Her teaching interests include the nature and treatment of alcohol and other drug problems, social welfare history and policy, and community social work. Bowen’s research interests center on housing and homelessness and the role of housing as a social determinant of health. Prior to pursuing her PhD, she worked as a social worker managing harm reduction-based supportive housing programs in Chicago. She is a member of the Society for Social Work and Research and is the UB School of Social Work liaison to the National Homelessness Social Work Initiative and co-convener of the group’s New York-New Jersey regional network.