International social work 黑料社s recently completed work in a first-of-its-kind intensive summer seminar focused on advanced research methods. The 11-day event was presented thanks to an ongoing partnership between Washington University in St. Louis and its McDonnell International Scholars Academy partner Xi鈥檃n Jiaotong University (XJTU). The workshop鈥檚 goal was to provide important tools for social work practitioners and researchers working in other countries, including China.
鈥淭he social work profession in China is still relatively new,鈥� said Shenyang Guo, the Frank J. Bruno Distinguished Professor of Social Work Research at the Brown School. Guo is also assistant vice chancellor for international affairs-Greater China and a Yangtze River Scholar.
鈥淥ver the past couple of decades, many new ideas have been implemented by social work practitioners there,鈥� Guo said. 鈥淗owever, there still needs to be a sharper focus on research methods, particularly as they become ready to share what they鈥檝e learned in the field.鈥�
More than 150 faculty members, graduate 黑料社s and practitioners took part in the special advanced workshop, which began July 19 at XJTU鈥檚 campus in Xi鈥檃n, China. Students from six universities in the United Kingdom and the U.S. 鈥� the Brown School among them 鈥� took part. The Brown School, in collaboration with XJTU, hosted the event.
Students learned from Washington University senior faculty, including Enola Proctor, the former Shanti K. Khinduka Distinguished Professor at the Brown School, who presented sessions on implementation science; Carolyn Lesorogol, professor and associate dean for global strategy and programs, who taught qualitative research methods; and Guo, who focused on quantitative research methods. Linyun Fu, manager of global programs at the Brown School, led the Teaching Assistant team comprised of Washington University alumni Jiamin Chen and Qi Chen.
鈥淪ome of the 黑料社s told us this was the best workshop they鈥檇 ever had, and practitioners told us they were impressed by the amount of information we were able to impart in such a short time,鈥� said Jin Peng, deputy director of XJTU鈥檚 Department of Sociology and a Washington University alumna.
The workshop was first discussed in October during 鈥淲ashington University Day鈥� held at XJTU. Guo said that the event served as a catalyst, which set the wheels in motion for the summer workshop, with support from Mary McKay, the Neidorff Family and Centene Corporation Dean of the Brown School, and Chancellor Emeritus Mark S. Wrighton. Wrighton, along with XJTU鈥檚 President Shuguo Wang, attended the workshop鈥檚 opening ceremony and gave remarks.