Associate Professor Lenna Nepomnyaschy has been named a 2021 Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) Research Fellow. SSWR Research Fellows are members who have served with distinction to advance the mission of the Society — to advance, disseminate, and translate research that addresses issues of social work practice and policy and promotes a diverse, equitable and just society.
Dr. Nepomnyaschy, whose research interests include child and family policy, poverty and inequality, and health disparities, was recognized for her participation in numerous activities with SSWR, including presenting her research, organizing forums and special sessions, reviewing abstracts, advising and mentoring Ph.D. students from around the country, and serving on several committees. As part of one such committee on policy, she was responsible for planning the social policy forum, which brought Stacey Abrams to speak at the annual conference in 2020 and Representative Maxine Waters in 2021.
The SSWR Fellowship was established by the Society to honor and to recognize current SSWR members for their individual accomplishments, leadership and contribution to SSWR as a scientific society. It is anticipated that SSWR Fellows will serve as role models and mentors for individuals pursuing careers in social work research and will continue to actively advance the mission of SSWR.
Eligibility for the SSWR Fellow designation is determined by a point system established by the SSWR Board under which individual members are awarded points for participation in select activities. Dr. Nepomnyaschy joins a group of distinguished current and past fellows, including Rutgers School of Social Work Professor and Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Antoinette Farmer (2016 Fellow) and Associate Professor Jerald Floersch (2019 Fellow).
