June Faculty Monthly Highlight: Dr. Lauren B. McInroy

The College of Social Work is proud to be home to distinguished faculty conducting groundbreaking and impactful research. CSW faculty scholarship addresses the Grand Challenges for Social Work, tackling the nation’s toughest social problems. The Grand Challenges initiative is led by the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare (AASWSW) to champion social progress powered by science. In a recently released policy brief, “2024 Policy Recommendations for Meeting the Grand Challenges for Social Work,” the initiative offered key suggestions for 14 identified target areas for the next 10 years. This includes researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and other stakeholders engaging in activities that will move the Grand Challenges forward and result in real world change.

Associate Professor Dr. Lauren McInroy’s research aligns with the Grand Challenge to Harness Technology for Social Good as well as PRIDE Month. McInroy is recognized as a leading voice at the intersections of social work education, social work practice and emerging technologies. In keeping with the 2024 AASWSW policy brief’s focus on artificial intelligence (AI), she serves on a committee addressing the integration of AI for social work education led by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

McInroy specifically focuses on professional workforce development and LGBTQIA+ youth populations. As part of her scholarship, she has developed, implemented and evaluated a variety of technology-based education and training tools for students, practicing social workers and other healthcare professionals, and community stakeholders.

“CSW graduates need to be adequately prepared for the technologies being used in the field today,” says McInroy. “Even more important in my opinion, is equipping them with a mindset and professional framework that they can continue to apply to new technologies to benefit individuals and communities throughout their long careers.”

An expert in curriculum development and simulation-based learning, McInroy’s initiatives are frequently targeted at developing and increasing practice-based competence. One such tool is CoDe Rainbow, an interactive, screen-based virtual reality (VR) training on delivering affirmative healthcare to LGBTQIA+ youth. The tool was developed with partners at Ohio State’s Department of Design, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Columbus-based technology company LittleSeed.

McInroy highlights the significant ethical and practice benefits of simulation for students.

“Social work curriculum supports a reciprocal relationship between the development of knowledge and application of skills, connecting classroom-based learning and field education experiences,” she says. “However, the gap between the two settings can be daunting for students, and increases the risk of harm to already vulnerable communities due to students’ level of competence. Simulation permits students to practice their developing skills in low-risk, well-supervised scenarios—without the possibility of harm to real clients.”

McInroy’s ongoing partnership with the Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design at Ohio State is another initiative focused on building headset-based VR experiences to sensitize users to the experiences of “at-risk” communities. McInroy emphasizes the resources and partners available across Ohio State.

“I am fortunate to be at in a college and at a university that fosters so many programs and potential partners,” she adds. “Any time I’m looking for someone or something to further my work, I encounter exceptional people driving the cutting-edge of technology on campus.”

Other initiatives include a suite of Digital Field Education Labs addressing substance use disorder, older adults and their caregivers, and navigating under-resourced systems. The labs provide CSW students with critical opportunities to apply knowledge and hone skills in practice settings needing more trained providers. McInroy also supports other simulation efforts across the college, including live simulations as part of its Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program funded by the federal Health Resources & Services Administration.