“Beyond a practice-research bridge”: project conceptualisation, implementation, and dissemination by an internal social work intermediary in Singapore

Abstract

ABSTRACT Despite shifting attention from whether practice research is advantageous to doing practice research better, the organisational role of internal social work intermediaries beyond initiating practice-research partnerships, especially in Asia, is less understood. Using a multi-modal qualitative case study approach, across project conceptualisation, implementation, and dissemination, we first documented the initial benefits and challenges of an internal Singaporean social work intermediary bridging practitioners and researchers. Subsequently, we described how the intermediary seized opportunities and went beyond mere stakeholder bridging by defining engagement terms and creating, using, and opening up a practice-research space. Implications for internal intermediaries and organisational functions are discussed.