Kenichi Asakura
Biographic Data
| ID | 74519 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Kenichi Asakura |
| GIVEN NAMES | Kenichi |
| FAMILY NAME | Asakura |
| SIGNATURE | ASAKURA K |
| AFFILIATIONS | Carleton University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-9277-6441 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 20 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 52 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 20 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2010 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
The critical difference
This Ideas and Actions paper explores the integration of critical incident pedagogy and simulation-based social work education. Originally proposed by educationist Stephen Brookfield, critical incident technique is an experiential learning method to assist students in turning concrete incidents into new learning. While traditional critical incident pedagogy relies on students’ retrospective reflection on the incident, it can be influenced by memo…
Preparing students for Adei praxis
Social work curricula have evolved to include anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) as a critical lens for working with community members across the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice. However, the research to support best practices for teaching ADEI praxis is minimal. Consequently, the unclear guidance translates into students being unprepared for anti-racism praxis in their practicum settings, which may result in them bei…
Guidelines for Using Simulations in Qualitative Research on Social Work Practice Competencies
The use of simulation (i.e., trained actors) has gained much attention in social work as a method of teaching, learning, and student assessment. Simulation has also been used in medicine as a research method in studying practice competencies. The use of simulation as a part of research design is relatively new in social work. Particularly, little is known about how simulations can be combined with well-established qualitative research methods. We…
Clinician Perceptions of Online Therapy During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Albeit the height of COVID-19 has ended, clinicians have continued to regularly provide online therapy services. In the spring of 2021 during the third wave of COVID-19, we conducted an online survey study to examine psychosocial experiences among mental health clinicians ( N = 196). The survey included two open-ended questions about the use of online therapy as a mode of service delivery. Using a qualitative content analysis of those responses, …
Using Simulation to Train Service Providers in Responding to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Trauma
This study used simulation-based research (SBR) to gain a better understanding of how intimate partner violence (IPV) service providers engage in trauma-informed practice in a simulated session with a standardized patient. Our qualitative study recruited 18 IPV service providers from Canada and the United States. Each participant engaged in a virtual 30-minute case-based simulated session with an actor portraying a survivor of IPV experiencing vu…
Toward a Critical Approach to Simulation-Based Social Work Education
The use of simulation has become a staple in social work education in North America. Concerns have been raised, however, that this pedagogy, rooted in positivist views of professional competence, might be built on educators’ monolithic and stereotypical understanding of minoritized clients. In this article, I take on a position that simulation certainly advances social work education; yet there is a vital need for a critical approach that can mit…
Marion Bogo, a Visionary, Innovator, and Leader
This tribute article highlights Professor Marion Bogo’s groundbreaking work on simulation-based social work education. We highlight Professor Bogo’s lifetime commitment to enhancing social work education through research, mentorship, and innovation. Professor Bogo advanced the use of simulation with trained actors by implementing a structured and evidence-informed approach to competency development among social work students. For student assessme…
Pivoting to Online Live-Streamed Simulations
This article reports the use of online live-streamed simulations (online LSS), implemented on Zoom with Master of Social Work students. A thematic analysis was conducted from an online survey (n = 26 responses) to explore, 1) if online LSS can offer the same potential to develop holistic competence as in-class simulations, and 2) how students experienced learning social work practice through online LSS. Students reported learning procedural and m…
Toward “Decolonizing” Clinical Social Work Practice and Education
There are many examples of colonization in social work practice: policing parenting practices of people from a range of cultural traditions using a Western notion of what is suitable and in the best interests of children (Miller, 2023;Roberts, 2020Roberts, 2022)), individualizing psychosocial problems in a decontextualized way (Miller, 2012(Miller, , 2023)), and the panoply of norms and practices of psychotherapy (e.g., weekly, 50-minute sessions…
Translating Critical Social Work into Clinical Practice
Focused primarily on addressing racial and social injustices through theoretical and critical analysis, critical social work is a well-established paradigm in Canadian social work education. This pilot study explored how clinical social workers might translate critical social work principles into clinical practice. We used simulation-based research methods to observe social workers’ engagement with a Simulated Client (SC; i.e. trained actor). Soc…
Observational learning in simulation-based social work education
Simulation-based learning is gaining attention in social work education. While research suggests clear pedagogical benefits for those who engage simulated clients as interviewers, little is known about the learning processes among observers of simulation teaching. Using social learning and social cognitive theories as a theoretical framework, we examined observational learning in simulation by comparing the experiences of students who participate…
A Call to Action on Artificial Intelligence and Social Work Education
