Insights From a CSWE Summit for Critical Conversations on Religion, Faith, and Spirituality in Social Work Education

ABSTRACT

The role of religion and spirituality within social work education has varied throughout the profession’s history, with recent research calling for increased attention to this area of diversity. In response, the Council on Social Work Education hosted and sponsored the 2021 Summit for Critical Conversations on Religion, Faith, and Spirituality in Social Work Education and Practice, with each of the coauthors serving as presenters and facilitators. This article presents the Summit’s main insights regarding the history of the profession, explicit and implicit curricula, faculty development, and implications. This article also explains the planning that led up to the summit and subsequent related activity. The authors provide suggestions and resources to support social work faculty in teaching about religion and spirituality.

Acknowledgment

The authors thank the Council on Social Work Education for their funding of the 2021 Summit for Critical Conversations on Religion, Faith, and Spirituality in Social Work Education and Practice.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2023.2235224

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Edward R. Canda

Edward R. Canda is Professor Emeritus and Coordinator of the Spiritual Diversity Initiative at the School of Social Welfare, the University of Kansas.

Holly K. Oxhandler

Holly K. Oxhandler is Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development and Associate Professor at the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, Baylor University.

Altaf Husain

Altaf Husain is Associate Professor at the School of Social Work, Howard University.

Edward C. Polson

Edward C. Polson is Associate Professor at the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, Baylor University.

Terry A. Wolfer

Terry A. Wolfer is Professor and Interim Associate Dean for Curriculum at the College of Social Work, University of South Carolina.

Michael J. Sheridan

Michael J. Sheridan is Consultant for Diversity and Wellness Programs at the National Institutes of Health.

Jeanna Jacobsen

Jeanna Jacobsen is Contributing Faculty at Walden University.

Kimberly Hardy

Kimberly Hardy is Associate Professor at the School of Social Work, Fayetteville State University.