GSSW Science for Action Series: Social Work Grand Challenge - Harness Technology for Social Good

Join us in person or online for our seventh Social Work Grand Challenges event — Harness Technology for Social Good: The quest for an equitable path forward. This event will involve a critical discussion about the use of emerging technologies to address complex social issues that disproportionately affect vulnerable people. 

Our keynote speaker, Professor Jonathan Singer, Ph.D., is Associate Professor at the School of Social Work at Loyola University, Chicago. Singer has had a long-standing interest in the role of technology in social work practice. In the late 1990s, Singer developed the first electronic medical record for Austin Travis County Integral Care and the first websites for several social service organizations in Austin, TX, including the Austin-Child Guidance Center, Texans Care for Children, and the Texas Kids Count Project. In 2007, he started the Social Work Podcast to disseminate high quality information about social work innovations to students and practitioners. Podcast episodes have been downloaded over two million times by 1 million people in 181 countries and territories. The podcast won the first NASW Media Award for Best Website in 2012. In 2013, he founded the Google Plus community, Social Work and Technology. In 2015, he co-authored the white paper, Practice Innovations Through Technology in the Digital Age: A Grand Challenge for Social Work. 

Following Singer’s keynote, two panels comprised of policy experts, scientists, and practitioners will engage the audience in a discussion about: 

1) ethical considerations in decisions to adopt technology for social good; and  

2) applications of technology for social good-success stories and lessons learned 

A breakout session following the two panel presentations will allow participants to discuss how best to engage and utilize technology for social good along with strategies and resources needed to move this important initiative forward.  

The American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare is leading a groundbreaking initiative to champion social progress powered by science through the 12 Grand Challenges for Social Work. To advance progress on Social Work's Grand Challenges, the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver launched the Social Work Grand Challenges Science for Action Series in 2017. The series will address all 12 of the challenges over three years. 

AGENDA  

12:30-1:00 p.m. - Check-in and registration  

1:00-1:15 p.m. - Welcome and opening remarks  

1:15-1:45 p.m. - Keynote address by Jonathan Singer  

1:45-2:15 p.m. - Interactive discussion  

2:15-2:30 p.m. - Break 

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  2:30-3:05 p.m. - Panel discussion I: Ethical considerations in decisions to adopt technology for social good 

3:05-3:35 p.m. - Interactive discussion  

3:35-3:45 p.m. - Break 

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  3:45-4:20 p.m. - Panel discussion II: Applications of technology for social good-success stories and lessons learned 

4:25-4:55 p.m. - Interactive discussion  

4:55-5:00 p.m. - Closing comments  

5:00-6:00 p.m. - Networking reception  

 FAQs 

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event? 

Parking will be provided and details will be sent to registrants before the event.  

How can I contact the organizer with any questions? 

Email GSSWevents@du.edu

How can I attend virtually? 

Register and select "virtual attendee" and a link to join the live stream will be sent before the event.