Brief proposals due 1 September 2026
Dr A.R. Wootton and Dr Augustus Klein are compiling an edited book in response to Routledge’s call for new titles in its Gender, Sexuality, and Social Work series, with the support of lead series editor Dr Panagiotis Pentaris.
The series explores the changing and dynamic intersections of gender, sexuality and social work, providing a space to interrogate and re-present social work practice, policy, research and pedagogy. From queer theory to trans-inclusive practice, the series foregrounds voices marginalised within social work and considers how the profession can evolve into a more inclusive and affirming field.
About the book
Anti-Oppressive Social Work with LGBTQ+ People: Tools for Ethical and Effective Direct Practice is an edited volume designed to support social work students and practitioners in delivering ethical, affirming and justice-oriented services with LGBTQ+ clients.
Although LGBTQ+ populations are increasingly visible within social work practice settings, many practitioners receive limited preparation for addressing the complex intersections of sexuality, gender identity, race, class, disability, immigration status and institutional power that shape client experiences and service delivery.
This book aims to fill a critical gap by integrating anti-oppressive social work frameworks with practical tools for direct practice across the full helping process, from outreach and engagement through assessment, intervention, evaluation and termination.
Contributors will provide concrete strategies grounded in power analysis, intersectional and queer-informed perspectives, and social work ethics. Chapters will also include case examples, sample dialogue and discussion questions designed for classroom use.
By emphasising applied skills, critical reflexivity and structural awareness, the volume will equip practitioners to reduce harm, strengthen therapeutic relationships, and promote empowerment and social justice in everyday practice with LGBTQ+ communities.
Chapter topics
The editors are currently seeking chapter proposals on the following topics:
- Institutional constraints, betrayal and structural trauma in social work settings
- Documentation, monitoring and risk-management culture
- Funding, policy mandates and the nonprofit industrial complex
- Outreach, engagement and power in LGBTQ+ anti-oppressive practice
- Relational accountability: consent, boundaries and ethical joining in anti-oppressive LGBTQ+ practice
- Rethinking crisis and suicide risk in LGBTQ+ anti-oppressive practice
- Systems navigation, case management and practice in institutional and carceral settings
- Adapting evidence-based practices for anti-oppressive LGBTQ+ practice
- Emerging and integrative approaches to LGBTQ+ direct practice
- Termination and ethical endings in LGBTQ+ practice
- Rethinking outcomes, evaluation and research in anti-oppressive LGBTQ+ social work
Who is encouraged to submit?
The editors are particularly interested in receiving proposals from:
- Authors based outside the United States. Strong English-language writing skills are required for this English-language book.
- Authors whose identities and lived experiences are devalued or marginalised within society and academia, including transgender and gender-expansive people, LGBTQ+ immigrants and LGBTQ+ people of colour.
- Social work practitioners who can discuss specific strategies for aligning theory and practice across a range of global settings.
- Practising social workers and academics who would like to combine their respective strengths and co-author a chapter.
Support for contributors
Authors whose proposals are accepted will receive guidance from the editors on structuring their chapters, including suggested sections and indicative word lengths, to support the development of a comprehensive, compelling and cohesive volume.
Chapter authors will also receive support with conceptualising their contribution, constructive feedback to strengthen their drafts, and other authorial support as requested.
The editors will seek to honour each author’s intellectual, political and personal agency as far as possible, creating a publication process that reflects the values and approaches of the book.
Project timeline
- 1 September 2026: Deadline for chapter proposals submitted through the Qualtrics form
- 30 September 2026: Chapter proposal decisions communicated by email
- 1 December 2026: Full chapter drafts due
- 1 April 2027: Revised chapters due
- 1 June 2027: Finalised chapter manuscripts due
- 1 September 2027: Full book manuscript submitted to the Routledge series editors
- Early spring 2028: Anticipated book release
- Spring and autumn 2028: Optional book promotion events, including conferences and online readings
Submit a chapter proposal
Please complete the proposal form by 1 September 2026 at 11:59pm Eastern Time:
Contact
For questions, feedback or further information, please contact:
Dr A.R. “Angie” Wootton
Email: awootton@albany.edu
