2023-2024 Year in Review: Research leading change
Real-world impact
Social work research is interdisciplinary, collaborative, and increasingly global and community-based. FIFSW researchers have long been known for their work uncovering evidence that helps inform practice, but their impact extends far beyond the social work field.
Read some examples of our Faculty’s real-world impact from this past year.
Learn more about FIFSW research outreach and awards from the 2023-2024 academic year.
Outreach and knowledge mobilization
Sharing knowledge and research outcomes is key to ensuring it has an impact.
Sophie Lucyk Virtual Library (SLVL)
The Sophie Lucyk Virtual Library (SLVL) is an ongoing strategic partnership between FIFSW and the University of Toronto Libraries. It’s goal: to make FIFSW research freely available to the public. The open access virtual library honours alumna and social worker Sophie Lucyk and was created through the vision of alumna Rosemary Slivinskas, executor of her estate.
Over the last year, (June 2023 to May 2024), the SLVL TSpace collection averaged 2,873 views and 3,510 downloads per month. A total of 42,126 downloads occurred over the last year. The virtual library now includes 759 items, up from 624 last year.
7 PhD dissertations examining critical issues
FIFSW’s PhD program is designed to cultivate high-caliber scholars and outstanding leaders in social work research, education and policy.
FIFSW in the media
FIFSW experts continue to be highly sought after by media for TV, radio, and podcast interviews and stories both online and in print. Coverage over the past year included features in CBC News, the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, Global News, CTV News, CP24, BBC, CNN, the Hindustan Times, Today’s Parent, and more. Here is a look at some notable media hits from the past academic year.
- Dean Charmaine Williams discussed the importance of representation and what she and other Black women leaders at U of T hope to instill in the next generation for a featured segment on CBC News.
- The BBC spoke to Associate Professor Izumi Sakamoto for a story on the move to ban employers from requiring Canadian work experience when advertising for jobs in Ontario.
- Professor Esme Fuller-Thomson, director of the Institute for Life Course and Aging, spoke to the Globe and Mail about research on longevity for a story on the secret to a long life.
- Assistant Professor Kyle Ganson’s research on social media use and weight-related bullying among adolescents received coverage from CNN, Global TV, and Global Radio.
- Forbes interviewed Professor Carmen Logie about sexual violence risks young women face when accessing water for an article exploring how unsafe water impacts women.
- Professor David Brennan provided CTV News with context and insight after Canadian Blood Services issued an apology for a former policy that excluded gay men from donating blood.
- Professor David Hulchanski provided expert comment on the housing crisis for numerous articles in the Toronto Star and CBC News.
- The Toronto Star and CityNews featured stories on a new course created by Sessional Lecturer and Assistant Professor (Status Only) Raza Mirza that brought undergraduate students and older adults together as learners.
- Assistant Professor (Status Only) Laura Tamblyn Watts appeared on TVO’s The Agenda to talk about her new book Let’s Talk about Aging Parents.
- Dean Charmaine Williams discussed the importance of representation and what she and other Black women leaders at U of T hope to instill in the next generation for a featured segment on CBC News.
Awarding excellence in research and leadership
Associate Professor (Status Only) Samantha Anthony was the 2023 recipient of the Ontario Association of Social Workers’ Beverley Antle Leadership Award, which highlights the pivotal and dynamic leadership roles played by social workers in non-traditional, leading edge positions.
Professor Carmen Logie and her research team received a 2024 Impact Award from the Journal of the International AIDS Society at the International AIDS Conference — the world’s largest conference on HIV and AIDS. The award recognized the team’s research on a promising approach to increasing HIV testing among refugee youth in Kampala, Uganda: the use of self tests. Logie was also selected as a Delegate for the 2024 Science Meets Parliament program, hosted by the Canadian Science Policy Centre in partnership with Canada’s Chief Science Advisor Dr. Mona Nemer.
