Grand Challenges for Social Work | Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis

Grand Challenges for Social Work

The Brown School is a sustaining sponsor of the national Grand Challenges for Social Work (GCSW). The initiative identifies a course to address 13 Grand Challenges dominating the social context in the United States by using science and research to correct the most serious societal ills.

The Brown School’s commitment to the GCSW echoes the school’s dedication to racial equity and social justice. Our society faces large-scale problems, and the Grand Challenges define a social agenda to promote individual and family well-being, a stronger social fabric, and a just society. Learn more about the work we are doing to meet these challenges below.

Social Innovation for America’s Renewal Conference

In September 2016, more than 250 experts, advocates and leading academics gathered at the Brown School for a Grand Challenges policy conference to outline a comprehensive range of solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing the nation. Social Innovation for America’s Renewal and its workgroups have developed extensive evidence-based policy recommendations for the 12 Grand Challenges.

Brown Faculty Leadership

Brown School faculty and staff who provide leadership for the Grand Challenges networks or participated in co-authoring foundational GCSW concept papers, policy briefs, or policy action statements include:

Michael Sherraden, co-director of the GCSW Steering Committee, member of the Grand Challenges Executive Committee, board member of AASWSW, and lead author of the foundational papers that set the stage for the Grand Challenges initiative: Social is Fundamental and Grand Accomplishments in Social Work. He is also a co-author of Reduce Extreme Economic Inequality.
Nancy Morrow-Howell, network co-lead and concept paper co-author to Advance Long and Productive Lives.
Patricia Kohl, network co-lead to Stop Family Violence.
Margaret Sherraden, network co-lead and concept paper co-author to Build Financial Capability and Assets for All.
Wendy Auslander and Trish Kohl, concept paper co-authors to Ensure Healthy Development of All Youth.
Melissa Jonson-Reid, Policy action statement, co-author to Stop Family Violence.
Brown School Center for Social Development staff Chris Leiker and John Gabbert provide editorial and communications support. Lissa Johnson is Director of Grand Challenges Policy Initiatives.