Meredith Slopen, PhD, MSW, Receives the Upjohn Institute Early Career Research Award

We are proud to celebrate Meredith Slopen, PhD, MSW, assistant professor, for being awarded the prestigious Early Career Research Award from the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. Dr. Slopen is one of 10 researchers selected from around the world to receive awards worth $7,500 each.

Slopen’s project, “Can New Paid Sick Leave Laws Reach Excluded Workers and Support Older Workers to Stay Employed, Economically Secure, and Meet Retirement Goals?”, examines how job security and workplace flexibility serve as critical components of job quality — particularly for individuals navigating health and caregiving challenges.

Her research highlights the importance of policies that strengthen workforce attachment, especially in light of newly passed work requirements impacting adults over age 55.

The Upjohn Institute’s 2026 Early Career Research Awards support innovative scholars investigating key workforce and policy issues, including paid leave and access to employment opportunities.

Read the full project description here.

View the full award announcement here.

Adjunct Faculty Spotlight

This semester, we are excited to highlight our outstanding adjunct faculty who play an essential role in the School of Social Welfare community. Through this series, we will celebrate their expertise, dedication to teaching, and meaningful contributions to student learning and professional development.

We look forward to sharing their stories and recognizing the vital impact they have

on SSW!

Shelly Cohen, PhD

Area of Specialization: Evaluation of criminal justice programs.

Past research and evaluation: Psychiatric epidemiology and adolescent behavior (Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook University); senior research specialist: evaluation of educational settings, substance abuse treatment programs, statewide evaluations of juvenile treatment courts, veterans treatment courts, Child Welfare Training Program, School of Social Welfare.

How you spend time when not teaching: "Spending time with grandchildren; playing with and observing behavior of my three cats: working with problem-solving courts and participating in treatment court trainings and conferences."

Favorite part of being in the classroom: "Inspiring students to think critically about their practice and knowledge."

Words of wisdom for students: "You are being trained to enter a profession in which you can change lives, agencies, and/or social policy. Take advantage of everything the faculty has to offer, focusing on what you need to know to be the best professional you can be, and not on ‘what you need to know to get good grades.’

Education:

BA—Brooklyn College

MA—Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University

D.Phil.—Department of Zoology, Animal Behaviour Research Group, Oxford University

Photo caption: Dr. Cohen and her cat Whiskey

APPLY NOW!

CSWE MSW Minority Fellowship Program

The Council on Social Work Education Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) Master's Fellowship is designed to improve behavioral health care outcomes for all by providing professional development and training opportunities for the behavioral health workforce.

The master’s MFP is a program designed to enhance the training of full-time, master ’s-level social work students in their final year of study at a CSWE-accredited institution who are passionate about providing mental health and/or substance use disorder services.

Applicants must identify mental health and/or substance use disorder service delivery as their focus and be committed to seeking employment in mental health and/or substance use disorder services or prevention immediately after graduation, for at least 2 years.

Application submission will remain open through May 11, at 11:59 PM (ET). To assist you with the application process, the MFP Team has prepared a Frequently Asked Questions document, an Application Guidebook, and an informative video detailing program goals and offerings.

Applicants can participate in an online interactive question-and-answer session designed to provide details about the program and application process, taking place on April 6, 2026, from 3 PM - 4 PM (EST). Register here. 

Autism Acceptance Month Panel Presentation by Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)

Thursday, April 16, 4 to 5:30 pm (ET)

April is Autism Acceptance Month, but we know that acceptance is an action that happens all year. It is important to talk about and debunk misinformation with truth — what better way than by talking with other autistic people! Join this panel by and for autistic people during Autism Acceptance Month.

In this webinar, there will be a discussion of autistic people’s experiences and the rise of autism misinformation. This webinar is open to everyone; self-advocates and allies are encouraged to attend!



The webinar will be on Zoom and will have CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation). If you have any questions or would like to request additional accommodations such as ASL interpretation, please email dstrauss@autisticadvocacy.org 



REGISTER HERE

Reimagining the Economics of Late Life Institutions, Systems, and Investments

Friday, May 1, 9 to 5 pm EST

The New School Wolff Conference Room, 6 East 16th Street, NYC

or Zoom Webinar (details to follow registration)

The Wealth Equity Lab at The New School and the CUNY Institute for Demographic Research (CIDR) invite scholars, policymakers, and the public to Reimagining the Economics of Late Life: Institutions, Systems, and Investments, a conference that challenges prevailing assumptions about economic value, longevity, and care. 

Featured presenter: Meredith Slopen, MSW, Assistant Professor

How Systems and Institutions Are Failing Older Adults

The economic rationale underlying many existing systems can often create conditions that negatively impact older adults. This panel presents research that discusses how older adults are affected by institutions that fail to account for their values or needs. 

For more information and to register, click here.

Job Opportunity for current student:

Multimedia Video Producer (Student Assistant)

A multimedia video producer is needed for a research project focused on transgender youth rights. The project aims to produce narrative-driven public-service-announcement style videos that advocate for gender-affirming healthcare access and inclusive sports participation.

This role is ideal for a Communications, Journalism, or Film student interested in advocacy-based storytelling and social justice research or any SBU student with video experience who has an interest in social justice. You will capture a "journey story" between a transgender youth and their parents, translating lived experiences into compelling visual media.

How to Apply:

Submit your resume and a link to your portfolio or a sample of your best narrative work via Handshake. In your cover letter, briefly describe your experience (or comfort level) in directing non-professional actors and youth in a sensitive, respectful manner.