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Tar Heels shine at annual SSWR conference

by Matthew Smith

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work faculty, staff and student researchers made the nearly 3,000-mile journey to Seattle, Wash., Jan. 15–19, for the 29th Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) annual conference.

Held at the Sheraton Grand Seattle Hotel, Carolina researchers participated in more than 50 presentations, symposiums, flash-talks, special interest groups and other events at the conference alongside a record-setting 2,300 of their SSWR colleagues.

School of Social Work researchers led symposiums and presentations on local and international mental health interventions, medical financial hardship, parenting and child relationship care, epistemic justice, and more.

Associate professors David Ansong and Rainier Masa were honored over the weekend after being named members of the 2025 Class of SSWR Fellows. Ansong and Masa became the 15th and 16th Tar Heels selected since the program began in 2014.

For the second consecutive year, UNC added a member to the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare’s (AASWSW) honorific society, as Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson was recognized as a member of the AASWSW’s 2025 fellows class. She became the eighth Tar Heel to be inducted into the academy.

“It was such a blessing to see our School’s impactful research on display in one place,” Denby-Brinson said. “It really showcases all the great knowledge and interventions our researchers are producing at the local, state, national and global levels. Our faculty, students and staff should be proud of the work they’re doing not only for individuals, but in partnership with communities around the world.”

Tar Heels also joined the School’s conference reception on Jan. 17. Members of the School’s Advancement team — including Associate Dean Kandace Farrar, Associate Director of Development Joe Petrizzi, and Executive Assistant Allison Zoller — welcomed alumni and friends from across the country to celebrate UNC’s research achievements.

Learn more about UNC’s impact at the SSWR conference below and view the School’s latest research Impact Report with new stories from its its children, youth, and family well-being and older adults and long-term care research programs.


2025 SSWR Conference Presentation Roundup

UNC School of Social Work faculty, staff and student researchers shared their work at the 29th Society for Social Work and Research annual conference.


Tar Heel pair selected as SSWR fellows

A pair of School of Social Work researchers were honored Jan. 18 for their achievements during the 2025 Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) 29th annual conference in Seattle, Wash.


School of Social Work dean named AASWSW fellow

UNC School of Social Work Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson was recognized as a member of the 2025 AASWSW’s fellows class.


Tar Heels gather, celebrate at 2025 SSWR reception

UNC School of Social Work faculty, staff, students and alumni gathered to celebrate the School’s research impact at SSWR.


Wilkerson calls to learn from the past, work for better future during SSWR presidential plenary

UNC School of Social Work Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson led the presidential plenary with award-winning author Isabel Wilkerson at the 29th SSWR annual conference.


Impact Report Winter 2025

The UNC School of Social Work’s latest Impact Report includes new stories from its children, youth, and family well-being and older adults and long-term care research programs.