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.
DEI leadership statements, editorials & news
Indigenous Peoplesʻ Day: Honoring the First Peoples of the Americas—Oct. 11, 2021
A School of Social Work leader reflects on the discovery of unmarked Native gravesites—June 29, 2021
A message from the School of Social Work leadership team on the Derek Chauvin trial verdict—April 22, 2021
Ending anti-Asian violence requires urgent action at all levels—March 18, 2021
School of Social Work leadership statement deploring the rise in anti-Asian racist incidents—March 4, 2021
School of Social Work leadership statement regarding today's assault on our democracy—Jan. 8, 2021
Inaugural recipients of antiracism faculty fellowships announced—Nov. 25, 2020
School of Social Work leadership statement on the Sept. 22, 2020, Executive Order hindering diversity and equity—Oct. 1, 2020
School announces new antiracism fellowship program with support from Professor Emeritus Roger Roffman—Sept. 20, 2020
Don’t co-opt social workers on the path to police ‘reform’—Aug. 20, 2020
Michael Spencer co-chairs new Grand Challenge to eliminate racism—July 7, 2020
Leadership letter supports academia and state shutdown in solidarity with all Black lives—June 10, 2020
"Once again, it is time for us to stand together for justice"—May 29, 2020