The Society for Social Work and Research was founded in 1994 as a free-standing organization dedicated to the advancement of social work research. SSWR works collaboratively with a number of other organizations that are committed to improving support for research among social workers. Our members include faculty in schools of social work and other professional schools, research staff in public and private agencies, and masters/doctoral students.

SSWR's more than 1300 members come from 45 states in the United States as well as from Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and the United Kingdom.

SSWR's members represent more than 200 universities and institutions.

SSWR's Overall Goals

• To foster a support and linkage network among social workers interested in research
• To encourage more social workers to become engaged in research activities
• To provide formal recognition of significant contributions to research by social workers
• To advocate for increased research funding and research training programs
• To promote advances in the knowledge base of the social work profession
• To promote the application of culturally-sensitive and culturally-relevant research
• To promote evidence-based social work practice

SSWR's Current Activities

• Sponsorship of an annual conference featuring g high quality symposia, paper and poster sessions and methodological workshops
• Offer (in conjunction with the Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research) an array of pre-conference workshops designed to enhance methods expertise and grant-writing skills
• Offer pre-conference programs and a networking reception especially for doctoral students
• Publish a newsletter that provides information about new programs, member activities, funding opportunities, training and post-doctoral programs, and advocacy on behalf of social work research
• Maintain an updated listing of members’ expertise and interests as a resource for grant review committees, panels, and task forces
• Sponsor an annual awards program featuring outstanding social work researchers and their work
• Maintain a website that provides access to resources and organizations that support social work research
• Join with other social work organizations in advocating for changes that will increase funding for social work research and training opportunities
• Offer a Job Postings service to link researchers/scholars with available positions