PHILADELPHIA Richard Gelles has been named interim dean of the School of the Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania, effective Sept. 1. His appointment was announced today by Judith Rodin, Penn president, and Robert Barchi, the provost.

Gelles, the Joanne T. and Raymond B. Welsh Professor in Child Welfare and Family Violence, is, Rodin said, "an accomplished scholar, outstanding researcher and experienced administrator."

He is recognized nationally and internationally as one of the leading theorists and researchers in the study of family violence. His book, "Behind Closed Doors," established family violence as a contemporary social problem, and helped to frame the debate and research agenda in this area for the next decade.

He played a critical role in National Family Violence surveys which are the most frequently cited research in scholarly works on this issue. Before coming to Penn, Gelles served as director of the Family Violence Research Program at the University of Rhode Island where he held a number of administrative roles, including department chair and dean of arts and sciences.

"We are delighted that Richard has agreed to lead the school during this time of transition and look forward to working together with him during the coming year," Rodin and Barchi said.

Gelles earned his B.A. from Bates College, his M.A. from the University of Rochester and his Ph.D. from the University of New Hampshire.