LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky College of Social Work’s Dr. Alison Wetmur has been named a distinguished Future Lead for the Social Work Grand Challenges Futures project, the organization announced. As part of this special 10th anniversary initiative of the Grand Challenges for Social Work, Wetmur is pioneering critical work at the intersection of futures thinking and disability justice.
Wetmur will lead an innovative team of students, practitioners, and faculty through a comprehensive evaluation of the Grand Challenges of Social Work, specifically through a Disability Justice lens, bringing essential perspectives that center on the experiences and expertise of disabled communities.
“My goals with this project are to change the narrative about disabilities in social work and the larger world,” Wetmur shared. “Disability isn’t a “bad word,” and all lives have inherent value and dignity. As social workers, if we shift our lens, we see that our clients have a lot to teach us.”
Identifying as DeafDisabled, Wetmur is leading a team that is also comprised of people with disabilities. Her team will engage in intensive foresight training, develop innovative projects, and contribute to publications that will help shape the future of social work practice and research. Her work will be presented at the 2026 SSWR Conference and contribute to a shared edited volume on the future of the Grand Challenges for Social Work.
This work represents the cutting edge of “anticipatory social work,” using foresight-based tools and practice. Dr. Wetmur’s leadership in applying disability justice frameworks to futures thinking exemplifies the project’s commitment to power analysis and community engagement.
In addition to her work at the College of Social Work, Wetmur is also one of the founders of the Social Work Disability Justice League (SWDJL). Wetmur shares the biggest piece of advice when studying social work through a disability justice lens is to remember that it is and ongoing process that requires humility and genuine engagement with the disability community.