scholarly journals Challenges of International Social Work Research During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learnt from A Bilateral Collaborative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Masateru Higashida ◽  
Amarawansa Ranaweera
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Collaborative Study ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
International Studies ◽  
International Social Work ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Lessons Learnt ◽  
International Social

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a profound impact on people’s lives around the world, has also affected international social work practice and research on social issues. This article explores how international social work research can draw lessons from bilateral research collaborations during the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2021, an international collaborative research project was commenced to examine the practical experiences of social workers in Sri Lanka, with the overall purpose of contributing to development of socio-culturally relevant social work training. Trial semi-structured interviews were conducted using remote tools with five social workers in government or private organisations. The narratives of the interviewees were qualitatively analysed to identify their personal backgrounds of social work education and practice, their experiences of working during the pandemic and their perspectives and values as social workers. Lessons learnt were discussed focussing on the objectives and perspectives of the study, the preliminary arrangements for the research, the methods and considerations. In a context where it is important for social work researchers to promote international studies during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, this paper provides an example of a feasible international cooperative study.

scholarly journals Emotional intelligence as a part of critical reflection in social work practice and research

2021 ◽  
pp. 147332502110247
Author(s):  
Mari D Herland
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Emotional Aspects

Social workers often experience higher levels of burnout compared with other healthcare professionals. The capacity to manage one’s own emotional reactions efficiently, frequently in complex care settings, is central to the role of social workers. This article highlights the complexity of emotions in social work research and practice by exploring the perspective of emotional intelligence. The article is both theoretical and empirical, based on reflections from a qualitative longitudinal study interviewing fathers with behavioural and criminal backgrounds, all in their 40 s. The analysis contains an exploration of the researcher position that illuminates the reflective, emotional aspects that took place within this interview process. Three overall themes emerged – first: Recognising emotional complexity; second: Reflecting on emotional themes; and third: Exploring my own prejudices and preconceptions. The findings apply to both theoretical and practical social work, addressing the need to understand emotions as a central part of critical reflection and reflexivity. The argument is that emotions have the potential to expand awareness of one’s own preconceptions, related to normative societal views. This form of analytical awareness entails identifying and paying attention to one’s own, sometimes embodied, emotional triggers.

Action Programmes of Social Work Organisations

1968 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 23-24
Author(s):  
H.R.H. Krommun Narathip Bongsprabandh
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Welfare ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Work Groups ◽  
International Federation ◽  
International Social Work ◽  
International Social

Social work representatives from eleven Asian nations participated in the first regional International Federation of Social Workers Conference for Asia, November 6-10, 1967. The theme was "Action Programmes in Social Welfare and their Impact on a Changing Asia." His Royal Highness Krommun Narathip Bongsprabandh opened the Conference with the statement presented here. In addition, the three position papers of the Conference are reproduced in this issue of INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL WORK. One of the background papers for the Confer ence and a report of the work groups appeared in the April 1968 issue of the Journal.

Research Networking and Collaboration: A Case Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 1128-1136
Author(s):  
Ian F. Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Research Network ◽  
International Social Work ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Research Networking ◽  
International Social

Doing social science involves collaboration. Yet, there has been little attention to the character of collaboration between social scientists, or to if and in what ways research networks exist. This article reports aspects of a mixed method, participatory case study of a small international social work research network. It sets out how someone becomes a member of—or leaves—the network, how roles appeared to form and be assigned or taken, how the network operates, and the perceived transitional status of the network. The nature of collaboration is central to this analysis. The article illumines forms of collaboration typically deemphasized in arguments for its desirability. It was not characterized by consensus, but required role friction and creative reflexivity, where uncertainty and ambiguity were endemic, sometimes productively so.

scholarly journals Data science for social work practice

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 205979911881439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Cariceo ◽  
Murali Nair ◽  
Jay Lytton
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Data Science ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Machine Learning Techniques ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Data Driven Decisions ◽  
Social Work Interventions ◽  
Key Terms

Data science is merging of several techniques that include statistics, computer programming, hacking skills, and a solid expertise in specific fields, among others. This approach represents opportunities for social work research and intervention. Thus, practitioners can take advantage of data science methods and reach new standards for quality performances at different practice levels. This article addresses key terms of data science as a new set of methodologies, tools, and technologies, and discusses machine learning techniques in order to identify new skills and methodologies to support social work interventions and evidence-based practice. The challenge related to data sciences application on social work practice is the shift on the focus of interventions. Data science supports data-driven decisions to predict social issues, rather than providing an understanding of reasons for social problems. This can be both a limitation and an opportunity depending on context and needs of users and professionals.

