Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work

Resistance: Mitigating Oppression and Enhancing Social Well-Being Skills and Practice Strategies

In keeping with the mission of the social work profession, this special issue invites manuscripts that advance evidence-informed, anti-oppressive social work (AOP) theory and practice addressing societal inequities. As outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics, social work is committed to enhancing human well-being, meeting basic human needs, and addressing the environmental forces that create and sustain problems in living.

We seek submissions that critically examine and resist systemic oppression, structural abuses of power, and the marginalization of individuals and communities. Manuscripts may also highlight resilience, capacities to overcome discriminatory stress, barriers to resources, and infringements on human rights. Contributions that propose evidence-based AOP strategies and skills, recognizing that personal and political issues are inseparable, are especially encouraged. The AOP perspective emphasizes the multiple systems influencing clients’ lives, from micro to macro levels (Greene et al., 2022, 2023, 2025). Therefore, manuscripts may focus on practice across individual, family, group, organizational, community, and policy contexts.

The Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work invites manuscripts for this special issue that illuminate mechanisms of oppression and discrimination across dimensions including age, class, disability, ethnicity, gender, immigration status, legal status, political ideology, race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, and tribal sovereign status (CSWE, 2022). Social workers are increasingly called upon to address persistent inequities and the growing challenges that affect the safety and well-being of marginalized communities. As challenges continue to emerge across policy, practice, and community settings, there is a clear need for research that advances evidence-informed anti-oppressive practice strategies and supports.