VISIT ECSWR 2026 WEBSITE
ESWRA Board Elections
Dear Member,
Thank you for your continuing membership and support of ESWRA. As we grow from strength to strength, we are keen to ensure that the membership of the Board of ESWRA provides the Association with the best combination of continuity and change.
You are invited to vote for 2 General Board members, 2 Doctoral member The candidates' profiles are below. Please read the profiles carefully before casting your vote. The vote will open on 17th November closing 24th November 2025.
How to vote:
- log in to My ESWRA,
- click on ELECTIONS 2025
- General Board members vote for 2 candidates
- Doctoral Board member vote for 2 candidates
General Candidates
Professor Nuzha Allassad Alhuzail
Senior Faculty Member, School of Social Work
Head, National Knowledge and Research Centre for the Study of Bedouin Society
Chair, Committee for Promoting Equity and Access in Higher Education
Sapir Academic College
Statement
As a Bedouin scholar, social work educator, and practitioner, my research focuses on indigenous knowledge, social work in conflict zones, and the challenges faced by minoritized communities. I have led international research collaborations and developed pioneering programs such as “Connecting Bridge” and “El-Ausaj,” promoting the inclusion of Indigenously-trained” social workers in Israel. I bring to the Board, expertise in project management, program development, and governance, as well as experience chairing committees on ethics, admissions, and minority advancement. I have a proven record in managing research grants, building and maintaining international academic networks, and organizing high-impact conferences. Fluent in Arabic, Hebrew, and English, I offer a unique intersectional lens rooted in indigenous feminist and decolonial approaches. I am committed to advancing ESWRA’s mission by fostering inclusive, culturally grounded, and socially just social work research across Europe and beyond.
I´ve attended several ECSWRs throughout the last years: ECSWR 2019 in Leuven, Belgium, ECSWR 2023 in Porto, Portugal (presenter of two papers), ECSWR 2024 in Vilnius, Lithuania, ECSWR 2025 in Munich, Germany, where I also presented in the Special Interest Group “Solidarity Research and Social Work”, in a presentation entitled “Minorities, Solidarity and Social Work”.
Professional profile:
https://www.sapir.ac.il/staff/554
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Q7u75ZQAAAAJ&hl=iw&oi=ao
Prof. Dr. Florian Spensberger
Katholische Stiftungshochschule München
University of Applied Sciences
Campus München
Statement
I am a professor for social work theories and methods at the Catholic University of Applied Sciences in Munich at the department for social work. I teach social work theories and methods as well as empirical research methods with a focus on quantitative methods and statistics. Currently, my major research interests are evidence-based practice, science communication and innovations in social work. I´ve been an ESWRA student board member from 2019 to 2022. Also, I was the chair of the local organizing committee of the ECSWR 2025 in Munich. Thus, I have experience in fields such as project and budget management, social media, international collaboration as well as chairing.
Please find my email address as well as the link to my university profile in my signature down below. Also, please find attached the confirmation of my ESWRA membership as well as a letter of confirmation regarding my institutional support.
I´ve attended several ECSWRs throughout the last years: Edinburgh 2018, Leuven 2019, Bucharest 2021, Amsterdam 2022, Vilnius 2024, Munich 2025
Professional profile:
https://www.ksh-muenchen.de/professorinnen-und-professoren/spensberger-florian
Prof. Gary Spolander
Professor of Social Work
School of Law and Social Science
Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen.
Statement
I am a current member of ESWRA and attended the ECSWR conference in Amsterdam in April 2022 and Munich 2025. I was unable to attend the 2023 and 2024 conferences due to work commitments and ill health
An established Scottish and South African social work academic with a strong international research and education profile, my work examines the impact of neoliberalism, social policy, and global crises on social work. I am committed to ESWRA's aim of advancing social work research across Europe and beyond. My experience is in fostering international collaboration, leading multi-country projects and establishing partnerships for research, exchange and dissemination. I bring experience in research leadership, including roles on international committees (IASSW, BASW International), serving as Co-Editor-in-Chief of Social Work Education, securing research income, academic publishing, and organising major conferences, including co-leading the successful bid to host the ESWRA 2026 conference. I would offer the Board strategic expertise in international research development, interdisciplinary collaboration, a proven commitment to enhancing its global reach and research impact. I am committed to critical social work development and research, along with work with underrepresented countries, regions and groups, supporting future social work researchers and evidence informed practice.