In discussing a university-industry partnership on the development of an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based simulation platform, this conceptual paper explores the use of Natural Language Processing (NLP) as a pedagogical innovation in social work. Critically reflecting upon this ongoing project, we discuss the current promises and limitations of NLP for social work education. The Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework theoretically informs “lesson…
Students’ conceptualization of culture and diversity with a simulated client
Teaching students about culture and diversity in social work practice is a complex and important task for social work educators. In this study, we assessed students’ conceptualization of culture and diversity factors following a simulated interview. Participants (N = 57 MSW students) completed a reflection questionnaire post-simulation and we conducted thematic analysis of the data. Three themes emerged: 1) culture and diversity impacted the inte…
Extraordinary Acts to 'Show Up
Sexual and gender diversity is an overlooked subject in resilience research. This study seeks to advance the conceptualization of resilience among lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) youth. Informed by social ecological theory of resilience, grounded theory analysis of interviews with service providers ( n = 16) and LGBTQ youth ( n = 19) yielded the following categories: (a) facing adversities across contexts, and (b) 'doing well' wh…
Strengthening the Signature Pedagogy of Social Work
Although field education is considered the signature pedagogy of social work, the work of field coordinators appear to remain peripheral to other aspects of social work education, such as coursework and research. In this article, we suggest that field coordination requires a far more complex set of knowledge and skills than merely matching students with placements based on availability and interest. Using critical and relational theories, this ar…
Paving Pathways Through the Pain
This grounded theory study utilized interviews with 16 service providers and 19 lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer ( LGBTQ ) youth to develop a substantive theory of resilience processes among LGBTQ youth. The core category, paving pathways through the pain, suggests that LGBTQ youth build on emotional pain inflicted by external adversities to carve out pathways to resilience. Youth employed the following resilience processes: (1) navigatin…
Masculinity, muscularity, and HIV sexual risk among gay and bisexual men of color
Previous research has highlighted the association between HIV sexual risk behaviors, muscularity concerns, and masculinity among gay and bisexual men (GBM). A few studies that explored these issues, however, have used relatively small sample sizes and predominantly White GBM samples. In addition, little is known about whether a drive for muscularity and perceptions of masculinity are associated with HIV sexual risk behaviors among GBM of color. T…
“ It Gets Better ” … but How? Exploring Resilience Development in the Accounts of LGBTQ Adults
As reports of bullying and suicide increase, research on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth must expand its focus from vulnerabilities to resilience development. The purpose of this inductive qualitative study was to explore resilience development in the accounts of LGBTQ adults by analyzing videos posted for the It Gets Better social media campaign (n = 21). Four major themes emerged: (1) leaving hostile social environm…
Social services for sexual minority youth
Queer Youth Space
Physical, psychological, and social vulnerabilities of sexual minority youth are well documented. Yet factors that protect this population from these risks remain relatively unknown. Previous researchers suggest that (1) a sense of safety, meaningful relationships with others, and positive identity development are protective and (2) social support programs focusing on sexual minority youth (Queer Youth Space) have a positive impact. In this artic…
Paving Pathways Through the Pain
This grounded theory study utilized interviews with 16 service providers and 19 lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer ( LGBTQ ) youth to develop a substantive theory of resilience processes among LGBTQ youth. The core category, paving pathways through the pain, suggests that LGBTQ youth build on emotional pain inflicted by external adversities to carve out pathways to resilience. Youth employed the following resilience processes: (1) navigatin…
Queer Youth Space
Physical, psychological, and social vulnerabilities of sexual minority youth are well documented. Yet factors that protect this population from these risks remain relatively unknown. Previous researchers suggest that (1) a sense of safety, meaningful relationships with others, and positive identity development are protective and (2) social support programs focusing on sexual minority youth (Queer Youth Space) have a positive impact. In this artic…
Masculinity, muscularity, and HIV sexual risk among gay and bisexual men of color
Previous research has highlighted the association between HIV sexual risk behaviors, muscularity concerns, and masculinity among gay and bisexual men (GBM). A few studies that explored these issues, however, have used relatively small sample sizes and predominantly White GBM samples. In addition, little is known about whether a drive for muscularity and perceptions of masculinity are associated with HIV sexual risk behaviors among GBM of color. T…
Toward “Decolonizing” Clinical Social Work Practice and Education
There are many examples of colonization in social work practice: policing parenting practices of people from a range of cultural traditions using a Western notion of what is suitable and in the best interests of children (Miller, 2023;Roberts, 2020Roberts, 2022)), individualizing psychosocial problems in a decontextualized way (Miller, 2012(Miller, , 2023)), and the panoply of norms and practices of psychotherapy (e.g., weekly, 50-minute sessions…
Strengthening the Signature Pedagogy of Social Work
