معرفی
Kenta Asakura is an Associate Professor at the Smith College School for Social Work, with concurrent appointments as Honorary Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia and Adjunct Research Professor at Carleton University. Holding a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto and an M.S.W. from Smith College, he specializes in simulation-based research to advance clinical social work education for marginalized communities.
- Education: B.A. from Southern Methodist University, Postgraduate Certificate from Seattle Psychoanalytic Society & Institute
His research program focuses on critical clinical social work through simulation methodologies involving trained actors and virtual reality to study therapeutic competencies, social justice integration, and trauma-informed practices. Current projects include a SSHRC-funded study developing a racial justice-grounded clinical model and a Sage Publications book project on critical clinical social work. As Editor-in-Chief of Studies in Clinical Social Work and former Director of Carleton University's SIM Social Work Research Lab, he pioneered North America's first social work simulation laboratory for real-time competency analysis.
Recent publications (2023-2024) explore virtual reality training, post-pandemic therapy, and anti-racist pedagogy in social work. Awards include the 2024 Families in Society Best Research Note and multiple teaching honors. His work bridges technology innovation and structural competency to prepare clinicians for complex practice environments.
