Kirk “Jae” James
Clinical Associate Professor; Director of the DSW Program
DSW, MSW, BA, AA
Areas of Expertise: Oppression; anti-oppressive practice; mass incarceration and the intersection of race, class, power, privilege, immigration and critical pedagogy; trauma and healing modalities for impacted people; human rights and social justice frameworks
Biography
Dr. Kirk “Jae” James is an immigrant, formerly incarcerated black man committed to creating a world in which everyone can self-actualize. In 2013, Jae completed a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Practice titled: The Invisible Epidemic: Educating Social Work Students towards Holistic Practice in a Period of Mass Incarceration. Jae has utilized the content from his research and his lived experience to consult, coach, and develop educational content for The University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, City College, Fordham University, York College, and Columbia University, to name a few.
Jae is currently a Clinical Associate Professor and Director of the DSW program at NYU Silver School of Social Work. He also sits on the editorial board of the journal Abolitionist Perspectives in Social Work. Jae has authored numerous academic articles and book chapters; and speaks internationally on mass incarceration, anti-oppression, human rights, trauma, abolition praxis, and liberatory pedagogy. He has written and shared his lived experience and research with HuffPost, the Jamaican Gleaner, Truth Out, Forbes Magazine, and Bloomberg news. Jae also leads NYU Silver's Evolving Justice — an educational initiative to build community, co-create brave spaces, and facilitate various dialogue(s) toward the emancipatory exploration of justice in theory and action. He believes that social justice, human rights, and the abolition of oppressive systems and ideologies can only happen if we build and nurture individuals, communities, and systems truly committed to evolving with what bell hooks terms a “Love Ethic.” Jae was inducted into the inaugural Alumni Hall of Fame at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice in 2018. In addition, he is a recipient of the 2020 New York University Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Faculty Award. Jae is also a son, brother, uncle, and father to Keiana, Keiam, and Brooklyn James.
Jae is also completing his first book, titled 94A6325: Coming of Age In The Era of Mass Incarceration, which is a reflection and amalgamation of his lived experience and research within carceral systems.
Publications
Restorative practices are liberatory: An open letter to BIPOC scholar-activists and practitioners committed to anti-oppressive practice
James, K., Jul 17 2024,
Transforming Careers in Mental Health for BIPOC: Strategies to Promote Healing and Social Change.
Taylor and Francis, p. 170-178
9 p.
A Systematic Review of Music-Based Interventions to Improve Treatment Engagement and Mental Health Outcomes for Adolescents and Young Adults
Rodwin, A. H., Shimizu, R., Travis, R., James, K. J., Banya, M. & Munson, M. R., Aug 2023,
In : Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal. 40, 4, p. 537-566
30 p.
From social justice to abolition: living up to social work’s grand challenge of eliminating racism
Brock-Petroshius, K., Mikell, D., Washington, D. M. & James, K., 2022,
In : Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work. 31, 3-5, p. 225-239
15 p.
A History of Mass Incarceration: Implications for Social Work
James, K., 2016.
Forensic Social Work: Psychological and Legal Issues in Diverse Practice Settings.
2 ed.
If George Zimmerman were found guilty, would the criminal justice system be considered just?: A racial analysis of American criminal justice in the aftermath of Trayvon Martin
James, K. & Smyth, J., Jan 1 2014,
Trayvon Martin, Race, and American Justice: Writing Wrong.
Sense Publishers, p. 107-111
5 p.
Community Corrections
James, K., 2014.
Encyclopedia of Human Services in Diversity.
Cousins, L. H. & Golson, J. G. (eds.).Sage
Deconstructing mass incarceration in the United States through a human rights lens: Implications for social work education and practice.
James, K. & Smyth, J., 2014.
Advancing Human Rights in Social Work Education.
Bethold, L, Healy, L, Tomas, Libal & Tomas, R. (eds.).Alexandria, VA: CSWE Press
Families of Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners, Human Service Needs of
James, K., 2014.
Encyclopedia of Human Services in Diversity.
Cousins, L. H. & Golson, J. G. (eds.).Sage
Selected Presentations
James, K. (2018, June). Ending Mass Incarceration and Criminalization: Bridging the Macro Micro Social Work Divide through and Ethic of Organizing. National Organization of Forensic Social Work, New Orleans, LA
James, K. (2017, November). Colonization/Capitalism + Slavery + Mass Incarceration + Mass Deportation + Trauma = Global Prisons. Global Prison Conference, Johannesburg, South Africa.
James, K. (2017, August). Forensic Social Work in the era of mass incarceration. Forensic Social Work's Role in Advancing Human Rights and Social Justice, New York, NY.
James, K. (2013, October). Social Work Education In A Period Of Mass Incarceration. Council of Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Dallas, TX.
James, K. (2013, October). Criminal Justice Infusion: Examining A New MSW Criminal Justice Initiative. Council of Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Dallas, TX.
Faculty Initiative
Evolving Justice
Established by Dr. James, Evolving Justice (EJ) is an educational initiative for social workers, advocates, and concerned people that aims to build community; co-create brave space; and facilitate various dialogue(s) towards the emancipatory exploration of JUSTICE in theory and action. EJ further believes that central to the aim of JUSTICE is a reimagination of humanity in which no one is their worst action, disposable, or denied an opportunity to fully actualize!
Courses
MSW: Advanced Diversity, Racism, Oppression, and Privilege
MSW: Mass Incarceration: Implications for Social Work Practice
DSW: Theories of Human Rights and Social Justice
DSW: Capstone