Why Choose Social Work?

Gain knowledge and experience in how to help individuals, families and communities, and promote policy to provide a better environment in which to live. The School of Social Work's vision is a commitment to building a socially just society, defined as one that upholds and validates the values of equality, diversity, inclusiveness, democracy and concern for human welfare. We manifest and advance curricula, scholarship and school culture that are congruent with those values. Learn more about the profession of Social Work.

Read more about some of Social Work's graduands and the important work they have been doing.

School of Social Work Anti-Black Racism Statement

The Dalhousie University School of Social Work recognizes the historical and contemporary role social work, as a profession and as an educational entity, has played in the oppression and marginalization of people of African Descent. We stand against anti-Black racism in all its manifestations. We acknowledge and take responsibility for the intergenerational trauma and institutional racism we have participated in and perpetuated, such as the removal and institutionalization of African Nova Scotian children. We seek to build and repair relationships with African Nova Scotia communities. As a way to address these harms, as a School we are committed to ongoing processes of decolonization, reparations and anti-racism work aimed at redressing burdens of colonialisms and slavery. Our commitment also means denouncing police, state, and structural violence toward people of African Descent and aligning with and supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.
Download the statement.

School of Social Work Indigenous Statement

Mourning the Children

At the School of Social Work we share in the grief and join with the country in mourning the beloved children recently discovered buried in unmarked  graves at the site of the Kamloops Residential School. 

We stand with Indigenous colleagues, students, and communities through this horrendous time. Our profession must continue to grapple with the complexities of our role in the harms of residential schools and contemporary child welfare practices with Indigenous peoples. As a School, we are committed to the work necessary to educate social workers to be able to work in relationship with Indigenous peoples and build a profession that is accountable to our historic and contemporary wrongdoing.  

We continue to take guidance from the advocacy of the First Nations Caring Society and their calls to concrete action that we can advance as citizens and as representatives of the profession (fncaringsociety.com). 

Statement Regarding Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The School of Social Work calls for an “Immediate” ceasefire and an end to violence in the Israel-Palestine political crisis. We condemn the violence committed by Hamas and mourn the tragic loss of life among the citizens of Israel following the October 7 attack on Israeli citizens.

We equally mourn the tragic loss of life in Gaza, a region where 50% of the population is comprised of children and whereas 70% of casualties have been comprised of women, children and the elderly.

We also oppose blocking access to fuel, electricity, water and food to people in Palestine, which will result in lack of access to medical aid.

We also oppose the evacuation order of 1 million Palestinians from northern Gaza, within the context where Israel does not recognize their right to return. We join with the UN's call for a humanitarian pause in the war on Gaza.

As a School of Social Work we join in condemning both Antisemitism and Anti-Palestinian racism.

We also join with others to recognize the need for ongoing critical analysis of the social, political, and historic complexity in the region that includes decades-long occupation of Palestine and the deprivation of people from the land.  

We join with all Israelis and Palestinians who are calling for peace.

Faculty & Research

Our professors engage and challenge students to develop their skills, emphasizing social policy, professional values, theoretical perspectives, and practice methods. Learn more about our faculty and their research specializations.

 

Celebrating the extraordinary life and career of Joan Gilroy

School of Social Work colleagues share their reflections on a true trailblazer.

The School of Social work was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Joan Gilroy, a beloved colleague, mentor and leader. Joan was the first female Director of the Maritime School of Social Work (1990-1996) and a true trailblazer for feminist social work locally and nationally.

Read reflections on Joan’s life and career and the impact she had on Dalhousie, her colleagues and the field of social work here.

Read Joan’s obituary here.

 

Remembering Dr. Joan Glode

The School of Social Work is saddened by the loss of Dr. Joan Glode. Joan was a Mi'kmaq social worker who enacted the values of our profession in everything she did.  She leaves a tremendous legacy of justice work that we will carry into future generations of social work. Read "Remembering Joan Glode"; View Obituary

 

Contact

The School of Social Work is located on the third floor of the Mona Campbell Building which is situated on the corner of Coburg Road and LeMarchant Street.



Mailing address:

School of Social Work

Dalhousie University

1459 LeMarchant Street, Suite 3201
PO Box 15000

Halifax, NS  B3H 4R2
Canada
Courier address:

School of Social Work

Dalhousie University

1459 LeMarchant Street, Suite 3201
Halifax, NS  B3H 4R2
Canada
Main Office: 902-494-3760

Fax: (902) 494-6709

General inquiries: social.work@dal.ca