Advances Vol. 4, No. 1


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Editorial

What is the “Cutting Edge” of Social Work?
James G. Daley

Social Work is a proud, complex profession with a broad, sweeping mandate.
Every time some theorist or academic scholar or street-wise advocate asserts the
“mission” of SocialWork, a flood of alternative interpretations pour in. As schol-

ars are busy building “evidence-based practice models,” post-modern cynics naysay
the premise of science. Advocates of best-practice protocols butt headswith zealots of
the “Social Work is an art” camp. This conflict was raging in 1986 when I earned my
doctorate.Today’s swirl of arguments has a lot in commonwith the fiery debates ofmy
doctoral class. Capturing the essence of SocialWork seems clearly confirmed by each
person’s passion for a cause but seems rarely affirmed by amajority.

There have been clear advances since 1986.There are a growing number of research
centers at schools of social work. Hopefully, there will soon be an NIMH SocialWork
Research Center. There have been myriad studies on the effectiveness of SocialWork
practice. There have been dozens of textbooks on practice, policy, and advocacy.
Various authors have even asserted their own models of Social Work. But have we
made progress? The same arguments are being made that were made in 1986 (and
probably in 1916). We are Science; we are Art. We are a professional service; we are
“save-the-disenfranchised” missionaries.Work within the system; fight the system as
outsiders.

As teachers, we face a fascinating challenge.We teach the professional skills, while
flaming the inner fires of advocacy.We teach strategies for clinical intervention, while
cautioning against blind acceptance of the diagnosis.We teach how to use the DSM,
while discussing the stigma of labeling and the importance of context.We prepare the
next generation of social workers to be professionally prepared for both clinical and
advocacy roles.

The above beef stew of issues sets the stage for my question: what is the “cutting
edge” of SocialWork? As editor, I strive for articles that stimulate the reader and push
the edge of our knowledge. But what cutting edge should I look for?

One argument would be that the best article is the one that systematically builds on
existing research literature and adds a small piece to the slowly emerging theory or
model. Empirical articles with large sample sizes, multi-site locations, and precise
measures that are directly linked to the statistically confirmedmodelwould step to the
front of the line. A series of articles that repeatedly confirm themodel would add cre-
dence that themodel is the cutting edge.

Another argumentwould be that the best article is the bold, newdirection previous-
ly untapped or perhaps even conceived. Such an article puts old ideas or strategies
together in a unique way. The article would shake our paradigms to the core. No data
would be necessary, just clear, thoughtful, provocative ideas.

As you look at this issue, have the authors pushed to the cutting edge? Besthorn and
Saleeby’s fascinating review of and advocacy for biophilia is certainly thought provok-



ing. Collins’ in-depth discussion of the issues that child victims of violence face is
invaluable in bringing the reader up-to-speed on the topic. Both Early, Vonk, and
Kondrat’smulti-cultural practice article andDalton andWright’s empirical exploration
of redundancy in a school of social work give the reader some data-based ideas that
can improve howwe teach students. But are they cutting edge articles?

I would advocate that the articles are cutting edge. My reasoning is simple. Do they
provokenew ideas?Do their findings encourageus to re-evaluatehowwedobusiness?
Do they add to our understanding of an issue, perhaps even prompt us to read more
on that issue? Are they eloquent arguments from authors who are passionate about
their topic? I submit that all of the articles in this issue (and previous issues) meet the
criteria in these questions. Theymake us think. They give us a chance to advance our
skills or viewpoints.

So what is the “cutting edge” of SocialWork?We bump up against it every day. The
cutting edge is the new and stimulating. It might be an evidence-based skill. It might
be a bold new idea. It might be new data that suggests we should change how we do
business. It could be marching together to a state capitol to advocate for change. The
cutting edge is not defined by camp leaders or by excluding people who do not think
the “right” way. For a complex profession, the cutting edge is multi-faceted and
embracing. For SocialWork, the profession that prides itself with being inclusive, the
cutting edge is aplace thatwelcomes science andart, advocate andclinician, thedata-
obsessed, and the dreamer. As editor, I hope the cutting edge is Advances in Social
Work.

So, to the reader I give this simple invitation. Sit back in a comfortable chair and
begin to read this issue. I promise you will be tasting the cutting edge.

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