Richard J. Estes Lecture Fund

About the Lecture

The Richard J. Estes Lecture Fund was established to honor the contributions of Professor Richard J. Estes, a pioneering scholar in international social work, comparative social development, and quality-of-life studies. The fund permanently endows a keynote lecture at ISQOLS international conferences, with a focus on global quality-of-life, social indicators, and international development research.

Lecturers for this series are selected from distinguished scholars worldwide who, like Professor Estes, combine academic excellence with a commitment to advancing social well-being and development across borders.

This lecture recognizes Estes’ groundbreaking role in building bridges between social work, policy, and quality-of-life research—and continues his mission of fostering a better world through scholarship and practice.

About Richard J. Estes

Richard J. Estes is Professor (Emeritus) of Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. His career has combined scholarship, leadership, and international service, making him one of the most prominent figures in comparative social development and quality-of-life research.

• Education & Training:

  • A.B. degree, La Salle University (Philadelphia)

  • Master of Social Work, University of Pennsylvania

  • Doctor of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley

  • Post-master’s Certificate in Psychiatric Social Work, Menninger Foundation (Topeka, Kansas)

• International Engagement:
  Estes’ academic career has been deeply international in scope. He has served as visiting professor in countries including Iran, Norway, China, Morocco, South Korea, Japan, Mongolia, Russia, Belgium, Sweden, Mexico, and Hong Kong, among others.

• Leadership & Service:

  • Founding President, Philadelphia Area Chapter of the Society for International Development (SID)

  • Past President, Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education (GADE)

  • Former Chair, Council on External Relations, Global Commission of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

  • President of the International Society for Quality of Life Studies (ISQOLS) (2004)

• Awards & Honors:

  • Fulbright-Hays Senior Research Awards (Iran, 1978; Norway, 1979)

  • Fulbright Scholar Award, Yonsei University, Seoul (1994)

  • Social Worker of the Year, Pennsylvania NASW (1992)

  • Alumni Recognition Award, University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work (1996)

  • Distinguished Recent Contribution to Social Work Education Award, CSWE (1997)

  • International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award, NASW (1997)

  • Best Article in Social Indicators Research Award, ISQOLS (1997)

  • Distinguished Visiting Scholar, United College, Chinese University of Hong Kong (2002)

  • International Education Award, CSWE Global Commission (2005)

  • Distinguished Quality of Life Research Award, ISQOLS (2007)

  • University Distinguished Professor, Chinese University of Hong Kong (2012)

Legacy

Richard J. Estes has dedicated his career to examining and improving the social conditions of people worldwide. His comparative and international research has expanded the field of quality-of-life studies, linking empirical research with practical applications in social work, public policy, and global development.

Through the Richard J. Estes Lecture Fund, ISQOLS ensures that his legacy continues—by supporting lectures that emphasize global perspectives, interdisciplinary approaches, and the pursuit of greater social justice and well-being.

Support the Lecture Fund

Your contribution helps sustain this endowed lecture series in honor of Richard J. Estes and advances ISQOLS’ mission to support innovative scholarship that improves quality of life worldwide.

➡️ Please make your contribution using the donation form below.