Researchers & Respondents
Need participants for your research or survey?
Share your request with SWAA and we’ll help you reach a wider community of social workers who may be interested in supporting your study. We’re excited to connect you with engaged respondents and be part of your research journey!
A quick note: After submitting your request, please continue to check our website and newsletters to see if your ad has been published. When you’ve finished recruiting, let us know so we can remove your posting. To make things easier, we encourage you to give consent to receive emails when filling out the form. This way, we can reach out if we need clarification, and you’ll also receive the newsletter featuring your ad.
To recruit respondents through SWAA, please complete the form below. Ensure that your submission is fully completed and includes all required information and uploaded files. If you have any questions, please contact us at hello@myswaa.ca
Participate in Research.
Share your insights, contribute to meaningful research, and make an impact!
See available studies below.
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Clinical Social Work Practice from a Critical Lens
Researcher: Krista Osborne, PhD Student, University of Calgary
About the Study: To support the growing need for anti-racist and decolonized models of healing, this research examines how clinical practice is learned and embodied through a critical lens. It also seeks to uncover what factors support and constrain critical practice in clinical social work in the province of Alberta. The goal is to understand teaching and learning practices that can encourage emerging clinicians and clinical educators to teach and practice critical clinical social work. Description goes here
Respondents:
Experienced Clinical Social Workers (2 years post MSW) with/or working toward their
RCSW status and Clinical Social Work Educators
Province: AB
End Date for Participant Recruitment: November 30, 2026
Learn More & Participate: Research Recruitment Poster (Sept).jpg
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How Are Meaningful Outcomes Defined? Policy and System Leaders and Mental Health Service Professionals’ Perspectives on Evaluation and Implementation in the Canadian Mental Health System: A Qualitative Case Study
Researcher: Budur Abdulwahed, MSc Mental Health and Wellbeing Researcher, University of Wolverhampton
About the Study: This qualitative study explores how policy and system leaders and mental health service professionals in Canada interpret meaningful mental health policy outcomes and progress, and how these interpretations may inform policy evaluation and implementation. Participation involves one confidential 45-minute online interview via Microsoft Teams.
Respondents: Mental health service professionals, including social workers, therapists, counsellors, case managers, and other professionals with current or recent experience in mental health service delivery in Canada.
End Date for Participant Recruitment: 11 October 2026
PDF.Canadian_Mental_Health_Research_Recruitment_Poster.pdf
Ethical approval.pdf -
Self-concept: A potential link between mental health stigma and university-work trajectories in emerging adults
Researcher: Talia Vacca, Student, University of Toronto
About the Study: I am conducting a research study that aims to better understand how mental health stigma and self-concept relate to academic adjustment, future career thinking, and overall well-being in emerging adults. The ultimate goal is to inform future research and programs that support students’ transition into adulthood.
Respondents: Social Work students, therapy students, counselling students
Province: Ontario
Research details + QR Code: StigmaStudy.png | VaccaT-PhD-researchcallout
End Date for Participant Recruitment: March 2027
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Understanding healthcare providers’ perspectives on violence and harm in healthcare
Researcher: Erin Tichenor, PhD student, University of Alberta
Email: tichenor@ualberta.ca
About the Study: In this qualitative study, we aim to understand how acute care healthcare providers interpret and respond to violence and harm in healthcare, broadly defined. Participants are invited to complete a short survey. After the survey, participants also have the option of completing an interview and a journal entry.
