Alan J. Dettlaff

Alan J. Dettlaff is a Professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. With a career rooted in child welfare and family policing systems, he focuses on abolitionist praxis in social work research, education, and practice. He co-founded the upEND movement (2020) and the peer-reviewed journal Abolitionist Perspectives in Social Work.

• Education
  • BSW, Texas Christian University (1995)
  • MSW, University of Texas at Arlington (1999)
  • PhD, University of Texas at Arlington (2004)

His research centers on dismantling racist legacies in child welfare systems and advancing alternatives to carceral frameworks. Key themes include:

• Abolitionist strategies for family policing systems
• Integration of abolitionist praxis in social work
• Decolonizing child welfare policy
• Anti-racist advocacy