Epistemic Injustice and Resistance in Social Work: Rethinking Social Justice in Practice, Education, and Research

This book explores epistemic injustice in various aspects of social work practice, research, and education, and how those in the field can address issues of power, oppression, and institutionalized prejudice.

This edited volume invites social work scholars, educators, practitioners, and students to deeply engage in the conversation about social justice and human rights on epistemic grounds. It begins with a simple but profound question: Whose knowledge counts, and whose voices are silenced? Bridging the gap between theory and practice, this book contextualizes epistemic injustice concepts such as testimonial, hermeneutical, and contributory justice across diverse social work settings to help readers better recognize when and how these concepts manifest in the profession and how to address them from an epistemic justice lens. The chapters span a range of issues relevant to the field, including health and mental health, transformative social work, and the inclusion of systemically marginalized voices in practice and research such as LGBTQIA+, disabled communities, and street-involved. Contributors draw on their first-hand experience teaching social work students and practicing and researching with culturally diverse communities across settings. Each chapter invites readers to consider and reimagine ways of resisting epistemic injustice in their work and how social workers can join in collective resistance in the epistemic domains of the profession.

With case studies and practical examples throughout, this book is essential for social work students, educators, researchers, and practitioners of all levels. This guide serves both as a mirror to reflect the challenges within the profession and as a roadmap to chart pathways toward a more just, inclusive, and epistemically responsible field.

Eunjung Lee, PhD, MSW, RSW, is Professor and Endowed Chair in Mental Health & Health at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Canada.

Andrea Greenblatt, PhD, MSW, is Assistant Director at Ontario SPOR Support Unit, Toronto, Canada.

Ran Hu, PhD, MSW, MA, is Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University College of Social Work, USA.