icon1 Advanced Research and Discovery

Our college is a leader in advancing the field of social work through rigorous, expansive, and innovative research that bridges theory and practice. We are steadfast in our commitment to research that not only furthers knowledge, but also enriches the lives of practitioners and the communities they serve. Guided by the principle of being robust in our expectations and generous in our definitions, we embrace many forms of scholarship—from traditional academic studies to community-embedded research—that drive innovation and impact.

Achieving excellence in research requires intentional investments. We are dedicated to building a culture that supports faculty and students alike, providing the resources and mentorship necessary to lead within their respective specialties. By fostering collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches, we aim to address emerging challenges in social work and ensure that discoveries are translated into actionable practices.

Research is not peripheral to our mission; it is integral to how we prepare the next generation of social workers and contribute to transformative changes in the communities we serve. This dual focus—on creating knowledge and applying it—is the cornerstone of our approach, positioning our college as a catalyst for progress and innovation in the field.

STRATEGIES

EXPAND THE RESEARCH OUTPUT OF THE COLLEGE

• Increase pre-and post-award support to facilitate the pursuit of new research projects and support dissemination of findings
  
• Improve internal communications and resource navigation for existing research supports
• Formalize a research-focused mentorship program for tenure-track faculty
• Increase awareness of faculty and staff expertise to match skills and skill needs across the college

FOSTER COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH

• Identify and support opportunities for collaborations and the creation of research groups within the college
• Increase collaboration between college-based and research center faculty

CREATE MEANINGFUL AND COMMUNITY-CENTERED IMPACT

• Formally recognize and promote community-engaged and participatory research
• Provide support for translation and dissemination of research findings to practitioners and community partners
• Develop tools and toolkits to enable and support faculty in establishing research partnerships

BOLSTER RESEARCH OUTPUT THROUGH STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

• Increase the size and duration of doctoral student funding packages
• Intentionally connect students with faculty for mentorship and aligned research opportunities
• Identify funding sources to increase accessible opportunities for student participation in research

METRICS

• Increased research expenditures
• Increased publications
  • Increased publications in high-impact journals
• Positive growth in community-engaged research collaborations and projects
• Increased facilities and administration indirect costs
• Increased number of collaborative/multi-PI grant applications
• Increased average length of doctoral funding packages
• Development of innovative methods for dissemination of research to community partners