Session: Opening Plenary Session: New Horizons of Translational Research and Research Translation In Social Work (Society for Social Work and Research 15th Annual Conference: Emerging Horizons for Social Work Research)

Bridging gaps in translating research into practice in all fields of health and social services constitutes one of the most vigorous contemporary priorities. Social workers are uniquely positioned to play pivotal roles in conducting translational research, addressing critical questions, and facilitating research translation. This session will provide an overview of new opportunities, directions, and methods for engaging in translational research and research translation. It will provide examples of social worker leadership in specific research studies that focus on effectiveness, dissemination, implementation and sustainability of innovative practices; describe current activities in methods development, training programs, and NIH-funded Clinical and Translational Science Institutes; and present a strategy for research that meets the specific needs and draws upon the specific strengths of our profession. This strategy calls for the transformation of the cultures of social work research and practice through academic-community partnerships that seek to adopt and adapt global, evidence-based approaches to practice to address local needs of diverse populations.