Research & Impact
The vision of the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work is to equip our graduates for effective service and leadership and to conduct research that addresses both human crises and long-term, complex social issues locally and globally.
Pro Ecclesia. Pro Texana. Pro Mundo.
The Garland School of Social Work is committed to research that provides resources and models:
• for excellence in professional social work practice that contribute to social justice and the well-being of individuals, families and communities.
• that are respectful, faithful and effective for communities of faith and religiously-affiliated organizations.
Research News
More NewsDr. Stephanie Boddie experienced a meaningful and productive visit to Ghana during the Advent season. She began her journey in worship with Rev. and Mrs. Nathan as well as Mrs. Cynthia Dogbe, leaders in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church whose ministry reflects faith in action locally and globally.
How do you take academic research on a subject matter as taboo and sensitive as domestic violence and turn it into a theatrical art piece for the community? Meet Garland School alum Geneece Goertzen, PhD, MDiv, LMSW, who turned her passion for abuse advocacy and research into an award-winning play.
The contributions of graduate students are invaluable to Baylor University. More than 5,000 graduate students research, teach and pursue their own post-graduate degrees in the field of their calling, sowing into the University as they grow through its instruction. Baylor's Graduate School bestows Outstanding Graduate Student Awards annually through a highly competitive process. This includes our own Heather Deal.
Baylor University is well-represented again on a prestigious list compiling the top 2% most-cited researchers in the world. In a database compiled by Stanford University, 43* current or retired Baylor faculty members appear among the top 2% of the most-cited researchers across 22 scientific fields and 174 sub-fields according to the standard Science-Metrix classification. This includes our own Dr. Holly Oxhandler.
Research activities
Through collaborative, community-grounded inquiry, the Garland School of Social Work leads innovative, equity-centered research that informs policy, transforms practice, and strengthens communities.
Focus Areas
Because the field of social work is so broad and can touch everywhere across the lifespan and life experience, research at the Garland School of Social Work does the same. Click the link to learn about research clusters and projects within the GSSW.
Interdisciplinary
From groundbreaking research to transformative action, GSSW's interdisciplinary teams have pioneered evidence-based solutions to humanity's most pressing challenges, creating lasting change in communities across the globe.
Scholarly Activity
GSSW research faculty have produced large amounts of scholarly work over the last 36 months. Click the link below to find research activities such as publications, presentations, books chapters, awards and more.
Center for Church and Community Impact (C3I)
The mission of the Center for Church and Community Impact is to equip congregations to create environments of relational belonging that extend to their surrounding community. When congregations thrive, they become sources of strength and support for individuals, families and communities.
Faculty authors
Our faculty are dedicated researchers who believe in the power of research and study. A number of faculty have authored books, and you can follow the link below to learn more about the work they are passionate about.
Baylor's R1 Priorities
Learn MoreIn 2018, Baylor announced purposeful, holistic plans to establish the University as the preeminent Christian research university and to pursue recognition by the Carnegie Foundation as an R1 university. In just over three years, Baylor achieved that goal, earning R1 recognition as a doctoral institution with "very high research activity." It was reclassified again in 2025.