Centre for Social Work Research (CSWR)

International perspectives and comparative social work

This research group has developed from the teaching interests of social work staff, the development of pioneering courses, and participation in Erasmus and Socrates schemes. In particular, there are strong links with the MA in International Social Work, whose students have built up a strong portfolio of dissertations that adopt a comparative approach to social work. Members of staff of also participated in international seminars and conferences, and have taught students both from other countries and in other countries. As a consequence, the group is well placed to research and promote a comparative approach to social work, and to engage in intercultural analysis of important social work issues.

The aims of the group are

• to promote international understanding of social work
• to promote a comparative approach to evaluation of social work, policies and methods
• to research differences in approaches and methods between different countries, with particular reference to the core aims of social work
• to publish and disseminate the outcomes of research

Current activities include

1. Interprofessional seminar series focusing on social work with refugees and asylum seekers. This has been instituted in partnership with City University and will consist of three conferences for academics and practitioners in the health and social care who have a particular interest in work with people have come from abroad.
2. International policy and development, focussing on poverty, refugees, torture and the role of interpreters
3. Strengthening links with social work schools in other countries. Currently schemes have been negotiated with the School
4. The well established and influential study of comparative child protection systems in Europe

 

---

© 2012