The concerted efforts of social work researchers, educators, practitioners, and advocates allow for a more comprehensive approach to social problems. These efforts generate valuable insights into how social work empowers vulnerable populations through working collaboratively to create systemic change. The SWDE 2026 conference will focus on how social workers with expertise in these domains can use an online environment to collectively meet the ever-changing tides of research, teaching, practice and policy to promote anti-oppressive practice and services for individuals, families and communities.

The field of social work is diverse and multifaceted, encompassing a wide range of research approaches, pedagogical frameworks, practice methods, and policy initiatives. Blending these elements is essential for advancing the social work profession in equipping new practitioners with necessary skills and knowledge, creating more effective intervention strategies, and preparing practitioners to advocate for policy change. As the social work profession increasingly incorporates technology into education, service provision and policy action, social work distance education must allow students to gain a deeper awareness of how to connect to their own environment and the world around them.

The SWDE 2026 conference invites social work researchers, educators, practitioners and policy advocates worldwide to share their approaches, best practices and collective insights in blending these diverse areas of expertise in distance social work education.

PROPOSAL GUIDELINES

  1. Submitted proposals should be related to the conference theme “Navigating Complex Times: Opportunities and Challenges for Distance Education.”
  2. Proposals should relate to social work distance education. This may include schools and programs offering “completely online” distance degree programs or programs that are “hybrid/blended” and include both online and live interaction.
  3. No more than two (2) proposals can be submitted from the same primary author to ensure a diverse range of presenters.
  4. Proposals should have a max of four (4) presenters (one primary plus up to three (3) co-presenters).
  5. Accepted proposals may require additional information and materials prior to presentation.
  6. All proposals will be assessed using anonymous peer review.
  7. To foster an interactive and robust conference experience, all proposals accepted will be presented live through a virtual platform. A pre-recorded presentation option will not be offered.
  8. All sessions providing continuing education credits will be recorded and made available for viewing by conference attendees within 30 days following the conference closing.
  9. Proposal character limits: Title (max. 100), Abstract (max. 500), Learning Objectives (no limit – minimum of 3 required), Text (max 3500), References (max 2500)

PROPOSAL FORMATS

There are five (5) Track Focus categories and four (4) Session Format options available. The Planning Committee will make every effort to honor preferred selections, however, may request adaptions when necessary to ensure the most streamlined conference program.

Track Focus Categories

Five (5) possible Track Focus categories are available. Proposals must choose only one track category.

  1. PRACTICUM EDUCATION / DISTANCE PLACEMENT  Topics may include but are not limited to Innovative pedagogical approaches to deliver practicum curriculum, the role of practicum instructors/faculty liaisons in curriculum development, effective pedagogical use of technology for placement development, assessment, supervision, and orientation. Content regarding the use of performance-tracking software and online services is also encouraged.
  2. CURRICULUM  Topics may include, but are not limited to: Innovative curriculum development, Learning Management Systems (LMS) and supportive tools, best pedagogical practices, interdisciplinary and collaborative pedagogical approaches, innovative assignments/exercises, and community building while delivering BSW, MSW, or PhD/DSW curriculum.
  3. ADMINISTRATION / LEADERSHIP  Online program administration presents unique challenges. Needs and support systems vary from program to program, and we’d like proposals submitted that introduce us to and expand upon these different challenges to include: faculty recruitment and retention, how reliant a program is upon adjuncts, tenure track faculty members, enrollment, accreditation, marketing and promoting, partnering with educational service companies, complications of licensure in different jurisdictions/countries, and long term support for program and university needs.
  4. RESEARCH Topics should include an element that relates to social work distance education or virtual social work service delivery. Submissions should focus on what changes may have resulted from the research that was conducted. These changes may be due to the research process or the research’s dissemination and implementation. Submissions should describe how the research has contributed to changes in curriculum or service to individuals, organizations, communities and policies. The challenge is to describe what current or potential change is impacted by the results of the research.
  5. PRACTICE  Topics may include, but are not limited to, incorporation of distance education or service delivery in: clinical social work, case management, residential and community-based care, private practice, school social work, medical social work, family systems, diagnosis/assessment, new approaches to treatment, community organizing, assets-based community development and community-oriented interventions, advocacy, international social work, group social work, complications of licensure working in different jurisdictions/countries, etc.

Session Format Options

Four (4) possible Session Formats are available. Proposals must choose only one session format.

  1. ORAL PRESENTATION (45 minutes – CE available) Traditional-style 35-minute virtual presentation followed by a 10-minute Q&A period.
  2. PANEL PRESENTATION (45 minutes – CE available) Panel-style virtual presentation on a particular subject. The primary presenter is responsible for organizing and coordinating the panel presenters and presentation, submitting the proposal, introducing the topic and panel members, ensuring that members stick to the topic and timetable, and guiding discussion. Format is a 35-minute panel presentation followed by a 10-minute Q&A period.
  3. INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP (90 minutes – CE available) Hands-on learning or interactive experience that emphasizes a dynamic virtual instructor-participant dialogue in achieving the session’s learning objectives. This may include interactive participant polls, discussion breakout rooms and other online interactive options.
  4. VIRTUAL NETWORKING SESSION (45 minutes NOTE: not a continuing education session) The goal of this session is to promote discussion and brainstorming rather than a structured presentation. Facilitators will identify a topic of interest that will promote connection, interaction, and engagement. The topic chosen should relate to one of the core component areas and track focus categories.

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