Pivoting the Profession as We Approach the Quasquicentennial

Authors

  • Goutham M. Menon Loyola University Chicago
  • Jacqueline Mondros SUNY Stony Brook University
  • Nancy J. Smyth University at Buffalo
  • Martell Teasley University of Utah
  • Carol Hostetter Indiana University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18060/26630

Keywords:

revisioning

Abstract

The year 2023 marks professional social work’s quasquicentennial: the 125th anniversary of our profession since the first social work classes were offered in the summer of 1898 at Columbia University. The profession has grown in its reach across many human service sectors over all these years creating opportunities for those who want to serve their communities in myriad and impactful ways. As we observe disruptions in the higher education sector, with profound implications to the mission of the social work profession, we are also witnessing many cross-sector opportunities for the future of the social work profession. Given our changing environment, the time is right for us to re-envision social work education and practice in ways that center our professions’ commitment to social justice and the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.  In our efforts to meet the needs of the people and communities we serve, we have seen several innovative and impactful expansions into areas that have augmented our original “scope of practice.” Some have occurred to meet the needs of the time; others have morphed due to market conditions for jobs that have been encroached on by other professions/disciplines. And as we see more complex and vexing societal issues in our current environment, it is time for us to collectively discern our purpose, adjust our mindset, and be prepared to meet future challenges and opportunities. This special issue on “re-envisioning social work” provides a space for thought leaders to showcase meaningful and purpose-filled advances for the profession.

References

Gibelman, M. (1999). The search for identity: Defining social work - past, present, future. Social Work, 44(4), 298-310. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/44.4.298

Lein, L., Uehara, E. S., Lightfoot, E., Lawlor, E. F., & Williams, J. H. (2017). A collaborative framework for envisioning the future of social work research and education. Social Work Research, 41(2), 67-71. https://doi.org/10.1093/swr/svx008

Sheafor, B. W. (2008). Organizations and associations. In Encyclopedia of Social Work (20th ed.). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.274

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Published

2022-11-08