Reflections From Academic Mothers of Young Children on Social Work Research and Education

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound societal impact with unprecedented impact on women’s labor force participation, including among academic mothers. Yet, persistent gendered and racialized inequities in academia remain structurally unaddressed, including in social work. We believe that as social work educators we are well-positioned to develop an academic culture that helps us refocus on what matters most; redefine excellence in teaching, service, and research; and make academic practice more equitable. To this end, we convened a group of social work academic mothers, representing various identities at teaching and research-intensive institutions, to offer collective perspectives and recommendations for structural change within the social work academy to buffer the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and exacerbating racial and gendered disparities.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

* Herein we acknowledge and refer to mothers as inclusive of all those who identify as mothers in academia.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Cristina Mogro-Wilson

Cristina Mogro-Wilson is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Nalini Negi is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Chiara Acquati is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Charlotte Bright is the Director and professor in the School of Social Work, Colorado State University. Doris F. Chang is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, New York University. Trenette Clark Goings is a professor in the School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jennifer C. Greenfield is associate dean for doctoral education and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Maria Gurrola is department chair and professor in the School of Social Work, California State University at Monterey Bay. Tamara Hicks is clinical assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Alysse Loomis is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Utah. Rupal Parekh is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Jessica Strolin-Goltzman is a professor in the College of Education and Social Services, University of Vermont. Miriam G. Valdovinos is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Quenette L. Walton is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Liliane Windsor is the Associate Dean for Research and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Nalini Negi

Cristina Mogro-Wilson is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Nalini Negi is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Chiara Acquati is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Charlotte Bright is the Director and professor in the School of Social Work, Colorado State University. Doris F. Chang is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, New York University. Trenette Clark Goings is a professor in the School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jennifer C. Greenfield is associate dean for doctoral education and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Maria Gurrola is department chair and professor in the School of Social Work, California State University at Monterey Bay. Tamara Hicks is clinical assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Alysse Loomis is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Utah. Rupal Parekh is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Jessica Strolin-Goltzman is a professor in the College of Education and Social Services, University of Vermont. Miriam G. Valdovinos is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Quenette L. Walton is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Liliane Windsor is the Associate Dean for Research and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Charlotte Bright

Cristina Mogro-Wilson is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Nalini Negi is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Chiara Acquati is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Charlotte Bright is the Director and professor in the School of Social Work, Colorado State University. Doris F. Chang is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, New York University. Trenette Clark Goings is a professor in the School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jennifer C. Greenfield is associate dean for doctoral education and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Maria Gurrola is department chair and professor in the School of Social Work, California State University at Monterey Bay. Tamara Hicks is clinical assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Alysse Loomis is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Utah. Rupal Parekh is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Jessica Strolin-Goltzman is a professor in the College of Education and Social Services, University of Vermont. Miriam G. Valdovinos is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Quenette L. Walton is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Liliane Windsor is the Associate Dean for Research and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Doris F. Chang

Cristina Mogro-Wilson is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Nalini Negi is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Chiara Acquati is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Charlotte Bright is the Director and professor in the School of Social Work, Colorado State University. Doris F. Chang is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, New York University. Trenette Clark Goings is a professor in the School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jennifer C. Greenfield is associate dean for doctoral education and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Maria Gurrola is department chair and professor in the School of Social Work, California State University at Monterey Bay. Tamara Hicks is clinical assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Alysse Loomis is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Utah. Rupal Parekh is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Jessica Strolin-Goltzman is a professor in the College of Education and Social Services, University of Vermont. Miriam G. Valdovinos is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Quenette L. Walton is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Liliane Windsor is the Associate Dean for Research and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Trenette Clark Goings

Cristina Mogro-Wilson is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Nalini Negi is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Chiara Acquati is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Charlotte Bright is the Director and professor in the School of Social Work, Colorado State University. Doris F. Chang is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, New York University. Trenette Clark Goings is a professor in the School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jennifer C. Greenfield is associate dean for doctoral education and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Maria Gurrola is department chair and professor in the School of Social Work, California State University at Monterey Bay. Tamara Hicks is clinical assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Alysse Loomis is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Utah. Rupal Parekh is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Jessica Strolin-Goltzman is a professor in the College of Education and Social Services, University of Vermont. Miriam G. Valdovinos is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Quenette L. Walton is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Liliane Windsor is the Associate Dean for Research and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Jennifer C. Greenfield

Cristina Mogro-Wilson is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Nalini Negi is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Chiara Acquati is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Charlotte Bright is the Director and professor in the School of Social Work, Colorado State University. Doris F. Chang is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, New York University. Trenette Clark Goings is a professor in the School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jennifer C. Greenfield is associate dean for doctoral education and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Maria Gurrola is department chair and professor in the School of Social Work, California State University at Monterey Bay. Tamara Hicks is clinical assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Alysse Loomis is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Utah. Rupal Parekh is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Jessica Strolin-Goltzman is a professor in the College of Education and Social Services, University of Vermont. Miriam G. Valdovinos is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Quenette L. Walton is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Liliane Windsor is the Associate Dean for Research and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Maria Gurrola

Cristina Mogro-Wilson is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Nalini Negi is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Chiara Acquati is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Charlotte Bright is the Director and professor in the School of Social Work, Colorado State University. Doris F. Chang is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, New York University. Trenette Clark Goings is a professor in the School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jennifer C. Greenfield is associate dean for doctoral education and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Maria Gurrola is department chair and professor in the School of Social Work, California State University at Monterey Bay. Tamara Hicks is clinical assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Alysse Loomis is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Utah. Rupal Parekh is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Jessica Strolin-Goltzman is a professor in the College of Education and Social Services, University of Vermont. Miriam G. Valdovinos is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Quenette L. Walton is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Liliane Windsor is the Associate Dean for Research and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Tamara Hicks

