Erick Scherf, MSW, LSW
Hello,
I'm Erick, a licensed social worker, emerging scholar, and researcher in the fields of Migration, Health, and Public Policy.
I'm a Ph.D. Candidate in Social Work at the University of Alabama School of Social Work, and I am striving to build a vibrant and interdisciplinary research agenda.
I follow a tradition of critical inquiry, and I have a passion for research, service, and advocacy on issues that affect vulnerable groups and marginalized populations, especially those with a migration background.
As an academic-in-training, I have developed a steadily growing record of peer-reviewed publications and national and international conference presentations. My academic journey has also been fully supported by a series of competitive, merit-based scholarships, awards, and fellowships, which have funded my education from the undergraduate level through my Ph.D.
Through the use of a qualitative case study design, my doctoral-level dissertation research explores the advocacy role of immigrant-serving organizations in the U.S. Southeast region.
I. International migration, immigrant well-being, and policy
II. Public health, health equity, and health-related topics
III. Research on social work education and practice
Methodologically speaking, I identify as a multimethod researcher with a robust foundation in qualitative inquiry, specializing in phenomenological methods and qualitative case studies within organizational settings.
Alongside my qualitative expertise, I also conduct secondary data analysis of large datasets utilizing statistical methods, and my personal goal is to design and execute comprehensive mixed-methods studies in the future when I transition into a full-time Faculty role.
Upcoming presentation at APPAM Conference
My dissertation-related research work was accepted for presentation at the upcoming #2026APPAM Conference in Boston, MA.
Award for Outstanding Scholarly Contributions
In April 2026 I received the award for Outstanding Contributions to Scholarship by a PhD Student from The University of Alabama School of Social Work during Honors Day Convocation.
(August 2026) Approved Dissertation Proposal
I successfully defended and passed my dissertation proposal at the University of Alabama School of Social Work and now I am officially ABD (All but dissertation).
SSWR Travel Award
In January 2026 I received the SSWR Doctoral Student Travel Award ($500) to facilitate my conference attendance and presentation.
Two publications in the Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
My colleagues and I have published two studies in the Journal of Immigrant & Minority Health in 2026. One of them in which I am the first author.
CSWE Fellows Forum
In May 2026, I attended CSWE's Fellows Forum in Washington, D.C., as a DSPF Program Fellow, and engaged in policy advocacy training and activities on the Hill.
One of my favorite quotes:
"Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes ... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status quo. ... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things. ... They push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the people who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do."
- Steve Jobs