Ben Lough
Dean, Professor, Director of Social Innovation at the Gies College of Business
Contact
(217) 244-5242 bjlough@illinois.eduSchool of Social Work
1010 W. Nevada Street
Urbana, IL
Office: 2115
Areas of focus
Social InnovationCourses
SOCW 245: Doing Good in the Nonprofit Sector, SOCW 321: Social Entrepreneurship & Social Change, SOCW 375: Social Enterprise Lab, BADM 463: iVenture Seminar, SOCW 579: Social Work Practice Theories
What I Do
I am driven by the belief that people have the power to change the world. Much of my work aims to inspire and empower people to recognize their potential and take action; to create spaces that foster innovation, collaboration, and social impact. Whether through volunteering in our communities or by launching a social enterprise, I believe people have the capacity to drive change.
Education
BS in Sociology, 2000, MSW, 2003 – Brigham Young University
Ph.D. in Social Work with a Doctoral Certificate in New Institutional Economics, 2010- Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis
Research
Dean Lough’s teaching focuses on community development, nonprofit management, and social innovation. He has taught courses on the nonprofit sector, social entrepreneurship, social work theory, organizational strategies for social change, and international social work and development.
Dean Lough is working with the United Stated Aid for International Development (USAID) to create a global mental health policy. He also continues to study the comparative advantages of hybrid social purpose organizations over traditional nonprofits.
Selected Publications
- Lough, Benjamin J. (2022). Decentering social innovation: The value of dispersed institutes in higher education. Social Enterprise Journal 18(1) 12-27.
- Lough, Benjamin J. (2022). Unpacking reciprocity in international exchange cooperation. Førde, Norway: Norec.
- Lough, Benjamin J. (2021). Voluntary “organic” leadership for community resilience. Voluntary Sector Review 12(1): 81-98.
- Lough, Benjamin J. (2021). Social development. In the Encyclopedia of Social Work. National Association of Social Workers (NASW Press) and Oxford University Press.
Latest news
- Students,
- Faculty & Staff,
- Alumni
Lough Named School of Social Work Dean
May 11, 2023
Illinois News Bureau
- Faculty & Staff
Ben Lough Recognized by Provost with 2021 Campus Distinguished Promotion Award
June 01, 2021
