This is the fourth in a series of profiles of researchers who were awarded a 2025 Lasallian Research Grant by the Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN).
Dr. Brendan Young is an assistant professor and graduate program director in the Department of Social Work at La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A 2025 Lasallian Research Grant recipient, Dr. Young will use his grant to gain oral histories of Christian Brothers with bachelor or master of social work degrees.
“The overarching goal of this project is to develop an understanding of the confluence of Lasallian charism and the education and practice of social work among the Christian Brothers,” Dr. Young said. “Ultimately this project will ensure that the stories of Brother social workers are captured for future Lasallian social workers to learn from their insights and lived experiences,” he added.
In the following Q&A, Dr. Young responded to a few questions from Christian Brothers Conference.
What inspired you to take on this project?
The decision to take on this project came from a conversation with my co-researcher, Janine Mariscotti. Both Janine and I are graduates of La Salle University’s BSW Program. Therefore, our foundations in social work practice have integrally been connected with the intersection of social work and the Lasallian charism. As we began to discuss more, we became more curious if many of our own foundations in social work are informed because we are “social workers,” “Lasallians” or “Lasallian social workers.” Additionally, we both have had the privilege of working alongside Christian Brothers with their MSW, and we wanted an opportunity to hear their stories and better understand the intersection between social work practice and the Lasallian charism.
How do you see your research benefiting the wider Lasallian community?
Research enables us to better understand how the Lasallian mission is understood and applied in practice. It is a valuable tool to explore our Lasallian heritage, while gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation for our history and using that information to inform our future.
How will your research enhance or connect to the Lasallian mission?
One of the goals of our research is to use the findings to ensure that the Lasallian mission remains an integral part of our curriculum offerings in the social work programs at La Salle University. Additionally, our study will involve research mentorship of a student researcher. By remaining centered around the educational process for our students, it ensures that we continue to offer mentorship grounded in the Lasallian tradition.