Dr. Burke is a Professor at Carlow University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she is faculty in the Doctoral Program in Counseling Psychology, the Master of Psychology Program and Undergraduate Criminology. Her scholarly interests include minority mental health in the context of oppressive systems, gender-based violence, trauma and human trafficking. In 2004 she founded the Social Impact Institute (formerly the Project to End Human Trafficking) through which she collaborated regionally, nationally, and internationally to raise awareness about the enslavement and economic exploitation of people. In this role, Dr. Burke lectured extensively and facilitated trainings about human trafficking both in the United States and abroad. She began anti-trafficking coalitions in Pennsylvania and Virginia and consulted on the development of coalitions in other regions. In addition, she has spoken at the United Nations and to various state and regional elected officials in Pennsylvania and Virginia regarding this issue. She has worked on legislation in these states in support of strengthening human trafficking laws.

Current international efforts are focused in Uganda where she and her team work collaboratively with citizens to prevent gender-based violence and trafficking through school and community based programming. Access to education and therapeutic services for women and child sex trafficking survivors is also part of the efforts in the Soroti and Lira areas of northern Uganda, a region traumatically impacted by armed conflict for over twenty years.

Dr. Burke was a member of the American Psychological Association Task Force on the Trafficking of Women and Girls and is working to advance knowledge about current best practices regarding therapeutic work with survivors. She is often called upon to assist news media outlets on the issue of trafficking.  

Education

• PhD – Doctor of Philosophy, Counseling Psychology, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN (2002)
• MSEd – Master’s Degree in Counseling, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA (1998)
• BS – Counseling and Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA (1997)

Professional Memberships

• American Psychological Association – Division 17: Society of Counseling Psychology
• American Psychological Association – Division 35: Society for the Psychology of Women
• Association for Women in Psychology

Research

Interests: Human Trafficking; Gender-based violence; Trauma

Current International Projects

Uganda (March 2013- Present):

• Gender-Based Violence Prevention Program, Bukedea Region: This program is in collaboration with colleagues at Advocacy for Vulnerable Children’s Rights in Uganda as well as with other community members in the Bukedea region. Graduate students from Carlow University are also participating. 
• Human Trafficking Prevention, Intervention and Remediation Programs, Mukono and Soroti Districts: These efforts are being done in collaboration with the government of Uganda and various citizen groups in the Teso Region, in particular in the Mukono District and Soroti Districts. Graduate students from Carlow University are also participating. 
• Village in Soroti: The overarching goal of this program is to increase human security and decrease risk of human trafficking by addressing the structural and gender-based deficits that contribute to vulnerability in a single village in Soroti District. This program is in collaboration with colleagues at Advocacy for Vulnerable Children’s Rights in Uganda as well as with other community members in the village of Soroti.
• Mukono District: The goal in this region is to raise awareness about the risks of human trafficking, in particular the sex trafficking of girls and women. Our primary collaborators are volunteer staff with the Project to End Human Trafficking – Uganda Division and efforts to date focus on outreach to schools. 
• Teso Region: This program is in support of young women who are sex trafficking survivors following abduction by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Program goals are developed by the young women themselves and include self-sufficiency through education. Doctoral students from Carlow University are involved in this work. 

Trauma Education and Counseling Skills Program – Kisubi University College, Entebbe:

• This project is in collaboration with faculty at Ksiubi University College and includes teaching weekend seminars to master’s level students in psychology and counseling. Faculty at Kisubi indicated great need in the areas noted above. Doctoral students from Carlow University have been involved in teaching the seminars. 

Other Projects

Sligo, Ireland (2009- Present) – Special Needs Study Abroad:

• Co-facilitate annual 3-week study abroad to Ireland where participating students (undergraduate, master’s and doctoral) work with individuals with special needs. 

Costa Rica (2009-2010; 2013-2015) – Gender Based Violence/Human Trafficking Project:

• This project was initiated in 2009 and involved social service agencies, hotel managers and local police in the Tamarindo region of Costa Rica where sex trafficking of women and girls and sex tourism are especially problematic. 

