Conference Update TEST

30th Annual Conference

Leading for Transformative Change: Aligning Social Work Science with Policy and Practice.

2026 | Washington DC

The SSWR Annual Conference offers a scientific program that reflects a broad range of research interests. From workshops on the latest quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to symposia featuring studies in child welfare, aging, mental health, welfare reform, substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS.

Meet our Keynote Speakers

Harness your research and expertise to ignite dialogue and drive innovative solutions for the critical social issues of our time at SSWR 2026.

Cluster Chairs

Learn about the leadership for the various abstract clusters at the conference.

Conference Committee

Meet the individuals responsible for organizing the SSWR 2026 Annual Conference.

Call for Papers

Information about submitting an abstract, presentation formats and submission guidelines.

Call for Brief and Brilliant Session Self-Nominations

Find out how to submit a proposal for a 10-minute, TedX-style "Brief and Brilliant" talk for the conference.

Call for Special Interest Groups (SIG)

Learn how to request a meeting space for a new or existing Special Interest Group at the conference.

Call for Proposals - Innovation Incubator

A place to receive mentorship in support of a research idea under development for funding support.

Featured Sessions: Plenaries and Invited Symposia

View a list of the conference's highlighted sessions, featuring information on keynote speakers and invited symposia topics.

Flash Talk Presentation Format

Read a detailed description of the "Flash Talk" sessions, a new format for oral paper presentations at the 2026 conference.

Health and Safety at SSWR 2026

SSWR’s first priority is the safety and welfare of our attendees, exhibitors, partners, contractors, and staff.

Program Highlights

See a list of the key events and sessions that will take place throughout the SSWR 2026 conference.

Schedule at a Glance

View a high-level, day-by-day schedule of the conference, including the times for sessions, events, and workshops.

Abstract Submissions, Multi-Level Review, Status, and Presentation

Tentative Timeline

Feb 21, 2025 | CFP Disseminated (completed)
Mar 1, 2025 | CFP Online Submission Opens (completed)
Apr 15, 2025 | CFP Online Submission Closes (completed)
May-Jul 2025 | Abstract Multi-Stage Review Process  (handled by cluster chairs and volunteer peer reviewers) (completed)
Aug 2025 | Abstract Decision-Making Process  (handled by cluster chairs) (in-progress)
Sep 2025 | Abstract Status Notifications to Presenting Authors, Presenters/Speakers, Organizers, and Discussants
Oct 2025 | Presentation Schedule Notifications to Presenting Authors, Presenters/Speakers, Organizers, Discussants, and Moderators
Nov 2025: Orientation and Q&A Webinar for Flash Talk and Grouped Paper Session Presenters and Moderators

Schedule (subject to change)

Special Interest Groups

The Society for Social Work and Research special interest groups (SIGs) facilitate networking opportunities for conference attendees to discuss specific social work research, policy, or practice in greater depth. We are now accepting requests to convene a SIG meeting (new or existing) to be held as part of the SSWR 2026 Annual Conference. As you may know, especially those of you who have held SIG meetings at SSWR over the years, the SIGs are an important component of the annual conference. SSWR will provide a meeting space for your SIG.

Research

Work Policy

Practice

Learn More

Questions?

Contact A. DeeJay Hastings, CAE, IOM (she/her)
SSWR Program Director
dj@sswr.org

or use the form for assistance

30th Annual Conference

Leading for Transformative Change: Aligning Social Work Science with Policy and Practice.

Conference 2026 Quick Links

Browse 2026 Program Schedule

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