About

I began Teaching and Learning in Social Work in 2013 as a space to share my teaching practices and to strengthen my own writing. At the time, I was working at a public, liberal arts college in Alabama as the director of a small undergraduate social work program. Like many faculty teaching in social work programs across the United States, I was moving quickly from one class to the next, constantly developing assignments, locating resources, and striving to offer students meaningful learning experiences.

This blog began with modest goals. I wanted to document what I was doing in the classroom and share ideas that might be useful to others doing similar work. Over time, the site grew to include guest educator posts from colleagues, materials from conference presentations, and reflections on what worked well, and what did not, in my teaching. I also came to see the blog as a practical archive for slides, handouts, and assignments that could be adapted and reused by educators. Today, the purpose of Teaching and Learning in Social Work is to document and reflect on my work with social work students, educators, and helping professionals. The blog serves as a record of pedagogical approaches, professional insights, evolving ideas, and lessons learned over time. I frequently write about how digital and social technologies can be leveraged thoughtfully in social work education and professional learning. You can review previous blog posts in the following ways:

About Me

I’m a Professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. My early career in social work practice (1998–2004) focused on working with, supervising, and training case managers and social workers. I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and an Associate Certified Coach (ACC). My educational background includes a BA in Psychology (University of Wisconsin–Madison), an MPH (University of Alabama at Birmingham), and an MSW and PhD in Social Work (University of Alabama).

As a social work educator, I work primarily with undergraduate social work students and strongly value the role of generalist-trained social workers in strengthening communities and social service systems. My teaching and scholarship emphasize ethical practice, reflective learning, and preparing students for the realities of contemporary social work.

My scholarly interests include social work education, interprofessional education, high-impact pedagogies (such as service learning, simulation, and study abroad), technology and social work, social welfare history, and public health social work. With more than a decade of practice experience in healthcare and community mental health settings, I remain committed to advancing social work education through innovative, evidence-informed, and technology-enhanced approaches.

I am the author of over 40 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and scholarly works, and regularly present my work at national and international conferences. In 2012, I received the SAGE/CSWE Award for Innovative Teaching for incorporating social media into social work pedagogy. Here is a link to my Google Scholar profile. You can connect with me on LinkedIn.

Before my career in social work, I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal, West Africa (1991-1993), and as an AmeriCorps Volunteer with the Jefferson County Department of Public Health’s Healthy Start Program in Birmingham, AL (1994-1995).

Consulting, Coaching, and Professional Learning

In addition to my academic work, I serve as a consultant, supervisor, and coach, supporting social workers, educators, supervisors, and leaders in the helping professions. My consulting work focuses on helping professionals navigate complexity with clarity, strengthen ethical decision-making, and sustain themselves in demanding roles.

My services include:

  • Coaching for helping professionals
  • Supervision and consultation for social workers and educators
  • Continuing education and professional learning experiences

These services are designed to complement the ideas explored on this blog by offering structured, reflective spaces for professional growth and support. For more information about my consulting and coaching services, please visit my website: https://laureliversonhitchcockconsulting.com/.

Who This Space Is For

This site is intended for:

  • Social workers across practice settings and career stages
  • Educators and field instructors in social work and related disciplines
  • Supervisors, administrators, and organizational leaders
  • Helping professionals interested in reflective, values-based practice

Whether you are teaching, supervising, leading, or reimagining your professional path, this space is designed to support thoughtful engagement with the work we do and how we do it.

Stay Connected

In addition to this blog, I share longer-form reflections, curated resources, and updates through my Substack newsletter. Subscribing is a way to stay connected to ongoing writing, professional insights, and learning opportunities.

You are invited to:

All opinions and thoughts expressed here are my own and do not reflect opinions held by the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

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