Patricia Samson

Dr. Patricia Samson

PhD., MSW

Positions

Associate Professor

Faculty of Social Work, Edmonton Campus

Contact information

Phone number

Office : +1 (780) 492-0108

Location

Off-Campus: Edmonton Social Work 3-182

Background

Educational Background

Bachelor of Social Work University of Windsor, 1988

Master of Social Work Social Work, University of Windsor, 2009

Doctor of Philosophy Social Work, University of Windsor, 2018

Biography

Patricia Samson joined the Faculty of Social Work in 2016. She has over 28 years of social work practice experience, both direct and indirect, in the areas of domestic violence, justice support and correctional services, mental health, and community-based healthcare. She teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses related to social policy, social justice, social welfare, the organizational context of practice, and field education. Patricia’s research interests are focused on advancing social work education and practice in the areas of teaching and learning, mental health and addictions, and health care.  

Research

Areas of Research

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Health
Mental Health and Wellness
Human Service Organizations and Systems
Activities
  • Critical thinking and transformative learning in social work education
  • Children and youth mental health via a Canada-China collaboration
  • Collaborative learning and teaching through digital course site integration
  • Social work field education
  • Communities of Practice to support social workers in a healthcare context
  • Social justice within the context of social work education and practice
  • Building social work knowledge in the area of teaching and learning in social work education

Current Research

Dr. Samson is currently the Principal Investigator on a SSHRC-IDG: Critical thinking and transformative learning: Field Instructors supporting students’ transitions into the practice context. This is a national, multi-site, multi-method, two-year qualitative study that seeks to identify how critical thinking, transformative learning, and student identity integrate in field education, contributing to student transitions into professional social workers. Dr. Samson is also the PI on a three year SoTL grant through UCalgary: Supporting innovative sustainable practice models for student-centric learning: Embracing a new reality of Work Integrated Learning and Interprofessional Education, which is a transdisciplinary project examining how educators, field instructors (FI)/preceptors, and practice leaders create innovative, sustainable work integrated learning experiences (WIL) for students in a rapidly changing practice context of diminished resources with colleagues from the Faculty of Nursing.

________

Professional and Community Associations

Dr. Samson is active in several professional organizations and community associations, including:

  • Alberta College of Social Workers 2016-2024
  • Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) 2011-2024
  • Canadian Association of Social Work Education (CASWE) 2018-2024
  • Research Affiliate with the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, AB 2019-2024

 

Projects

Workforce Perceptions of Social Work Professionalism Project

Our research aims to explore employer perceptions of social workers professional practice​. With this knowledge we hope to uncover any discrepancies between what employers expect and what social work delivers in the workplace, to improve the retention of social workers in the workplace, and support the utilization of the breadth of the social work skill set​. This research may also be used to inform regulatory or curriculum changes.

https://socialwork.ucalgary.ca/research/workforce-perceptions/about-workforce-perceptions 


Children and Youth Mental Health Project

The overarching goal of the Children and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) Project is to engage children and youth, as well as parents/guardians, natural supports, and community partners, in the development of user-focused initiatives for the promotion and early intervention on child and youth mental health. We do this by identifying intervention strategies to promote healthy physical, emotional, and social development.  This project is an international partnership that aims to support children and youth aged 12-17 in Canada and China. 

https://www.childrenandyouthmentalhealth.com/ 

Awards

  • SSHRC-Insight Development Grant (IDG): Principal Investigator, $74,130, Social Sciences and Research Humanities Council of Canada. 2023
  • SSHRC-Insight Development Grant (IDG): Co-Investigator, $71,916, Social Sciences and Research Humanities Council of Canada. 2023
  • SoTL Grant-Teaching and Learning: Principal Investigator, $38,550, University of Calgary. 2022
  • SoTL Grant-Teaching and Learning: Co-Investigator Investigator, $40,000, University of Calgary. 2022
  • SSHRC-IG: Co-Investigator, $90,406, Social Sciences and Research Humanities Council of Canada. 2022
  • Faculty Publication Award, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary. 2020
  • Faculty Publication Award, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary. 2019
  • Best Digital Poster Presentation , University of Calgary, Post-Secondary Conference on Learning and Teaching. 2019

Publications