SOCIAL WELFARE RESEARCH & SERVICE
KU School of Social Welfare researchers advance the science of social work through practice-based interventions that better serve vulnerable individuals, families, and communities.
Overview
The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare's community-engaged research and service contributes millions of dollars of sponsored research funding to Kansas partners each year.
KU Social Welfare research drives discoveries that transform lives, with projects creating solutions to complex problems in areas including healthcare access, child welfare, and behavioral health.
Research Projects
Through active projects, researchers in the KU School of Social Welfare partner with communities in Kansas and beyond to improve outcomes in child welfare, healthcare, and access to social services.
Publications and Presentations
KU scholars share their work through academic articles and conference presentations. Stay up-to-date on the latest publications in areas such as child and family well-being, health access, and mental health.
Students in Research
KU social work students participate in national research conferences, work with professional researchers, and conduct original research. Learn more about how to get involved in research as a social work student.Research Centers
Center for the Advancement of Healthcare for Everyone
The Center for the Advancement of Healthcare for Everyone (CAHE) is a valued resource for community and academic partners interested in health equity research, training, and collaboration.
Center for LGBTQ Research and Advocacy
The Center for LGBTQ+ Research & Advocacy (CLRA) puts Kansas on the map as a hub for research, advocacy, community engagement, education, and scholarship focused on the experiences of sexually and gender diverse populations.
Center for Research to Transform Systems
The Center for Research to Transform Systems for Family Community & Social Justice (CRTS) engages in projects, initiatives and research, including implementing and evaluating innovative approaches to serving children, families, and their communities.
Center for Community Engagement & Collaboration
The Center for Community Engagement & Collaboration (CCEC) adds capacity to the School of Social Welfare's community engagement. CCEC advances our values and vision in community-university initiatives at KU.
Research Stories
New KU partnership dedicated to engaged fatherhood, family, financial stability
Researchers in the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare have secured a grant to implement the Family Opportunity, Resilience, Grit, Engagement (FORGE) partnership in five northeast Kansas counties to promote healthy relationships, engaged fatherhood and family and financial stability.
Faculty Research Spotlight: Kathryn Berringer
Berringer, an assistant professor at the KU School of Social Welfare, dedicates her research to exploring the relationships, paradoxes, and tensions inherent to the LGBTQ movement in the United States was sparked in her childhood, going to elementary school in Greenwich Village in New York City. She was interested in the gay liberation movement as it happened around her and, later, in the social movement’s intersections with social work.
Social Welfare program found effective in helping reduce stress among child welfare service providers
The Resilience Alliance, an intervention for child welfare service providers in Kansas, was found to help reduce the secondary traumatic stress associated with working amid stressful family environments, according to University of Kansas researchers. They believe the findings can lead to reduced burnout among the workforce and lead to better service outcomes for families.
Assistant Professor presents on research concerning social work biases about Black men
In her dissertation, Dr. Kortney Carr explored social workers’ biases about Black men after finding in her own experience that she often needed to adjust her methods to meet the needs of this category of client.
Research Newsletter
Updates about KU Social Welfare research and service
Read the latest research newsletter for faculty spotlights, awards and accomplishments, and upcoming events.
Upcoming Research Events
