2018.08.001
Samuels, W. E., Meers, L., & Normando, S. (2016). Improving upper elementary students’ humane attitudes and prosocial behaviors through an in-class humane education program. Anthrozoös, 29(4), 597–610. https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2016.1228751
Meers, L., Martin, S., Samuels, W. E., Ödberg, F. O. & Normando, S. (2013). A survey of equine-assisted intervention programs and welfare implications in the Veneto region (Italy). Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 8(2), e1-e25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2012.12.036
Normando, S., Meers, L., Samuels, W. E., Faustini, M., & Ödberg, F. O. (2011). Variables affecting the prevalence of behavioural problems in horses: Can riding style and other management factors be significant? Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 133, 186–196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2011.06.012
- The tenth-most-downloaded, peer-reviewed article (from among over 2,000 articles) in the Applied Animal Behaviour Science category, July to Sept. 2011, ScienceDirect.
Meers, L., Colman, I., Stefanini, C., Haverbeke, A., Normando, S., Samuels, W. E., & Ödberg, F. (2011). Dog regulation in East-Flanders, Belgium. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 6(1), 92–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2010.08.022
Normando, S., Meers, L., Salvadorettie, M., Trevisan, C., Samuels, W. E. & Ödberg, F. O. (2010). Equine-assisted intervention programs in Veneto (Italy). Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 5(1), 47–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2009.09.030
Moons, C., Meers, L., Stefanini, C., Normando, S., Van de Leest, L., Samuels, W. E., & Ödberg, F. O. (2009). Review: Relevance of stimuli used in canine behavioural testing with regards to proximal causality of dog bites. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 5(1), 61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2009.09.004
Meers, L., Stefanini, C., D’hanens, S., Normando, S., Samuels, W. E., Kalmar, I., & Ödberg, F. O. (2009). Is it wise to involve animals in prisons and rehabilitation programs? A study conducted in Flanders, Belgium. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 5(1), 50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2009.09.023
Pira, T., Stefanini, C., Meers, L., Normando, S., Samuels, W. E., & Ödberg, F. O. (2009). A conceptual study about animal-assisted interventions (AAI) in Antwerp, Belgium. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, 5(1), 49–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2009.09.024
Nicoll, K., Trifone, C., & Samuels, W. E. (2008). An in-class, humane education program can improve young students’ attitudes towards animals. Society and Animals, 16, 45–60. https://doi.org/10.1163/156853008X269881

Statistics / Psychometrics & Experimental Design Articles

Plavskin, A., Samuels, W.E., & Calzone, K. (Accepted manuscript; scheduled for publication in 2022). Construct validity analysis of the genetics and genomics in nursing practice survey: Overcoming challenges in variable response instrument. Journal of Nursing Measurement.
Gigliotti, E. & Samuels, W. E. (2020). Tests of revisions to the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire (NSSQ). SAGE Open Medicine, 8, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050312120911293
Plavskin, A., Samuels, W., & Calzone, K. (2019). Validity evaluation of the Genetics and Genomics in Nursing Practice Survey. Nursing Open. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.346
Hagerty, T. A., Samuels, W., Norcini-Pala, A., & Gigliotti, E. (2017). Peplau’s theory of interpersonal relations: An alternate factor structure for patient experience data? Nursing Science Quarterly, 30(2), 160–167. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894318417693286
Tournaki, N. & Samuels, W. E. (2016). Do graduate teacher education programs change teachers’ attitudes towards inclusion and efficacy beliefs? Action in Teacher Education, 38(4), 384–398. https://doi.org/10.1080/01626620.2016.1226200
Gigliotti, E., Samuels, W. E., Cuomo, J., Gamidova, T., Gordon, B., & Acerios, P. (2014). Identifying and addressing sources of error in the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 22(3), 61E–76E. https://doi.org/10.1891/1061-3749.22.3.E61
Bernstein, I., Samuels, E., Woo, A., & Hagge, S. (2013). Assessing DIF among small samples with separate calibration t and Mantel-Haenszel χ² statistics in the Rasch model. Journal of Applied Measurement, 14(4), 389–399. PMID: 24064579.
Gigliotti, E. & Samuels, W. E. (2011). Use of averaged Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire scores. International Scholarly Research Network: Nursing, Article ID 567280, 6 pages, 2011. https://doi.org/10.5402/2011/567280
Reinhartz, J. & Samuels, W. E. (2001). Mining Texas style: A seamless transition—or is it? Forum of the Association for Arid Lands Studies, 17(1), 28–35.

