At the 2017 CSWE Annual Program Meeting, many social work scholars were recognized for their contributions to the field, including FSU College of Social Work doctoral program alumna and Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work (VCU) Professor Dr. Kia J. Bentley. At the Journal of Social Work Education Reception, Dr. Bentley was named the “2017 Reviewer of the Year” for the journal for her long-time commitment as a reviewer of manuscripts submitted for publication in the journal.  She was presented with the award by Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Joanne Yaffe, who described her reviews as “inspirational.” Dr. Bentley has been a reviewer for the journal since 2003 and this year marks the second time she has received this particular award, having been recognized as the first-ever recipient in 2007.

Dr. Bentley acknowledges that journal editors especially appreciate timely, thorough, thoughtful, and constructive feedback from reviewers. “Editors want scholars who understand what makes a compelling scholarly contribution, that is one grounded in theory and previous literature, one with a clarity of focus and argument as well as excellent organization, flow and use of language,” she said.

She has honed her skills as a reviewer for more than two dozen years, and also served as an inaugural consulting editor for Research on Social Work Practice (edited and founded by FSU social work professor Dr. Bruce Thyer, who served on Dr. Bentley’s dissertation committee) and as consulting editor for Social Work. Currently, she is on the editorial board for Best Practices in Mental Health, and guest reviews for several journals including, Psychiatric Services, Social Work in Mental Health, Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, and Journal of Orthopsychiatry, to name a few Dr. Bentley formerly served as the director of the Doctoral Program (thirteen years) and as an Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives at VCU.   

She currently chairs the CSWE Commission on Research, but has a longstanding involvement with CSWE having served on the Council on the Role and Status of Women in Social Work Education for six years, the Commission on Accreditation, and served as a site visitor and site visit chair for 23 years.  In her home community of Richmond, she currently serves on the board of Richmond Triangle Players, a 25-year old LGBTQ theater.  

For several years, Dr. Bentley’s research has focused on the meaning, identity, and decision-making around psychiatric medication use, with a particular interest in the helping role social workers play around medications. Her recent research includes a retrospective study of young adults about their medication use in adolescence, research on attitudes and beliefs about medication of incarcerated women, and another project on the impact of medication on the sense of self among people with the severe mental illness. Her research especially focuses on decision-making about psychiatric medication, including the relationship of professional identity and sharing decision-making among psychiatric residents; and, decision-making about medication among pregnant, postpartum women and their obstetrician-gynecologists.

“Research can be a very satisfying way to help folks we serve, to help tell their stories and to make a larger difference in the lives of people,” Dr. Bentley said. She noted that she does social work research out of a desire to contribute to the knowledge base about social work practice with the hopes that it might lead to more compassionate and effective mental health practice.

“Being a scholar is about learning, listening, and trying to make sense of the world for others, in addition to making sense of it for yourself, “ remarked Dr. Bentley. “In social work, it’s clear that we try to use knowledge and discovery as a way to advance social justice, human rights, and the common good.”  Notably, Dr. Bentley was named a Distinguished Alumnus of FSU’s the School of Social Work back in 1997.  Former Dean and Provost of the FSU College of Social Work, and Dr. Bentley’s dissertation chair, Dr. Dianne Harrison presented her with the recognition.  To learn more about Dr. Kia J. Bentley’s research, contact her at kbentley@vcu.edu.