News


Wed, 08/17/2022

2022-2023 Sigler Aging Scholars Announced

The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare is pleased to announce the Sigler Aging Scholars Program has selected three students as the 2022-2023 Sigler Aging Scholars. ...

Thu, 08/04/2022

KU-led study explore predictive factors of youths who run from foster care

In a new study conducted by University of Kansas researchers, youth reported running away to have a say in their own lives, to connect with family and to escape untenable placement environments.
Mon, 08/01/2022

New Programs Equip Rural Social Workers With Much-Needed Resiliency Skills

Center for Community Engagement & Collaboration supports workforce development in underserved areas of Kansas.
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.
Tue, 07/19/2022

New Non-profit Furnishing Futures for Young Adults Aging out of Foster Homes

Mel McDaniel, the social worker turned successful Philadelphia interior designer, has recently launched Marvin’s Home, a novel non-profit that is literally furnishing the futures of young adults aging - and moving - out of foster homes and into their first independent residences. For Mel, the Montgomery County-based, all-volunteer organization is...

Thu, 06/16/2022

Three New Tenure Track Faculty to Start August

Thu, 06/02/2022

Dr. Jason Matejkowski awarded 2022 Suzanne and Harry Statland Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship

Thu, 06/02/2022

2021-2022 Margo Award Winners Announced

The Margo Awards are named for Margaret Schutz Gordon, Professor Emeritus who served with distinction as Professor and Director of Field Education at KU SSW from 1970 to 1983. ...

Thu, 06/02/2022

Dr. Meg S. Paceley awarded 2022 Gene A. and Gretchen Budig Award for Excellence in Teaching

The KU School of Social Welfare is pleased to announce the 2021-2022 Gene A. and Gretchen Budig Award for Excellence in Teaching. This year’s recipient demonstrates excellence in their teaching methods, offers unique mentorship and availability to students during this time, and contributes substantially to the BSW, MSW, and/or doctoral...

Thu, 06/02/2022

2022 Dean's Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching awarded to Jaresa Ross-Bey

The Dean's Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching was created to demonstrate our appreciation of our adjunct faculty members' immense contributions to the teaching mission of the School. Because many of our adjunct faculty continue to work in agencies and in private practices, we benefit from their ability to...

Thu, 06/02/2022

2022 Mignot Award recipient announced

The Mignot Award was initiated in 2006 by the officers in the BSW student group. These students felt that beyond the faculty at the School, there were, and continue to be, many talented and dedicated individuals that have a significant impact on their BSW education. The Mignot award goes to...

Thu, 05/19/2022

KU chancellor announces promotion, tenure for 160 faculty and researchers for fall 2022

LAWRENCE – Chancellor Douglas A. Girod has approved the promotion and award of tenure, where indicated, for 50 individuals at the University of Kansas and Edwards campuses and 110 individuals at KU Medical Center campuses. ...

Tue, 04/19/2022

KU Study Identifies Most Vital Strategies for Successfully Implementing Change in Industry

LAWRENCE — Organizations regularly need to implement change initiatives to stay current, update technology, improve efficiency, enter new markets or make other improvements. However, research has suggested that more than half of change initiatives attempted in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry fail. A new study from the University...

Mon, 02/28/2022

Study Shows How Rural Transgender Youths are Resilient, Resistant to Oppression

Transgender and gender-diverse youths face a great deal of discrimination, hostility and tension in their daily lives, especially those who live in rural areas where there are fewer transgender youths and low levels of support and resources. A new study from the University of Kansas found that these youths not...

Tue, 02/22/2022

Social Welfare Faculty Chosen as Editors for the Journal of Community Practice

Thu, 02/03/2022

Study shows discrepancy in 'hookup culture' sexual activity on dates

A new study from the University of Kansas shows that in "hookup culture," — in which young people may engage in sex without the traditional courtship practice of dating – there is a discrepancy between what college students are saying and what they are doing when it comes to sexual...

