Spencer and Salas-Wright Inducted as Society for Social Work and Research Fellows

The Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) recently named BU School of Social Work faculty members Renée Spencer and Christopher Salas-Wright SSWR Fellows of 2020, a recognition of their contributions to scientific social work research and dedication to SSWR’s mission. Spencer and Salas-Wright will maintain the honorary designation throughout the duration of their SSWR membership.

Renée Spencer, professor and interim associate dean for research at BUSSW, has been a faculty member at the School since 2002 and previously served as chair of the Human Behavior Department. Currently, Spencer’s research focuses on identifying processes that promote positive youth mentoring relationships. Spencer is the author of more than 70 publications, including articles in peer-reviewed journals such as Journal of Adolescent Research, Children and Youth Services Review, and Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.

Christopher Salas-Wright is an associate professor and chair of human behavior at BUSSW, where he researches cultural stress and resilience among immigrants and the prevention of alcohol and other drug misuse among adolescents. Salas-Wright has contributed to more than 150 publications and is assistant editor for the International Journal of Intercultural Relations and an editorial board member of the Journal of Youth and Adolescence and The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, among others. Salas-Wright’s research and commentary have appeared in numerous television and print sources, including ABC, NBC, and CBS News, CNN and USA Today.

The new class of Fellows was celebrated during the Annual Awards Presentation at SSWR’s Annual Conference in Washington DC in January.