Melvin Delgado

Professor Emeritus

Specialties

• Latino and other marginalized urban population groups

• Youth development-youth-led research and macro-practice

• Community-capacity enhancement

• Non-traditional urban settings

Melvin Delgado
department: Macro Practice

faculty details

Bio

Melvin Delgado is a prolific researcher and author who is interested in cities and the community assets within them. “There is a tendency to focus on urban centers from a deficit perspective,” he notes. “However, there is much that is right that social workers must never lose sight of in the work that we do.”

Delgado focuses on many of these assets in the nearly 40 books to his credit—the most recent of which include Sanctuary Cities, Communities, and Organizations: A Nation at the Crossroads (Oxford University Press, 2018), Urban Youth Trauma: Using Community Interventions to Overcome Gun Violence (Rowman & Littlefield, 2019) and Community Health Workers in Action: The Efforts of “Promotores de Salud” in Bringing Health Care to Marginalized Communities (Oxford University Press, 2020). In addition, he has written more than 80 peer-reviewed journal articles and is the editor of the Oxford University book series on social justice and youth community practice.

Since 1999, Delgado has served as associate editor of the Journal of Primary Prevention. He is a current editorial board member for a number of journals including Drug Abuse and Substance Dependence, Social Work with Groups, Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, and Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly. Delgado retired from BUSSW in 2023 and was awarded the professor emeritus title in recognition of his lifetime contributions to Boston University and the field of social work.

Education

BA (History)

University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign

MS (Social Work)

Columbia University

PhD (Social Welfare)

Brandeis University

Courses

HB 750 Organizational Structure & Culture
MP 759 Communities and Organizations: Analysis and Intervention
MP 773 Human Services Management
MP 774 Seminar: Community Planning
MP 783 Planning and Program Development

Courses

HB 750 Organizational Structure & Culture
MP 759 Communities and Organizations: Analysis and Intervention
MP 773 Human Services Management
MP 774 Seminar: Community Planning
MP 783 Planning and Program Development

Publications

Delgado, M. (Under Contract). Promotores de salud and urban health: Community health workers in action. New York: Oxford University Press.

Delgado, M. & Humm-Delgado, D. (Under Contract). Older adult prisoners: A challenge within a challenge for policy, research, and practice. New York, NY: Routledge Ltd.

Delgado, M. (In Press). Social work and the Latino community 2nd Edition: Social, economic, political, and cultural perspectives. New York: Oxford University Press.

Delgado, M. (In Press). Music, song, dance, and theatre: Broadway meets youth community practice. New York: Oxford University Press.

Delgado, M. (2017). Urban youth friendships and community social work practice. New York: Oxford University Press.

Delgado, M. (2016). Celebrating urban community life: Fairs, festivals, parades and community practice. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

Delgado, M. (2016). Community practice and urban youth: Social justice service-learning and civic engagement. New York: Routledge Ltd.

Delgado, M. (2015). Urban youth and photovoice: Visual ethnography in action. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Delgado, M. (2015). Baby boomers of color: Social work policy and practice. New York: Columbia University.

Delgado, M. (2013). Social Justice & the urban obesity crisis: The potential for the social work profession. New York: Columbia University Press.

Delgado, M. & Humm-Delgado, D. (2013). Asset assessments and community social work practice. New York: Oxford University Press.

Delgado, M. (2012). Prisoner re-entry and work: Adding business to the mix. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publisher.

Delgado, M. (2011). Latinos small businesses and the American dream: Community social work and economic and social development. New York: Columbia University Press.

Delgado, M. (2009). Older adult-led health promotion in urban communities: A special focus on urban older adults of color. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Delgado, M. & Humm-Delgado, D. (2009). Health and health care in the nation’s prisons: Issues, challenges, and policies. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Delgado, M. & Zhou, M. (2008). Youth-led health promotion in urban communities: A capacity enhancement perspective. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Delgado, M. & Staples, L. (2008). Youth-led community organizing: Theory and action. New York: Oxford University Press.

Delgado, M. (2007). Social work practice with Latinos using a cultural assets paradigm. New York: Oxford University Press.

Publications

Delgado, M. (Under Contract). Promotores de salud and urban health: Community health workers in action. New York: Oxford University Press.

