Contact My SSW Intranet

Main menu

Justin D. Hodge

Clinical Associate Professor of Social Work

Justin D. Hodge

Justin Hodge is a Clinical Associate Professor of Social Work at the University of Michigan. He is the co-lead for the Policy & Political Social Work Pathway and the director of the Online Certificate in Political Social Work. Hodge is committed to increasing the presence of social workers in policy and political spaces. He teaches courses that provide students with the tools to engage in politics and approach policy work from a social justice perspective.

Hodge was elected to the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners in November 2020. As a county commissioner, he brings his social work perspective to addressing the most pressing problems facing Washtenaw County. Hodge has a particular focus on addressing inequities in the county and promoting economic opportunity. In 2021, Hodge was appointed by Governor Whitmer to the Commission on Community Action & Economic Opportunity, where he is able to lend his expertise at the state level.

Nationally, Hodge serves as board president of the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy, which works to expand the participation of social workers in federal legislative and policy processes. He is also a founding board member of the Social Work Democracy Project, a charitable organization focused on providing resources to Schools of Social Work to advance knowledge of government and democracy.

Hodge is dedicated to mental health and public health on both a policy and individual level. He has provided therapy to children and families, case management to individuals with developmental disabilities and has coordinated clinics for children in crisis. By leveraging his experiences as both a clinical and macro social work practitioner, Hodge aims to bridge the gap between the two for students. He feels strongly that all social workers should be involved in our democracy and works individually with students to help them find how their desired career can align with that.

Research Interests/Focus

Political social work, policy social work, social policy, voting rights, civic engagement, community organizing, community development, mental health, asset development, children’s savings accounts

