Politics shapes everything we do as social workers and citizens. Political decisions made at the federal, state, and local levels determine what kind of world we live in and touch every aspect of our daily lives, including education, health care, criminal justice, mental health services, environment, trash – everything.
Yet, it can also feel overwhelming and intimidating.
The Campaign School for Social Workers, hosted by the University of Connecticut Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work, is a two-day workshop for anyone who wants to be more politically knowledgeable and active as a candidate, staff member, nonprofit leader, volunteer, and/or advocate for social change. Attendees learn from political social workers and national experts why we all belong in politics, how to use the NASW Code of Ethics as a guide, and how supporting a more inclusive democracy is central to social work’s mission, impact, and a more just society.
Topics include inner workings of electoral campaigns; raising money and building political power; building networks and coalitions; navigating power, ethical conflicts, and differences; supporting diverse representation; creating messaging that mobilizes; and more!
Now in its 31st year, the Campaign School for Social Workers has a strong network of over 3,000 alumni from across the country and world, many of whom have gone on to serve as elected officials, leaders, advocates, and organizers.
The Campaign School is held annually in Hartford, Connecticut and is coordinated by Shannon Lane ’09 Ph.D. (SSW), director of the Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work, professor-in-residence at the UConn School of Social Work.
The next Campaign School will be held in March 2027. Check back for details.
The 2026 Campaign School for Social Workers was held Feb. 27 and 28 at the University of Connecticut School of Law in Hartford, Connecticut. Check out the story in UConn Today, Dr. Charles Lewis Jr’s blog, and the online photo gallery.
“Through the Campaign School, we teach social workers how to be leaders within our political systems and how to change those systems to make them more just. Participants leave the School with the skills to determine their first steps toward political and community engagement.” — Campaign School Coordinator Shannon Lane ’09 Ph.D. (SSW), director of the Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work, professor-in-residence
“UConn was my top school because of the Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work. I was an MSW student at the University of New England. By chance I learned about their Campaign School through an independent study I was doing. I attended as part of my independent study and it was completely life-changing. That was the first time I was taught about the importance of social workers and their clients being involved in political decisions. That really changed my career path.” — Former Campaign School Attendee Dr. Jenna Powers ’23 Ph.D. (SSW)
“When people hear ‘political,’ they sometimes tense up. They imagine partisanship, campaigns, elections. But political social work is about understanding that the conditions shaping people’s lives — housing, healthcare access, education, immigration policy, maternal health outcomes, insurance coverage — are shaped by systems, and systems are shaped by policy. If you work with people, you are already doing political work.” — Former Campaign School Attendee and Panelist Ayesha Clarke ’06, MSW ’18 (SSW), LMSW, MPH