Delgado, M. & Humm-Delgado, D. (Under Contract). Older adult prisoners: A challenge within a challenge for policy, research, and practice. New York, NY: Routledge Ltd.

Delgado, M. (In Press). Social work and the Latino community 2nd Edition: Social, economic, political, and cultural perspectives. New York: Oxford University Press.

Delgado, M. (In Press). Music, song, dance, and theatre: Broadway meets youth community practice. New York: Oxford University Press.

Delgado, M. (2017). Urban youth friendships and community social work practice. New York: Oxford University Press.

Delgado, M. (2016). Celebrating urban community life: Fairs, festivals, parades and community practice. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

Delgado, M. (2016). Community practice and urban youth: Social justice service-learning and civic engagement. New York: Routledge Ltd.

Delgado, M. (2015). Urban youth and photovoice: Visual ethnography in action. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Delgado, M. (2015). Baby boomers of color: Social work policy and practice. New York: Columbia University.

Delgado, M. (2013). Social Justice & the urban obesity crisis: The potential for the social work profession. New York: Columbia University Press.

Delgado, M. & Humm-Delgado, D. (2013). Asset assessments and community social work practice. New York: Oxford University Press.

Delgado, M. (2012). Prisoner re-entry and work: Adding business to the mix. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publisher.

Delgado, M. (2011). Latinos small businesses and the American dream: Community social work and economic and social development. New York: Columbia University Press.

Delgado, M. (2009). Older adult-led health promotion in urban communities: A special focus on urban older adults of color. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Delgado, M. & Humm-Delgado, D. (2009). Health and health care in the nation’s prisons: Issues, challenges, and policies. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Delgado, M. & Zhou, M. (2008). Youth-led health promotion in urban communities: A capacity enhancement perspective. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Delgado, M. & Staples, L. (2008). Youth-led community organizing: Theory and action. New York: Oxford University Press.

Delgado, M. (2007). Social work practice with Latinos using a cultural assets paradigm. New York: Oxford University Press.

Presentations

Delgado, M. (2016). Social justice youth community practice: International rewards and challenges. Closing plenary presentations at the Congreso Internacional de Pedagogia Social, Girona, Spain.

Delgado, M. (2013). Social justice and urban obesity. Presentation at the 50th International Conference on Making Cities Livable, Portland, OR.

Delgado, M. (2012). Cultural capital and art. Presentation at the University of Michigan Symposium on
Community Practice, Ann Arbor, MI.

Delgado, M. (2012, May). Visiting professor at Instituto Superior de Servico Social do Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Presentations

Delgado, M. (2016). Social justice youth community practice: International rewards and challenges. Closing plenary presentations at the Congreso Internacional de Pedagogia Social, Girona, Spain.

Delgado, M. (2013). Social justice and urban obesity. Presentation at the 50th International Conference on Making Cities Livable, Portland, OR.

Delgado, M. (2012). Cultural capital and art. Presentation at the University of Michigan Symposium on
Community Practice, Ann Arbor, MI.

Delgado, M. (2012, May). Visiting professor at Instituto Superior de Servico Social do Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Professional Activities and Certifications

Book Series Editor
2015-Present: Oxford University Press, Social Justice Youth Community Practice
Journal Editorial Activity

Associate Editor
1999-Present: Journal of Primary Prevention

Consulting Editor
Social Work (1981-1982, 1984-1986 for “Briefly Stated”, 1997-1999)

Editorial Board Member
2015-Present: Journal of Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Substance Dependence
2015-Present: MOJ Addiction Medicine & Therapy
2014-Present: Egyptian Journal of Social Work
2007-Present: The Open Social Science Journal
1982-Present: Social Work with Groups
1996-Present: Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work
1996-Present: Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly
1991-1993, 1999-2006: Journal of Social Work Education
1981-1989: Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences
1979-1980: Social Casework
1999-2002, 1982-1985: Social Work

Guest Editor of Special Issue(s)
1995-1997, 2001-2003: Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly
2003-2005: Journal of Primary Prevention
1996-1998: Journal of Gerontological Social Work
2007: Evaluation & Program Planning

Book Prospectus Reviewer
Jason Aronson, Allyn & Beacon, Brunner-Routledge, Columbia University Press, Council on Social Work Education, Family Service of America, Haworth Press, Oxford University Press, Palgrave Macmillan, Routledge, Sage Publications, Springer International, Teachers College Press, University of Tennessee Press, John Wiley & Sons.

