Social justice and racial equity are at the core of our social work mission – foundational tenets that inform, drive and strengthen everything we do, from teaching and research to public service and community engagement.

On Sept, 10, 2020, UW President Ana Mari Cauce articulated the University’s commitment to antiracism in a letter to the UW Black Student Union in response to specific concerns voiced by UW students. On February 22, 2021, UW Provost Mark Richards announced a Faculty Diversity Initative that includes $5 million in funding for faculty hiring in the next two years.

The Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity published the 2017 – 2021 UW Diversity Blueprint to provide an overarching framework so that each academic unit can align its particular priorities and measure its success.

At the School of Social Work, we are committed to addressing the critical issues of race and equity that we as a school, a university and a country must face. We are introducing antiracist strategies, including a new fellowship program that enables faculty to enhance their personal and professional development of antiracism knowledge and skills. We are also deeply involved in the Grand Challenges for Social Work, providing leadership for the grand challenge to eliminate racism.