Thursday Workshops and Special Sessions

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 12/2/2024

Research Methods Workshops

The Thursday plenary session and invited symposia are developed by the Vice President/Conference Chair.  The Thursday morning workshop sessions are developed by the Vice President-elect.  The SSWR Board of Directors and the Conference Committee provide input into developing all invited sessions.

Thursday, January 16, 2025, 8am-12pm, Pacific

RMW-1: Using AI for Social Work Research
Presenters: Hee Yun Lee, PhD, University of Alabama, Jiaqi (Jackey) Gong, PhD, Alabama Center for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence

This four-hour workshop will explore the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in advancing social work research. As AI is increasingly leveraged to collect, analyze, and interpret complex data, it offers deeper insights into social issues and enhances the precision of research outcomes. Participants will gain foundational knowledge of AI trends, including machine learning, natural language processing, and predictive analytics, learning how to integrate these tools into their own research to improve efficiency and innovation.

The workshop will highlight groundbreaking, federally-funded research projects that demonstrate how AI tools are being utilized by social work researchers working in interdisciplinary teams. These case studies will showcase the real-world impacts of AI and illustrate how collaborations with experts in engineering and other fields are driving innovation and breaking new ground in social work research. Participants will be encouraged to critically assess how these interdisciplinary approaches can enhance their own research practices and explore opportunities for securing external funding through AI-driven initiatives.

Additionally, the session will engage participants in important discussions on the ethical use of AI, covering issues like data governance, privacy, and bias. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for applying AI responsibly and ethically in their research, ensuring that technological advances are used to drive social progress without compromising ethical standards.

This workshop is suitable for researchers at all levels, although a basic understanding of research methodology will be beneficial. By the end of the session, participants will have a clear understanding of both the opportunities and challenges posed by AI in social work research and will be equipped with actionable strategies to enhance their research practices and impact.

(CANCELLED) RMW-2: Moderation, Mediation and Longitudinal Analysis
Presenters: Yoonsun Choi, PhD , The University of Chicago; Michael Park, PhD , Rutgers University

This workshop will cover moderation, mediation, and longitudinal data analysis. Participants will gain a conceptual understanding of these analytic methods, supplemented by real-life analysis examples and program codes demonstrating moderation and mediation analyses with longitudinal data. Dr. Choi, PI of the Midwest Longitudinal Study of Asian American Families (MLSAAF), has been following Filipino American and Korean American families since 2014 (N=1,574 at baseline, currently collecting Wave 5). She will introduce the longitudinal design of her study and provide example research questions that are best addressed by moderation, mediation, and longitudinal analyses. Dr. Park, Co-Investigator of MLSAAF, has extensively used the data since Wave 1 and will provide analytic and program details to conduct analyses, using the published examples. The session aims to increase methodological rigor in social work research that can produce meaningful results for social work practice and policy. STATA will be used throughout the workshop.

(CANCELLED) RMW-3: Designing and Developing Culturally-Grounded, Community-Based Participatory Research: Challenges and Strengths
Presenter: Linda Sprague Martinez, PhD, University of Connecticut

Learning Objectives: At the end of this applied and interactive workshop participants will be able to

1) differentiate CBPR from other forms of community engaged research;
2) identify the ways in which systems pose challenges for CBPR studies;
3) list 3-5 strategies for overcoming institutional barriers to CBPR; and
4) determine the ways in which power impacts operates in the context of partnerships.

Content:
CBPR, its origins and theoretical underpinnings.
Case studies illustrating CBPR common pain points from conception to implementation.
Resources and strategies for navigating institutional barriers to CBPR.
Reflective exercises exploring the interpersonal aspects of community academic partnership and strategies for attending to power in community academic partnerships.

RMW-4: Mixed Methodology 
Presenters: Michelle Munson, PhD, New York University; Rohini Pahwa, PhD, New York University

The goals of this collaborative workshop on mixed methodologies are threefold:

1) introduce attendees to the epistemological questions and strengths/limitations of a variety of mixed methodological approaches to social science research data;
2) present and discuss two case studies of applied mixed methods in social work, honing in on the concept of integration of data sources; and
3) facilitate discussion of attendees plans / ideas for mixed methods research projects through a facilitated group process led by the workshop facilitators.

Attendees should have a basic understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods and be conversant in mixed methods. While there is no expectation for previous training in mixed methods, a basic sense of the social work research methods will make the workshop more useful for attendees moving forward in their research careers.

 

Special Sessions on Research Priorities and Capacity Building

These training-oriented sessions target cutting-edge topics vital to contemporary social work research. Enroll early for these important opportunities to engage with national experts, funding institutions, and research colleagues.

