Human Rights and Methods

Laurel Iverson Hitchcock, PhD, is a Professor and BSSW Program Director in the Department of Social Work at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. With a PhD and MSW from the University of Alabama and an MPH from UAB, she is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and an Associate Certified Coach. Her scholarship focuses on technology-enhanced teaching, high-impact pedagogical practices such as simulations and service learning, and the integration of social media in professional practice. She has published widely, including co-authoring Teaching Social Work with Digital Technology. Dr. Hitchcock’s innovative work earned her the SAGE/CSWE Award for Innovative Teaching in 2012 for incorporating social media into pedagogy. Through her leadership with multidisciplinary research teams and community-based partnerships, she has strengthened the connection between social work education and practice, promoting initiatives that address poverty, health disparities, and digital resilience. A passionate educator and practitioner, Dr. Hitchcock blogs at www.laureliversonhitchcock.org. Earlier in her career, she worked in healthcare and mental health and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal, West Africa.