Ian Rice

Dr. Ian Rice is the director of the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) Saint John. He describes social work as a lifestyle that takes hold of you and does not let go. Prior to coming to UNB he spent his career on the front lines of child welfare, supporting vulnerable children and their families. Dr. Rice received his BSW from St. Thomas University, his MSW from York, and his PhD from the University of New Brunswick.

“I have teenagers and [toddlers] at home,” said Rice. “They open my eyes to kids their age and help me revisit the issues facing kids. When I look at my kids and their stages in life, it motivates me to help others. That has always been the spark that keeps me interested in social work.”

Dr. Rice is the vice president of the New Brunswick Association of Social Workers, where he is a strong advocate for the profession of social work. He says it plays a valuable role, providing a voice for the profession in New Brunswick.

His research interests, focus on professional regulation and its implications on the practice of social work. Rice recently published a paper in the International Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, on the intersection between social justice and professional regulation in Canada. Currently, he is working on research on minimum entry requirements for social workers to become registered in Canada; motivators that keep social workers in practice; and categories of social work regulation.

Dr. Rice is committed to meeting with any students interested in the BSW program at the University of New Brunswick. Meetings can be scheduled by sending a request to bsw@unb.ca. “Some of the most rewarding conversations I have are with students who want to enter the BSW program, and I look forward to these talks.”