The National Science Foundation (NSF)
The National Science Foundation (NSF) defines convergence science as an approach to problem solving that cuts across disciplinary boundaries (National Science Foundation). The NSF characterizes convergence science as the deep integration of knowledge, techniques, and expertise from multiple fields to form new and expanded frameworks for addressing scientific and societal challenges and opportunities (NSF, 2017). According to the NSF’s definition, by merging diverse areas of expertise in a network of partnerships, convergence stimulates innovation from basic science discovery to translational application. Research into the broad challenges associated with generating social good in our society will require deep transdisciplinary partnerships and could potentially lead to the development of convergence collaborations.
Social good is challenging practitioners and scholars alike to think big about solutions to social problems, to use new avenues for social change, such as technology and social media, and to open the door to innovative partnerships and collaborative models. There is promising synergy between the social good movement and the mission and values of the social work profession. We need to understand how to leverage this synergy through future research that would explore new collabora- tive practice models for social work management and for HSOs.