Guest Reviewer
2016: International Journal of Qualitative Methods
2016: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
2016: Journal of Aging and Social Policy
2016: Social Service Review
2016: Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment
2016: Social and Cultural Geography
2016: Community Development
2015, 2016: Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine
2015: Social Work in Health Care
2015: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
2015: Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology
2014: Dialogo
2013-2014: Urban Studies
2014: Substance Use and Misuse
1999, 2013, 2016: The Gerontologist
2013: Substance Abuse
2013: Family Relations
2012: American Journal of Education
2011: Action Research Journal
2011: Journal of Child & Family Studies
2010-2013, 2016: Youth and Society
2008-2009: Journal of Social Work
2008, 2010: American Journal of Community Psychology
2008, 2010: Children and Youth Services Review
2003-2004, 2009, 2012-2013, 2016: Journal of Community Practice
2009: Journal of Accounting and Taxation
2007: Anthropology Today
2006: American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
2001: Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
1999: American Journal of Medicine
1999: Research on Social Work Practice
1997-2002: Urban Education
1984: Children and Youth Services Review

Professional Activities and Certifications

Book Series Editor
2015-Present: Oxford University Press, Social Justice Youth Community Practice
Journal Editorial Activity

Associate Editor
1999-Present: Journal of Primary Prevention

Consulting Editor
Social Work (1981-1982, 1984-1986 for “Briefly Stated”, 1997-1999)

Editorial Board Member
2015-Present: Journal of Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Substance Dependence
2015-Present: MOJ Addiction Medicine & Therapy
2014-Present: Egyptian Journal of Social Work
2007-Present: The Open Social Science Journal
1982-Present: Social Work with Groups
1996-Present: Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work
1996-Present: Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly
1991-1993, 1999-2006: Journal of Social Work Education
1981-1989: Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences
1979-1980: Social Casework
1999-2002, 1982-1985: Social Work

Guest Editor of Special Issue(s)
1995-1997, 2001-2003: Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly
2003-2005: Journal of Primary Prevention
1996-1998: Journal of Gerontological Social Work
2007: Evaluation & Program Planning

Book Prospectus Reviewer
Jason Aronson, Allyn & Beacon, Brunner-Routledge, Columbia University Press, Council on Social Work Education, Family Service of America, Haworth Press, Oxford University Press, Palgrave Macmillan, Routledge, Sage Publications, Springer International, Teachers College Press, University of Tennessee Press, John Wiley & Sons.

Guest Reviewer
2016: International Journal of Qualitative Methods
2016: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
2016: Journal of Aging and Social Policy
2016: Social Service Review
2016: Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment
2016: Social and Cultural Geography
2016: Community Development
2015, 2016: Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine
2015: Social Work in Health Care
2015: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
2015: Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology
2014: Dialogo
2013-2014: Urban Studies
2014: Substance Use and Misuse
1999, 2013, 2016: The Gerontologist
2013: Substance Abuse
2013: Family Relations
2012: American Journal of Education
2011: Action Research Journal
2011: Journal of Child & Family Studies
2010-2013, 2016: Youth and Society
2008-2009: Journal of Social Work
2008, 2010: American Journal of Community Psychology
2008, 2010: Children and Youth Services Review
2003-2004, 2009, 2012-2013, 2016: Journal of Community Practice
2009: Journal of Accounting and Taxation
2007: Anthropology Today
2006: American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
2001: Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
1999: American Journal of Medicine
1999: Research on Social Work Practice
1997-2002: Urban Education
1984: Children and Youth Services Review

Awards and Honors

2011: Who’s Who in America
2006: Boston University School of Social Work Excellence in Teaching Award
1999: Columbia University School of Social Work Alumni Hall of Fame
1996: Outstanding Contribution to the Boston University School of Social Work Alumni Award
1994: Greatest Contribution to Social Work Education Award from the National Association of Social Work, Massachusetts Chapter

Awards and Honors

2011: Who’s Who in America
2006: Boston University School of Social Work Excellence in Teaching Award
1999: Columbia University School of Social Work Alumni Hall of Fame
1996: Outstanding Contribution to the Boston University School of Social Work Alumni Award
1994: Greatest Contribution to Social Work Education Award from the National Association of Social Work, Massachusetts Chapter
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