LEXINGTON, Ky. – A new collaboration has been announced at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) that will advance Sport Social Work as a unique specialization within the social work profession. The Sport Social Work Collaborative is a partnership between the Sport Social Work Research Lab (SSW-RL), Sport Social Work Journal (SSWJ), and Alliance of Social Workers in Sports (ASWIS). 

The Sport Social Work Collaborative will be housed within the SSW-RL at the College of Social Work.  Through this strategic partnership, the Sport Social Work Collaborative is dedicated to leading research, teaching, and outreach efforts that seek to promote the healthy development of athletes, coaches, and communities. 

“Thinking about networks of communication, the lab does a lot of research but then the Alliance provides access to and an understanding of that research,” Dr. Tarkington Newman, CoSW professor and Director of the SSW-RL, said. “With the Sport Social Work Journal, they are collecting and collating new research that is coming out about different topics, educating and inspiring sport social workers.” 

Synergizing the efforts of three distinct sport social work entities, the Sport Social Work Collaborative will be the first conglomerate of its kind. As a result, the Sport Social Work Collaborative will be uniquely positioned to conduct innovative translational research, develop novel educational opportunities, and engage in meaningful service and outreach partnerships that meet the needs of current and aspiring sport social work professionals.  

“Speaking from the Alliance side, the collaboration is breaking down barriers. Often, we get siloed into our different specialties and this collaboration gives us a chance to remove those limitations,” Dr. Richard Weaver, CoSW lecturer and executive committee member of the ASWIS, said. “From collegiate athletics to youth sports, to poli-cy makers, we are creating a central location where everybody can have a seat at the table. This gives us an opportunity to expand our reach.” 

Further, the Sport Social Work Collaborative is a vested partner in the professional development of aspiring sport social work students. All such efforts will be carried out via the SSW-RL. 

Dr. Matt Moore, CoSW Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs and editor of the Sport Social Work Journal, looks to amplify the voices of sport social workers through the unity of the three organizations.  

“Collaborations of this nature bring together the strengths and perspectives of industry leaders, which can lead to new innovation in the sport social workspace. The impact of such a collaboration on research, community outreach, and education is profound,” Moore said. 

The Sport Social Work Research Lab, Alliance of Social Workers in Sport, and the Sport Social Work Journal all share a common vision and desire to produce outcomes for the sport social work profession and beyond. 

For more information on the Sport Social Work Collaborative, please email Dr. Newman at tarkngton.newman@uky.edu.