Interview with Dr. Joan Zlotnik

Dr. Joan Zlotnik has focused on strengthening the bridges between research, practice, policy and education. She worked for three national social work organizations between 1987 and 2018. From 2009 to 2015 she  directed NASW’s Social Work Policy Institute, and served as the executive director of the Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research from 2000 to 2009.

Dr. Zlotnik is an internationally recognized expert and author of numerous publications. Her expertise has been sought by government agencies and think tanks and she has led several foundation-funded projects. Dr. Zlotnik is an NASW Social Work Pioneer® and was the 2012 alumni of the year for the University of Maryland School of Social Work. She currently is a consultant on developing and maintaining strategic partnerships.

I have known of Dr. Zlotnik and her policy work with NASW for many years, so I was thrilled to meet her at the 2024 NASW National Conference in Washington DC, where she attended my panel presentation on political social work!  I had to invite her to be on the podcast.