Phan Minh Bao Tran - From Community Development Social Work Practice to International Scientific Publication

Phan Minh Bao Tran – Alumna and Research Team Member

In June 2026, our student research group's paper was officially published in the journal Social Work with Groups, published by Taylor & Francis. Beginning with our community development social work internship, combined with student research activities, this journey has helped us gradually connect practical experience with research and scientific publication.

Within the field education placement, our group implemented the project "Applying Group Social Work in Supporting Livelihoods for Disadvantaged Women in Ward 7, District 8, Ho Chi Minh City". By understanding the needs and difficulties of women in the locality, we applied group social work methods to support members in sharing information, strengthening mutual support, and accessing livelihood resources.

Through a small-group intervention process, the group successfully connected two women to local microcredit sources. Simultaneously, communication activities on safe lending policies were implemented to raise awareness and help reduce the risk of accessing predatory lending in the community. For us, the value of this practice also lies in the changes in the members' proactiveness, sharing spirit, and ability to support each other.

After more than six months of practice, the group continued to monitor and update post-intervention results and gradually refine the study. Developing the practice results into a research paper was a new experience, requiring our group to learn how to systematize data, compare it with scientific literature, and clearly present the contributions as well as the limitations of the study.

Through multiple rounds of peer review and revision, every comment from the experts became a learning opportunity. We understood better that scientific research requires careful consideration of every assessment, perseverance in responding to requests for adjustments, and a willingness to reflect on our work. Therefore, the publication of the paper brought joy and marked a significant milestone in the group's journey of learning and practicing social work.

To achieve this result, our group would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Pham Thi Ha Thuong and MSc. Nguyen Thi Phuong Linh for their dedicated guidance, feedback, and support throughout the entire process of practical work, research, and completion of this paper. From field discussions to draft revisions, their guidance helped us strengthen our professional knowledge, hone our research thinking, and maintain our motivation to pursue this work to the end.

The group would also like to express its sincere gratitude to the local community, the participating women, and the collaborators who trusted, cooperated, and facilitated the implementation of the practical activities and research. The participation and sharing of these women are crucial foundations that contribute to the value of this research.

Based on our experience, we would like to send a message to current students: be bold in participating in scientific research based on the problems you observe during your studies and practice. A question arising from real-world situations, when seriously investigated and with appropriate guidance, can open up many opportunities for learning and contributing to the community.

For us, this first paper is a memorable milestone and also a motivation to continue learning, researching, and practicing our profession with a sense of responsibility. We hope that from the upcoming field education placement, the students will have more meaningful experiences and gradually reap their own rewards.