LEXINGTON, Ky. — Over the course of three days, more than 150 Doctor of Social Work (DSW) scholars from the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Social Work presented their capstone research at the Spring 2025 Virtual Showcase. The event drew nearly 3,000 registrants nationwide and awarded over 600 continuing education credits to social work professionals in attendance.
The Virtual Showcase featured student-led research that addressed urgent and complex challenges across communities, systems, and populations. Topics included trauma-informed policing, aging-inclusive sexual health, mental health in military families, disparities in healthcare access, and school-based interventions, among others.
“The DSW Showcase reflects our students’ unwavering commitment to advancing the human condition,” said Dr. E-R, director of the DSW Program. “This isn’t just about earning a degree—it’s about producing scholarship that drives systemic change.”
Projects highlighted during the event include:
- Expanding clinical trial access among Black cancer patients (read more)
- Advancing trauma-informed care in K–12 education (read more)
- Addressing barriers to employment for individuals with justice involvement (read more)
- Identifying harmful policies affecting gender-diverse youth (read more)
These projects are the culmination of rigorous doctoral-level study grounded in the scholar-practitioner model, which integrates academic research with applied leadership in real-world contexts.
In addition to the academic achievements presented, the DSW Class of 2025 also introduced their collective class gift: Grounded Together: Creating a Place at UK. This initiative, designed to support students with foster care experience, includes mentorship programming, leadership development opportunities, academic support, and emergency assistance. The gift underscores the cohort’s shared values and their commitment to increasing equity and access in higher education.
