Social Work Speaks: Call for Authors

call for authors, people carrying a huge megaphone

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) invites professional social workers to participate in the development of the 13th Edition of Social Work Speaks.  Ideal candidates will include social work practitioners and faculty who have practice experience and expertise in statement topics. Social workers of color, LGBTQIA+ people, those with disabilities and others with lived experiences, being part of marginalized communities, are encouraged to apply.

We have included 23 statement topics that we intend to revise and update over the next 3 years. After receiving applications, we will review, select authors and initiate writing committees for the first 8-10 statement topics. Selected authors will serve on a writing committee convened by NASW. Guidance will be provided, including an orientation.

We are seeking authors for revision of the following Social Work Speaks policy statements. We ask that prospective authors select only one statement topic. Applicants will need to login to the NASW platform to access the statements:

Application Requirements

Prospective authors are invited to submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) and CV or resume by May 10, 2021. The LOI should detail relevant applicant experience and expertise related to the topic, including recommendations on the policy positions NASW might consider. 

Please review the statement that you intend to apply to revise, prior to submitting the LOI.

Authors must be NASW members in good standing.  Learn about NASW Membership. We will accept applications from non-members with the understanding that selected authors will need to join the association to participate as part of a writing committee.


Time Commitment

The time commitment required depends on the length and complexity of the policy statement and ranges from approximately 10 to 40 hours over the course of a 3-month writing period, followed by brief interactions to complete copy editing and finalize the statement. There are circumstances where the time commitment exceeds the estimate above. Each statement takes about a year to finalize because of various NASW processes, including public comment and Delegate Assembly approval.

About Social Work Speaks

First published in 1958, Social Work Speaks is a comprehensive and unabridged collection of 62 NASW policies on a broad range of issues including, but not limited to: voter rights and participation, mental health, juvenile justice, homelessness, family violence, environmental justice, and economic justice. The publication is a crucial resource in shaping public policy and practice. Each edition of this valuable resource represents the collective, expert thinking of scores of social workers across all fields of practice. In addition to social workers, key audiences for this publication include the media, students, educators, and policymakers. We seek a diverse group of prospective social work authors to participate on writing committees for each statement.

Questions?

Please contact NASWpolicy@socialworkers.org.

Download a copy of the PDF Call for Authors Announcement.

Social Work Speaks, 12th edition

Order "Social Work Speaks, 12th Edition" at NASW Press >>


NASW National Social Work Speaks Steering Committee


Chair
Sarah Christa Butts, MSW, Director of Public Policy 

Committee
Dina L. Kastner, MSS, MLSP, Senior Field Organizer

Yvette Mulkey, MS, Manager Specialty Practice Sections

Andrea Murray, MSW, LICSW, Senior Ethics Associate

Raffaele Vitelli, CAE, Vice President, Professional Development and Product Development

Lisa Yagoda, MSW, LICSW, ACSW, Senior Practice Associate