School of Social Work faculty ranked third in the nation for publication productivity

By Mike Porter

Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Social Work has been ranked third in the nation in a new review of faculty publication productivity.

The Journal of Social Service Research evaluated the number of times social work faculty nationwide were cited in six major social work journals between 1999 and 2003. 

VCU School of Social Work faculty members were cited 37 times in “Journal of Social Service Research,” “Social Work,” “Social Service Review,” “Journal of Social Work Education,” “Child Welfare” and “Families in Society.”

“These are consistently considered the premier journals in the field. What is not considered in this productivity ranking is the number of textbooks written,” said Frank R. Baskind, Ph.D., dean of the School of Social Work. “The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work faculty write the texts used throughout the country.”

VCU’s School of Social Work has consistently scored well in earlier publication productivity evaluations conducted over five year periods since 1979, ranking 13th in the period from 1979-1983, 4th in the period from 1984-1988, 7th in the period from 1989-1993 and 3rd in the period from 1994-1998.

“Our faculty take scholarship responsibilities very seriously and translate these experiences and new knowledge into the class and field learning experiences. The faculty are the best in social work education,” Baskind said.