Publications 

• Burke, M. (anticipated 2025). Working with the Human Trafficking Survivor: What Counselors, Psychologists, Social Workers and Medical Professionals Need to Know, 2nd edition. New York: Routledge/Taylor Francis.
• Burke, M., White, S. Krolikowski, T. & O’Rourke, S. (2024). Sex Trafficking: Understanding the Issue. Invited chapter in Best Practices in Sexual Offender Assessment and Management. New York: Springer Publishing.
• Burke, M., White, S., Seamans, R. & Mehlburger, M. (2022). Human Trafficking: The Psychological Dynamics of Trafficking as a Predatory Crime. Invited chapter in Best Practices in Sexual Offender Assessment and Management. New York: Springer Publishing.
• Burke, M. (2022). Human trafficking: Interdisciplinary perspectives. New York: Routledge/Taylor Francis. Third Edition.
• Burke, M., Krolikowski, T., White, S., & Alabase, N. (2022). Introduction to Human Trafficking: Definitions and Prevalence. In Burke, M. Human trafficking: Interdisciplinary perspectives, 3rd Edition. New York: Routledge/Taylor Francis
• Burke, M., White, S., Krolikowski, T., & Alabase, N. (2022). Mental Health Care: Human Trafficking and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. In Burke, M. Human trafficking: Interdisciplinary perspectives, 3rd Edition. New York: Routledge/Taylor Francis
• Burke, M., Amaya, B. & Dillon, K. (2019). Sex Trafficking as Structural Gender-Based Violence: Overview and Trauma Implications. Invited chapter in the Palgrave International Handbook of Human Trafficking. Springer International.
• Burke, M. (2019). Working with the Human Trafficking Survivor: What Counselors, Psychologists, Social Workers and Medical Professionals Need to Know. New York: Routledge/Taylor Francis.
• Burke, M. (2019). Human Trafficking: Human Rights and an Introduction to the Issue. In Working with the Human Trafficking Survivor: What Counselors, Psychologists, Social Workers and Medical Professionals Need to Know (M. Burke, Ed). New York: Routledge/Taylor Francis.
• Lugris, V., Burke, M. & Russell Flaherty, L. (2019). The Adult Trafficking Survivor and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. In Working with the Human Trafficking Survivor: What Counselors, Psychologists, Social Workers and Medical Professionals Need to Know. New York: Routledge/Taylor Francis.
• Burke, M. (2018). Sex Trafficking, Structural Violence and the Systemic Oppression of Women and Girls. New York: Routledge/Taylor Francis.
• Burke, M. (2017). Human trafficking: Interdisciplinary perspectives. New York: Routledge/Taylor Francis. Second Edition
• Lugris, V., Flagherty, L. & Burke, M. (2017). Mental Health Care: Human Trafficking and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In Burke, M. Human trafficking: Interdisciplinary perspectives. New York: Routledge/Taylor Francis.
• Burke, M., & Bruijn, B. (2017). Introduction to human trafficking: Definitions and prevalence. In Burke, M. (Ed.) Human trafficking: Interdisciplinary perspectives. Routledge.
• Burke, M., Orsini, B., Simunovic, B., McCauley, H. & Miller, E. (2015). Implementing a Collaborative Care Model for Sex Trafficked Minors in Smaller Cities. Paper accepted for publication in Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk, 6(1).
• American Psychological Association, Task Force on Trafficking of Women and Girls. (2014). Report of the Task Force on Trafficking of Women and Girls. (Task Force member.)
• Burke, M. (June 2014). Human trafficking overview and suggestions for psychologist involvement. Invited article, National Psychologist.
• Burke, M. (April 2013). Introduction to human trafficking: Definitions and prevalence. In Burke, M. (Ed.), Human trafficking: Interdisciplinary perspectives. New York: Routledge/Taylor Francis.
• Burke, M. (2013). Human trafficking: Interdisciplinary perspectives. New York: Routledge/Taylor Francis.
• Burke, M. (2013). Trauma and human trafficking: Psychological implications and treatment considerations. Invited article, ASTRA, Belgrade, Serbia.
• Burke, M. (2013). Complex trauma and severe forms of human trafficking: Implications for practice. In ASTRA Anti Trafficking Action (Ed.), Human Trafficking Trauma and Psychology: A Collection of Papers (pp. 67–89). NGO ASTRA.
