History of the Translational Social Work Practice-Research Roundtable: How it All Began

By Shaaron Gilson

In 2012 three social workers were lamenting the distance that occurred between social work research and social work practice.

While some had heard this lament for many years, little to correct the situation or to attempt to narrow the gap appeared to be happening. In conjunction with this theme the social workers also acknowledged that often research that occurred in one practice setting wasn’t conveyed to other settings. This research might have been of interest and application across the practice spectrum.

While the practice of medicine had been moving forward in bringing research recommendations to practicing physicians in a more timely manner, it appeared as if social work was not part of this movement. Upon reflection and some investigation, translational social work research was identified. This model/process published by Lawrence Palinkas, PhD, and his colleague Haluk Soyden, PhD, from the School of Social Work at USC resonated with the intent of the roundtable.

In spring 2012, contact and a subsequent meeting was held with Dr. Palinkas. As an outcome of this meeting, NASW-CA agreed to host a conference featuring Dr. Palinkas as keynote speaker. Thus, the Translational Social Work Practice-Research Roundtable was established.

The idea was to create a venue where social work researchers and practitioners could meet, dialogue and discuss approaches that would facilitate the type of research helpful to practitioners. Conversely, practitioners would share observations about potential areas that were thought to be in need of further study.

In addition to providing the environment for such an exchange, there was a desire to encourage the attendance of social work practitioners from a full range of practice settings. By providing the opportunity to exchange information about advances across the practice settings the result would be consideration of research application across the span of practice. This would include practitioners from various public entities as well as private non-profit organizations.

The emphasis was on establishing a roundtable where researchers and practitioners could achieve an understanding of the strengths and challenges faced by both parties and how to improve the application of evidenced-based research in delivering the best practice to the client populations served.

The first two years of the roundtable focused on the translational social work research approach and the role of the “cultural broker.” The third year focused more on the experience from both research and practice perspectives illustrated by the work of Dean Jeffrey Edleson, PhD, in the field of domestic violence. The afternoon focus was on the experience of the process of program evaluation of the foster youth leadership development program. A panel presentation addressed the benefit of applying an approach involving both practitioner and youth in the development of the research model.

In 2015, the focus will be on strengthening the practitioner-researcher relationship to improve services to clients. In the morning session, Todd Sosna, PhD, will be the keynote speaker. The afternoon focus will be on a project where the practitioner and researcher were able to connect as a result of their attendance at the Translational Social Work Practice Research Roundtable.

As part of the continual process of evolving the structure and focus of the roundtable, a panel of researchers open to contact from practitioners regarding areas of need for potential research has been initiated and more names added each year. Still in the latter stage of the first phase of development, the support and enthusiasm received from the roundtable evaluations has propelled the continuation and advancement of the event.

In closing, participants look forward to meeting, sharing and reaffirming our commitment of providing the best services for our clients.

 Please look for further articles in this newsletter of why and how this roundtable is important to attendees.