Thursday, January 16, 2025, 8am-10am, Pacific

SSRPCB-1: All the things I never learned in graduate school: How not to bomb on your faculty job search
Presenters: Yoosun Park, PhD, University of Pennsylvania; Tamara Cadet, PhD, University of Pennsylvania

In our experience leading and participating on multiple faculty search committees across multiple institutions, we have come to realize that the job search process is one of the places where uneven mentorship in doctoral education becomes evident. Faculty candidates go on the job market with radically different levels of preparation and unsurprisingly, BIPOC candidates and first-generation PhD students are often the least prepared. In our school, we have instituted a process where we meet with each of the candidates invited to do a job talk and coach them through the process and our expectations. Our intent is to level the playing field, and in doing so, have found that making the process and our expectations less mysterious through the provision of concrete information and tips for what to do and what not to do creates not only a less anxious and happier candidate but better job talks that provide clearer data for assessing candidates. In our interactive workship, we will include a thorough review of the search process and its mechanisms and provide an expanded and more comprehensive version of the process instituted at our school. Our primary audience will be doctoral students, early career faculty, and PhD program directors and advisors. Topics discussed in this workshop will be understanding the job market and search process, how to read and interpret job cals to determine if the candidtate is a good fit, how to put an application together to speak to specific job calls, how to be prepared for the initial interview, how to be prepared for all aspect of the campus visit (including what should be in a research presentation and how to best prepare for individual meetings), and what happens after the job talk. Our goal will be to provide attendees with concrete information on how to prepare for the faculty job search process.

SSRPCB-2: Beyond Publications: How to Build a Scholarly Enterprise and Productivity in Social Work
Presenters: Andrew Rundle, PhD , Columbia University; Bronwyn Keefe, PhD, Boston University

The goal of the session is to help doctoral students and junior faculty understand that they can improve their ability to conduct sustained scholarship by viewing an academic career as being part of the creative economy, as being entrepreneurial, and as being a career focused on innovation. We will discuss how insights and perspectives from literature on the creative economy and innovation relate to an academic career. The session serves as a reaction to the growing focus on “productivity” in academia and in the evaluation of academics during hiring, promotion and tenure.

The session will cover some of the financial realities of funding a research program through grants and contracts; the things students do not typically learn in a doctoral program. We will introduce the ideas that they will likely be responsible for, including budgeting, understanding Full Time Equivalents, fringe and IC, strategic investments, and negotiation of contracts and sub-contracts. We will focus on how to identify key funders and constituents for your industry; create brief informational material to share with key stakeholders; develop an elevator pitch to share with key stakeholders; and identify professional groups to partner with for enhanced visibility and credibility.

Dr. Rundle will discuss how publication is not the end of a scholarly process, but the beginning of a scholarly enterprise, and how he sees each publication as part of a larger story arc of publications that support his teaching, pursuit of grant funding and consulting work. He will discuss how for each publication, he develops strategies for the translation and dissemination of the work by considering graphic design, public relations, guerilla marketing and “merchandizing.” Dr. Rundle will also discuss his experiences providing research technology services as a way to sustain a research team during gaps in research funding.

Dr. Keefe will share her experience in directing a self-sustaining Center at a large university. Topics will include the importance of identifying your strategy and vision for creating a Center, how to conduct an environmental scan of other institutions with similar Centers, and navigating the challenges and opportunities of academia. Key topics around funding through grants and other sources of income to build a self-sustaining Center will include the importance of creating a viable financial model focused on building relationships with funders. This session will cover how scholarship and income generated from a self-sustaining Centers are valued or challenged within academia and the need to broaden the perspectives from key leaders around these types of intellectual scholarship and revenue generation. Examples from Dr. Keefe will highlight how to position your Center to have the influence, value, and expertise within your own University. Questions around how to position yourself as a leader of Center to build outcomes that are aligned with the University will be discussed.

Thursday, January 16, 2025, 10:15am-12:15pm, Pacific

SSRPCB-3: Translating and Disseminating Knowledge to Policymakers
Presenter: Marylou Sudders, MSW, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Marylou Sudders is a former Secretary of Health and Human Services for Massachusetts from 2015-2023 and former Massachusetts Commissioner of Mental Health. Her work primarily focused on addressing public health challenges such as reform for equitable behavioral health, child welfare, and Medicaid restructuring. During her time in office, Shudders oversaw 12 state agencies, lead investments to the implementation of the Behavioral Health RoadMap, and resolved judicial consent decrees involving children’s mental health, and acquired services for brain injuries. Shudders also played a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic and advanced critical public health interventions and human services, spearheading Massachusetts in The Commonwealth Fund’s 2022 Scorecard on State Health Performance as a state that vastly surpassed all other states in its COVID-19 response.

