Social Work Research at GSSW

A Catalyst for Social Change

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.

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Recent Research at GSSW

Displaying 9 - 16 of 85 articles
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Creating a Behavioral Health Vital Sign

GSSW Prof. Johnny Kim is studying Ellipsis Health’s AI-based depression and anxiety measurement tool for adolescents. The tool could dramatically change how mental health care is provided in schools.

Tyrone Hamler
Addressing Health Inequities

Assistant Professor Tyrone Hamler studies health inequities, chronic illness, aging, and the intersection of mental and physical health, including health equity in kidney disease for older Black Americans.

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Understanding Animal Emotion & Cognition

GSSW’s new Institute for Animal Sentience & Protection will expand the understanding of the cognitive and emotional capabilities of nonhuman animals and advance their protection.

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Fostering Healthy Futures

Developed by Professor Heather Taussig, the Fostering Healthy Futures program is celebrating 20 years of empowering youth.

Stacey Freedenthal
Learning to Listen Bravely

Associate Professor Stacey Freedenthal discusses her latest book — “Loving Someone with Suicidal Thoughts” — and the concept of listening bravely.

Faculty Book Spotlight

Ecosocial Work

Ecosocial Work

New book co-edited by Associate Professor of the Practice Rachel Forbes encourages social workers to advocate for environmental justice.

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Social Work, White Supremacy, and Racial Justice: Reckoning With Our History, Interrogating Our Present, Re-Imagining Our Future

Social Work, White Supremacy, and Racial Justice: Reckoning With Our History, Interrogating Our Present, Re-Imagining Our Future

New book, coedited by GSSW Dean Emeritus James Herbert Williams, features chapters coauthored by Assistant Professor Autumn Asher BlackDeer, Assistant Professor Tyrone Hamler, Alumni Laura Nissen (MSW ’89, PhD ’97), Finn Bell (MSW ’09), and Danielle Littman (PhD ’23).

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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.

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Community-Engaged Partnerships

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.

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