Crown Family School marks decade of global partnership: Tripartite Collaborative
By Crown Family School
Faculty from the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice joined academic partners in Beijing to mark 10 years of collaboration focused on advancing social work education and research.
The symposium brought together leaders from the Crown Family School, Peking University, and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University as part of the Tripartite Collaboration for advancing social work in China, an endowed joint social work educational exchange program designed to strengthen research, teaching, and cross-cultural learning.
Advancing a decade of collaboration
Held in Beijing on March 28-29, the symposium brought together faculty leaders, researchers, and practitioners from each institution to share emerging scholarship and chart the next phase of the international partnership. In attendance from the Crown Family School were Deborah Gorman-Smith, PhD, Yoonsun Choi, PhD, Miwa Yasui, PhD, Carolyn Barnes, PhD, Zhiying Ma, PhD, and Cristina Gros. The collaboration focuses on expanding opportunities for students and faculty to engage directly with major social challenges in the People's Republic of China.
Exploring shared global challenges and solutions
Presentations throughout the symposium addressed a range of pressing issues shaping the field of social work. Sessions included child and family well-being, mental health, social service systems, community-engaged research, and emerging approaches to education and practice in diverse global contexts. These discussions reflect a shared commitment to addressing complex social challenges through interdisciplinary research and applied learning.
Strengthening global partnership through shared purpose
“The strength of this partnership comes from shared learning and shared purpose,” said Deborah Gorman-Smith, Crown Family School Dean. “When institutions come together, we can share different perspectives, and it results in stronger research, stronger teaching, and greater impact.”
After launching the partnership in 2016, the three institutions deepened their cooperation by renewing their Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) in 2021. This convening was special as it was the first public-facing event jointly held by the three universities since the pandemic-related disruption. The symposium in Beijing revitalized longstanding relationships and reinforced the value of sustained global collaboration.
Looking ahead
Over the past decade, the Tripartite Collaboration has created a platform for comparative learning, faculty engagement, and cross-cultural exchange. It has connected scholars and shared questions of equity, policy, and human well-being to propel shared solutions and opportunities for impact. As the partnership enters its second decade, the focus remains on advancing collaborative research, strengthening teaching, and expanding opportunities for global engagement in social work and the social sector.