An article by Justin Lerner, associate teaching professor, which was published in Volume 56, Issue 1, of the Journal of Social Work Education, was selected as that publication’s Best Conceptual Article for 2020.
The article, "Social Workers Can’t Be Republicans": Engaging Conservative Students in the Classroom, was selected from all articles published in JSWE in 2020. In announcing the award, JSWE’s editor-in-chief, Danielle E. Parrish, cited Justin’s role in “authoring an important article for our profession.”
To make its selection, the journal’s editorial board looks for originality of thought; sound and innovative conceptualization of the topic; and recommendations or conclusions that add significantly to the professional knowledge base and to social work education as a field.
Justin earned a PhD in social welfare at New York University Silver School of Social Work, a master’s degree in public administration from New York University, and an MSW from Washington University in St. Louis. In addition to teaching, he works with the School’s intergroup dialogue undergraduate program. He has co-authored several articles on social justice for transgender people and on creating a social justice agenda in the classroom. Additionally, he works in a social justice group therapy practice that focuses on providing anti-oppressive counseling to create healing and resilience.
We hope you’ll take the time to congratulate Justin. We are honored to have him among our distinguished faculty.