Grounded in black feminist theory, intersectionality focuses on multiple interacting systems of power and oppression that simultaneously privilege some and disadvantage others along multiple social positionalities (culturally defined status categories). Intersectionality epistemologies and methodologies are powerful conceptual and analytical tools within academia and in public discourse and activism. Some scholars and activists have expanded earlier emphases on race and gender (and often economic class) to other foci of oppression (for example, queerness, dis/ability) and to attend to critical justice goals and how privilege operates. Complexity and power are core principles within intersectionality frameworks.
Since the initial deployment of intersectionality, some scholars and activists have become concerned that its applications have evolved to focus on the multiplicity of “identities” rather than interacting forces of power and injustice and their consequences. Carastathis argues that a focus on identities alone would not only conceal but also reproduce precisely those very forces of power and injustice that intersectionality was intended to illuminate and change. Dill and Kohlman call for a more robust, grounded, and “strong” theorizing and implementation of intersectionality that locates positionalities within a network of relationships, structures, cultural constructions, social processes, and other systems of inequality. Crenshaw, who is widely credited with the first use of the term “intersectionality,” proposes another important domain: the “political.” This focuses on efforts designed to create change toward justice, and remedies for injustice, both of which are important goals for social work.
This special issue seeks submissions focused on (a) applying and theorizing core components of “strong” intersectionality in social work research and (b) demonstrating the application of research using intersectionality frameworks and methods, within different social justice arenas or social work practice areas. Contributions with global perspectives are welcome as are systematic reviews on intersectionality in social work practice or education.
Manuscripts are due January 31, 2020. Social Work Research encourages submission of full-length articles (maximum of 28 pages) and research notes (12 pages). Many methodologies will be considered (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method studies; policy analyses; meta-analyses and systematic reviews). To prepare your manuscript in proper format for submission, see Information for Authors: Social Work Research. Please submit manuscripts through the online submission portal (initial, onetime registration is required) and indicate that your submission is intended for the Intersectionality in Social Work Research special issue.
The guest editors will review initially for suitability for the special issue. Then papers will be sent out for peer review (double-blind), per the journal's guidelines. Those receiving favorable reviews will be invited to go through the next phases of the review process. Since only a limited number of articles can be accepted for this special issue, those reviewed positively but not accepted for the special issue will be considered for another issue of the journal.