• Burke, M. (2012). Human Trafficking: An Overview for Law Enforcement. Invited journal article. Law Enforcement Executive Forum, 12(1).
• Burke, M. & Pilecki, A. (2010). The Effects of Trauma on Self-Esteem. In Guindon, M., (Ed.), Self Esteem Across the Lifespan. New York: Routledge/Taylor & Francis.
• Burke, M. (2007). The Anti-Slavery Movement: Facilitating Change in Your Local Community. Invited article published by the World Association of Nongovernmental Organizations. Tarrytown, NY: WANGO.
• Burke, M. (2006). Child Sex Trafficking: An International Threat to the Wellness of Children. Invited chapter published in The NGO Revolution: Healing a Hurting World. Tarrytown, NY: World Association of Nongovernmental Organizations.
• Lightsey, O., Burke, M., Ervin, A., Henderson, D. & Yee, C. (2006). Generalized self-efficacy, self-esteem and negative affect. Canadian Journal of Behavioral Science, 38 (1), 1-91.
• Israel, T., Guttierez, V., D’Agruma, H., Min, S., Sia, A., Fisher, E., Burnes, T., & Burke, M. (2004). Evaluating Therapists’ knowledge about LGB issues: Development and validation of the LGB Counseling Assessment – Knowledge (LGBCA-K). Manuscript accepted for publication.
• Israel, T., Ketz, K., Detrie, P. M., Burke, M. C., & Shulman, J. L. (2003). Identifying counselor competencies for working with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Psychotherapy, 7 (4), 3-22.
• Horne, S., Mathews, S., Detrie, P., Burke, M., & Cook, B. (2001). Look it up under “F”: Dialogues of emerging and experienced feminists. Women & Therapy, 23 (2).
• Ancis, J.R., & Burke, M.C. (1997). Human service students’ attitudes toward working with an inner-city gang member. Human Service Education.
• Burke, M. (2007). The ultimate guide to diversity in psychology. Review of the book Encyclopedia of multicultural psychology. Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books.
• Burke, M. (2007). More on cultural competence. Review of the book Clinical manual of cultural psychiatry. Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books.
• Shulman, J. & Burke, M. (2007). Exacting patriarchy’s toll: Listening to the voices of women who strip for a living. Review of the book Stripped: Inside the lives of exotic dancers. Psychology of Women Quarterly.
• Burke, M. 5 Burke, M. (2006). Promoting wellness in the face of oppression: Competence in multiracial counseling. Review of the film Mixed-Race Identities with Maria P. P. Root. Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books.
• Burke, M., (2006). Review of the book Brief Coaching for Lasting Solutions. Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books.
• Burke, M., (2005). Review of the book Attachment processes in couples and family therapy. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 31 (3), 265-266.
• Burke, M., (2005). Review of the book Reworking gender: A feminist communicology of organization. Sex Roles: A journal of research.
• Burke, M., (2005). Service provision for today’s immigrants and refugees [Review of the book Culturally competent practice with immigrant and refugee children and families].Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books.

Awards & Recognition

• Pittsburgh Magazine – Best Professors (September 2014) 
• United States Federal Bureau of Investigation – Director’s Community Leadership Award (March 2014)
• American Association of University Women – Public Policy Impact Award (May 2013) 
• Center for Victims of Violence and Crime – Peace Award (2013)
• Darden School of Education Fellow – Old Dominion University (2012) 
• Dorothy Weber Cochran Award for Excellence in Faculty Scholarship – Carlow University (2012)
• Excellence in Service Award – Carlow University (2011) 
• Excellence in Teaching Award – Carlow University (2010) 
• Allegheny County Council, Pennsylvania – County Council Proclamation in Recognition of Anti-Human Trafficking Work (2010)
• Pittsburgh’s 40 Under 40 – Pittsburgh Magazine, PUMP & the City of Pittsburgh (2009) 
• Woman of the Year Award – Zonta International (2008)
• Vagina Warrior – Chatham University (2007)