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| Friday, 14 January 2005: 10:00 AM-11:45 AM | |||
| Brickell South (Hyatt Regency Miami) | |||
| LGBT Research and Researchers: Risks and Rewards | |||
| Roundtable/Workshop Submitter(s)s: | Michael LaSala, PhD, School of Social Work James Martin, PhD, Ehrenkranz School of Social Work Elizabeth Cramer, PhD, School of Social Work Larry Icard, PhD, Temple University Karina Walters, PhD, School of Social Work Jeane Anastas, PhD, Ehrenkranz School of Social Work Catherine Crisp, PhD, School of Social Welfare | ||
| Format: | Roundtable | ||
| Abstract Text: The Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers mandates that social workers receive the education necessary for effective practice and policy/planning with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations. However, investigators seeking to develop such knowledge often face stigma, prejudice, and marginalization in schools of social work, universities, communities, and society at-large. Though there is a vital need for continued LGBT research and dedicated new investigators, doctoral students and junior faculty contemplating LGBT-related research projects could be understandably discouraged by the lack of support from their school and university settings and the recent political attacks on National Institute of Health-funded LGBT research projects. Prospective investigators could be further disheartened by societal homophobia, evident in the current public outcry against same-sex marriage and the continuing acts of violence against LGBT persons. Furthermore, researchers of LGBT issues are often the only ones in their institutional settings doing such work, and therefore must battle the obstacles of societal stigma, institutional homophobia and heterocentrism in relative isolation as they search for jobs, apply for funding, disseminate their findings, and pursue tenure and promotion. This roundtable brings together a panel of social work academics of various ranks and experience levels who have successfully completed and published LGBT research findings. The panel will include a dean of a school of social work, a full professor who directs a doctoral program, and three associate professors, one of whom also directs a doctoral program. Each of these senior faculty possess significant experience mentoring investigators doing LGBT research. The panel will also include two junior faculty: one currently applying for tenure and another at the initial stages of her research career. With the assistance of one of the panelists who will serve as moderator, the panel will address the following topics: -Choosing an LGBT research career and the implications of this choice for the job search and tenure. -The benefits and limitations of selecting LGBT as a sole substantive area versus one of several areas as a strategy for job searching, promotion, and tenure. -Criteria for assessing a school and university?s potential support for LGBT research, including ways to assess how the institution is coping with the current political climate. -Myths and realities about available sources of funding. -Disseminating research findings; determining your targeted audience, choosing journals, etc. -Seeking technical, financial, and personal support within and outside of the school and university. In addition, this roundtable will focus on specific, personal considerations such as: -Deciding whether or not to be "out" during the interview process. -How to manage being "the only one" in a school or department of social work. -The implications of doing LGBT research as a non-LGBT researcher During the hour and 45-minute session, the panelists will respond to the moderator's questions, and then audience questions. As a result of this roundtable, participants will have a better understanding of the potential rewards and pitfalls of an LGBT research career. Attendees will also gain skills in identifying, avoiding, minimizing, and overcoming these potential obstacles. | |||
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