Respondents: All social work clinicians working in acute care at the Royal Alexandra and/or University of Alberta Hospitals in Edmonton. You are eligible for this study if you: Are 18 years or older; Can complete the survey in English; Are a practicing clinical healthcare provider (including residents and interns); Work at the Royal Alexandra Hospital (including the Lois Hole Hospital for Women) or the University of Alberta Hospital (including the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute); Directly support adult patients being treated in acute medical or surgical inpatient units and/or emergency departments for at least part of your shift or duties
End Date for Participant Recruitment: July 31, 2027
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Voices of Dually Involved Youth with Permanent Guardianship Orders (PGO) in Alberta: Exploring Lived Experiences and Systemic Challenges
Researcher: Serena Cataldo, Doctor of Social Science Student, Royal Roads Unviersity
About the Study: The Study seeks to explore the experiences of youth who have been involved within both the child welfare and criminal justice systems. This research aims to give voice to individuals who have navigated these systems, to better understand the challenges faced and identify ways to improve services and supports.
Respondents:
Must be 18 years of age or older
Previously had Permanent Guardianship Order (PGO) status
Were involved in both the child welfare and criminal justice systems in Alberta at the same time
Participants will recive a $100 visa gift card.
Province: AB
End Date for Participant Recruitment: April 1, 2027
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Disenfranchised Grief in East Asian Women After Surviving Intimate Partner Violence:
Researcher: Ping Ying Choo, Doctoral Candidate, University of Calgary
About the Study: I am currently recruiting East Asian women across Canada to share their stories of grief and loss in intimate partner violence, with the hope of understanding how their experiences may be shaped by their various identities. Their sharing will help shed lights on feasible intervention directions extend beyond individualistic, trauma-focused care. I seek your kind assistance to share this recruitment brochure with survivors who have left the abusive intimate relationships and may wish to share their stories.
Respondents: East Asian women who have experienced grief and loss after surviving intimate partner violence.
To Learn More: Email Ping Ying Choo
End Date for Participant Recruitment: Mar 31, 2027
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Whiteness and Anti-Racist Action: A Focused Critical Ethnographic Exploration with White Women Social Workers
Researcher: Delia Cudney, Graduate Student Researcher, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary
About the Study: This focused critical ethnographic study aims to explore how white women social workers (WWSW) who espouse antiracist values are internalizing and embodying anti-racism to disrupt white supremacy within professional practice and broader social contexts. I want to understand the discrepancy between anti-racist values and behaviours by examining which specific practices/ disciplines are being enacted, their impacts, learning, and challenges. Finally, I want to explore how to advance and normalize the disruption of white supremacy for WWSWs in social work practice.
Respondents:
Identify/present as a white woman
Are engaged in anti‑racism work
Are licensed with ACSW or a member of SWAA
Have 2+ years of social work experience
End Date for Participant Recruitment: End Date: September 30, 2026.
Recruitment Poster.pdf | Recruitment Instagram post
Recruitment Email FROM Third Party
Consent to Participate | Certificate_REB25-1882 -
Constitutional Overrides and Gender Identity: Assessing the Impact of Section 33 on 2SLGBTQ+ Social Service Providers in Alberta
Name: Lux Irvine, Researcher, McMaster University
About the Study: The purpose of this study is to understand how Alberta’s use of the “notwithstanding clause” regarding transgender rights affects the work of frontline social workers and 2SLGBTQ+ service providers. We will be exploring the “dual crisis” that occurs when government policies conflict with a worker’s professional and personal ethics to provide inclusive care. This research aims to highlight the challenges that these providers face and serve as a roadmap for other provinces and territories navigating the proposal of similar legislative challenges.
Respondents: Frontline social service workers, registered social workers, clinical social workers, counselors, case managers. Anyone in a client-facing role that may service 2SLGBTQ+ clients.
End Date for Participant Recruitment: September 30, 2026
Learn More: Consent - Letter of Information .pdf.pdf
To Participate, Scan QR Code: Promotional Poster v2.png -
The psychosocial experiences and challenges of refugee children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Canada
Name: Thala Mouawad, Masters Student, University College London (UCL)
About the Study: I want to find out what particular difficulties are faced by young refugees with SEND such as dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) etc. I believe it is important to identify the particular struggles that might exist at the intersection of these three vulnerable identities (child, refugee and individual with SEND). To that end, I will be conducting online semi-structured interviews of 40 mins to an hour at most with professionals who have worked with children fitting this profile, among others.
