On March 10 and 11, 2023, the Japan Association of Nursing Programs in Universities (JANPU) and the Global Nursing Research Center (GNRC) of The University of Tokyo collaboratively held the 26th East Asian Forum of Nursing Scholars (EAFONS 26th). The conference was organized around the theme, “Doctoral Nursing Education’s Response to the Unprecedented Time.” More than 1,800 people from 18 countries registered for the conference, with over 1,000 attending in person.
Over two days, the conference featured workshops and symposiums on a wide range of topics related to nursing and healthcare. Specifically, there were three symposiums: 1) Community-based Participatory Research from Needs Map to Policy, 2) Toward Data Science: The Role of Data Science in Healthcare Advancement, and 3) Exploring Qualitative Approaches in Nursing Research. There were also five workshops: 1) Promoting Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice: Asian JBI Centre Initiatives, 2) Increase Your Visibility: How to Publish Your Work, 3) Creating Virtual Reality (VR) Teaching Materials in Nursing Education, 4) Dreams of Nursing Scholars in Early Career, and 5) Bio-Engineering Nursing/Hands-on Workshop: Use of Ultrasonography, AI/AR, and Wound Biofilm Visualization Technologies.
Dr. Cheryl Tatano Beck of the School of Nursing at the University of Connecticut, United States, was the conference’s Keynote speaker. She shared examples from her research program on postpartum mood and anxiety disorders to illustrate points about developing a successful and valuable research trajectory.
The conference also included an action research seminar entitled “Action Research on Humanized Childbirth: Empowering Both Women and Health Professionals.” A hybrid (online and onsite) special event for students named “Student Round Table: Student Communication Space” was also organized. The round table aimed to discuss graduate students’ difficulties and concerns in their research and provide networking opportunities for future international collaborations.
The EAFONS 26th provided an excellent opportunity for nursing scholars and professionals to come together and share their research, insights, and experiences. We proudly offered a friendly and fruitful face-to-face chance for communication and active learning after two years of online conferences due to COVID-19. We are thankful to all participants who helped us demonstrate UTokyo Nursing’s commitment to promoting international collaboration and advancing the field of nursing science.
