Although their research interests are diverse, Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) faculty members, students and research partners share something in common: a focus on advancing social justice. We live this mission every day through research and scholarship that spans social work practice, policy and system reform.
Led by Daniel Brisson, GSSW’s Burnes Center on Poverty and Homelessness evaluated Denver’s first tiny-home village for people experiencing homelessness. The evidence shows the village is a success.
In two randomized controlled trials, GSSW Associate Prof. Johnny Kim is studying the effectiveness of solution-focused brief therapy for those involved in the child-welfare and justice systems.
In a promising new parenting intervention, GSSW Associate Prof. Jennifer Bellamy includes fathers in traditional parenting home-visit programs, improving family relationships and reducing child maltreatment.
In a community research collaboration, GSSW Assistant Prof. Anamika Barman-Adhikari is studying the use of artificial intelligence to improve substance abuse interventions among homeless youth in Denver.
GSSW Prof. Jennifer Greenfield studies the health implications of paid medical leave and advocates for reform, including testifying in support of the Colorado Medical Leave Insurance Act (FAMLI).
GSSW Prof. Debora Ortega is looking at social work’s grand challenges through a critical race theory lens, aiming to address underlying issues such as systematic racism and white supremacy.
A recent study by the GSSW Butler Institute for Families explores how the economics of Colorado’s early childhood care and education industry impact its workforce, the state economy, and children and families.
Faculty Book Spotlight
Ecosocial Work
New book co-edited by Associate Professor of the PracticeRachel Forbes encourages social workers to advocate for environmental justice.
Understanding and Effectively Utilizing Experiential Therapy
New book by Professor Nicole Nicotera and Associate Professor Julie Anne Laser that offers a trauma-sensitive, mindfulness-based approach to Experiential Therapy with 10 practical steps and 32 ready-to-use activities.
New book edited by ProfessorJohnny Kim. This step-by-step training manual guides readers through the clinical practice of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) for use with families.
Community needs and assets shape our research and scholarship agenda. For example, we host 16 intervention research studies and collaborate with 128 research partners. With support from 10 public and private partners statewide, the Climb@DU initiative is training social workers to meet behavioral health needs in underserved Colorado communities. Community partners also invest in our work, as do local, state and national foundations and agencies, funding more than $11.7 million in 2019–20 in annual research expenditures.
