Research & Engagement

Our renowned faculty within the School of Social Work are forward thinkers whose innovative research is making a positive impact on individuals and communities locally, nationally, and globally. As experts in their fields, they have extensive experience in leading interdisciplinary collaborations and community partnerships for research and scholarly initiatives that improve quality of life, promote social and economic justice, and address many of the Grand Challenges of Social Work. Through their involvement with our PhD and DSW programs, they are also playing an integral role in training the next generation of world-class social work scholars.

Proposal Development and Submission

The OSWR regularly disseminates information about new funding opportunities that match the interests and expertise of our faculty and students. When a PI is interested in pursuing a funding opportunity, they may request consultation from the Associate Dean of Research and the OSWR Grants and Contract Specialist who can help them by: providing feedback and support on proposal development, assist in developing budgets, review proposals for compliance, communicate with other institutions for sub-awards on collaborative project, and coordinate with the Office of Research and Economic for proposal submission.

Project Management

When a PI receives a notice of award, the OSWR will meet with them to review funder requirements, communicate with other units and institutions to expedite the set up of funding, and support the PI in obtaining the information and resources needed to oversee their project. We will also assist the PI in their project purchasing and contracting needs, as well as help them navigate financial, human resources, and procurement processes, when appropriate.

OSWR Pilot Seed Funding

In 2023 the OSWR launched a new pilot award program that can offer up to three $5,000 grants to faculty every year for collecting pilot data that will support future funding proposals. Proposal deadlines are February 1^st and November 1^st and the Associate Dean of Research oversees a rigorous grant peer-review process. Since its inception the OSWR has made five grant awards, most of which has been awarded to junior faculty, including clinical faculty.

Research Training and Education

The OSWR facilitates training and education opportunities for the School through several initiatives:

Workshop Wednesdays. One Wednesday every month the OSWR sponsors a training opportunity for the School’s faculty on topic related to research and scholarship. Past workshop topics have included: Working Effectively with Graduate Assistants, Budgeting and Fund Management, Writing Articles that are Not Data Driven, and Writing Better Specific Aims and Biosketches.

Engagement with Doctoral Students. The OSWR provides support for the School’s PhD and DSW Programs by supporting students in pursuing funding opportunities for their projects, providing consultation for doctoral research, and offering research training workshops.

BSW and MSW Research Initiative. The OSWR is collaborating with the leadership for the BSW and MSW Programs to develop infrastructure and support for engaging master’s and undergraduate students in research activities. Every year we have faculty present with students at the University of Alabama Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Conference.

Research Communication

The OSWR has been active in supporting the School in translating faculty and student research findings to academic and non-academic audiences through a number of initiatives:

Research Communication Training and Consultation. The OSWR has provided faculty with opportunities to receive training and consultation from strategic communication experts on how to communicate the value and impact of their work to non-academic audiences, such as the media, policymakers, and the general public. Our faculty and their work have been featured in numerous news and social medial outlets, including AL.com, Telemundo, Tuscaloosa News, the Miami Herald, and several television news broadcasts.

OSWR Monthly Newsletter. Every month the OSWR releases an e-newsletter to the School community on announcements, opportunities, and events related to research and scholarship.

Impact Magazine

Impact Magazine.Every October the OSWR releases its annual research report, which was rebranded as Impact Magazine in October 2023. Impact Magazine features the innovative research achievements as well as the research, scholarship, and honorific awards that faculty and students have received over the past year. The magazine has received significant positive attention and has also been features on the Grand Challenges of Social Work’s newsletter and website.