Advances in Social Work

The twenty-one articles for the Spring 2026 issue are intentionally grounded in social work values, whether the focus is education, practice, research, or theory. The issue has a focus on reimagining social work through the lens of equity, social justice, and professional transformation. Across the articles, authors critically examine how social work education, practice, research, and theory can better align with our stated values by addressing systemic racism, oppression, and structural inequality. Key themes include anti-racist and abolitionist approaches, ethical and values-based education, interprofessional and experiential learning, cultural responsiveness and inclusion, and support for diverse and marginalized populations, including refugees, military-affiliated students, survivors of violence, women experiencing multiple disadvantages, and communities affected by climate change. Several contributions emphasize the need to strengthen workforce preparation through innovative teaching methods, advocacy training, simulation learning, and ongoing professional development. The issue also highlights the importance of advancing social change through movement-based practice, environmental justice, critical quantitative methods, and new theoretical frameworks. Collectively, the articles call for a more reflective, inclusive, and socially accountable profession that actively confronts oppression while preparing social workers to address emerging societal challenges.