About

Dr. Ronald P. Strauss is the Adams Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Adams School of Dentistry. He served for 14 years as UNC’s Executive Vice Provost (2008-2022) and also was UNC’s Chief International Officer for a decade (2009-2018). He also holds joint appointments in three schools and is a member of the UNC Craniofacial Center Team. For twelve years, he was Chair of the Department of Dental Ecology in the UNC Adams School of Dentistry.

Since he came to Carolina, Dr. Strauss has been engaged in encouraging health professional students to understand and address social factors that influence health and the provision of healthcare. Dr. Strauss is a sociologist and ethnographer who has used qualitative and survey research methods in numerous social research projects, and he serves as the Faculty Director of the CFAR OCE Office (Office of Community Engagement) of the UNC Center for AIDS Research (CFAR). His global work has included being a visiting professor in Brazil and Israel, and conducting social research in Thailand, Moldova and China.

Ron’s research has focused on the social impacts of chronic health problems, especially oral/craniofacial differences and HIV/AIDS. His work combines his clinical, social science, ethical, and health policy interests as they relate to craniofacial care, research participation, HIV/AIDS, stigma, prenatal diagnosis, and access to healthcare.

Ron serves as the Chief Global Officer for the Adams School of Dentistry. He teaches a First-Year course to medical students (Social and Health Systems 1 & 2). He is the lead faculty member of the Thorp Faculty Engaged Scholars Program of the Carolina Center for Public Service. Each spring since 1987, Ron has directed and taught the campus-wide “HIV/AIDS Course.”