An Integration of Theory, Practice, and Research in Critical Gerontological Social Work: An Interview with Professor Deborah O'Connor.

Abstract

This article is an interview with Professor Deborah O'Connor, a Canadian and internationally well-known scholar in gerontological social work, by her doctoral student Karen Wong before Professor O'Connor's retirement. The interview aims to honor Professor O'Connor's scholarship and contribution to research, practice, policy, and education and to inspire junior researchers and trainees, educators and students, and practitioners in gerontological social work. Professor O'Connor's ground-breaking scholarship is marked by understanding aging and dementia from critical perspectives. She adopted critical theoretical lenses and critical qualitative research approaches to raise questions about assumptions on aging and dementia and challenge the embedded ageism and other oppressions in society. Her scholarship profoundly impacts real-life practices and policies, such as the development of incapability assessment and the Adult Guardianship Act in British Columbia and Canada. Her doctoral student Karen Wong, who hopes to follow Professor O'Connor's path in gerontological social work, asked questions from the perspective of a trainee, inviting Professor O'Connor to share her journey of interests in gerontological social work, explain her scholarship, and advise early-career research scholars and trainees how they can incorporate critical approaches in gerontological social work and bring influences to practices and policies.