The purpose of this Open Educational Resource (OER) is to provide social work educators and students with the knowledge and skills to engage critically with data related to 2SLGBTQ+ communities. By integrating data literacy into social work education, this OER aims to:
- Promote Social Justice: Foster an anti-oppressive approach to research, data collection, and analysis that challenges homophobia, transphobia, and other systemic inequities affecting 2SLGBTQ+ populations.
- Advance Critical Data Literacy: Enable students to collect, analyze and interpret data responsibly, understanding the ethical complexities of working with sensitive information, including issues of privacy, representation, and the limitations of current methodologies.
- Strengthen Advocacy and Practice: Empower future social workers to use data as evidence to inform policy, enhance social services, and advocate effectively for the rights and well-being of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and communities.
- Fill Gaps in Data Representation: Address the lack of reliable and inclusive data on 2SLGBTQ+ populations by highlighting gaps, identifying underutilized datasets, and advocating for improved data practices.
This OER is designed to be an accessible, interactive resource that supports learners at all levels of social work education (BSW, MSW, and PhD). It aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice, encouraging students to critically engage with data as a tool for meaningful social change.
