Dr. Susan Robbins named NASW Social Work Pioneer 2024

Susan P. Robbins, Cele S. and Samuel D. Keeper Endowed Professor of Social Justice and former associate dean for doctoral education at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, has been named a NASW Pioneer by the National Association of Social Workers Foundation.

Dr. Robbins has been recognized for her leadership and scientific knowledge through her appointments to the Board of Directors of the American Board of Forensic Social Workers, the American College of Forensic Examiners, and several editorial boards of leading journals. Her consulting and training work for child protective services in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma has resulted in numerous invitations to speak at conferences at the national, regional, and local levels.

Dr. Robbins is nationally known for her scholarly work focused on critical analysis and socially constructed power. She has applied these perspectives to theories of human behavior, practical methods, pedagogical issues in social work education, and epistemological methods. She is known for her textbook Comparative Theory of Human Behavior: A Critical Perspective for Social Work Practice and for the critical debate on the now discredited movement of recovered memory. As editor-in-chief of Journal of Social Work Education (2013–2016) her editorials received great recognition and a high readership.

Dr. Robbins’ awards include the National Faculty Excellence Award for outstanding contributions to distance education (University Continuing Education Association, 1998); the Outstanding Faculty Award (University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 1988, 1993, and 2005); the Sol Gothard Lifetime Achievement Award (National Organization of Forensic Social Work, 2016); and the Hamline University Alumni Award for service to making the world a better place (2019). She will also receive the 1914 Distinguished Alumni Award in Academia and Research from the Tulane University School of Social Work in November 2024.

“Being named a NASW Social Work Pioneer is perhaps one of the greatest honors of my career,” said Robbins. “As a NASW member for over 45 years, this recognition from our esteemed social work organization is an exciting highlight of my career. The work that NASW does to promote professional growth, effectiveness and standards for social work, improve conditions for our clients and promote sound policy is central to our work as social workers.” The award will be presented on October 19 in Washington DC at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.

—

ABOUT THE NASW SOCIAL WORK PIONEERS PROGRAM

The NASW Social Work Pioneers® program honors members of the social work community who have contributed to the development and enrichment of the profession. The program identifies and recognizes individuals whose dedication, commitment, and determination have improved social and human conditions. Since its inception in 1994, more than 900 individuals have been inducted into the program.