“Being here means being with community”: Annual social work event explores strength and solidarity in student research

To conclude National Social Work Month in March, McMaster University hosted its annual Social Work Research Day.

Rooted in the 2025 World Social Work Day theme of “Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Wellbeing,” this student-led, faculty-supported event culminated in a day of transformative discussion. 

Held on March 28th, the day of research was the second student-led conference event held in the school. Last year, the inaugural Social Work Community Symposium was organized to bring community workers, social work students, and alumni. Exploring intersections of storytelling, practice and care, attendees engaged in student research presentations, faculty panels and an arts-based research café. 

 During the event’s keynote address, school of social work director and professor Saara Greene spoke about these unique possibilities. 

 “Research and practice are so intimately connected. That’s one of the unique things about social work, how we have an opportunity to do research that make us accountable to community in a different kind of way,” said Greene. 

Attendees and presenters alike echoed this sentiment, discussing the importance of student research, community and solidarity for the future of social work. Notably, many pointed to the student caucus convener’s role, a position currently held by PhD candidate Anabelle Ragsag, as vital in supporting students through these initiatives. 

 So, when ideas for this year’s event began to blossom, it was essential to the organizers that these themes of student strength and solidarity were placed front and centre. 

 “Students were the driving force for all of this. It wouldn’t have come together without their vision,” said Ragsag. “They plant seeds so that events like these can happen.” 

 Student panelists Melissa Cortez and Ashley Hauer agreed, highlighting the importance of a supportive school culture for aspiring researchers. 

“It’s very validating,” Cortez said. “Research can be isolating, but being here means being with community, with other people who are going through the same things that I’m going through and recognizing that I’m not in this alone.”  

From early discussions of this year’s theme to now presenting her research, steering committee chair Dahlia Belfer says the overwhelming outpour of support has left her speechless. 

“Everyone wanted to get involved – either on a committee level, as a presenter or facilitator,” Belfer said. “It’s heartwarming to see how active the McMaster social work community is and what we can create.” 

Reflecting on the day, many acknowledged the impact research rooted in community and solidarity has for the future of social work research. 

“The conversations we were able to engage with move us forward in our thinking, community building and future of what we can do,” said Belfer. “I think there’s a lot of hope in that.” 

The 2025 Social Work Research Day was organized by chair Dahlia Belfer with steering support from Melissa Cortez, Ashley Hauer, Sharon Kang, and Anabelle Ragsag. The event was made possible through the efforts of the event’s committee in addition to the abstract review committee, volunteers, staff, faculty and the support of McMaster University’s School of Social Work. A full list of committee members and facilitators can be found here. 

Upcoming events from the school include the 2025 Social Work Community symposium, co-led by steering committee member and United in Colour caucus co-facilitator Sharon Kang and McMaster graduate Dannie Zhangyun Yang, now an MSW student at Toronto Metropolitan University.