The University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work has established itself as a nationally recognized leader in social work research, consistently contributing to major academic forums, including the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) Annual Conference.
With a well-known reputation and ranked among the top 6% of the most active social work research faculty, the UTA School of Social Work is poised to set a record with the highest number of faculty and students presenting from UTA at the annual SSWR conference, which will be held in Washington, D.C., from January 14-18, 2026.
Each year, UTA faculty and students bring innovative studies, community-engaged research, and evidence-based solutions to one of the field’s most prestigious gatherings, strengthening the collective knowledge base of social work scholarship and practice.
Since 2018, the UTA School of Social Work has averaged approximately 30 presentations annually at the SSWR Annual Conference, with faculty and student researchers covering critical topics in mental health, child welfare, demographic disparities, substance misuse, aging, and more.
These presentations not only highlight the depth and impact of UTA research but also promote dialogue, collaboration, and mentorship among scholars nationwide. During the conference, the school will feature research with more than 45 presentations and posters.
UTA is a Carnegie R1-ranked research university, making it one of the leading research-producing institutions in the United States. This distinction is evident through its active research environment, where faculty publish hundreds of peer-reviewed articles, books, and chapters annually, advancing social work knowledge and practice. As part of this research community, faculty and PhD students in the School of Social Work produce over 200 scholarly articles each year.
This research extends across multiple focus areas, including child welfare and behavioral health, suicide prevention and awareness, trauma and resilience, community intervention strategies, and socially just policy analysis. The School’s Office of Research supports collaborative and impactful scholarship by facilitating research projects, securing external funding, and promoting dissemination through national conferences and publications.
This research is completed and compiled through a number of research centers and initiatives that serve as hubs for inquiry and community engagement, such as the Center for Child Welfare, the Center for Addictions & Recovery Studies (CARS), the Studying Alcohol and Related Risks (STARR) Lab, The Social Networks for Social Good Lab, The Emotional Robotics Living Lab and the Prevention and Intervention of Violence Over Time (PIVOT) Lab.
These centers provide faculty and students with opportunities to conduct research that directly impacts practice and policy at the local, state, and national levels.
Student research is an integral part of the School’s mission, with opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students to engage alongside faculty through conferences, publications, and applied projects.
PhD Candidate, Lacy Jenkins, presents during the 2024 Annual SSWR Conference. (Courtesy Photo)
The School actively supports student participation in research and presentations, ensuring that emerging scholars are prepared to contribute meaningfully to the profession. Through this research, the UTA School of Social Work continues to drive collaboration and education through SSWR, maintaining its place as a core research institution.
With such diverse topics in research, focus areas and personal backgrounds, UTA School of Social Work faculty, along with students, are excited to bring their work to the national stage en masse at the 2026 SSWR Annual Conference.
To explore past presentations and gain insight into the breadth of UTA School of Social Work’s research contributions, visit our Research Conferences page here. A full list of presentations for SSWR 2026 will be posted as it becomes available.