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  

    Joint statement on the 2022 Iran protests from the deans of the University of Washington schools of nursing, public health, social work, medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry—Oct. 6, 2022

    Joint statement on Roe v. Wade from the deans of the University of Washington schools of nursing, social work, and public health—June 24, 2022

    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

    Deans of UW health sciences schools issue statement of solidarity and invitation for first virtual meeting of health sciences community—May 30, 2020

    "Once again, it is time for us to stand together for justice"—May 29, 2020