Respondents: You are eligible if you have worked with refugee children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as a:
Social Worker
Educational/Clinical Psychologist
Occupational Therapist
Other type of Mental Health professional
End Date for Participant Recruitment: 5th of August 2026
Learn More: Consent Form.docx
Information Sheet.docx -
Caring for Clients with Eating Disorders: A Qualitative Examination of Canadian Primary Care Social Workers’ Experiences
Researcher: Fatima Ahmad, MSW Thesis Student, University of Toronto
About the Study: This study seeks to understand experiences and needs of primary care social workers with regards to supporting clients who have an eating disorder.
Respondents: Canadian primary care social workers who have worked with a client (in the past year) who has any type of eating disorder. Their client's eating disorder does not need to be diagnosed in order for the social worker to participate
Province: National
REB Approval 2026_Fatima Ahmad.pdf
End Date for Participant Recruitment: August 2026
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Access to health services and supports for Black preterm babies in the community
Researcher: Mary Olukotun, PhD Candidate, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta
About the Study: There is little research exploring the health of Black preterm infants as it relates to health service access in Canada. This study seeks to understand how Black families experience and navigate access to services and supports for their preterm infants through interviews with families and their support persons, and social workers who currently work in a NICU.
Respondents: Eligibility criteria:
1. Currently hold a role as a social worker in a NICU in Edmonton or Calgary
2. Comfortable completing an interview in EnglishIncentives: An honorarium of $25 will be provided as a token of appreciation.
Information Letter + Consent Form
If you have any questions about the study please contact Mary Olukotun via Email
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Stakeholder perspectives on Alberta’s proposed Compassionate Intervention Act: A cross-sectional survey-based study
Researcher: Adrian Teare, Resident Physician, University of Alberta/University of Calgary
About the Study: The purpose of this study is to better understand the views and attitudes of key stakeholders regarding substance use, and mandatory treatment approaches (i.e., Compassionate Intervention Act) in Alberta.
We aim to identify key areas that can inform policy development, and public health interventions related to substance use.
Respondents: RSWs, Addiction Counselors
For questions: Email Adrian
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Pan-Canadian Study of Social Workers' Experiences of Children and their Spirituality in Counselling
Researcher: Dr. Heather M. Boynton, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary
Other(s): Jacob Waschuk, Research Assistant, University of Calgary
About the study: This study explores the experiences of Canadian social workers who encounter spirituality in counselling practice with pre-adolescent children.
This research aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of how spirituality is navigated in child-focused counselling work and to inform future training, policy, and practice in the field..
Respondents: RSW/RCSW
Incentives: Participants will receive an honorarium for their contribution
For More Info: Recruitment Poster
For Questions:
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Exploring the Experiences of Psychiatric Discrimination Among Albertan Social Workers Following the Workplace Disclosure of a Psychiatric Diagnosis
Researcher: Amy Parsons, PHD Candidate, Memorial University of Newfoundland
About the Study: Exploring the Experiences of Psychiatric Discrimination Among Albertan Social Workers Following the Workplace Disclosure of a Psychiatric Diagnosis
Respondents: RSWs and RCSWs
Province: Alberta
End Date for Participant Recruitment: No end date. Recruitment is ongoing until the study has reached saturation.
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The Silence and the Struggle: Mental Health Professionals’ Experiences of Addressing Race with Visible Minority Clients
Researcher: Nicole DARNAYLA, Student Researcher, Mount Royal University
About the Study: This is a qualitative research study that explores how mental health professionals in Alberta manage racial differences in therapeutic conversations with clients who are members of visible minority groups.
Respondents: Mental Health Professionals (Counsellors, psychologists, social workers, clinical nurses, family therapists, etc.) practicing in Calgary who are registered with their professional bodies and who have been in practice for at least 3 years.
For questions: Email Nicole D