With her background as a social worker, this workshop aims to emphasize the importance of collaboration, negotiation, and communication among diverse stakeholders, translate knowledge from various groups into a comprehensive public health strategy, disseminate evidence-based strategies, and integrate patient and family experiences in order to ensure that public health campaigns are effective and acknowledge affected communities. Through the workshop, attendees will further their understanding of public policy and acquire greater knowledge in bridging the gap between complex health issues and actionable policies in order to ensure that the needs of vulnerable populations and communities are met.

(CANCELLED) SSRPCB-4: Research Leadership Institute
Presenters: David Pate, Jr., PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Hee Yun Lee, PhD, University of Alabama

This two-hour workshop addresses the unique challenges faced by Associate Professors in Social Work as they strive for promotion to Full Professor while balancing demanding administrative and teaching responsibilities. The Research Leadership Institute (RLI), developed in collaboration with Fellows of the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR), offers strategic, targeted support to mid-career academics. Participants will gain practical strategies to enhance their research skills, strengthen leadership abilities, and foster professional development.

The RLI’s primary goal is to create a comprehensive strategic plan that outlines activities and support mechanisms tailored to the specific needs of Associate Professors. Over the next three years, these programs will provide consistent, structured support to help mid-career academics progress in their careers. As an initial step, focus groups will be conducted during the 2025 SSWR pre-conference, allowing mid-career scholars to share their challenges and aspirations. Selected SSWR Fellows, who will later serve as mentors to mid-career scholars, will facilitate the focus groups. These Fellows, recognized for their expertise and leadership in social work, will offer valuable guidance throughout the program, helping participants navigate research challenges and professional development.

Insights from focus groups will inform the development of a national survey to identify key barriers to career progression and professional development. Based on these findings, the RLI will design targeted programs and initiatives to address these challenges. These programs will be delivered through SSWR pre-conference sessions and year-round virtual meetings, creating a supportive environment that fosters leadership growth, boosts research productivity, and accelerates the path to Full Professor. Over the next three years, RLI programs will be continuously refined through successive SSWR pre-conferences, ensuring they remain responsive to the evolving needs of mid-career scholars. Attendees will also have opportunities to build collaborative research networks with peers and mentors, engaging in joint projects such as co-authoring manuscripts and drafting grant proposals. This workshop is ideal for Associate Professors committed to advancing their careers by cultivating the leadership skills essential for academic success. By the end of the workshop, participants will be empowered with actionable strategies to unlock their leadership potential, boost research productivity, and navigate the challenges of academic career progression.

(CANCELLED) SSRPCB-5: Unlocking the Secrets and Benefits of Winning a NIH Loan Repayment Program Award
Presenters: Camille R. Quinn, PhD, University of Michigan; Donte T. Boyd, PhD, The Ohio State University

This workshop is ideal for early-career researchers and postdoctoral fellows, as well as tenured faculty in social and behavioral health research who are considering applying for the NIH LRP. By participating in this workshop, attendees will acquire practical knowledge and actionable strategies that will enhance their understanding of the benefits and application requirements needed to increase their chances of obtaining an NIH LRP Award. This support can greatly improve their financial stability by alleviating educational debt, allowing them to devote more attention to their research endeavors and advance their career trajectory. Topics included in this workshop will be how to:

1.Identify the Benefits of being an NIH LRP awardee: Learn about the benefits (ie. increased FICO score, reduced burden of student loan debt, and access to a national and global network of top notch LRP scholars). Participants will understand the financial, including tax benefits that come with the NIH LRP and its overall impact on your financial portfolio, including features of current and former awardees and their paths to success.

2. Understanding the NIH Loan Repayment Program: Gain a comprehensive overview of the NIH LRP, including its purpose, eligibility criteria, and application process. Learn about the various types of LRPs available, including the Clinical Research LRP, Pediatric Research LRP, and the Health Disparities LRP.

3. Crafting a Strong Application: Discover the key components of a compelling application. We will break down the critical elements, including the research plan, career development plan, and personal statement. Participants will learn how to effectively articulate their research goals, demonstrate the significance of their work, and align their career objectives with the program’s mission. Also, the key to the strongest applications is securing strong recommendation letters, so participants will learn strategies for selecting appropriate referees and providing them with the information needed to write strong endorsements.

4. Navigating the Review Process: Get insights into the NIH review process, including what reviewers look for and how to address common pitfalls. Learn strategies to enhance your application’s competitiveness and increase your chances of success.

5. Q&A and Networking: Engage in an interactive Q&A session to address specific questions and challenges faced by attendees. Network with peers and experts to gain additional insights and build connections that may support your application process.
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