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John Edwards is a Visiting Instructor at the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research of ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æÓ°Òô. He received his A.B. from the University of Chicago and attended Howard University School of Law where he graduated cum laude and served on the editorial board of the Howard Law Journal. Upon graduation, he joined the Cook County (IL) State's Attorney's Office where he specialized in matters of child abuse and neglect. John also worked as a staff attorney for Catholic Charities of Chicago. He later enrolled in the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research at ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æÓ°Òô, graduating with the Master's in Social Service degree. John received the Shahbanu Goldberg Award for his service to the School as well as the Patricia Burland Award for Best Clinical Case Essay. He was invited to teach a class in Advocacy and Negotiation at the GSSWSR. John worked for several years at Mazzoni Center where he supervised a SAMHSA funded intervention that provided outreach services and peer support for gay and bisexual men and transgender individuals at high risk of substance abuse and HIV transmission. John was also employed as a case manager and wellness coordinator for Synergy Houses in West Chester, PA. He is a PhD candidate at the GSSWSR. During his time in the doctoral program, he has been the recipient of several honors, including the McPherson Award for Excellence and the L. Diane Bernard Award for LGBT and Human Sexuality Projects. John teaches Foundation Practice, Research Informed Practice, and Power, Privilege and Oppression. He is proud to serve on the Council on Social Work Education’s Council on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression.

Research and Scholarly Interests

John's research interests include the prevention and treatment of HIV and STIs; mood, anxiety, and substance abuse/dependence disorders within LGBTQ communities; Social work education and practicum placements; Social worker training and hiring; Social work and the law.