Throughout the year, the TFEL Partnership organizes a series of webinars and upcoming events on social work field education, training and mentorship. All webinars and events are recorded and the links to the recordings, as well as the PowerPoints will be posted below.

Atlantic Canada Discoveries – Promising & Wise Practices in Field Education; April 15, 2021

Presenters: Amy Martin (BSW, RSW, MSW); Jamie Maher (BSW, RSW, MSW) & Sheri M. McConnell (MSW, PhD, RSW, Assistant Professor, Memorial University SSW)

This presentation described the results of ten interviews with field education coordinators and field instructors across Canada across Atlantic Canada, which is part of the TFEL national study on informing the development of sustainable field education models. 

Building Capacity from Within; April 8, 2021

Presenters: Eileen McKee (Assistant Dean, Field Education, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto); Dr. Sheri McConnell (Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, Memorial University)

This webinar described the roles and benefits of being a field instructor; shared opportunities for skill development and enhancement, including an overview of the CASWE-ACFTS Online Field Instructors Course; explored models for mentoring social work students to become field instructors, and addressed systemic challenges and opportunities for advocacy and change.

Student Voices in the Field Education Landscape; March 29, 2021

Presenters: Monika Pakstas (MSW student, University of Calgary); Allison Iriye (MSW student, University of Calgary), Dr. David Nicholas (PhD, RSW, Professor, University of Calgary)

This webinar discussed the findings and themes from a series of dialogue circles in which Social Work students from across Canada came together to discuss the current challenges and ideas for changes within field education.

A Meeting of the Minds: Mentorship & Leadership; March 23, 2021

Presenters: Jackie Fields (PhD, University of Calgary), Diana Adamo (MSW Candidate, University of Calgary), Beatrice Leja (MSW, BSW, Wilfrid Laurier University), Sarah Rienzo (4th year BSW student, Wilfrid Laurier University)

This webinar examined how mentorship can serve as the pathway to demonstrated leadership in social work education and field education.

The State of Field Education and Emerging Best Practices: A Scoping Review; March 11, 2020

Presenters: Marion Bogo (Professor, FSW University of Toronto) & Dr. Karen Sewell (Assistant Professor, SSW, Carleton University)

This webinar provided a scoping review of the contemporary evidence-basis of field education. Synthesizing the empirical literature (n = 99) provided them with an understanding of emerging trends and best practices that can guide field instructors and support schools of social work in strengthening field education. 

What is Social Work;  February 16th, 2021

Presenters: Cyndi Hall (Field Education Coordinator, SSW, Dalhousie University); Nancy Ross (Assistant Professor, SSW, Dalhousie University)

“What is Social Work?” was a webinar on a video documentary, with commentary. In this webinar, the presenters described the creative process they undertook in the creation of this documentary and discussed some of the emerging themes from the interviews and implications for field education.

Anti-Indigenous Racism in the British Columbia Health Care System;  February 11th, 2021 

Presenter: Dr. Grant Charles (Associate Professor, SSW, University of British Columbia)

This webinar presented findings on British Columbia’s Addressing Racism Review inquiry, with a specific focus upon the implications for social work. The inquiry was an examination of BC health care workers, commissioned by the BC Minister of Health, on instances of health care workers guessing the blood alcohol levels of Indigenous patients. This webinar took an in-depth look at Anti-Indigenous Racism in the British Columbia Health Care System and its implications for Social Work.

Research as Daily Practice; January 26th, 2021 

Presenters: Dr. Sally St. George (Professor, FSW, University of Calgary) / Dr. Dan Wulff (Professor, FSW University of Calgary)

In this webinar, presenters Dr. Sally St. George and Dr. Dan Wulff showcased their recent ideas on the distinction between practice and research and provided examples across many areas of social work practice for which this can be useful.

Near Peer Mentorship Program + Field Image Showcase – December 18, 2020

This webinar presented the structure and lessons of the Near Peer Mentorship Program, which aimed to foster the growth and talent of social work students in a new mentorship program. This webinar will also feature the Field Image Showcase, which was an opportunity for social work students to showcase a unique experience in practicum, course work or research activities. 

State of Social Work Field Education in Canada; December 8th, 2020

This webinar was a presentation of the results of the survey on the State of Social Work Field Education in Canada. 

The Role of Service Users in Social Work Education; November 25th, 2020

This webinar was a presentation on the findings of a literature review, conducted on the role of service users in social work education. A discussion was facilitated on how service users have the potential to transform field education, prepare students for practice and expand learning in social work.

Practice Research Module in Field Education; July 15th, 2020

This webinar highlighted practice research in social work field education. The topics of discussion included definitions of practice research, the integration of practice research in field education, and the understandings of practice research in diverse contexts.