News: social issues

The September 4 issue of Nature, the world’s leading multidisciplinary science journal, features the work of associate professor Desmond U….

By Irv Garfinkel, Interim Dean We live in troubled times. As we cope, it is useful to keep in mind…

Firearm-related violence is up in major American cities in 2016. While we may not be facing the apocalypse Republican presidential…

Three of our professors have embarked on an ambitious study of an elusive widespread social condition: urban poverty. Columbia Magazine has the story.

Professor Vicki Lens converses with Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Harry Gantz, who was the keynote speaker at this year’s Capstone Workshop. He and his brother, Joe, created the documentary “American Winter,” which tells the stories of eight middle class families in Portland, Oregon, who were hit hard after the economic downturn of 2007.

Lilliam Barrios-Paoli was the graduation speaker for the School of Social Work’s Class of 2014. She serves as Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services under NYC Mayor Bill DeBlasio. We have posted the full text of her address. Congratulations, 2014 graduates!

The first findings have been released from the CPRC-Robin Hood survey of New York City families, showing that poverty and hardship are worse than official estimates indicate–findings that may also help inform the national debate over how best to help the poor.

A new study led by researchers at our School is making waves in Washington because of its findings on the importance of government transfers in keeping Americans out of poverty.

A new study has found that the decline in consumer confidence beginning in 2007 is associated with a six-fold increase in the chances that mothers will hit their children frequently (on about at least a monthly basis). Compton Foundation Centennial Professor Jane Waldfogel is a co-author, along with doctoral candidate William Schneider.

We offer a collection of tributes and reflections on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, from several members of the Columbia School of Social Work community—some of whom were there!