Preparing the Next Generation of Social Work Researchers: Interdisciplinary Paths in Postdoctoral Training and Early Career Development

The last 20 years has seen a dramatic increase in interdisciplinary research collaborations between social work and other fields, such as economics, public health, and medicine. This shift has largely been in response to a growing recognition that creative solutions to complicated biological, psychological, and social problems lie at the intersections of multiple disciplines. The National Institutes of Health acknowledges that, “the traditional divisions within health research may in some instances impede the pace of scientific discovery,” (NIH, 2008) and has put forth a series of interdisciplinary research initiatives as part of the NIH Roadmap for medical research. Several leading social work organizations are encouraging involvement in interdisciplinary research as well. At the heart of the core mission of the Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research is the aim to promote interdisciplinary partnerships that will advance the scientific basis for solving social problems.

Social work researchers involved in interdisciplinary collaborations require supportive environments that allow them to work with multiple disciplines across multiple departments. Conducting interdisciplinary research takes willingness on the part of the researcher to venture into new fields and to be open to the cultures and values of other disciplines. The researcher is responsible for communicating the benefits of interdisciplinary research to potential collaborators and key stakeholders, including funding sources, academic institutions, and the general public. New scientists must be equipped with a versatile skill set that enables them to meet the challenges of building an interdisciplinary program of research. Postdoctoral training and career development programs offer new PhDs and junior faculty the didactic and research experiences necessary to lead and engage in integrative approaches to solving complex social problems.

This roundtable will begin a dialogue about the opportunities and challenges in interdisciplinary early career training for social work researchers. Presenters will focus on the benefits of interdisciplinary training for individuals, researchers, schools, and the field as a whole. The barriers to successfully attaining and carrying out interdisciplinary training will also be addressed. Two experienced mentors, Dr. Jan Greenberg and Dr. Enola Proctor, will offer insight into the postdoctoral training experience for both prospective trainees and potential mentors. They will describe the characteristics of interdisciplinary training environments that promote the successful development of junior investigators. In addition, they will offer suggestions for developing the framework and securing support for postdoctoral trainees in such settings. In addition, Kelly Aschbrenner and Amy Mendenhall will share their current experiences as postdoctoral trainees in interdisciplinary settings. Finally, SSWR President, Dr. Sarah Gehlert, will address the advantages and challenges of interdisciplinary early career training for the field as a whole.

Our overall goal is to stimulate conversation that will raise awareness of the benefits and barriers to interdisciplinary training for junior investigators, and to identify ways to expand current training opportunities in social work research.