In May, Professor Michael Saini was named president of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) at the organization’s annual conference in Boston. Saini is one of only five Canadians to become president in the organization’s 61- year history and one of three social workers to take on the role. (The last time a social worker was president was 28 years ago.)
Recent MSW graduate Brennan Snow was selected as one of the recipients of the 2022-2023 Susan J. Wagner Student Leadership Award in Interprofessional Education by the Centre for Advancing Collaborative Healthcare & Education (CACHE). The award honours a U of T student who demonstrates leadership, dedication and excellence through promotion and engagement of interprofessional education and care.
The Youth Wellness Lab (YWL), a research collaborative led by Associate Professors Stephanie Begun and Bryn King, received an honourable mention for Excellence in Community-Campus Research Partnership at the CBRCanada Awards. YWL exemplifies community-based research by engaging youth and community partners as researchers in its work.
PhD student Egag Egag was awarded a 2024 Insight Research Fellowship for their research on the experiences of Black post-secondary students accessing counselling support for on-campus experiences of anti-Black Racism.
Professor Faye Mishna was selected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare in recognition of her distinguished accomplishments and dedication to achieving excellence in high-impact work to advance social good.
Professor Cheryl Regehr was elected to the Fellowship of Academy of Social Sciences for her excellence and contributions to social sciences research that tackles pressing issues facing society. She was also named a 2023 Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) in recognition of her leadership, creativity, and commitment to advancing academic health sciences
FIFSW PhD student Peter Sheffield won second place in the student poster competition at the University of Toronto Institute for Pandemics symposium. Sheffield’s poster shared the results of a study he co-authored with Associate Professor Rachelle Ashcroft and others on primary health care’s involvement in vaccination efforts for COVID-19.
Assistant Professor Jia Xue was awarded the 2023 Ivan Sun Outstanding Young Scholar Research Award by the Association of Chinese Criminology and Criminal Justice (ACCCJ) in recognition of her expertise in the areas of interpersonal violence and the intersection of artificial intelligence with social justice. The Award recognizes a young scholar’s outstanding scholarly contributions to the literature of criminology and criminal justice in Greater China or Chinese residents and immigrants and/or their communities overseas.
Cheryl Regehr commended for her incredible leadership as vice-president and provost
At the end of 2023 Cheryl Regehr completed her term as vice-president and provost leaving a legacy that will shape U of T for generations to come. At a reception to honour Regehr’s 10 years of service leading the university’s academic mission, President Meric Gentler cited her commitment to student success and well-being, noting her stewardship to transform mental health service delivery at the University. Regehr returned to a full-time research and teaching role as a professor at FIFSW on Jan. 1, 2024.
Institute for Life Course and Aging (ILCA)
Housed at FIFSW and directed by Professor Esme Fuller-Thomson, the Institute for Life Course & Aging (ILCA) at the University of Toronto brings together interdisciplinary research and provides graduate and post-graduate education on the biological, psychological and social dimensions of aging across the life course. Throughout the year, the Institute holds seminars and online workshops for professionals, researchers and the general public to broaden knowledge and understanding of topics related to aging.
ILCA by the numbers
8 4-week online workshops for 460 participants
3 Emerging Scholars Seminar Series talks attended by over 185 online participants
11 New affiliated members (including 7 cross-appointed faculty and 4 affiliated researchers)
Emerging Scholars Seminar Series
Trevor Cross: A Tailored Fit: Design and Evaluation of a Website Structure Self-tailoring Option for Older Adults
Mabel Ho: Successful Aging in Canada: Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)
Peggy Chi: Turning Over a New Leaf: Links Between Nature Access and Outcomes in Long-Term Care
Did you know?
ILCA’s YouTube channel include 148 videos featuring gerontology experts on topics such as dementia, sleep issues, anxiety and depression among older adults, and more. Check out ILCA’s top watched video, “Sleep problems among older adults,” which currently boasts over 52,000 views.
