Dr. Stein has a PhD in Rehabilitation Psychology from Bar-Ilan University, Israel. Dr. Stein's research focuses on various aspects of trauma's aftermath, particularly the interpersonal domain with a special interest in loneliness and is currently working as a research fellow under the auspices of the Israel Center of Research Excellence (I-CORE) for the Investigation of Mass Trauma, headed by world-renowned trauma researcher, Prof. Zahava Solomon. In his studies, Dr. Stein explored long-term effects of trauma, primarily among combat veterans and repatriated prisoners of war. Employing qualitative research methodologies, such as phenomenological and narrative inquiries, Dr. Stein strives to unravel and shed light on the idiosyncratic intricacies of traumatized as well as lonely individuals' lived experiences. In his quantitative research endeavors, Dr. Stein seeks to understand the complex psychosocial, and at times psychobiological, mechanisms through which trauma takes its toll decades after the war.
Closely related to his field of interest, Dr. Stein teaches an introductory course at the International Program of Crisis and Trauma at the Bob Shapell School of Social Work entitled "Traumas and their Aftermaths: From Lived Experience to Theory". The course is designed so as to take the students on a journey into the field of trauma, with the explicit aim of getting an understanding of what it is like to undergo trauma of varying natures, and cope with their diverse aftermaths, prior to delving into the various theories and conceptual frameworks of that have been suggested in the field. The course also introduces students to the discourse and nomenclature of trauma and its psychopathological ramifications (e.g., PTSD), and empirical research in the field. Ultimately, the course takes a critical view regarding we “know” about trauma and urges students to engage in the discourse to advance the field.
