Bob Wineburg’s “yarn lecture” is one his students never forget. It’s a visual representation of systems theory as it relates to social work. To demonstrate the concept, the Jefferson Pilot Excellence Professor of Social Work walks his students through the final days of his mom’s life, and the different systems that were at play – the family dynamics, the health care providers involved, and the policies that impacted decision-making.
The end result is an intertwined mess of yarn throughout the classroom. Tackling these complex systems head-on has been Dr. Wineburg’s mission since he arrived at UNCG nearly 40 years ago. And he’s inspired countless students to do the same.