Brave Ideas for Social Change

Equity Labs Executive Director Chenthu Jayton (https://www.equity-labs.org/leadership-team/chenthu-jayton) discusses the organization’s work to advance liberation and justice and steps that individuals can take to center liberation and justice in their own lives and work.

Assistant Professor Marquisha Lawrence Scott discusses the role of congregations as social problem-solvers, today and into the future.

Associate Professor Stacey Freedenthal discusses her latest book — “Loving Someone with Suicidal Thoughts” — and the concept of listening bravely.

Assistant Prof. Sophia Sarantakos focuses their research, writing and organizing on how professionalized social-change work — including social work — can be shaped to serve an abolitionist horizon.

Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development Jenn Bellamy teaches research and theory courses at GSSW and has been working to advance social and racial justice in social work practice and in social work education and research — both within the school and in the broader academy. This requires addressing racism and oppression at structural levels in higher education and that all scholars adopt antiracist and antioppressive research practices. Bellamy’s own research centers on the engagement of fathers in child and family services and evidence-based practice.

University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work Assistant Professor Erin Harrop works to increase awareness of weight stigma in social work.

Associate Professor Ramona Beltrán highlights the role of storytelling in articulating creative responses to pressing issues, including historical trauma and healing.

Graduate School of Social Work Research Professor Kevin Morris discusses how the Institute for Human–Animal Connection advances social justice through research.

GSSW Professor Emeritus John Kayser discusses the role of historical consciousness and imagination in reckoning with our past, repairing harms, and improving how we teach and practice social work.