Welcome to the Social Work Topical Interest Group of the American Evaluation Association
Dear Social Work TIG Members,
Every American will likely encounter social work in various ways throughout their lives—whether it's during a hospital discharge, through school guidance, or through our advocacy efforts and research initiatives. We are a vibrant and diverse profession, united by our unwavering commitment to empowerment and social justice, especially for marginalized communities.
Our applied work not only reflects these core values but also drives us to achieve meaningful outcomes that truly make a difference. As we engage in this vital work, let's ask ourselves:
- How do we prioritize the interests of those we serve in our evaluations?
- What obligations do we have to amplify the voices of underrepresented populations and those who may not be able to advocate for themselves?
- How do we ensure our programs are evaluated for their efficacy, effectiveness, and equity?
- Who determines the value of contributions from various stakeholders?
Together, let's embrace the opportunity to showcase our expertise in social work. Our profession is not just knowledgeable; it is essential in championing societal values and fulfilling our responsibilities to all citizens. Let’s ignite our passion, collaborate, and deepen our impact as we work toward a brighter, more equitable future for everyone. Your involvement is crucial, and together, we can make a significant difference!
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Greetings all!
The Social Work TIG is collaborating with the Human Services TIG to provide quality support and content to our TIG members.
Upcoming meetings:
Our next meeting will be on August 24, 2026 at 3:00pm eastern | 12:00pm pacific
This will be another joint meeting with the Social Work TIG and will highlight the work of Mansoor Kazi, author of Realist Evaluation and a leading scholar-practioner in Human Services and Social Work evaluation. Whether you're a realist evaluation practitioner yourself or are hearing about it for the first time, this session promises to be a great learning opportunity for all!
Register here: https://luc.zoom.us/meeting/register/4uXrccx2S8KJKoaAUZeXoA
AEA 2026 Conference
The Social Work TIG will be hosting a panel at the upcoming conference, "Evaluation Practice Through a Social Work Lens." We will be discussing how social work values, frameworks, and approaches shape evaluation practice. Details coming soon!
If you submitted a proposal to the 2026 AEA Conference and it was accepted, please let your SW TIG leaders know so that we can promote your session. Email Elizabeth Hatch at elizabeth.hatch@asu.edu.
Notices:
- Human Services Evaluation AEA365 Blog Takeover: Back in June, we had 7 members of the Human Services and Social Work TIGs publish blog posts. They're short and full of helpful tidbits for practical application. The blog posts may be accessed here.
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