Books

Meers, L., Samuels, W. E., Ödberg, F. O., & Normando, S. (2019). Animal-assisted interventions. Volume 6: Methods and materials. University Press, Zelzate, pp. 150. ISBN pending.
Meers, L., Samuels, W. E., Ödberg, F. O., & Normando, S. (2019). Animal-assisted interventions. Volume 5: How do I get started? University Press, Zelzate, pp. 155. ISBN pending.
Meers, L., Samuels, W. E., Ödberg, F. O., & Normando, S. (2015). Animal-assisted interventions. Volume 4: Animal selection and training. University Press, Zelzate, pp. 149. ISBN-13: 978-9461970589
Meers, L., Samuels, W. E., Ödberg, F. O., & Normando, S. (2013). Animal-assisted interventions. Volume 3: Animal management, housing and handling. University Press, Zelzate, pp. 155. ISBN-13: 978-9461970572
Meers, L., Samuels, W. E., Ödberg, F. O., & Normando, S. (2012). Animal-assisted interventions. Volume 2: Ethology. University Press, Zelzate, pp. 151. ISBN-13: 978-9461970237
Meers, L., Samuels, W. E., Ödberg, F. O., & Normando, S. (2011). Animal-assisted interventions. Volume 1: An early history and theoretical framework. University Press, Zelzate, pp. 145. ISBN-13: 978-9461970046
Samuels, W. E. (2006). Living science: Humane, student-inquiry science projects for middle and high schools. New York: The ASPCA.

Book Chapters / Encyclopædia Articles / Booklets

Meers, L., Normando, S., Samuels, W. E., & Ödberg, F. O. (2013). Caged animals. In Y. Jing (Ed.), Prisons and prison systems: Practices, types and challenges. Nova Science Publishers.
Samuels, W. E. , Meers, L., Coultis, D., & Normando, S. (2009). Blood sports and animals. In M. Bekoff and J. Nystrom (Eds.), Encyclopædia of human-animal relationships: A global exploration of our connections with animals (2nd ed.). ABC-CLIO.
Meers, L., Samuels, W. E., Normando, S., Degeest, S., & Ödberg, F. O. (2007). Dolphin-assisted interventions & animal-assisted interventions: Possibilities and caveats. Ghent University Press. Booklet created in conjunction with the Mundomar Conference on Ethology and Animal Behaviour, Benidorm, Spain, May 18, 2007.
Samuels, W. E., Meers, L., & Coultis, D. (2007). Animals in space. In M. Bekoff and J. Nystrom (Eds.), Encyclopædia of human-animal relationships: A global exploration of our connections with animals. Greenwood Publishing Group.
Samuels, W. E., Coultis, D., & Meers, L. (2007). Biophilia. In M. Bekoff and J. Nystrom (Eds.), Encyclopædia of human-animal relationships: A global exploration of our connections with animals (pp. 121–123). Greenwood Publishing Group.
Meers, L., Coultis, D., & Samuels, W. E. (2007). History of animal-assisted therapy. In M. Bekoff and J. Nystrom (Eds.), Encyclopædia of human-animal relationships: A global exploration of our connections with animals (pp. 1–3). Greenwood Publishing Group.
Samuels, W. E. (2007). Humane education: How to nurture empathy in children. In M. Bekoff and J. Nystrom (Eds.), Encyclopædia of human-animal relationships: A global exploration of our connections with animals (pp. 680–683). Greenwood Publishing Group.
Samuels, W. E. , Meers, L., & Coultis, D. (2007). Blood sports and animals. In M. Bekoff and J. Nystrom (Eds.), Encyclopædia of human-animal relationships: A global exploration of our connections with animals (pp. 1317–1322). Greenwood Publishing Group.
Samuels, W. E. & Frey, S. (2007). Animal conservationists. In M. Bekoff and J. Nystrom (Eds.), Encyclopædia of human-animal relationships: A global exploration of our connections with animals (pp. 263–266). Greenwood Publishing Group.

Contact Details

William Ellery Samuels

School of Nursing
Brookdale West 424W
(212) 481-7596
ws1114@hunter.cuny.edu