Public Scholarship

The Center for Communication Engagement & Collaboration's public scholarship work connects researchers and communities for transformative engagement with the KU School of Social Welfare's valuable research.

CCEC helps build connections between KU School of Social Welfare researchers and communities through efforts including:

Publication of policy, practice and research briefs
Support for government relations and media appearances
Thought partnership and capacity-building for KUSSW scholars' innovative dissemination
Public events - both in-person and virtual - including Research Impact Talks and Grand Challenges panels

Public Scholarship Resources

Public Scholarship Highlights

Research Brief: Leveraging SED Waiver to Support Families

A study by KU researcher and assistant professor Whitney Grube points to policy and practice reforms that could lead to better care or youth with serious emotional disturbance (SED).

Read the brief

Research Impact Talk: Iranian Women's Social Justice Movements

Researchers Pegah Naemi Jimenez and Ariana Nasrazadani examined how social media powered protests calling for improved women's rights in Iran. They shared their findings during a recent Research Impact Talk.

Watch the Research Impact Talk

Public Scholarship Products

Connecting research findings to policy and practice

Policy & Research Briefs

Policy and research briefs highlight research findings and their policy and practice implications.

Briefs allow the School of Social Welfare to share new research and scholarship with a variety of audiences.

Fact Sheets

Fact sheets summarize School of Social Welfare research for a public audience.

Building Scholars' Capacity

The KU School of Social Welfare is investing in scholars' skills and connections to bring their knowledge to the public and incorporate public insights into research.

Policy Briefs from KU Social Welfare

Research Impact Talks

Sharing research findings through public events

Each semester, KUSSW scholars share research findings and their implications in virtual Research Impact Talk discussions. To help scholars connect with public audiences, CCEC awards continuing education credits to social workers and other behavioral health professionals who attend these events as part of their lifelong learning.

Find upcoming Research Impact Talks on the CCEC events calendar.

Recordings of past talks are available on the Past Research Events webpage.

Watch Research Impact Talks

Research Events

Recordings of Past Research Events

Grand Challenges

Highlighting KU research that tackles critical societal problems

The Center for Community Engagement and Collaboration hosts interactive panel discussions highlighting current KU School of Social Welfare research and community-engaged practice in areas related to the Grand Challenges for Social Work.

The Grand Challenges for Social Work is an initiative within the social work profession to champion social progress around a series of grand challenges that the profession works to impact.

Find upcoming Grand Challenges events on the CCEC events calendar.

Past Grand Challenges Events

The KU School of Social Welfare hosted its first Grand Challenges events in Fall 2021.

Read more about past events over the years:

Advancing Family Well-being through Data-Driven Interventions in Early Childhood Mental Health - February 2025
Partnering with Agencies to Build Capacity to Respond to Domestic Violence - October 2024
Reshaping the Future of Aging with Intergenerational Alliances - February 2024
Close the Health Gap - April 2023
Build Healthy Relationships to End Violence - October 2022
Close the Health Gap - April 2022
Ensure Health Development for Youth - March 2022
Advance Long and Productive Lives - October 2021

Grand Challenges Resources

Grand Challenges for Social Work

Government & Media Relations

Connecting social work research and practice with public affairs

CCEC works to connect KU School of Social Welfare research with current issues.

Work in this area includes:

Drafting legislative testimony informed by social work scholarship
Orienting KU School of Social Welfare scholars to university government affairs policies
Preparing for oral testimony and/or media interviews about scholarly policy implications
Drafting policy briefs to convey scholarship to policymakers and their staff
Supporting the School's community partners in building capacity for policy engagement

Melinda Lewis at Social Work Advocacy Day

Upcoming CCEC Events

See all events

Stories from CCEC

A woman places a ballot in a ballot box.

Panel to discuss social work in government

Three social workers holding office in different levels of government will discuss ethical social work practice in their positions.

Professional to present on trauma management in K-12 schools

“Integrating trauma-informed practices in school can help foster an environment where all students have the opportunity to heal, grow, and reach their full potential,” said Roslyn Christopher, associate professor of the practice, of her Aug. 7 presentation.

Continuing education presentation to cover AI, technology in social work

“The increasing presence of artificial intelligence, social media, and other technologies in social work requires practitioners to understand their implications," said Christina Boyd, associate professor of the practice.

Photo illustration of wooden family figures in front of law books and a gavel

Social work experts to present on family support, assessment

On March 25, the School hosts two free continuing education sessions at K-State Salina and online. The sessions are "Skillful Practice with High-Conflict Families" and "Assessing Family Well-Being."

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