International Community for Practice Research in Social Work
Welcome to the ICPRSW
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Research
Collaboration
Innovation
Social Change
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The first international conference on practice research in Salisbury in 2008 laid the foundation for future conferences and statements. Each subsequent conference, including Helsinki, New York, Hong Kong, Melbourne, and Aalborg have contributed to the evolving definition of practice research, emphasizing the involvement of practitioners, service users, researchers, and other stakeholders. The conferences explored the complexity of social work practice and sought to bridge the gap between research and practice through collaboration, dialogue, and inclusive inquiry. Click here for more information on our conferences.
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Our Practice Research Collaboratives keep our community connected between our triennial conferences. Learn more about our PRCs here.
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A brief history of the ICPRSW community can be found here: Our History.
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Our Practice Research Collaborative guidelines can be found here: PRC Guidelines.
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Enjoy exploring our website.
Our beginnings ...
The first conference was held in 2008 in Salisbury UK in 2008 and this picture shows the inaugural attendees who drafted the first Statement on Practice Research:
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Gurid Aga Askeland, Norway
Mike Austin, USA
Tony Evans, UK
Sylvia Fargion, Italy
Mike Fisher, UK
Jan Fook, UK
Ilse Julkunen, Finland
Aulikki Kananoja, Finland
Synnove Karvinen-Niinikoski, Finland
Rhoda MacRae, UK
Edgar Marthinsen, Norway
Matts Mosesson, Sweden
Joan Orme, UK
Helen Pain, UK
Jackie Powell, UK
Gillian Ruch, UK
Mirja Satka, Finland
Riki Savaya, Israel
Ian Shaw, UK
Tim Sim, Hong Kong
Lars Uggerhoj, Denmark
Helen Welsh, UK
Bessa Whitmore, Canada
Laura Yliruka, Finland
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About
The International Community for Practice Research in Social Work (ICPR) provides a platform for collaboration among researchers, practitioners, service users and policy makers around the globe.
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Our community engages in the sharing of research findings, methodologies and practices, as well as promoting cross-cultural learning and discussions between international colleagues and agencies. The ICPR meets every two years for our international conference and annually in our four Practice Research Collaboratives.
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We believe powerful social change requires high quality practice-driven research.
Practice Research Collaboratives
This group focusses on making impact on practice and policy, along with forming alliances.
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This collaborative's main interest is to expand knowledge relating to systemic child welfare.
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This group focusses on the collaboration and co-creation of practice research, with clients and service users.
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This group focusses on approaches to acquiring organisational support for research in both practice and university settings.
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Every two years, our members from across the world come together for our international conference on practice research.
Our next conference will be in July 7-9, 2026 - Singapore
Breaking News
Pre-Conference Webinars of the 7th International Conference on Practice Research (ICPR7)​
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The 7th International Conference on Practice Research (ICPR7)ICPR7 will be held in Singapore from 7th to 9th July 2026, not including pre-conference workshops on 6th July and post-conference practice research site visits 10th July 2026.
​For more information on the 7th International Conference on Practice Research 2026: https://www.icprconference.com/
For more enquiries, please email us at: info@icprconference.com
Get in Touch
Inquiries
If you are interested in participating in the International Community on Practice Research in Social Work (ICPRSW), here are several suggestions:
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regularly monitor our website for updated information, especially Breaking News that often includes information about the upcoming international conference and pre-conference webinars
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identify one of the Practice Research Collaboratives PRC that reflects your interests and meets online throughout the year in order to share your email contact information with the current PRC chairperson noted below:

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Research, Impact, Translation & Influence
Ilse Julkunen
ilse.julkunen@helsinki.fi
Lynette Joubert
ljoubert@unimelb.edu.au
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Systemic Lens to Social Work Practice
Dr. Laura Yliruka
laura.yliruka@thl.fi
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Collaboration & Co-Creation with Service Users
Lars Uggerhøj
lug@socsci.aau.dk
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Organisational Supports
Michael J. Austin
mjaustin@berkeley.edu
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If you do not see a PRC that captures your interests, please share your interest with the Chair of our International Advisory Board (Lars Uggerhøj <lug@socsci.aau.dk>) and review the PRC Guidelines for organizing a new PRC located in About Us on the website.