Education

Year Degree   School
2013 MSW Interpersonal Practice/Community & Social Systems University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
2012 BA Psychology and Asian/Japanese Studies University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Year Description
2024 Tools for Socially Just Policy Analysis (2024, February) Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Meeting
2024 Exploring Professional Opportunities for Black Men in Social Work Panel (2024, February) Johnson C. Smith University
2024 Understanding and Improving the U.S. Healthcare System Lecture (2024, March) University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation
2024 Moving Macro to the Forefront, Election Series Discussions (2024, March) NASW - Michigan Chapter
2024 Faculty Mentor, Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy (2024, March) Social Work Day on the Hill
2024 Keynote Speaker, Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy (2024, March) Student Advocacy Day
2024 Capitol Action Day (2024, March) National Association of Social Workers - Michigan Chapter
2023 Public Policy and Advocacy Engagement Plenary Session (2023, November) NASW, 2023 Environmental Justice Through a Social Work Lens Virtual Forum
2023 Social Workers in Political Environments (2023, October) NASW - Michigan Chapter, 2023 Legislative Education and Advocacy Day
2023 State of Democracy and Social Work Panel January 2023, Society for Social Work and Research 27th Annual Conference Phoenix, AZ, Annual Social Policy Forum
2023 Breaking Down Barriers: The Importance of Firsts Panel February 2023, Washtenaw County Democratic Party, General Membership Meeting
2023 Social Workers on the Frontlines of Democracy Panel March 2023, Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy Washington, D.C. Social Work Day on the Hill
2023 Keynote Speaker March 2023, Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy Washington, D.C. Student Advocacy Day
2023 Community Violence Intervention Panel April 2023, Washtenaw County Democratic Party, General Membership Meeting
2023 "Democracy?!?! Panel (2023, January) Society for Social Work and Research 27th Annual Conference Phoenix, AZ. Annual Social Policy Forum.
2022 Advocacy Session Facilitator March 2022, Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy Washington, D.C. Student Advocacy Day
2022 Social Work Responds to the Election (2022, November) Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis, MO. Open Classroom Initiative.
2022 Govern for America Fellowship Speaker Panel (2022, June) Govern for America Ann Arbor, MI. Govern for America Cohort Graduation.
2022 Hodge, J. (2022, January). Navigating Identity Alumni Panel. LSA Opportunity Hub. Ann Arbor, MI.
2022 Hodge, J. (2022, February). Messaging for Change: The Power of Political Social Work. Social Workers Confronting Racial Injustice Conference. Madison, WI.
2021 The Future of Political Social Work Panel March 2021, Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy Washington, D.C. Social Work Day on the Hill
2021 Hodge, J. (2021, January). NASW M-PACE Post Election Town Hall Panelist. Michigan Political Action for Candidate Election. National Association of Social Workers - Michigan Chapter. Lansing, MI.
2021 Hodge, J. (2021, February). “Defund the Police” as a Campaign Topic. Ann Arbor Democratic Party. Ann Arbor, MI.
2021 Hodge, J. (2021, February). Pursuing Social Justice And Health Equity Through Politics Workshop. Public Health Action Support Team (PHAST). University of Michigan School of Public Health & School of Social Work. Ann Arbor, MI.
2021 Hodge, J. (2021, March). Social Workers in Healthcare Policy Panel. Social Work Healthcare Education and Leadership Scholars (HEALS). NASW & CSWE Social Work HEALS Student Policy Summit. Washington, D.C.
2021 Hodge, J. (2021, March). Social Work and the Future of Democracy Panel Moderator. Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy. Washington, D.C.
2021 Hodge, J. (2021, March). What is Political Social Work Workshop. Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy. Washington, D.C.
2021 Hodge, J. (2021, March). Advocacy Session Facilitator. Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy. Washington, D.C.
2021 Hodge, J. (2021, March). Speaking Truth to Power II - Equitable Vaccine Distribution Panelist. Washtenaw County Democratic Party. Ann Arbor, MI.
2021 Hodge, J. (2021, April). Tools for Socially Just Policy Analysis Presentation. Michigan Environmental Council. Ann Arbor, MI.
2021 Hodge, J. (2021, June). Young Leaders in Public Service. Program in Practical Policy Engagement. University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy. Ann Arbor, MI.
2021 Hodge, J. (2021, October). Opportunity For All - Using Policy to Promote Equity. 2020 Virtual Legislative Education and Advocacy Day. National Organization of Social Workers, Michigan Chapter. Lansing, MI.
2021 Hodge, J. (2021, December). Social Work, Health Equity and Civic Health Engagement. Health Equity Speaker Series Lecture. Boston University Center for Innovation in Social Work & Health's and Vot-ER. Boston, MA.
