2023-2024 Year in Review
May 2023:
CASWE Conference
The Centre presented a poster titled “The Centre for Studies on Poverty and Social Citizenship: A Timeline” which charted the history and trajectory of the CSPSC, and responded to the following question: what are the contributions of the CSPSC, and how might social work research centres impact student professional development and research opportunities?
Using historical research methods (De Chesnay, 2015), a review is conducted of Carleton University’s Faculty of Public Affairs Research Centres Benchmarking Project (2018) and CSPSC internal and online archives to identify past projects and activities. These documents and projects were then categorized, and a thematic analysis was conducted to elucidate the contributions of social work research centres.
Student Conference Support Program:
Three student projects were selected as successful candidates for the CSPSC Student Conference Support Program. In May 2023, Lu Chen (then BSW student, and current MSW thesis student) and Kendal David (current PhD candidate) represented the CSPSC at the Canadian Association of Social Work Education annual conference in Toronto, Ontario. .
Lu Chen was selected to present her poster titled “The Urgency of Building Culturally and Linguistically Sensitive Long-Term Care Homes for Chinese Immigrant Older Adults in Ottawa.” Kendal David was selected for her project “Critical Disability Studies for Anti-poverty Research: Exploring Conceptual Possibilities”
Summer 2023:
Farewell to Dave
Our CSPSC Coordinator, Dave Cavana, has resigned to pursue other opportunities at Carleton University. We thank Dave for his work in the 2022-2023 year.
October 2023:
Student Conference Support Program
Margaret Janse van Rensburg (current PhD candidate) was supported by the CSPSC to attend the October 2023 Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. Margaret’s presentation was titled “Attending in Research: Diverging from Convestion by Meaningfully Engaging an Adult Autism Community”.
Ontario Basic Income Pilot
The Ontario Basic Income Pilot, operating from 2017 to 2019 worked as an alternative approach to poverty reduction. Collaborative efforts, notably between McMaster University’s School of Labour Studies and the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction, resulted in the 2020 release of the Southern Ontario Basic Income Experience report, focusing on quantitative findings from Hamilton recipients. Subsequent involvement of Carleton School of Social Work researchers facilitated qualitative analysis.
Supported by the SSHRC PEG grant, a workshop evolved into a comprehensive event commemorating five years since OBIP’s inception. The Centre for Studies on Poverty and Social Citizenship proudly supported this event which featured various outputs, including reports, a zine, a documentary screening, and panel discussions with former participants.
November 2023:
Research Assistant
The Center for Studies on Poverty and Social Citizenship welcomes Dahlia Belfer aboard as a research assistant. Dahlia will help to coordinate the first in-person Social Work Research Day (SWRD16) since the COVID lockdowns.
December 2023:
Social Work Research Day
As preparations for Social Work Research Day gain momentum, the excitement builds with a call for abstract submissions sent to students and faculty. Eager participants promptly begin sending in their contributions, showcasing the diverse range of research and insights within our school community.
January 2024:
Abstract Writing Workshop
Co-chairs Dr. Ferrer and Dr. Redmond led an online abstract writing workshop aimed at fostering student involvement in SWRD while nurturing essential research skills. Through the workshop, students are equipped with the tools and guidance needed to craft compelling abstract submissions not only for Social Work Research Day but also for future submissions.
Abstract Review Committee
A dedicated student committee is assembled to undertake the crucial task of peer-reviewing abstract submissions for SWRD. The committee is vital to the SWRD process and provides a valuable learning experience for the reviewers. Under the mentorship of co-chairs Dr. Redmond and Dr. Ferrer, these students delve into the intricacies of effective research conference abstract submissions, honing their skills and insights along the way. Collaboratively, they evaluate each submission, offering constructive feedback and guidance to authors to enhance the quality of their work. Through this hands-on involvement, the student committee not only contributes to the success of SWRD but also cultivates a deeper understanding of the standards and nuances of scholarly communication.
February 2024:
Social Work Research Day Acceptances and Presenter Development Meetings
SWRD acceptance letters are dispatched to the successful candidates, heralding the culmination of their hard work and dedication. Among the recipients, 8 paper presentations and 5 poster presentations are selected to showcase the range of research taking place. Each candidate receives a formal acceptance and congratulations, accompanied by valuable feedback from the abstract review committee, aimed at refining their presentations further.
Every presenter is granted one-on-one meetings with one of the center’s co-chairs. These meetings serve as an opportunity to delve into the feedback provided, discuss the intricacies of their research, and prepare to present their work at Social Work Research Day.
CSPSC Coordinator
Dahlia Belfer transitions from her role as a research assistant to that of the CSPSC coordinator. This move expands her responsibilities beyond the coordination of Social Work Research Day to encompass a broader scope of center activities.
Poverty Reduction Strategy Round Table and Listening Session
The Center actively engages in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Round Table and Listening Session, joining forces with various community organizations to evaluate Ottawa’s poverty reduction strategy. Through collaborative efforts, community partners meticulously assess different facets of the strategy, offering critiques and sharing frontline experiences to ensure that it accurately reflect the specific needs of the community. This session serves as a vital platform for dialogue and collective action.
March 2024:
Social Work Research Day
On March 18th, the CSPSC marked a significant milestone by hosting the first in-person Social Work Research Day since the onset of COVID lockdowns. The event proved to be a resounding success, as it united students, faculty, alumni, and community partners in a vibrant celebration of research and collaboration. Throughout the day, attendees saw remarkable presentations and engaged in lively discussions, reflecting the depth of research with the school. SWRD16 underscored the enduring importance of growing and sharing Social Work knowledge.
Photos from SWRD16 can be found here: https://carleton.ca/cspsc/photos/
SWRD Volunteer Opportunities
Furthermore, alongside the remarkable contributions presented by student researchers, there were volunteer opportunities for students keen on observing the organization of Social Work Research Day. These student volunteers were given the chance to collaborate closely with CSPSC staff to assist in the coordination of the event and acquire firsthand knowledge of the logistics surrounding a research event. Students were encouraged to inquire and engage in all facets of research, including administrative tasks, this experience serves as a lesson in navigating scholarly environments from a new angle.
April 2024:
Student Conference Support Program
The Student Conference Support Program returns for the upcoming summer CASWE conference, extending a call for submissions to students with accepted research projects. As anticipation builds for this pivotal event, students are invited to submit requests for center support to attend and share their work at the conference. This initiative underscores the commitment to nurturing emerging talent and providing valuable opportunities for students to showcase their research endeavours on a broader stage.
What Works SSHRC Connections Grant Submission
In May 2024, the What Works Roundtable led by Derek Cooke submitted a SSHRC Connections Grant, where the CSPSC is identitied as a collaborator. We look forward to working on a national project aiming to centering research on poverty.