Student Spotlight: A Community-University Partnership for Teaching Graduate Research Methods
Three MSW research teams presented their collaborative research projects at the Canadian Association of Social Work Education (CASWE) conference in Montreal.
At the Canadian Association of Social Work Education (CASWE) conference in Montreal (June 2024), three MSW research teams from the SOWK 554c 002 Qualitative Methods in Social Work Research: Research and Evaluation in Child, Youth and Family Services presented their collaborative research projects.
- Beyond Compliance: Exploring Quality In-Person Private Visits with Children and Youth in Care by Eva Barker, Shay Bernier O’Kane, and Abbie Campbell.
- Clinicians’ Experience, Successes, and Barriers in Applying Culturally Safe Practices at Intake and Initial Assessment in MCFD CYMH Services in British Columbia: A Mixed Methods Design by Catherine Byler, Rebecca Hargreaves, and Kemorie Drysdale (unable to attend CASWE).
- Implementation of Intersectionality in Child, Youth, and Family Policy Development Processes by Kristi Pinderi.
This student-led panel presentation highlighted the success of the community-university partnership model in teaching graduate research methods, showcasing the impactful contributions of MSW students to social work research and practice.
Student Spotlight: Social Work PhD candidate Karen Wong selected for the UBC Public Scholar Initiative
Karen is in the 2024-2025 cohort of the Public Scholar Initiative (PSI) program.
Since 2015, PSI has been supporting UBC doctoral students whose research extends beyond traditional approaches to address complex challenges facing the public.
Tell us about your project!
“My thesis project aims to understand the complex processes of the healthcare systems based on the experiences navigating the systems of people living with dementia from the Chinese community, to which I belong, and related policy documents to identify the gaps, racism and other oppressions in the systems to propose policy changes. My proposed PSI project aims to present the findings on the major operation processes of these complex healthcare systems in a process map (i.e., a graphic map presenting the major operation processes of complex systems) so that it will be easier to identify the gaps, racism and other oppressions in the systems, especially for non-academic audiences."
Why did you apply for this program?
“As a social worker, I hope my work can bring real-life impacts. I also hope to connect with like-minded doctoral students from diverse backgrounds and learn from them.
With the encouragement of my supervisor, Professor Deborah O'Connor, and other faculty members of our school, I applied for this award.”
For more information visit here.
Student & Alumni Spotlight: Q&A with Jennifer Varatharajah
Jennifer is a graduate of the UBC School of Social Work’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program, focused on child welfare. She is now returning to the School to continue her social work education by pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW).
Read her interview here.
Alumni Spotlight: Cellina Tran, Registered Social Worker
Cellina Tran, a proud UBC alumna and registered social worker, shares her journey from supporting Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside community in mental health and substance use to working as a hospital social worker.
In this interview, she discusses why she chose social work as a career and what led her to pursue her studies at UBC.
