Call for Recent BUSSW Alums to Join Online Focus Group on Ethics Education

The BUSSW Ethics Evaluation Project (BEEP) team is asking alumni who have taken the School’s ethics course within the last seven years to participate in an online focus group evaluating the current state of ethics education at BUSSW.

Read Clinical Professor Emerita Betty J. Ruth’s message to alumni below, then fill out this form to join a focus group.

April 1, 2021

Dear BUSSW Alumni:

I hope this email finds you well and here’s to spring 2021!

I’m writing to enlist your participation in an online focus group related to ethics education at Boston University School of Social Work. The BUSSW Ethics Evaluation Project (BEEP) evolved out of conversations between myself, Dean Delva, and the current coordinator of the course, Associate Clinical Professor Mark Gianino.

The purpose of BEEP is to reflect upon the current state of BUSSW ethics education and to identify ways of improving this critical area, particularly in light of the larger societal trends that are impacting the social work profession. During January to June 2021, BEEP is looking broadly at the literature, speaking with key informants, benchmarking our educational efforts against other schools of social work, and listening to our ethics faculty and alumni through focus groups. The resulting deliverable will be a summary report, with recommendations to the dean and school at the end of June. Professor Gianino will conduct further follow-up in fall 2021.

We need your help!

We are planning two 90-minute focus groups to hear from alumni in late April and May, with dates still to be determined. They will be held online, and will be facilitated by Kristina Whiton O’Brien, a seasoned ethics educator and Assistant Director of BUSSW Online Program Advising and Field Education.

If you have taken the course within the past seven years, and would like to participate in our groups, please click the following link to register: BEEP Alumni Focus Group Interest Form

As a token of our appreciation for your time, we will offer a $50 Visa gift card to all participants.

Thanks so much for your consideration.

Betty J. Ruth

Clinical Professor Emerita

Boston University School of Social Work