Valuing and transgressing

2020 ◽  
pp. 91-104
Author(s):  
Linda Bell
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
International Development ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Occupational Group ◽  
Professional Standards ◽  
International Social Work ◽  
Social Work Values ◽  
Look Ahead ◽  
Published Research ◽  
International Social

This chapter explores social work values. These values, such as promoting social justice, are considered key to this occupational group. Many of the chapter's interviewees seem to share similar values; however, these values sometimes seem to vary culturally and geographically. International social work espouses additional values by placing an emphasis on globalisation and international development. In addition, the chapter is concerned with what happens when social workers fail to live up to their professional standards, and what sanctions may be applied. Here, the chapter draws upon published research as well as data from the author's own studies into recent, publicly available material on social workers' processes of deregistration and other sanctions. The chapter ends with a look ahead to the imminent establishment of the new social work regulator for England, Social Work England.

Rural Practice

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Stephen Cooper ◽  
Freddie L. Avant
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Rural Practice ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Rural Social Work

Rural social work, the history of which stretches back more than a century, has been revitalized since the mid-1970s. The renewed interest in rural social work has led to an increase in scholarship on rural social work practice, much of which is a direct result of the efforts of the Rural Social Work Caucus and its annual National Institute on Social Work and Human Services in Rural Areas. Recent research endeavors have moved our understanding of the differences between rural and urban communities beyond the common definitions, which are limited to population and population density. We have also come to realize that there are many different types of rural communities, all of which have different characteristics, needs, etc. Specifically, the concept of rural is not monolithic. Rural practitioners and researchers have also reached a better understanding of the following: rural culture and lifestyles, the importance of approaching rural communities from a strengths perspective rather than a deficit or problem focus, and the challenges to rural practice presented by the characteristics that are common across rural communities (e.g., lack of anonymity, dual relationships). Not surprisingly, the increase in research on rural social work practice has been accompanied by an interest in preparing social workers for rural practice and growth in the number of graduate programs focused on such. The importance of these programs lies in the unique nature of the challenges faced by rural communities. For example, many rural communities are experiencing sharp population declines while at the same time seeing substantial increases in adults who are 65 years of age and older. Other common trends include: economic decline and subsequent increase in social issues; substantial issues with substance abuse, especially methamphetamine and opioids; lack of technology infrastructure; concerns related to the environment and/or conversation of natural resources; and lack of services for veterans. The key to successfully addressing these issues in rural communities is involvement from social workers who are prepared to practice in the rural context.

scholarly journals Environmental Justice in the Case of the Chagos Marine Protected Area: Implications for International Social Work

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 8349
Author(s):  
Komalsingh Rambaree
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Environmental Justice ◽  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
International Social Work ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
International Social

Between the late 1960s and the early 1970s, the British government forcibly removed about 15,000 Chagossians from the Chagos Archipelago. Current legislation based on the declaration of the Chagos-Marine Protected Area (MPA) plays a crucial role in preventing the Chagossians from returning to their homeland. In this particular case study, the article aims to analyze discourses related to the establishment of the Chagos-MPA using an environmental justice framework, to consider the implications for international social work practice. Materials from court rulings, official government reports, and academic/journalist publications on the MPA, as well as from seven semi-structured interviews with key informants from three Chagossian communities based in Mauritius, Seychelles, and the United Kingdom were analyzed using ATLAS-ti 8.4 software. The main findings of the deductive critical discourse analysis are discussed concerning substantive, distributive, and procedural environmental justice for the Chagossian community (This term is used for referring different Chagossian communities from Mauritius, Seychelles, and the United Kingdom as a single homogenous group). This article calls for international social work interventions through transnational alliances between international organizations in challenging the socio-political forces that are having deleterious impacts upon the marginalized and disenfranchised populations and their biophysical environment.

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