معرفی
Tomoko Okayasu is an Associate Professor (non-tenure-track) at Waseda University's Faculty of Human Sciences, specializing in school social work and multidisciplinary collaboration in educational settings. With a PhD from University of Tsukuba (2020) and a Master of Social Work from University of Hawaii at Manoa (2001), she has extensive experience in school social work, having served as a Board of Education School Social Worker at Tokyo Institute of Technology (2017-2022) and as faculty at Toyo University (2009-2023).
Her educational background includes:
- PhD in Lifelong Development Science, University of Tsukuba (2017-2020)
- Master of Social Work, University of Hawaii at Manoa (1999-2001)
Dr. Okayasu's research focuses on social welfare and school social work, with particular emphasis on supporting young carers in schools, developing in-school case management systems, and fostering multi-professional collaboration between teachers, school counselors, and school social workers. Her work addresses critical issues in Japanese educational settings, including non-attendance, mental health support, and the integration of diverse professional expertise to support students' holistic development.
Analysis of her recent publications (2021-2025) reveals a clear trajectory toward addressing complex student support challenges through collaborative frameworks. Her work increasingly focuses on young carers, multidisciplinary approaches in school settings, and adapting support systems to contemporary challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. The research demonstrates a progression from theoretical frameworks to practical implementation tools, including assessment scales and support checklists.
Dr. Okayasu holds several professional certifications:
- Certified Psychologist (since 2019)
- Mental Health and Welfare Worker (since 2015)
- School Psychologist (since 2004)
She actively contributes to professional societies including the Japan Society for Child and Family Welfare, Japan School Psychology Association, and Japan Society of Social Welfare. Her current research projects include developing educational programs for teachers on interprofessional collaboration (2025-2029) and creating support models for young carers who are school-refusing children (2022-2024). At Waseda University, she supervises social work practicum students and teaches courses spanning social work theory, psychological research methods, and field practicum supervision.
Dr. Okayasu's work with the Research Institute for Children's Social Care (since 2023) and her role as Education Supervisor for Shibuya Ward Child, Family, and School Support Committee (2022-2023) demonstrate her commitment to bridging academic research with practical applications in children's social care systems.
