College of Social Work

Areas of Research

At the University of Tennessee College of Social Work, our research drives solutions to today’s most pressing social challenges. We generate new knowledge that bridges science and practice, conducting rigorous studies on behavioral health, child development, justice, equity, housing, and more. 

By partnering with local and national agencies and sharing evidence-based insights, we inform policy, innovate interventions, and empower social work professionals to improve lives and advance wellbeing for individuals and communities everywhere.

Three people interact with virtual reality and a laptop. One person wears a VR headset, another holds controllers, and a man points at a laptop screen.
A smiling woman with glasses sits at a white table, facing the camera, with two other people partially visible from behind on either side. A window and a dog wall hanging are in the background.

Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse

Focuses on how mental health, addiction, and social environments interact. Explores preventions, intervention, recovery, and innovation to improve mental wellness and address addiction challenges.

A smiling woman with a shark puppet interacts with several young children sitting on green grass outdoors.

Child/Youth Development and Wellbeing

Explores factors that shape child and youth development, investigating educational support, emotional wellbeing, family dynamics, and programs that foster resilience from early childhood through adolescence.

Five people, including four women, standing in a grassy field in front of a tan safari vehicle with open doors under a cloudy sky.

Economic and Environmental Justice

Research in social work examines economic and environmental justice, focusing on poverty reduction, equitable resource access, sustainability efforts, and policy solutions for vulnerable populations.

A woman in a black suit and glasses speaks in front of a whiteboard and projector screen to a group of students.

Equity and Disparities

Concentrates on equities and disparities, investigating systemic inequalities in health, education, incomes, and opportunity to develop interventions that promote fairness for marginalized groups.

Ten people, mostly young adults, pose in front of a screen displaying 'Youth Summit on Housing & Homelessness' and the City of Knoxville Youth Council logo.

Housing and Homelessness

Focuses on housing insecurity and homelessness, exploring root causes and evaluating solutions for affordable housing, supportive services, and stable communities.

man in business meeting raising hand while presenter speaks

Macro and Organizational-Level Work

Investigates marco and organizational-level issues, analyzing the impact of policies, leaderships, advocacy methods, and community organizing strategies to drive institutional change.

A young patient seated in a medical room, engaged in conversation with a smiling female social worker holding a clipboard and a male doctor in a white coat and stethoscope.

Medical and Physical Health

Research that explores medical and physical health within diverse populations, focusing on healthcare access, disease prevention, chronic illness management, and practices that enhance overall wellbeing.

Five students and an instructor interacting in a classroom setting. A woman stands smiling, holding a folder, while two students seated in the foreground look at her. Two other students are visible in the background.

Social Work Education and Online

Examines education, both in person and online, by evaluating curriculum effectiveness, ethical standards, technology integration, and experiential learning models for future practitioners.

Recent Research News

Leading Social Work Research

In addition to faculty-led research, the UTCSW Office of Research Administration collaborates with or supports numerous research centers and affiliated research programs.

Our Research Centers and Partnerships