Although field education is considered the signature pedagogy of social work, the work of field coordinators appear to remain peripheral to other aspects of social work education, such as coursework and research. In this article, we suggest that field coordination requires a far more complex set of knowledge and skills than merely matching students with placements based on availability and interest. Using critical and relational theories, this ar…
Social services for sexual minority youth
A Call to Action on Artificial Intelligence and Social Work Education
In discussing a university-industry partnership on the development of an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based simulation platform, this conceptual paper explores the use of Natural Language Processing (NLP) as a pedagogical innovation in social work. Critically reflecting upon this ongoing project, we discuss the current promises and limitations of NLP for social work education. The Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework theoretically informs “lesson…
Extraordinary Acts to 'Show Up
Sexual and gender diversity is an overlooked subject in resilience research. This study seeks to advance the conceptualization of resilience among lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) youth. Informed by social ecological theory of resilience, grounded theory analysis of interviews with service providers ( n = 16) and LGBTQ youth ( n = 19) yielded the following categories: (a) facing adversities across contexts, and (b) 'doing well' wh…
Translating Critical Social Work into Clinical Practice
Focused primarily on addressing racial and social injustices through theoretical and critical analysis, critical social work is a well-established paradigm in Canadian social work education. This pilot study explored how clinical social workers might translate critical social work principles into clinical practice. We used simulation-based research methods to observe social workers’ engagement with a Simulated Client (SC; i.e. trained actor). Soc…
Students’ conceptualization of culture and diversity with a simulated client
Teaching students about culture and diversity in social work practice is a complex and important task for social work educators. In this study, we assessed students’ conceptualization of culture and diversity factors following a simulated interview. Participants (N = 57 MSW students) completed a reflection questionnaire post-simulation and we conducted thematic analysis of the data. Three themes emerged: 1) culture and diversity impacted the inte…
Queer Youth Space
Physical, psychological, and social vulnerabilities of sexual minority youth are well documented. Yet factors that protect this population from these risks remain relatively unknown. Previous researchers suggest that (1) a sense of safety, meaningful relationships with others, and positive identity development are protective and (2) social support programs focusing on sexual minority youth (Queer Youth Space) have a positive impact. In this artic…
Social services for sexual minority youth
“ It Gets Better ” … but How? Exploring Resilience Development in the Accounts of LGBTQ Adults
As reports of bullying and suicide increase, research on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth must expand its focus from vulnerabilities to resilience development. The purpose of this inductive qualitative study was to explore resilience development in the accounts of LGBTQ adults by analyzing videos posted for the It Gets Better social media campaign (n = 21). Four major themes emerged: (1) leaving hostile social environm…
Masculinity, muscularity, and HIV sexual risk among gay and bisexual men of color
Previous research has highlighted the association between HIV sexual risk behaviors, muscularity concerns, and masculinity among gay and bisexual men (GBM). A few studies that explored these issues, however, have used relatively small sample sizes and predominantly White GBM samples. In addition, little is known about whether a drive for muscularity and perceptions of masculinity are associated with HIV sexual risk behaviors among GBM of color. T…
Paving Pathways Through the Pain
This grounded theory study utilized interviews with 16 service providers and 19 lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer ( LGBTQ ) youth to develop a substantive theory of resilience processes among LGBTQ youth. The core category, paving pathways through the pain, suggests that LGBTQ youth build on emotional pain inflicted by external adversities to carve out pathways to resilience. Youth employed the following resilience processes: (1) navigatin…
Strengthening the Signature Pedagogy of Social Work
Although field education is considered the signature pedagogy of social work, the work of field coordinators appear to remain peripheral to other aspects of social work education, such as coursework and research. In this article, we suggest that field coordination requires a far more complex set of knowledge and skills than merely matching students with placements based on availability and interest. Using critical and relational theories, this ar…
Extraordinary Acts to 'Show Up
Sexual and gender diversity is an overlooked subject in resilience research. This study seeks to advance the conceptualization of resilience among lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) youth. Informed by social ecological theory of resilience, grounded theory analysis of interviews with service providers ( n = 16) and LGBTQ youth ( n = 19) yielded the following categories: (a) facing adversities across contexts, and (b) 'doing well' wh…
A Call to Action on Artificial Intelligence and Social Work Education
In discussing a university-industry partnership on the development of an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based simulation platform, this conceptual paper explores the use of Natural Language Processing (NLP) as a pedagogical innovation in social work. Critically reflecting upon this ongoing project, we discuss the current promises and limitations of NLP for social work education. The Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework theoretically informs “lesson…
Students’ conceptualization of culture and diversity with a simulated client
