Jason Ostrander

Jason Ostrander, PhD, MSW, BSW, earned his Bachelor of Social Work degree from Elms College and his MSW and PhD from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work. Dr. Ostrander teaches policy, research, and integrative practice courses in both on-ground and online formats.

His scholarship centers on political social work, civic and political participation of social workers, community engagement, child welfare, social work education, integrated social work practice, and community-based participatory research methods. His award-winning scholarship emphasizes the role of social workers as change agents within policy, community, and institutional systems.

Dr. Ostrander currently serves on the Board of Directors for Influencing Social Policy and the Social Work Democracy Project, and he is also a member of the Research Committee and Advisory Board for the Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work.

His professional practice experience includes political social work at the local, state, and federal levels, including service as a congressional aide to a former U.S. Congressman. This experience informs his teaching, research, and commitment to advancing social work’s engagement in democratic and policy processes.