Wed, 12/15/2021

KU Researchers Land Grant to Support Children's Families When Removed From Parents' Homes

University of Kansas researchers have secured a grant to help support children’s relatives and family members to care for them when they are removed from their parents’ home and placed in the foster system. The project, known as Kansas Invests in Families, or KinVest, will improve policy and practices as...

Wed, 12/08/2021

2021 Research Highlight

The 2020-2021 academic year continued to be a time of unprecedented circumstances and challenges as the COVID-19 pandemic persisted. However, in the KU School of Social Welfare, we continued to pursue our goal of conducting scholarship and research that impacts the social work knowledge base and transforms practice and policy. ...

Tue, 11/30/2021

KU Researchers to Lead Program to Improve Safe Sleep Practices for Infants, Families

Information on safe sleep practices for infants that could prevent tragic injuries or deaths may not always reach parents or caregivers. The University of Kansas has secured a grant to evaluate several programs that seek to train parents, provide them with safe sleeping equipment and collaborate with community members, agencies...

Tue, 11/30/2021

KU Faculty, Community Partners to Advance Racial Equity Through Newly Funded Projects

LAWRENCE – Addressing disparities in the child welfare system, prioritizing racial equity in flood management and reclaiming the stories of displaced Black and Latinx communities are among the goals of 10 projects selected for the inaugural round of KU Racial Equity Research, Scholarship & Creative Activity Awards. ...

Thu, 11/04/2021

KU lands grant to help transform foster system, keep children in the home

Researchers at the University of Kansas have received a $3.7 million grant to help transition from a child welfare system that reacts to problematic home situations to one that provides resources and meets needs to prevent children from being removed from their families. ...

Tue, 11/02/2021

KU part of program that successfully reduces toxic stress in families

Doctors regularly ask adults about stress as part of an overall assessment of their health. But stress in infants and toddlers is not as commonly considered, even though high levels can cause lifelong problems. Research from the University of Kansas has shown that a program aimed at reducing toxic stress...

Fri, 10/29/2021

2022 Senior Class Awards Two Faculty with Hope Awards for Teaching Excellence

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas senior class has honored Sarah Jen, assistant professor of social welfare, and Jonathan Hagel, assistant teaching professor of history, with 2021 HOPE Awards — to Honor an Outstanding Progressive Educator. ...

Tue, 10/26/2021

Social Work Advocacy Critical to Address Digital Divide as Social Justice Issue, Authors Say

A University of Kansas professor is co-author of a new article that argues broadband access is a human rights issue and social justice matter as marginalized communities are left behind in the digital divide. ...

Thu, 10/07/2021

2021-22 MSW Research Scholars

The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare’s Research Office has announced the 2021-22 cohort of MSW Research Scholars. The Master of Social Work students work closely with an academic researcher on their work for 22 weeks (11 weeks each semester) for an average of eight hours per week. ...

Wed, 10/06/2021

Terry L. Koenig, PhD, LSCSW has received a KU Digital Humanities fellowship

Her project involves a seven-year partnership with Cometa, an agency in Como, Italy that is increasingly providing vocational training to African refugees and has received European Union acknowledgement for its network of welcoming agencies and business partners who provide employment-based internships. In 2019 and before the emergence of the pandemic,...

Wed, 10/06/2021

Dr. Carlson receives University of Minnesota CEHD Alumni Society Award of Excellence

Congratulations to Dr. Juliana Carlson on receiving the University of Minnesota (UMN), College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), Alumni Society Award of Excellence. ...

Tue, 09/14/2021

KU School of Social Welfare hosts Research Impact Talk Event Series

The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare’s Research Office will host a series of Research Impact Talks highlighting current School research and community practice in areas related to social work. These events will be held virtually to facilitate access for KU alumni and community stakeholders across the state. Participants...

Sun, 09/12/2021

Condemning the Destruction of the University of Kansas Common Work of Art, “Native Hosts”

The School of Social Welfare stands in solidarity with the Lawrence and Kansas Indigenous communities in condemning the destruction of the University of Kansas Common Work of Art, “Native Hosts”. The destruction of this art installation was a violent act and represents a deeper and tragically historical pattern of disregard...

Media Contacts

Margaret Hair

School of Social Welfare

785-864-9876