News
Tue, 01/07/2025
KU Social Welfare faculty, researchers to present at SSWR 2025 conference
KU School of Social Welfare attendees will share their research in over 30 presentations, symposia, roundtable discussions and poster presentations. Their work covers a broad range of research areas, with topics including social movements, child welfare, LGBTQ+ activism, environmental justice, generational divides and more.
Tue, 12/24/2024
Supporting Survivors of Partner Violence
Meredith Bagwell-Gray has seen the magic happen. When women who have experienced sexual abuse and intimate partner violence have a safe place to address their sexual trauma, they often begin to feel more empowered and in control of their sexuality. As a result, they are more likely to embrace positive...
Fri, 12/13/2024
Social Welfare assistant professor wants research to inform future community organizing, social movements
For Tadeo Weiner Davis, urban politics and policy issues continue to be a focus for him as an assistant professor of social welfare at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. He dedicates his research to learning more about community organizing and social movements, urban politics, and the dynamics of race and class in urban settings.
Tue, 10/29/2024
Social Welfare Assistant Professor wants research to help children with mental illness
Whitney Grube focuses her research on community mental health, and children and teens experiencing serious emotional disturbances.
Tue, 10/22/2024
KU Social Welfare faculty, researchers to present at CSWE 2024 Annual Program Meeting
Faculty and researchers will share their work during the annual conference on social work education, taking place Oct. 24-27 in Kansas City.
Wed, 08/28/2024
Social Welfare fall research events aim to facilitate important discussions
Research events cover self-care in election season, a pilot program to train social work students in supporting survivors of domestic violence, and faculty research on gender-affirming care.
Wed, 05/29/2024
Michelle Levy awarded 2024 Suzanne & Harry Statland Research Staff Award
Levy has published and presented nationally and internationally. Her work includes leadership of a program that received the inaugural Academic Excellence Award from the American Public Human Services Association.
Tue, 04/23/2024
Study: Marginalized communities develop 'disaster subculture' when living through extreme climate events
A new study from the University of Kansas found residents of one Seoul, South Korea, neighborhood have grown so accustomed to living through extreme climate events they have developed a “disaster subculture” that challenges both views of reality and how social agencies can help.
Wed, 02/14/2024
KU scholars strive to advance racial equity through newly funded research projects
The project teams — representing five units across the university — were chosen through a peer-reviewed competition co-sponsored by the Office of Research and the Hall Center for the Humanities. They each will receive approximately $20,000 to support their work.
Mon, 02/05/2024
Study: International organizations take oversimplified approach to understanding domestic violence in Nepal
A new study from the University of Kansas has found that research reports written or sponsored by international organizations have often taken an oversimplified “cultural essentialist” approach to understanding domestic violence in Nepal.
Thu, 02/01/2024
Social welfare researcher Pegah Naemi Jimenez receives KU Research Achievement Award
Naemi Jimenez’s scholarship focuses on cross-system approaches and community-engaged research that addresses social problems experienced by children and families in marginalized communities.
Fri, 01/05/2024
KU Social Welfare faculty, researchers to present at SSWR 2024 conference
More than 30 faculty, researchers and students from the KU School of Social Welfare will have their work represented at the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) annual conference, happening Jan. 10-14.
Thu, 12/07/2023
KU-led grant will empower underserved communities to address racial disparities in state's child welfare system
A new partnership led by the KU School of Social Welfare will empower members of underserved communities to identify and address the problems of racial bias and inequity in the child welfare system.
Tue, 12/05/2023
Study shows wealth does not ensure equal amounts of health across race, ethnicity
A recent study by Assistant Professor Sicong "Summer" Sun analyzes national data and reports of mental health and well-being. The study shows it takes more financial assets for people of color to have the same health outcomes as white Americans.
Thu, 11/16/2023
Integrated Health Scholars Program prepares graduates to serve Kansas and Missouri
In the nine years since its inception, the Integrated Health Scholars Program (IHSP) has prepared 246 graduates to provide integrated health care with underserved communities across the state of Kansas and into western Missouri.
Tue, 11/07/2023
Research partnership shows parenting skills more effective at reuniting families
Researchers from KU’s School of Social Welfare worked with social service agencies in Oklahoma for more than 15 years to test several evidence-based interventions to enhance the safety, permanency and well-being of children and families affected by substance use.
Wed, 09/20/2023
One year after Mahsa Jina Amini's death, KU researchers analyze social media responses in Iran
One year ago, Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Jina Amini was killed, setting off some of the largest protests in Iran’s recent history. A new study from the University of Kansas examines how social media has powered the protests and if the cause has shifted away from a women’s rights focus, like many before it.
Tue, 09/05/2023
Study examines role of religion in substance use services
People have turned to religion and spirituality to deal with crises and critical needs for centuries. A new publication from KU and Georgetown University explored the religious orientation of facilities within the substance use and addiction system of care.
Mon, 06/19/2023
Kansas Families Are Benefiting from Family First Initiative
KU Evaluation Helps Guide Expanding Program Designed to Keep Kids in Their Homes and Out of Foster Care
Fri, 05/05/2023
Scholars Outline Responsibilities of Schools of Social Welfare in Era of Anti-Trans Legislation
LAWRENCE — Through workshops and scholarly writing, experts from the University of Kansas are guiding conversations about the roles and responsibilities that schools of social work have to educate the next generation of social workers serving LGBTQ+ individuals in an environment of expanding anti-trans legislation across the country. Adding weight...
Mon, 05/01/2023
School of Social Welfare Center will Host 2023 LGBTQ Research Symposium
LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare Center for LGBTQ+ Research and Advocacy will host its annual LGBTQ Research Symposium next month. This virtual event will take place June 1-2, offering live sessions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ...
Tue, 04/25/2023
New faculty member gleans insight for preventing domestic violence from work in Nepal
Domestic violence (DV) is a global health issue that impacts the well-being of survivors, families, and future generations. Claire Willey-Sthapit, Ph.D., assistant professor in the KU School of Social Welfare, has studied responses to DV both in the United States and Nepal, gaining insight into community responses that empower survivors and hold those who use violence accountable.
Fri, 04/21/2023
New faculty member will lead the School of Social Welfare in emerging field of eco social work
The School of Social Welfare will be a part of important global movement. Joonmo Kang, Ph.D., joined the faculty in 2022 to help engage in research focused on climate/environmental justice and to develop new courses in eco social work that will help equip today’s students to be tomorrow’s eco-justice social workers.
Wed, 01/18/2023
Grand Challenges for Social Work Events Spotlight Progress on Complex Social Issues
A series of Grand Challenges for Social Work events spotlights the work of KU faculty and the progress they are making with their community partners.
Mon, 10/03/2022
School of Social Welfare Launches New Center for Research to Transform Systems for Family, Community and Social Justice
The new center focuses on a multisystem, multisector approach to child welfare.
Mon, 08/01/2022
Center for Research to Transform Systems for Family, Community & Social Justice Launches
A team of KU School of Social Welfare researchers is working to bring about that kind of child welfare system transformation. They envision a new approach, focused on family well-being, where systems listen to the needs and aspirations of communities and work collaboratively to create a proactive, responsive, and equitable network of services and supports.
Mon, 08/01/2022
Faculty Member Works to Elevate Unheard Voices to Influence Social Work Practice
Learn about Dr. e alexander's research and path to social work.