Teaching students about culture and diversity in social work practice is a complex and important task for social work educators. In this study, we assessed students’ conceptualization of culture and diversity factors following a simulated interview. Participants (N = 57 MSW students) completed a reflection questionnaire post-simulation and we conducted thematic analysis of the data. Three themes emerged: 1) culture and diversity impacted the inte…
Observational learning in simulation-based social work education
Simulation-based learning is gaining attention in social work education. While research suggests clear pedagogical benefits for those who engage simulated clients as interviewers, little is known about the learning processes among observers of simulation teaching. Using social learning and social cognitive theories as a theoretical framework, we examined observational learning in simulation by comparing the experiences of students who participate…
Marion Bogo, a Visionary, Innovator, and Leader
This tribute article highlights Professor Marion Bogo’s groundbreaking work on simulation-based social work education. We highlight Professor Bogo’s lifetime commitment to enhancing social work education through research, mentorship, and innovation. Professor Bogo advanced the use of simulation with trained actors by implementing a structured and evidence-informed approach to competency development among social work students. For student assessme…
Pivoting to Online Live-Streamed Simulations
This article reports the use of online live-streamed simulations (online LSS), implemented on Zoom with Master of Social Work students. A thematic analysis was conducted from an online survey (n = 26 responses) to explore, 1) if online LSS can offer the same potential to develop holistic competence as in-class simulations, and 2) how students experienced learning social work practice through online LSS. Students reported learning procedural and m…
Toward “Decolonizing” Clinical Social Work Practice and Education
There are many examples of colonization in social work practice: policing parenting practices of people from a range of cultural traditions using a Western notion of what is suitable and in the best interests of children (Miller, 2023;Roberts, 2020Roberts, 2022)), individualizing psychosocial problems in a decontextualized way (Miller, 2012(Miller, , 2023)), and the panoply of norms and practices of psychotherapy (e.g., weekly, 50-minute sessions…
Translating Critical Social Work into Clinical Practice
Focused primarily on addressing racial and social injustices through theoretical and critical analysis, critical social work is a well-established paradigm in Canadian social work education. This pilot study explored how clinical social workers might translate critical social work principles into clinical practice. We used simulation-based research methods to observe social workers’ engagement with a Simulated Client (SC; i.e. trained actor). Soc…
Guidelines for Using Simulations in Qualitative Research on Social Work Practice Competencies
The use of simulation (i.e., trained actors) has gained much attention in social work as a method of teaching, learning, and student assessment. Simulation has also been used in medicine as a research method in studying practice competencies. The use of simulation as a part of research design is relatively new in social work. Particularly, little is known about how simulations can be combined with well-established qualitative research methods. We…
Clinician Perceptions of Online Therapy During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Albeit the height of COVID-19 has ended, clinicians have continued to regularly provide online therapy services. In the spring of 2021 during the third wave of COVID-19, we conducted an online survey study to examine psychosocial experiences among mental health clinicians ( N = 196). The survey included two open-ended questions about the use of online therapy as a mode of service delivery. Using a qualitative content analysis of those responses, …
Using Simulation to Train Service Providers in Responding to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Trauma
This study used simulation-based research (SBR) to gain a better understanding of how intimate partner violence (IPV) service providers engage in trauma-informed practice in a simulated session with a standardized patient. Our qualitative study recruited 18 IPV service providers from Canada and the United States. Each participant engaged in a virtual 30-minute case-based simulated session with an actor portraying a survivor of IPV experiencing vu…
Toward a Critical Approach to Simulation-Based Social Work Education
The use of simulation has become a staple in social work education in North America. Concerns have been raised, however, that this pedagogy, rooted in positivist views of professional competence, might be built on educators’ monolithic and stereotypical understanding of minoritized clients. In this article, I take on a position that simulation certainly advances social work education; yet there is a vital need for a critical approach that can mit…
The critical difference
This Ideas and Actions paper explores the integration of critical incident pedagogy and simulation-based social work education. Originally proposed by educationist Stephen Brookfield, critical incident technique is an experiential learning method to assist students in turning concrete incidents into new learning. While traditional critical incident pedagogy relies on students’ retrospective reflection on the incident, it can be influenced by memo…
Preparing students for Adei praxis
Social work curricula have evolved to include anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) as a critical lens for working with community members across the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice. However, the research to support best practices for teaching ADEI praxis is minimal. Consequently, the unclear guidance translates into students being unprepared for anti-racism praxis in their practicum settings, which may result in them bei…
Psychology (16 works) · Sociology (15 works) · Social Work (12 works) · Social Work Education and Practice (12 works) · Social Psychology (11 works) · Computer Science (8 works) · Qualitative research (8 works) · Interprofessional Education and Collaboration (7 works) · Pedagogy (7 works) · Political science (7 works)