Dr. Cynthia Franklin

Biography

Cynthia Franklin, Ph.D., LCSW-S, is a Courtesy Professor at Dell Medical School and Stiernberg/Spencer Family Professor of Mental Health at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin. With expertise in clinical practice, research, teaching, and leadership, she is recognized as one of the 100 influential contemporary social work faculty. Franklin has contributed significantly to the field with over 200 publications, including research in solution-focused brief therapy and its effectiveness for at-risk children and adolescents. She holds honorary titles such as 'Social Work Pioneer' by the National Association of Social Workers for her commitment to improving social conditions. Franklin was instrumental in developing a dropout-prevention program for high-risk adolescents at Gonzalo Garza Independence High School, which has been recognized as a model program. Additionally, she has served in various national leadership roles, including past president of the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education and editor-in-chief of the journal Children & Schools. For the last seven years, she has managed the transition of the Encyclopedia of Social Work to an interactive online format.

Research Interests