JSWE Call for Abstracts—Reflection and Renewal: Revisiting and Envisioning a Half-Century of Innovation and Impact in Social Work Doctoral Education

The Journal of Social Work Education (JSWE) invites abstract submissions for a special issue titled “Reflection and Renewal: Revisiting and Envisioning a Half-Century of Innovation and Impact in Social Work Doctoral Education.” The special issue is scheduled for publication in Summer 2027. Please direct questions about this special issue to jswe@cswe.org.

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2026

Guest Editor Information

Dr. Mimi V. Chapman (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Dr. Tova Walsh (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Dr. Jonathan J. Okstad (Northwestern University)

Background

In anticipation of the 50th anniversary of the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work (GADE), this JSWE special issue will reflect on the past, present, and future of social work doctoral education. Consistent with the vision of GADE to advance inclusive, equitable, and just social work doctoral education, the collection of articles will highlight innovation and excellence in doctoral education and the diversity of social work doctoral programs and will recognize the achievements and contributions of doctoral education within the profession. 

The special issue will provide authors a chance to record and discuss the current state of doctoral education and contributions doctoral level social workers make to the profession, describe how doctoral education has evolved and changed since GADE’s beginnings, and discuss current critical issues in doctoral education. The issue will encompass attention to evolution, innovation, and the path ahead in doctoral education culminating in both the Doctor of Social Work (DSW) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in social work degrees.

This special issue is intended for social work doctoral educators, deans, program directors, faculty, doctoral students, postdoctoral scholars, and community and institutional partners engaged in doctoral education. It also invites contributions from allied disciplines that intersect with social work to advance inclusive, equitable, and just doctoral education. In recognition of GADE’s 50th anniversary, we especially welcome abstract submissions that reflect on the evolution, current landscape, and future directions of doctoral education in social work.

This special issue seeks to capture the breadth and diversity of doctoral education across programs while critically examining its contributions, challenges, and opportunities as the field looks toward the next 50 years. Authors are encouraged to engage with, but are not limited to, the following topics:

• Historical perspectives on the development and evolution of social work doctoral education
• The role and impact of doctoral education on the social work profession, research, policy, and practice
• Innovations in doctoral program design, curriculum, and pedagogy
• Preparing doctoral students for diverse career pathways, including academia, practice, policy, and leadership roles
• Mentorship, advising, and student support structures in doctoral education
• Equity, inclusion, and access in doctoral admissions, training, and outcomes
• Experiences and outcomes of doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars
• Interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaborations in doctoral training
• The role of doctoral education in advancing social justice and addressing complex social challenges
• Institutional, financial, and structural considerations shaping doctoral education
• Global perspectives and comparative analyses of doctoral education in social work
• Future directions and emerging challenges for doctoral education in social work

Special Instructions for Abstract Submissions

• Abstracts should be no longer than 250 words and submitted via Submittable by Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
• Abstracts must adhere to APA style (7th edition) guidelines.
• Avoid abbreviations, diagrams, citations, and references to the text in the abstract.

The Guest Editors will provide abstract dispositions by Monday, August 3, 2026. 

Authors of selected abstracts will be invited to submit a full manuscript for peer review. Final manuscripts must adhere to APA style (7th edition) guidelines and should be submitted by Monday, November 2, 2026, via JSWE’s ScholarOne portal.

Final Manuscript Formats 

Standard JSWE manuscript formats are welcome for the special issue, including empirical and conceptual articles (maximum 25 pages) and Notes (brief reports, 10–15 page) focused on field learning, research, teaching, or practice. Authors must comply with the manuscript preparation guidelines noted by JSWE’s submission guidelines.

Key Dates:

• Abstract submissions due by Wednesday, July 1, 2026
• Abstract decisions completed by Monday, August 3, 2026
• Manuscript submissions due by Monday, November 2, 2026
• Manuscript decisions completed by Monday, February 1, 2027 
• Revisions completed by Monday, March 1, 2027
• Final decisions completed by Thursday, April 1, 2027
• Publication date: June 2027

NOTE: Abstracts that are not submitted using Submittable will NOT be considered for the special issue. Abstracts submitted via ScholarOne that were not pre-selected by the Guest Editors will also NOT be considered for the special issue. Manuscript submissions for regular issues can be submitted at any time through ScholarOne at https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/jswe. 

Please direct questions about abstract submissions to jswe@cswe.org