This workshop supports junior scholars and senior practitioners in deepening their understanding of core and emerging approaches to practice research. Participants engage in small group consultations to receive feedback on works-in-progress and participate in peer learning. The session also provides networking opportunities to explore shared interests and introduces strategies for initiating and sustaining collaborative research projects, alongside new methods and theories.

2. The “Doing” of Participation in Practice-Research

Speakers:

Prof. Christa Fouché and Prof. Laura Chubb,
University of Auckland

The Speakers will present findings from a scoping review on how participation is operationalised in practice-based research, focusing on how researchers invite, engage, and sustain involvement. The session will highlight both common and discipline-specific approaches. Attendees will then share their own experiences across three key areas: symbolic vs. substantive empowerment, creating and disseminating outputs, and measuring participation.

3. Theorising from Practice: Qualitative Approaches

Speaker:

Dr Sui Ting Kong,
Durham University

Focusing on theorising from and for practice, this workshop explores the use of administrative data, experiential knowledge, and practice wisdom in social work. Dr Sui will present examples from Hong Kong and the UK using Cooperative Grounded Inquiry, Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, and Thematic Analysis. Participants will take part in world café sessions for hands-on experience with two theorising approaches, aiming to build understanding, explore qualitative methods, and develop practical analysis skills.

4. How to Use Randomized Experiments to Evaluate Social Work Practice Outcomes

Speaker:

Prof. Bruce Thyer,
Florida State University

Gain practical guidance on designing and implementing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) within social work settings. Learn how to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions using experimental methods, with attention to ethical considerations, contextual challenges, and relevant outcome measures. Through real-world examples and interactive discussion, the session demystifies RCTs and offers tools to conduct and critically assess rigorous evaluations in practice-based environments.

5. Understanding Therapists Effects: Why Are Some Therapists Better Than Others?

Speaker:

Prof. Rick Miller,
Brigham Young University

By the end of the workshop, participants will understand the concept of therapist effects—the significant variation in effectiveness among therapists—and what research has revealed (and not yet revealed) about what distinguishes more effective therapists. The session will also briefly connect this topic to its foundation in practice research, highlighting its relevance and importance in that context.

6. Becoming an Outstanding Marriage and Family Therapist: Lessons I Have Learned during My 40 Years as a Therapist

Speaker:

Prof. Rick Miller,
Brigham Young University

Professor Miller will share insights on the effectiveness of family therapy, highlighting its focus on relationship processes and the importance of understanding family culture with humility. Participants will explore the value of using a trusted therapy model, reframing problems to reduce blame, and building strong therapeutic alliances with multiple family members.

7. Challenges and Opportunities of Practice Research: Assessing Multiple-Family Therapy for Families of Mental Health Challenges in Hong Kong

Speaker:

Emeritus Prof. Joyce Ma,
Chinese University of Hong Kong

Professor Ma will discuss the design and development of practice research in Asian contexts like Hong Kong, using multiple family therapy projects as examples. Participants will explore the opportunities and challenges researchers face in implementing practice research and review key ethical issues involved.

8. Blended Mode Group Body/ Mind/Spirit Therapy for TCM Stagnation Syndrome and Clinical Data Mining

Speaker:

Prof. Ng Siu Man,
Hong Kong Association of Schools of Social Work

This workshop covers transforming group therapy into a blended format, highlighting key do’s and don’ts. It explores operationalizing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) stagnation syndrome as a psychological construct and introduces body/mind/spirit therapy for this condition, including a brief interactive exercise. The session also examines clinical data mining of intervention studies.

9. Strengthening Health Social Work practice research through the Academic–Practitioner Model

Speakers:

Prof. Lynette Joubert,
The University of Melbourne

Prof. Lee Geok Ling,
National University of Singapore

Explores how the Academic–Practitioner Model can strengthen health social work research by fostering effective collaboration between researchers and practitioners. Learn practical strategies to bridge theory and practice for greater impact.