The
Future
of Social
Work

The Social Work profession applies rigorous research, critical theories, and scientific methods in order to advance social change, drive innovation, and yield sound and effective practice. At NYU Silver, students learn about evidence-based practices and research-informed interventions and are trained in quantitative and qualitative modes of inquiry. NYU Silver faculty and students are engaged in dozens of studies, including researching family interventions to reduce teen risk behavior, evaluating services for adults with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, identifying modifiable determinants of child neglect, testing real-world implementation of patient-centered care, and many more. We are constantly developing new knowledge that will benefit individuals, families, and communities, and solve significant social problems. NYU Silver is harnessing science for public impact.

Each summer since 2012, McSilver Associate Professor of Poverty Studies Robert L. Hawkins has brought BS and MSW student researchers with him to Del Carmen in Siargao Islands, Philippines, to work with Municipal Mayor Alfredo Matugas Coro II and other community stakeholders to assess the needs of the impoverished, rural village and identify viable solutions. According to Mayor Coro, the ongoing collaboration has informed innovations in public health, education, economic development, and environmental management that have improved the well-being of Del Carmen's residents and the sustainability of its natural resources. Explained Mayor Coro, “Credible data from NYU has allowed us to measure where we are and where we need to go.”

With a grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Associate Professor Darcey Merritt is conducting a study that aims to redefine the way we think of child neglect based on mothers’ perspectives on their behavioral choices. “We typically design policies and interventions for parents involved with the child welfare system without thoroughly understanding the context in which they live,” said Dr. Merritt. “Listening to parents and assessing the elements associated with their parenting choices is a first step toward identifying modifiable determinants of child neglect to inform effective prevention.”

PhD student Laura Esquivel, whose research explores disparities in disease prevalence based on race/ethnicity and gender, was awarded a Science Alliance Leadership Training Program Fellowship by the New York Academy of Sciences to advance her leadership in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Esquivel noted that it is validating for social work that NYAS considers the profession a STEM field. “They recognize that we do research using scientific methods. In fact, in my specialty of health disparities, we are measuring sub-categories of people other fields don’t study in the same way. We are getting to pockets of the population that other fields often miss out on.”