SSWR is pleased to announce an exciting new program–SSWR RCDC Research, Inspire, Support, and Excel (R.I.S.E.) Seminar–to be held at SSWR 2026 Annual Conference!
APPLY NOW! Deadline: September 15, 2025, 11:59 pm, Pacific
Overview of R.I.S.E
The SSWR Research Capacity Development Committee (RCDC) Research, Inspire, Support, and Excel (R.I.S.E.) Seminar is a full-day workshop designed to support doctoral students in developing their dissertation proposals. The seminar provides structured mentoring and peer feedback, helping students strengthen their research and professional development skills. The program will take place on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the SSWR 2026 Annual Conference in Washington, DC.
Structure and Participation Expectations
The seminar will host 15 doctoral students and 5 mentors, pairing students into groups of 3 students with 1 mentor based on their substantive topics and research expertise. To address different needs at various stages of doctoral education, the groups will be structured as follows:
- Each participant will submit a dissertation proposal or dissertation chapter for peer and mentor feedback. Students and mentors will read assigned submissions and prepare comments before the seminar to ensure an engaging and productive discussion.
- During the seminar, scholars and mentors will participate in structured discussions to help scholars refine their work. The seminar will consist of morning and afternoon discussions on dissertation proposals and chapters.
- This time will also include a professional development lunch session, where mentors will lead discussions on topics such as securing funding, writing for publication, and preparing an academic job talk.
Doctoral Students are Encouraged to Apply!
Doctoral students (PhD/DSW) in the proposal development phase are encouraged to apply. Applicants should have completed comprehensive exams and have generated ideas for their dissertation proposal, ready for review. Priority will be given to students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minoritized-serving institutions to enhance equity and inclusion in research mentoring. You must indicate that SSWR membership will be active for 2026 to be accepted into the program.
Timeframe for Applications and Mentor Recruitment
The R.I.S.E application opens on 8/15 and will close on 9/15, 11:59 pm, PST. Our program committee will begin recruiting potential mentors after reviewing applications, with the goal of securing commitments by 10/15. This timeline will also allow prospective mentors and students to learn if their SSWR abstract(s) were accepted to the conference before committing.
Application Materials
When the online application form opens, applicants must submit:
- a brief synopsis (no more than 5 pages, double spaced, Calibri or Times Roman 12 pt. font) of the dissertation, including:
- Title
- Background and significance
- The study’s hypotheses/research questions
- Methodology (including design, sample size and sampling strategy, methods of data collection, and detailed data analysis plan)
- The potential implications for social work research, practice, and/or policy
IMPORTANT
The synopsis should be double-spaced, Times New Roman 12pt or Calibri 11pt, 0.5-inch margins.
The uploaded document should be a PDF. Name the file using this format: LastName_FirstName_DoctoralSeminar.pdf
Review Process Overview
The SSWR R.I.S.E. seminar is a competitive, peer-reviewed program. Selected participants will:
Upon acceptance, R.I.S.E Scholars are asked to submit the following by January 9, 2026:
- A one-page summary document that includes an update on their current status and specifically what feedback they are interested in receiving (methodological, etc.),
- Current draft of the dissertation proposal; the length of the dissertation proposal is to adhere to the requirements of your institution.
- Three-paper dissertation model: If your institution uses the 3-paper model, you must clearly articulate the nominee’s contribution to each of the 3 papers. If an introductory chapter is included with the 3-paper model, it should articulate why the nominee has chosen their set of research questions, their guiding theory/conceptual framework for arriving there, and how that relates to the three papers.
- A brief slide presentation with this information.
During the seminar:
- Participate in structured discussions with mentors and peers to refine their work.
- The seminar will consist of:
- Morning and afternoon discussions on dissertation proposals and chapters.
- A professional development lunch session, where mentors will lead discussions on topics such as securing funding, writing for publication, and preparing an academic job talk.
Application Review Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Clarity and rigor of the dissertation or capstone project.
- Demonstrated need for mentorship and feedback.
- Commitment to engaging in peer feedback and discussion.
- Alignment with SSWR’s strategic goals to support research capacity building and diversify membership.
SSWR RCDC R.I.S.E. Subcommittee
- Qiana Renae Cryer-Coupet, PhD, Georgia State University, Co-chair
- Greer Hamilton, PhD, University of Michigan, Co-chair
- Justin Harty, PhD, Arizona State University
- Brad Linn, PhD, Pennsylvania State University
- Laurenia Mangum, PhD, University of Illinois Chicago
Contact for Questions
For membership status and submission questions, contact A. DeeJay Hastings, CAE, IOM, SSWR Program Director, dj@sswr.org.