Our faculty members and students present their innovative research at conferences and symposia all over the world! This month, faculty member Dr. Ami Goulden will be presenting research at the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) 28th Annual Conference being held in Washington DC, January 10-14, 2024. The theme of the 2024 SSWR conference is Recentering & Democratizing Knowledge: The Next 30 Years of Social Work Science. 

Details of the work Dr. Goulden will be presenting at this conference can be found below. 

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Presentation: (Un)Expected Allies and Adversaries: Relationships That Define Young Mothers' Experiences with the Child Welfare System

Author(s): Dr. Ami Goulden (Memorial University), Rasnat Chowdhury (University of Toronto), Florence Wong (University of Toronto), Promise U Now Appiah (University of Toronto), & Dr. Bryn King (University of Toronto)

About: This study explores the lived experiences of young and expectant mothers involved with child welfare in Ontario. The participants articulated how their relationships with family members, social workers, and other key professionals shaped their interaction with the system. At times supportive, and at other times adversarial, these young mothers emphasized the critical role that allies played in helping them navigate their involvement with child welfare. The findings underscore how key support systems can significantly influence mothers’ experiences and provide insights into creating positive relationships that address the challenges of early parenthood in environments less characterized by coercion and surveillance.

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ePoster Presentation: "I'm Worthy of Having Experiences Just like Everybody Else": Exploring Sexual Well-Being Among Young Disabled People

Author: Dr. Ami Goulden (Memorial University)

About: This study explores the lived experiences of sexual well-being among young disabled people and identifies sex-positive and anti-ableist approaches to support sexual well-being in social work. Participants constructed their understanding of sexual well-being through a sex-positive perspective, offering insights into how the desexualization of disabled individuals impacted their sexual well-being by perpetuating internalized ableism and shame. It became evident that achieving sexual well-being incurred additional 'costs' (i.e., crip tax), particularly in terms of planning and accessing resources. The findings underscore the unique experiences of disabled young people and emphasize the importance of designing, delivering, and implementing anti-ableist services and education that are both accessible and tailored for this demographic.