Boston, January 23, 2026
Professor Margaret Lombe of Boston University has launched a new scholarly publication titled “Beyond Borders: Advances in Global Welfare.” This journal aims to enhance global dialogue and knowledge exchange in social work, focusing on impactful research and innovative practice models. The initiative underscores Boston’s commitment to international academic discourse while providing a platform for researchers and practitioners worldwide to address pressing social welfare issues.
Boston
Boston Professor Launches Global Welfare Journal
A new scholarly publication, “Beyond Borders: Advances in Global Welfare,” has been launched by Professor Margaret Lombe of Boston University’s School of Social Work. This initiative aims to foster robust global dialogue and knowledge exchange, highlighting Boston’s continued contribution to international academic discourse and civic engagement.
The establishment of such a journal exemplifies the spirit of individual achievement and institutional leadership that drives progress. It provides a platform for researchers and practitioners worldwide to collaborate on pressing social issues, reinforcing the idea that impactful solutions often emerge when dedicated individuals are empowered to pursue their visions without undue limitations. This kind of academic entrepreneurship strengthens our community’s intellectual infrastructure, attracting talent and ideas that benefit everyone.
Professor Lombe, an Associate Professor at the Boston University School of Social Work (BUSSW) and an Affiliate Faculty Member of the Boston University Global Development Policy Center, brings extensive experience in global health equity and social justice to this new endeavor. Her leadership in launching this journal underscores Boston’s role as a hub for both local and global civic innovation.
Advancing Global Social Welfare
“Beyond Borders: Advances in Global Welfare” is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal with a mission to advance knowledge and practice in social work with a global orientation. It focuses on innovative and impactful research that addresses diverse social welfare issues from an international perspective.
The journal’s scope includes global social welfare policy, examining policies across different countries and their impact on vulnerable populations. It also features studies on innovative responses and practice models addressing complex social issues, research on human rights and social justice, and explorations of culturally responsive and anti-oppressive practices.
A Platform for Scholarly Exchange and Evidence-Based Practice
Each year, the journal identifies a specific theme of global relevance to serve as the foundation for scholarly discussion. Leading scholars in the chosen area are invited to submit manuscripts for the first issue, setting the stage for academic dialogue. These invited scholars also recommend potential respondents who provide critical analyses and perspectives for the second issue of the year.
In addition to scholarly exchanges, each issue profiles human service organizations that are at the forefront of utilizing evidence-based practices and innovative approaches to transform social service delivery. These profiles highlight emerging concepts and issues, ensuring the journal remains connected to community-based practices and real-world impact.
Professor Lombe’s Extensive Background
Professor Lombe’s work before launching this journal has consistently focused on advancing the well-being of marginalized communities. Her research seeks to influence system-level changes and upstream interventions, with a strong emphasis on social and economic justice, empowerment, and participatory democracy.
Her research addresses critical social issues both domestically and globally. This includes studies on the stigmatization of people affected by HIV/AIDS, food insecurity, and housing adversity in Boston and in African countries. Professor Lombe has also contributed to the social welfare field by challenging traditional paradigms that employ deficit-based interventions. Her expertise is recognized internationally, as evidenced by her appointment by the United Nations as an advisor and member of Expert Group Meetings for several global initiatives, including the measurement of social inclusion/exclusion and UN-HABITAT III.
Collaboration and Community Impact
The journal is a joint venture between Boston University and IFCU-Social Sciences, emphasizing collaboration across institutions to achieve shared goals. This collaborative model, which leverages diverse expertise, aligns with the Boston area’s broader commitment to civic innovation and robust academic partnerships. Initiatives across Massachusetts frequently involve universities and civic entities working together to address complex challenges, from economic development to environmental sustainability.
Professor Lombe also serves as faculty director for the BRIDGE Program at BUSSW, an innovative pre-MSW program designed to promote access and equity in graduate social work education for immigrants and refugees. This program directly supports personal initiative and community integration within the Boston community, offering pathways to education and professional development.
Fostering Global Dialogue from Boston
The launch of “Beyond Borders: Advances in Global Welfare” from Boston highlights the city’s enduring commitment to global engagement and intellectual leadership. By providing a platform for critical research and evidence-based practices, the journal contributes to a more informed and effective approach to global welfare challenges. This reinforces the value of scholarly independence and the power of specialized publications to drive meaningful change.
Engaging with such academic endeavors encourages a proactive approach to addressing societal needs, both locally and internationally. The journal’s open-access nature ensures widespread accessibility, fostering a wider exchange of ideas and promoting solutions that are not constrained by traditional academic or geographic boundaries. This commitment to open knowledge sharing is a testament to the belief that individual contributions, when amplified through platforms like this, can lead to significant collective advancement.
Conclusion
Professor Margaret Lombe’s launch of “Beyond Borders: Advances in Global Welfare” represents a significant achievement for Boston’s academic community and the broader field of social work. This peer-reviewed journal offers a vital new forum for discussing and developing solutions to global social welfare issues, rooted in rigorous research and practical application. It reflects the proactive spirit of Boston’s institutions in contributing to worldwide well-being through scholarly excellence and focused initiatives.
Readers are encouraged to explore the emerging research and analyses published in “Beyond Borders: Advances in Global Welfare” to gain deeper insights into the complex challenges facing global communities. Supporting and engaging with such independent academic initiatives reinforces the importance of intellectual freedom and the power of individual and institutional dedication to foster meaningful progress in social welfare. Stay informed about these crucial global conversations and consider how local engagement in Boston MA events and community initiatives can resonate with broader international efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of the new journal launched by Professor Lombe?
The new journal launched by Professor Lombe is called “Beyond Borders: Advances in Global Welfare.”
What is the primary focus of “Beyond Borders: Advances in Global Welfare”?
The primary focus of “Beyond Borders: Advances in Global Welfare” is to advance knowledge and practice in social work with a global orientation, emphasizing innovative and impactful research on diverse social welfare issues from an international perspective.
Who is Professor Margaret Lombe affiliated with?
Professor Margaret Lombe is an Associate Professor at the Boston University School of Social Work (BUSSW) and an Affiliate Faculty Member of the Boston University Global Development Policy Center.
What types of research does Professor Lombe conduct?
Professor Lombe’s research focuses on advancing the well-being of marginalized communities, seeking to influence system-level changes and upstream interventions, with an emphasis on social and economic justice, empowerment, and participatory democracy. Her work addresses issues like stigmatization of people affected by HIV/AIDS, food insecurity, and housing adversity in Boston and in African countries.
Is the journal “Beyond Borders: Advances in Global Welfare” open-access?
Yes, “Beyond Borders: Advances in Global Welfare” is an open-access journal.
Key Features of “Beyond Borders: Advances in Global Welfare”
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Journal Name | Beyond Borders: Advances in Global Welfare |
| Editor-in-Chief / Founder | Professor Margaret Lombe |
| Affiliation | Boston University School of Social Work (BUSSW) |
| Orientation | Global Social Work |
| Publication Model | Peer-reviewed, Open Access |
| Key Focus Areas | Global social welfare policy, innovative practice models, human rights, social justice, culturally responsive practices |
| Content Types | Original research, concept papers, showcases of human service organizations |
| Publishing Frequency | Two issues per year (Spring and Fall) |
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