News
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. ...
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...
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. ...
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. ...
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...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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,...
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. ...
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...
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...
KU School of Social Welfare hosts Grand Challenges for Social Work Event Series
The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare’s Center for Community Engagement and Collaboration (CCEC) will host a series of interactive panels highlighting current School research and community practice in areas related to the Grand Challenges for Social Work. The Grand Challenges for Social Work is an initiative within the...
Study Shows Mental Health, Support, Not Just Substance Misuse Key in Parental Neglect
LAWRENCE — Substance use disorder has long been considered a key factor in cases of parental neglect. But new research from the University of Kansas shows that such substance abuse does not happen in a vacuum. When examining whether parents investigated by Child Protective Services engaged in neglectful behaviors over...
Research Begins Trial on How LGBTQ Individuals Experience Smart Recovery Substance Use Program
LAWRENCE — Sexual and gender minority individuals experience alcohol and substance use disorders at rates much higher than their peers, yet little is known about how treatment and recovery programs work for them. A University of Kansas researcher is leading a study to better understand how members of the LGBTQ...
2020-21 Margo Award Winners
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. ...
Summer 2020, Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 Doctoral Graduates
2021 Dean's Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching
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...
The 2021 Gene A. and Gretchen Budig Award for Excellence in Teaching
This year the Awards Committee chose two recipients for the Gene A. and Gretchen Budig Award for Excellence in Teaching due to the exceptional circumstances of teaching during the pandemic. Both recipients demonstrated excellence in their teaching methods, offered unique mentorship and availability to students during this time, and each...
2021 Suzanne and Harry Statland Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship
This year’s recipient of the Statland Award has extraordinary scholarly contributions and leadership on a series of large-scale collaborative projects focused on improving social services for children and families experiencing maltreatment and substance use making her an outstanding recipient of this year’s award. We are proud to announce that this...
2021 Mignot Award Winner
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...
KU announces new 2021-2022 Self Memorial Scholars
LAWRENCE – Twenty students have been selected to receive the University of Kansas Madison and Lila Self Memorial Scholarship for the 2021-2022 academic year. ...
University Professional Staff and University Support Staff Retirement Luncheon
We would also like to take a moment to honor one staff member who after many years of service to the school has decided to retire this year. Alberta Wright retired after 47 years with KU and 16 years with the School of Social Welfare’s Field Education Office. Thanks to...
Short Term Independent Contractor Position
Seeking Applicants for Short Term Independent Contractor Position: Quality Improvement Center on Domestic Violence in Child Welfare Evaluation Team...
Chancellor announces faculty promotions, tenure
LAWRENCE – Chancellor Douglas A. Girod has approved the promotion and award of tenure, where indicated, for 80 individuals at the University of Kansas Lawrence and Edwards campuses (two faculty from the School of Social Welfare) and 89 individuals at the KU Medical Center campuses. ...
The School mourns Professor Emeritus Goodwin Garfield
Goodwin P. ‘Goody’ Garfield, 95, passed away Thursday, March 11, 2021, at Neuvant House East, Lawrence. Dr. Garfield was a KU School of Social Welfare retiree who worked for the University for 34 years from 1969 to 2003. He held the Director of Field Education position during his time at...
KU researchers to study safety effects of pandemic on in-home, long-term care providers
Scholars examine effects of pandemic on social welfare field, education
LAWRENCE — Social workers are trained to help people in times of crisis. But what happens when those professionals are experiencing a crisis along with the rest of society? University of Kansas social welfare researchers and students have created a body of work about the COVID-19 pandemic's effects on their...
Affirming the Importance of Gender Affirming Medical and Mental Health Care Across the Life Course
The KU School of Social Welfare and the Center for LGBTQ+ Research and Advocacy are in solidarity with transgender and gender diverse children, adolescents, and adults. As social workers and researchers engaged in scholarship to reduce stigma and improve well-being for transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse people, we affirm the...