Lea Tufford
Affiliate
- Ph.D. (Toronto)
- Email Lea Tufford
Lea Tufford is a Professor in the School of Social Work at Algoma University. Lea鈥檚 primary areas of research are social work education, child abuse and neglect, eco-social work, and contemplative practice. In addition to numerous journal articles, she is the author of Child Abuse and Neglect in Canada: A Guide for Mandatory Reporters (2020) published by Oxford University Press. Lea鈥檚 second co-edited book is titled Trauma-informed Care in Social Work Education: Implications for Students, Educators, Pedagogy, and Field (2025) published by Routledge.
Lea鈥檚 teaching interests include emotional regulation, reflection, and the application of theory to practice. She incorporates simulation through the use of standardized clients in direct practice courses with individuals, couples, and families.
Lea was the Principal Investigator of a Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) funded study called 鈥淓valuating Decision-Making and Relationship Competence when Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect.鈥 This project developed and validated an Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation (OSCE) for mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect using simulation. This research represented the final phase in the development of a comprehensive educational toolkit to train social work students and practitioners in decision-making and relationship maintenance when reporting suspected child maltreatment.
Lea is also the Principal Investigator of a Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) funded study called 鈥淪upporting Social Work Field Education: Developing a Model of Holistic Competence.鈥 In conjunction with a scoping review, surveys with field coordinators, field instructors, and BSW/MSW students, this project uses simulation with experienced field instructors to identify the competencies necessary for effective and knowledgeable field instruction.
Lea鈥檚 research and teaching are informed by 25 years of clinical practice. She maintains a small private practice with individuals, couples, and families.