Cristina Mogro-Wilson is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Nalini Negi is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Chiara Acquati is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Charlotte Bright is the Director and professor in the School of Social Work, Colorado State University. Doris F. Chang is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, New York University. Trenette Clark Goings is a professor in the School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jennifer C. Greenfield is associate dean for doctoral education and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Maria Gurrola is department chair and professor in the School of Social Work, California State University at Monterey Bay. Tamara Hicks is clinical assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Alysse Loomis is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Utah. Rupal Parekh is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Jessica Strolin-Goltzman is a professor in the College of Education and Social Services, University of Vermont. Miriam G. Valdovinos is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Quenette L. Walton is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Liliane Windsor is the Associate Dean for Research and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Alysse Loomis

Cristina Mogro-Wilson is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Nalini Negi is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Chiara Acquati is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Charlotte Bright is the Director and professor in the School of Social Work, Colorado State University. Doris F. Chang is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, New York University. Trenette Clark Goings is a professor in the School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jennifer C. Greenfield is associate dean for doctoral education and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Maria Gurrola is department chair and professor in the School of Social Work, California State University at Monterey Bay. Tamara Hicks is clinical assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Alysse Loomis is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Utah. Rupal Parekh is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Jessica Strolin-Goltzman is a professor in the College of Education and Social Services, University of Vermont. Miriam G. Valdovinos is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Quenette L. Walton is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Liliane Windsor is the Associate Dean for Research and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Rupal Parekh

Cristina Mogro-Wilson is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Nalini Negi is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Chiara Acquati is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Charlotte Bright is the Director and professor in the School of Social Work, Colorado State University. Doris F. Chang is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, New York University. Trenette Clark Goings is a professor in the School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jennifer C. Greenfield is associate dean for doctoral education and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Maria Gurrola is department chair and professor in the School of Social Work, California State University at Monterey Bay. Tamara Hicks is clinical assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Alysse Loomis is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Utah. Rupal Parekh is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Jessica Strolin-Goltzman is a professor in the College of Education and Social Services, University of Vermont. Miriam G. Valdovinos is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Quenette L. Walton is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Liliane Windsor is the Associate Dean for Research and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Jessica Strolin-Goltzman

Cristina Mogro-Wilson is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Nalini Negi is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Chiara Acquati is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Charlotte Bright is the Director and professor in the School of Social Work, Colorado State University. Doris F. Chang is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, New York University. Trenette Clark Goings is a professor in the School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jennifer C. Greenfield is associate dean for doctoral education and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Maria Gurrola is department chair and professor in the School of Social Work, California State University at Monterey Bay. Tamara Hicks is clinical assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Alysse Loomis is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Utah. Rupal Parekh is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Jessica Strolin-Goltzman is a professor in the College of Education and Social Services, University of Vermont. Miriam G. Valdovinos is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Quenette L. Walton is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Liliane Windsor is the Associate Dean for Research and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Miriam G. Valdovinos

Cristina Mogro-Wilson is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Nalini Negi is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Chiara Acquati is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Charlotte Bright is the Director and professor in the School of Social Work, Colorado State University. Doris F. Chang is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, New York University. Trenette Clark Goings is a professor in the School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jennifer C. Greenfield is associate dean for doctoral education and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Maria Gurrola is department chair and professor in the School of Social Work, California State University at Monterey Bay. Tamara Hicks is clinical assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Alysse Loomis is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Utah. Rupal Parekh is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Jessica Strolin-Goltzman is a professor in the College of Education and Social Services, University of Vermont. Miriam G. Valdovinos is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Quenette L. Walton is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Liliane Windsor is the Associate Dean for Research and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Quenette L. Walton

Cristina Mogro-Wilson is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Nalini Negi is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Chiara Acquati is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Charlotte Bright is the Director and professor in the School of Social Work, Colorado State University. Doris F. Chang is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, New York University. Trenette Clark Goings is a professor in the School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jennifer C. Greenfield is associate dean for doctoral education and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Maria Gurrola is department chair and professor in the School of Social Work, California State University at Monterey Bay. Tamara Hicks is clinical assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Alysse Loomis is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Utah. Rupal Parekh is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Jessica Strolin-Goltzman is a professor in the College of Education and Social Services, University of Vermont. Miriam G. Valdovinos is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Quenette L. Walton is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Liliane Windsor is the Associate Dean for Research and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Liliane Windsor

Cristina Mogro-Wilson is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Nalini Negi is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Chiara Acquati is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Charlotte Bright is the Director and professor in the School of Social Work, Colorado State University. Doris F. Chang is an associate professor in the School of Social Work, New York University. Trenette Clark Goings is a professor in the School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jennifer C. Greenfield is associate dean for doctoral education and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Maria Gurrola is department chair and professor in the School of Social Work, California State University at Monterey Bay. Tamara Hicks is clinical assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Maryland. Alysse Loomis is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Utah. Rupal Parekh is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Connecticut. Jessica Strolin-Goltzman is a professor in the College of Education and Social Services, University of Vermont. Miriam G. Valdovinos is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, University of Denver. Quenette L. Walton is an assistant professor in the College of Social Work, University of Houston. Liliane Windsor is the Associate Dean for Research and associate professor in the School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.