Title: Director of Research and Impact
Organization: Shopworks Architecture
Location: Denver, Colorado, U.S.

Jennifer Wilson is the Director of Research and Impact at Shopworks Architecture, a Denver-based architecture firm that specializes in supportive and affordable housing and shelters for unhoused individuals. As a social worker, Jennifer began her career in direct practice and program management in shelter, school, and social service settings, working with adults, youth, and families navigating complex systems. Troubling trends in homelessness and housing, locally and nationally, led her to pursue a PhD in Social Work where her research, training, and teaching agenda focused on social innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and human-centered design to promote equity, dignity, and community voice. Jennifer’s recent research has focused on tiny home villages addressing homelessness, unconditional cash for unhoused individuals, safe parking for vehicular sheltering, artificial intelligence in housing allocation, and hackathons for generating novel responses to wicked social issues. Her current research focuses on trauma-informed housing and the potential of the built environment to promote health and healing for underserved and historically marginalized communities. Jennifer holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison as well as an MBA and PhD in Social Work from the University of Denver. 

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