Evaluating the Impact of an Anti‑Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI)–Centered Dsw Curriculum through a Critical Race Theory Lens

Background: Schools of social work are increasingly embedding Anti‑racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) principles into advanced practice education, yet little empirical evidence exists regarding the effectiveness of these curricular efforts—particularly within Doctor of Social Work (DSW) programs (Fairfax et al., 2023; Young et al., 2021). This workshop presents a mixed‑methods study designed to evaluate how an ADEI‑centered DSW curriculum shapes students’ knowledge, values, and practice behaviors related to anti‑racist leadership and social justice–oriented clinical and organizational practice.

Guided by Critical Race Theory (CRT), the study examines how students understand and apply ADEI concepts within their professional roles. CRT’s core tenets—racism as an ordinary structural force, the alignment of racial progress with dominant interests, the social construction and shifting meaning of race, the intersectional nature of oppression, and the centrality of experiential knowledge—provide the analytic framework for assessing how students interpret and operationalize ADEI principles (Daftary, 2018). This lens also illuminates how race and power shape developmental trajectories, particularly for Black and Afro‑Latinx communities, and how DSW students integrate these insights into practice and leadership.

Methods: Data collection includes an open‑ended demographic questionnaire and a survey with qualitative and quantitative components to capture students’ evolving competencies, perceived preparedness, and examples of ADEI‑informed decision‑making. Preliminary findings are being analyzed.

Conclusions and Implications: Workshop participants will engage with preliminary findings, discuss implications for curriculum design, and explore strategies for strengthening ADEI integration in doctoral‑level social work education. The session aims to advance the evidence base on ADEI pedagogy and support programs in preparing practitioners and leaders capable of confronting racism and promoting equity across social work settings.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Identify key components of an ADEI‑centered DSW curriculum and articulate how these elements are intended to influence students’ knowledge, values, and professional behaviors.
2. Explain how Critical Race Theory (CRT) provides an analytic framework for evaluating ADEI‑related learning outcomes, including how racism, power, and intersectionality shape social work practice and leadership.
3. Assess the strengths and limitations of mixed‑methods approaches—including open‑ended demographic tools and qualitative survey items—for measuring ADEI‑related competency development in doctoral‑level social work students.
4. Interpret preliminary findings from the study to understand how DSW students apply ADEI and CRT principles in practice, leadership, and decision‑making.
5. Develop strategies for enhancing ADEI integration in advanced social work education, informed by evidence from the study and participant discussion.

Selected References

Daftary, A. (2018). Critical race theory: An effective framework for social work research. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 29(6), 439–454. https://doi-org.adelphi.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/15313204.2018.1534223

Fairfax C. N., Rountree M., Murray-Lichtman A., Moore R. M., et al. (2023). Lessons learned from the CSWE task force to advance anti-racism in the social work EPAS: Praxis in a racially volatile society. Advances in Social Work, 23(2), 262–277

Young, I. M., Halvorson-Bourgeois, B., Maxwell, L., Nicholas, M., & Riotte, M. (2021). Anti-Oppressive Practice: An Integral Component of a Graduate Curriculum. Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders, 5(3). https://doi.org/10.30707/TLCSD5.3.1649037688.643095