2020 Hodge, J. (2020, January). The Ongoing Story of Voter Suppression. Voter Suppression 2020 – Old Idea, New Tactics. Washtenaw County Democratic Party. Ann Arbor, MI.
2020 Hodge, J. (2020, February). Discussion Leader. Policy for the People. University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy. Ann Arbor, MI.
2020 Hodge, J. (2020, March). Voting Rights, Voter Suppression, & Taking Action. Association of Black Social Workers - Political Plate Conference. University of Michigan School of Social Work. Ann Arbor, MI.
2020 Hodge, J. (2020, March). Facilitator & Breakout Session Leader. Campaign School for Social Workers. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work. Lansing, MI.
2020 Hodge, J. (2020, March). Inside the Studio Panelist. Campaign School for Social Workers. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work. Lansing, MI.
2020 Hodge, J. (2020, June). The American Social Epidemic Of Violence and Racism Panelist. Profound Conversations Series. Muslim Life Planning Institute. Washington, D.C.
2020 Hodge, J. (2020, June). COVID-19, White Supremacy, Community Organizing Panelist. Conversations on COVID-19 Series. University of Michigan School of Social Work. Ann Arbor, MI.
2020 Hodge, J. (2020, June). 22nd Circuit Court Candidate Forum Moderator. Criminal Justice Candidate Forum Series. Her World Initiative. Ann Arbor, MI.
2020 Hodge, J. (2020, October). Get Out the Vote SSW: ENGAGE Debrief Panelist. ENGAGE: Detroit. University of Michigan School of Social Work. Ann Arbor, MI.
2020 Hodge, J. (2020, October). Youth Civic Engagement Guest Presentation. Global Citizenship Course. Boys Town High School. Boys Town, NE.
2020 Hodge, J. (2020, October). The State of Political Social Work in Education and Practice. Office of Development & Alumni Relations - Faculty Spotlight. University of Michigan School of Social Work. Ann Arbor, MI.
2020 Hodge, J. (2020, October). The Other 364 Days. Building Power Against White Supremacy Conference. Ann Arbor, MI.
2020 Hodge, J. (2020, October). Rigged: The Voter Suppression Playbook Watch Party & Discussion. Election 2020 Event Series. University of Michigan School of Social Work. Ann Arbor, MI.
2020 Hodge, J. (2020, October). Civic Responsibility Conversation. Youth Discussion Series. Our House. Ypsilanti, MI.
2020 Hodge, J. (2020, October). Social Work & Political Engagement: The 2020 Election and Beyond. 2020 Virtual Legislative Education and Advocacy Day. National Association of Social Workers - Michigan Chapter. Lansing, MI.
2020 Hodge, J. (2020, November). Post-Election Day Reflection and Discussion: What Now? What’s Next? Election 2020 Event Series. University of Michigan School of Social Work. Ann Arbor, MI.
2020 Hodge, J. (2020, November). ENGAGE + CASC: Racial Equity in Washtenaw County Panelist. ENGAGE: Detroit. University of Michigan School of Social Work. Ann Arbor, MI.
2020 Hodge, J. (2020, December). Child Welfare Career Discussion Panelist. Child Welfare Student Association. University of Michigan School of Social Work. Ann Arbor, MI.
2019 Hodge, J. (2019, March). Breakout Session Leader. Campaign School for Social Workers. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work. Hartford, CT.
2019 Hodge, J. (2019, March). Inside the Studio Panelist. Campaign School for Social Workers. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work. Hartford, CT.
2019 Hodge, J. (2019, March). Faculty Mentor. Social Work Day on the Hill & Student Advocacy Day. Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy. Washington, D.C.
2019 Hodge, J. (2019, April). Panel Facilitator. Democratizing Finance Conference. Ann Arbor, MI.
2019 Hodge, J. (2019, May). Primer in Political Social Work. Building Healthy, Strong Communities Conference. Ann Arbor, MI.
2019 Hodge, J. (2019, July). Facilitator & Breakout Session Leader. Political Boot Camp. Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy. Washington, D.C.
2019 Hodge, J. (2019, July). Getting on the Ballot. Political Boot Camp. Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy. Washington, D.C.
2018 Hodge, J. (2018, March). Faculty Mentor. Capitol Action Day. National Association of Social Workers - Michigan Chapter. Lansing, MI.
2018 Hodge, J. (2018, September). We the People: Advocacy for Inclusive and Anti-Racist Politics Panelist. Unite for Social Change Conference. University of Michigan School of Social Work. Ann Arbor, MI.
2018 Hodge, J. (2018, September). Primer in Political Social Work. Unite for Social Change Conference. University of Michigan School of Social Work. Ann Arbor, MI.
2018 Hodge, J. (2018, October). Advocacy Scholars Discussion. MSW Advocacy Scholars Program. Michigan State University. East Lansing, MI.
2018 Hodge, J. (2018, October). Instructor. Spark Program - Mock Classroom. University of Michigan School of Social Work. Ann Arbor, MI.
2018 Hodge, J. (2018, November). Role of Interpersonal Practice Social Workers in Anti-Racism Work. Building Power: Organizing Effectively Against White Supremacy Conference. Ann Arbor, MI.
2018 Hodge, J. (2018, November). Primer in Political Social Work. Legislative Education & Advocacy Day. National Association of Social Workers - Michigan Chapter. Lansing, MI.

Contact Us Press escape to close