Social Work Annual Symposium
Since 2012, the School of Social Work has hosted an annual Symposium, offering continuing education to local social work professionals, and collaborating on ideas to address issues unique to the Mid-South region.
Save the Date: April 17, 2026! Steadfast Service: Navigating Change with Integrity
The School of Social Work at the University of Memphis warmly invites you to attend the 14th Social Work Symposium: Steadfast Service: Navigating Change with Integrity. Connect with your colleagues while gaining valuable information for practice and continuing education credits! The symposium will take place on Friday, April 17, 2026 in the University Center at the University of Memphis. Paid registrations include six (6) Social Work CEU’s, (ethics available throughout the day), coffee breaks, lunch, & parking. Our CEU offerings for the Symposium will also include a 1 hour training on Rules and Regulations of the Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure, required for all TN-licensed social workers.
Registration will open in the spring.
Call for Abstracts
The School of Social Work at the University of Memphis invites practitioners, doctoral students, and scholars at all levels in social work or related disciplines to submit abstracts for presentation during the symposium. Since its inception, social work as a profession has endeavored to empower the powerless and to confront oppression. Social work values and ethics are at the core of the profession and now more than ever it is important that we adhere to them and practice with integrity. As a result, priority will be given to presentations that highlight the role of social work in addressing and overcoming the challenges society faces in 2025 and beyond. Submission Guidelines: Presentation title; 500-word abstract; 50-word overview of abstract (for printing); three learning objectives (max. 20 words each); author bio (max. 30 words per author, up to 4 authors). Deadline for submission is January 11, 2026. Authors will be notified by January 31, 2026. Submit your abstract here. Click the "Call for Abstracts" heading for a shareable flyer.
Symposium Sponsorship Opportunities
Please contact Dr. Robin Lennon-Dearing for details and sponsorship submissions. rlnnndrn@memphis.edu
Student Poster Submissions
The School of Social Work at the University of Memphis invites students at the baccalaureate or masters levels in social work and related disciplines to submit abstracts for poster presentations at the symposium. These posters can showcase research and/or policy work. This session is NOT appropriate for doctoral students; doctoral students are encouraged to prepare and submit full presentations for the Symposium. Submission Guidelines: Students may submit abstracts in teams or individually. Abstracts must include the name of the faculty advisor and a list of all student presenters with university affiliation and email address. Abstracts must contain no more than 50 words. Deadline for submission is March 15, 2026. All properly submitted student poster proposals will be accepted for the Student Poster competition to allow students to make travel plans early. Students must register for the Symposium, at a discounted rate, and bring their printed posters on 36”x48” paper format and have a sturdy background (tri-fold board) to prop their poster up on provided stands. Student posters will be judged at the symposium and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places will be awarded. Submit your abstract here. Click the "Student Poster Submissions" heading for a shareable flyer.
Questions?
For questions, please contact Dr. Elena Delavega mdlavega@memphis.edu
Symposium Committee: Dr. Elena Delavega; Dr. Robin Lennon-Dearing; Prof. Maggie Landry