Grand Challenges for Social Work Roundtable: Leveraging the Social Impact of the Grand Challenges for Social Work: A Framework for Collaborative and Community Engaged Research

In an era marked by complex societal challenges, social work scholars and practitioners are called upon to harness the power of community engaged collaboration and innovation to address pressing issues affecting individuals, families, institutions, and communities. A community-engaged Grand Challenges for Social Work initiative provides a visionary framework to guide research, education, policy, and practice efforts aimed at tackling some of the most significant challenges facing society today.

Since its inception, the Grand Challenges for Social Work initiative has catalyzed transformative research and action across the social work profession. Through cross-university and interdisciplinary collaboration, the initiative has demonstrated its potential to drive meaningful change. By aligning research priorities with pressing social needs, the Grand Challenges framework has empowered researchers to generate actionable insights and evidence-based solutions to some of society's most pressing challenges.

This roundtable session will explore the powerful potential of a community-engaged Grand Challenges framework as a roadmap for collaborative research endeavors aimed at achieving measurable social impact. This session will delve into key aspects of a community-engaged Grand Challenges framework, including its historical context, overarching goals, and demonstrations of impact of collaborative research within the Grand Challenge networks.

Through interactive dialogue and shared experiences, attendees will explore strategies for leveraging the Grand Challenges framework to foster community-engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, mobilize resources, and drive meaningful impact in society.

Key topics to be addressed include:

Understanding Existing Examples of Community Engaged Grand Challenges Work the Grand Challenges for Social Work: Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the Grand Challenges framework, including its origins, evolution, and strategic objectives. The session will highlight the significance of the Grand Challenges as a unifying force within the social work profession, inspiring collective action and innovation.

Facilitating Collaborative Research: This session will examine a framework of strategies for fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships across academia, government, and community-based organizations. Participants will learn how the Grand Challenges framework can serve as a catalyst for generating new research ideas, forging innovative partnerships, and translating findings into actionable solutions.

Advancing Social Impact: Finally, attendees will discuss the ways in which Grand Challenges networks have used social work research to drive tangible social impact and transformative change. Through a focus on dissemination, advocacy, and policy engagement, presenters will highlight opportunities for researchers to amplify their impact and contribute to the achievement of the Grand Challenges' overarching goals.

By harnessing the collective expertise and passion of the social work community, we can work together to address the most pressing challenges of our time and create a more just and equitable world for all.