Dr. Greg Townley is a professor of community psychology at Portland State University and co-founder of PSU's Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical-Community Psychology from the University of South Carolina, his M.A. in Psychology from the University of South Carolina, and B.A.s in Psychology and Africana Studies from North Carolina State University. Dr. Townley specializes in community psychology, and his research examines community inclusion of people with serious mental illnesses, homelessness, and housing. He is also interested in sense of community theory and measurement among members of marginalized groups.
Central to Dr. Townley’s work is the promotion of positive, reciprocal relationships between academic and community stakeholders. He directs the Community Inclusion Research Group (CIRG) at Portland State University and collaborates with numerous local service providers, including Cascadia Health, Central City Concern, and p:ear to address and evaluate issues surrounding homelessness, supportive housing, and community attitudes about mental illness. He also worked with the City of Portland to develop and evaluate the Portland Street Response, an alternative crisis response program assisting people experiencing mental health crisis and homelessness.