Radically Imagining Antiracist Social Work Research Using a Trauma-Informed, Socially Just Framework

Abstract This chapter shares how a group of social work researchers used radical imagination to create a space of joyful resistance to the dominant narrative of the social work research process that perpetuates White supremacy and oppression. It explores three questions: What type of research do the researchers want to do? How do they conduct trauma-informed, socially just (TISJ) research? Who do they need to be in order to carry out TISJ research? It shares how this group used multiple practices as conduits for radical imagination and invites readers to engage in their own radically imaginative work to transform social work research and themselves. It offers ways of “staying in the mess” without clear answers and of becoming “social work philosophers” who use philosophical activism to challenge injustice, the results of which may be the start of a praxis to reclaim our humanity and an invitation to join a “soul-cial” work movement.