Mark E. Courtney

About the Author

Mark E. Courtney is a distinguished scholar and critic whose incisive analyses have reshaped understandings of social institutions and their societal impacts. With a background in social work and policy research, he has dedicated his career to examining how professional fields evolve—or devolve—over time, often highlighting the disconnect between original ideals and contemporary practices. In his seminal work, Unfaithful Angels: How Social Work Has Abandoned its Mission, Courtney meticulously documents the profession's shift away from its foundational commitment to the vulnerable, drawing on historical evidence and empirical data to provoke essential debates. His writing bridges academia and public discourse, urging reforms that realign social services with their ethical core. A professor emeritus at a leading university, Courtney continues to influence policy discussions through lectures, articles, and consultations, advocating for a return to principled practice in an era of bureaucratic drift.