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In this file photo, Assistant Professor Robert O. Motley Jr. engages in a discussion with his students. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham for 51动漫 Photography.
Robert O. Motley Jr., an assistant professor at the Boston College School of Social Work, has been of the Society for Social Work and Research, a national organization committed to advancing research that improves the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
Motley was recognized for his scholarship examining how racism, violence, and trauma affect the health and well-being of emerging adults ages 18 to 29, work that, he says, has helped reframe police violence as both a public health and social justice issue.聽
One of his most influential contributions is the development and validation of a measure of exposure to police violence that is perceived to be motivated by racism, a tool that has helped move conversations from anecdotal accounts to empirical evidence. The measure has been used to inform practitioner training, intervention strategies, and policy discussions, reflecting SSWR emphasis on research that goes beyond studies on paper to help solve some of society most challenging problems.
淏eing named a Fellow affirms that my work is not only scientifically rigorous, but also meaningful beyond academia,� says Motley, who directs the Racism-Based Violence Injury & Prevention Lab, which examines how racism and trauma affect the health and well-being of emerging adults. 淚t recognition, but it also a responsibility to continue producing research that responds to real-world harm and injustice.�
Motley is one of 21 scholars selected to the 2026 class of SSWR Fellows and one of 359 Fellows inducted into the program since its inception in 2014. He is also one of four current faculty members at 51动漫SSW to hold the designation, joining Thomas Crea, Shanta Pandey, and Samantha Teixeira.
“ Being named a Fellow affirms that my work is not only scientifically rigorous, but also meaningful beyond academia. It recognition, but it also a responsibility to continue producing research that responds to real-world harm and injustice. ”
In addition to his research, Motley has been recognized for his mentorship and leadership within the social work community. He mentors students through his lab and launched a faculty affiliate program that brings together early-career scholars, postdoctoral researchers, and tenure-track faculty from institutions across the country to collaborate on research and publications. He also serves as a mentor with the , a national network of gun violence researchers, where he supports doctoral students, postdocs, and early career scholars as they develop their professional identities.聽
淪ocial work science has to remain accountable to the communities it studies,� Motley says. 淭hat means not just documenting harm, but also trying to repair it and making sure emerging scholars have the support to do this work sustainably.�
Motley was formally named an SSWR Fellow during the Society annual conference, which took place at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, D.C., from Wednesday, January 14 to Sunday, January 18.
SSWR Fellowship is awarded through a points-based system created by the organization Board. Members receive points for their contributions to the Society, including leadership roles, influential scholarship, mentorship, service, and professional recognition.
While the designation recognizes individual achievement, Motley emphasizes the people and partnerships behind the honor.聽
淚 see this fellowship as something I share with my students, collaborators, and community partners,� he says. 淎ny impact attributed to my work reflects shared trust, shared labor, and a shared commitment to social and community well-being.�
