Addressing the Big Challenge of Generating the Grand Challenges

and Mobilizing Action

Richard P BarthRoundtable on Science in Social Work

August 9, 2012

Framework• Additional input on goals– Generate mechanisms for accepting suggestions GCs

• Finalization of goals• Development of action plan• Implementation of action plan• Leadership• Timeline• Generate mechanism for accepting suggestions for new

Grand Challenges

Additional Input on GoalsThe Profession’s Way– Engineering’s approach (which you have

heard about)

The Expert’s Way?– Gate’s Foundation’s Grand Challenges for

Global Health relied on an international group of luminaries

A Third Way?– Let’s find it

Additional Input on GoalsWHEN?• SSWR Presentation in January

– Getting some ideas in open session– Encouraging submissions of ideas via SSWR or AASWSW

website• AASWSW by email query and website• NADD in March?• CSWE next November?HOW?• What tools should we use?

Finalization of Goals• Need to select an Executive Committee to

make final decisions– Hybrid Committee Drawn from Islandwood Group– AASWSW Board– Representative Group (leaders of SSWR, CSWE,

NASW, GADE, NADD)?– Other?

Development of an Action Plan for Using the Grand Challenges

–Conference (or Panel at Another Conference) on Grand Challenges?– Special issue or section of journal (which

one) on Grand Challenges?– Special grant announcement (if we can get

funding partners)

Announcement of goals and action plan

• Announcement/Dissemination– Those who helped create goals and action plans– Social work partners– Media– Other?

Implementation of action plan

• Technical assistance re implementation?– Training on methods that may be useful for accomplishing

Grand Challenges?• Evaluation (every year for 5 years)?– Are the Grand Challenges attracting interest? Investment?– Are scientific groups gathering around the Grand

Challenges?– Are steps in the translational science process being

accomplished toward addressing the Grand Challenges?– Is education being influenced?

Leadership

• AASWSW has accepted primary responsibility but we do not want to go this alone

– Who will step up to help lead this effort?

– Resources• White paper will be forthcoming• Travel to meeting at APM in November is supported• Faculty course relieve for one course/one semester is available

Timeline?• Evaluation (2-months)

– Is the idea of grand challenges likely to advance our work?• Is the translation from math, engineering, and global health a

fitting one for social work?

• 6-months—have Grand Challenges ready by March 2013 after input at NADD [‘12], CSWE [‘12], and SSWR [‘13]?

• One year—get broad input and then meet back here in 2013 with all but final input to finish them?

• Other?

Other Products?• White paper • Peer review publication– At what stage?

• Videos of people talking about the challenges and why they matter and what their approach is (heavily used by Gates Foundation)?

What Can We Do by End of August?

• Next steps