Faculty and Research

Language matters

5/30/25

Complex disorders are often dismissed or misdiagnosed. Better communication can help, UB researchers say.

How climate change may affect addiction recovery

6/3/25

A UB researcher is the first to examine how the climate crisis may affect individuals in recovery.

Learn more

Sperlich, WNY agency win NIH prize

3/18/25

A UB researcher and local nonprofit are helping to improve maternal health outcomes.

Read how

Trauma-Informed Spaces, a new VR experience

5/22/25

Learn how trauma-informed principles can be integrated into a physical setting.

5/20/25 Download for Android, Apple and Meta Quest

previous next

UB School of Social Work faculty are a diverse community of scholars, educators and activists who examine urgent questions around many of society’s greatest challenges. From understanding trauma and treating addiction, to reducing inequality and building healthy futures for our youth, our researchers make critical discoveries that help change the world.

How we’re advancing social progress

Nationwide, researchers and practitioners are coming together through the Grand Challenges for Social Work to harness scientific knowledge and champion progress. Our faculty’s research interests span all 14 Grand Challenges, as they work to end homelessness, harness technology for social good, eliminate racism and much more.

Explore faculty research areas

Find people

Buffalo Center for Social Research

Our Buffalo Center for Social Research (BCSR) facilitates the discovery and advancement of social work knowledge through community partnerships and interdisciplinary research. BCSR helps our faculty and graduate students secure external support for their scholarly, research, teaching and community service activities through grant proposal submissions.

Learn more about BCSR

Research institutes

Behavioral Health Clinic
9/27/23
The Behavioral Health Clinic helps UB translate addictions research into effective treatments for individuals with drinking problems.
Behavioral Health Data Analytics Collaborative
9/25/23
A partnership between UB researchers and Integrity Partners for Behavioral Health, the Behavioral Health Data Analytics Collaborative is a data warehouse that will help researchers study the effectiveness of mental health and substance abuse services.
Immigrant and Refugee Research Institute
9/27/23
Based on human rights perspectives, the members of the IRRI use research as a tool to sustain the dignity of every immigrant and refugee.
Institute for Sustainable Global Engagement
6/21/24
The ISGE promotes and supports global engagement, collaboration and professional action among social work faculty, students, graduates and staff.
Institute on Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care
6/18/25
Through collaborative partnerships and funded research, ITTIC helps organizations and individuals understand the effects of trauma and ensure that service systems do not retraumatize vulnerable populations.
UB/Amrita Social Behavioral Sciences Research Institute
9/11/24
A partnership between UB and Amrita University, the institute supports and conducts joint, interdisciplinary research in the social and behavioral sciences.