Social Work and Simulations: Teaching Practice, Research, Policy, and Social Injustices

Based on five years of work and research on simulated learning experiences, this book highlights the integration of simulations in practice, research, and policy classes at the School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). It illustrates the versatile application of simulations in teaching social work practice across various settings, including mental health, schools, libraries, disabilities, and end-of-life care. It explores the use of simulations in teaching clinical research methods, program evaluation, policy analysis, macro social work, and fostering interprofessional collaborations. This book further discusses the use of online simulations in social work education, highlighting the pivotal role played by doctoral students in designing and executing simulations, aligning them with specific learning objectives, and facilitating student engagement and reflection in various contexts.

Presented in a mixture of writing styles and research methodologies, Social Work and Simulations offers a candid reflection on simulations from the perspectives of students and instructors. It emphasizes the creation of brave spaces to foster open dialogue, sharing, and reflection on social work competencies within the context of social injustice, diversity, and inclusion. Through immersive experiences, simulations offer a transformative approach to social work education, encouraging students and instructors to engage more deeply with the multifaced and human aspects of social work practice. Overall, this book provides rich case studies and practical guidance, offering valuable resources for developing ethical and effective simulations in social work education.

Kevin Tan is Associate Dean for Engagement, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Associate Professor at the School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is notably recognized for his contributions to school social work practice and community engagement initiatives with the 2021 Gary Lee Shaffer Award and the 2023 University of Illinois distinguished faculty award. He earned his PhD from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, a Masters in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis Brown School of Social Work, and a Bachelors in Social Work (Honors) from the National University of Singapore.

Chi-Fang Wu is Professor and PhD Program Director at the School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. As a poverty researcher, she has devoted her career to scholarship assessing the effectiveness of public benefits programs that promote economic advancement among women and improve the well-being of low-income families. She received the Tony Halter Excellence in Teaching Award, the Excellence in Mentoring and Advising, and the University Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring Award. Dr Wu received her master's degree in social work from National Taiwan University and her PhD in social work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Social Work.

Terry Ostler received her BA (Summa Cum Laude), MA, and PhD degrees at the University of California Berkeley. She worked for two years as a postdoctoral scholar at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and Education in Berlin. A developmental and clinical psychologist by training, she served on the faculty of psychiatry at the University of Illinois Chicago before teaching in the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She has published on parent-child attachment bonds and on parenting in individuals with severe mental illness. She is happily retired.