We invite social work service users, students, practitioners, educators, researchers, and thought leaders to submit abstracts for the 7th International Conference on Practice Research (ICPR7) on 7th to 9th July 2026 at the Singapore University of Social Sciences.
Submission Topics
May include:
- Children and Youth Services
- Climate Change & Disaster SW
- Community Development
- Correction, Forensic and Rehabilitation
- Digital, GAI and Technologies
- Disability
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Family Services
- Gerontology
- Mental Health
- Health and Social Integration
- Human Organization Management
- Practice Research Impact and Influence
- Social Policy Related Practice Research
- Practice Research Methodology
- Service User Engagement
Format
- Workshop/ Paper Presentation comprise individual or co-authored presentations from different organisations or countries, grouped according to conference themes, where possible. Each presentation is allocated 30 minutes, comprising 20 minutes for presentation and 10 minutes for discussion and/or Q&A.
- Seminars cater to presenters who are interested to provide more in-depth elaboration on a topic or theme. They may combine several presentations or papers together utilising the entire seminal session of 60 minutes, regardless of the number of presenters and papers.
- Non- Traditional Poster: Pechakucha/ Digital Poster Presentation In lieu of traditional posters presentations, ICPR7 will feature Pecha Kucha presentations or digital posters only. PechaKucha uses a fast-paced storytelling format originating from Japan (Japanese: ぺちゃくちゃ, [petɕa kɯ̥tɕa]). Each presenter will show 20 slides for 20 seconds each, resulting in a concise 7-minute talk, followed by 3 minutes for clarification and/or questions. All presenters are encouraged to pre-record their presentations to manage time better. For those who would like to use conventional poster formats, please prepare them in digital version and presenters will share their digital posters at designated time and venue, alongside the PechaKucha presentations for 10 minutes.
Abstract Submission Guidelines
When submitting ICPR7 abstracts, authors must:
- Submit abstracts relevant to practice research only
- Submit abstracts relevant to the conference theme: Practice Research without Borders: Inclusion and Change Across Sectors and Context
- Indicate conference sub-themes and methods as required
- Provide author information as required
- Submit abstracts in Word or PDF format
- Use format: Objective, Methods, Results, Conclusion, Practice Research Implications
- Exclude references, tables or figures
- Limit each abstract to 200 words only
- Limit to two abstracts as first authors
- Be registered participants of the conference
Abstract Assessment Criteria
All abstracts are assessed by at least two reviewers using the following six criteria that are designed to reflect the interdisciplinary, collaborative, and practice-oriented nature of practice research:
| S/No | Criteria | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | (Key Criterion) Relevance to Practice Research in Social Work | The abstract clearly addresses key concerns or innovations in practice research and is aligned with the conference theme and sub-themes |
| 2 | Contextual and Cultural Sensitivity | The abstract reflects awareness of the socio-economic, cultural and political context in which the work is situated appropriate for diverse appropriate and settings |
| 3 | Conceptual Clarity and Structure | Purpose, research questions, methodology and implications are clear, as well as well organised and clearly written. |
| 4 | Methodological and Ethical Rigor | Design and method (qualitative, quantitative, mixed, or participatory) are clearly described with clear indication of ethical considerations, especially when involving vulnerable populations. |
| 5 | Originality | Presents novel insights or empirical findings, and addresses under-explored topics or offer innovative approaches to practice research. |
| 6 | Significance, Impact, and Inclusion | Demonstrates potential impact on practice, policy, or education, and engages with issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, or cultural/contextual sensitivity, where appropriate. |
Important Dates:
Submission of abstracts opens:
1 August to 31 December 2025
Abstract review:
On-going till 31 December 2025
Tentative Confirmation of accepted abstracts and presentations:
31 January 2026
Awards
Awards will be given to the most outstanding abstracts, workshops and seminars presentations, selected by the Local Scientific Committee and conference participants.
Recognition will be given to organizations and individuals who demonstrate practice research impact.
More details will be provided in due course.