Professional Profile: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/person/1290458/gary-spolander
Mieke Schrooten
Associate Professor of Social Work
Odisee University of Applied Sciences (Brussels), Department of Social Work, Co-coordinator of the Social Work Research Centre
University of Antwerp, Department of Sociology, Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change (CRESC) and Network on Migration and Global Mobility of the University of Antwerp (MIGLOBA)
Statement:
I am a researcher and educator with a strong international orientation, focusing on transnational social work and informal social work practices. My research also engages with themes such as migration, mobility, and urban social work. I work at both Odisee University of Applied Sciences (Brussels), with an applied research focus, and the University of Antwerp, which emphasises academic research, enabling me to connect applied and academic perspectives within social work. I am an active member of the SIG Transnational Social Work and have attended multiple ECSWR conferences. As Principal Investigator of several research projects and Chair of the COST Action Transnational Family Dynamics in Europe, a European network with around 400 members, I bring extensive experience in leading collaborative, cross-border initiatives. My established international research networks and coordination of European projects reflect a strong capacity for fostering international collaboration, an asset I am eager to bring to the ESWRA Board.
I have presented at multiple ECSWR conferences, including Ljubljana (2015), Edinburgh (2018), Leuven (2019), online (2021), Amsterdam (2022), Milan (2023), Vilnius (2024), Munich (2025). I have also submitted a panel proposal and an abstract for the upcoming ESWRA conference and act as a reviewer for the conference since many years. I am a long-time member of the SIG Transnational Social Work and have contributed to publications stemming from the SIG on social work research on migration and asylum, which has recently merged with the SIG Transnational Social Work.
Professional profile:
https://www.odisee.be/personen/mieke-schrooten?account=acc-profile
https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/staff/mieke-schrooten/
Dr Rachel Roper FHEA
Senior Lecturer at the Manchester Metropolitan University, Department of Social Care and Social Work
Statement:
My research interests align with contemporary developments and challenges in social work practice, including the experiences of birth children of foster carers, children in foster care, and more broadly, children’s participation.
Professional social work practice has informed my appreciation of narrative inquiry, valuing context, perception, and identity in shaping experience. In my research I seek to uncover rich, nuanced insights into how individuals make sense of their world.
My research orientation reflects a commitment to embracing diverse perspectives and recognising the centrality of context in shaping human experience. My social work practice background, ECR status, and pedagogical expertise provides a strong foundation for making valuable contributions to ESWRA.
I am committed to supporting ESWRA’s goals by promoting collaboration, learning, and high-quality research across European networks. I will seek to advance research excellence, by connecting scholars and practitioners, and enhancing social justice outcomes for diverse communities across Europe.
In March 2025 I attended and presented at the 14th European Social Work Research Conference in Munich. Here, I delivered an overview of the findings of my doctoral research study ‘Exploring the Experiences of Children of Foster Carers’ within the category of challenges and opportunities for social work research, practice, policy or education in contemporary contexts.
Professional Profile: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0237-2988
Doctoral Candidates
Stephan Bahooshy
PhD Student & Strategic Commissioner
University of Suffolk and Camden Council.
Statement:
I am a part-time PhD student at the School of Health, Sciences and Society, University of Suffolk. I have an active membership with the European Social Work Research Association, due to my oral presentation on leadership and systemic and socialized bias at ECSWR 2025 Munich.
In addition to my PhD. I work win a local authority adult social care department in London as a commissioner, where I design and commission homecare services for and with people who draw on care and support.
As a queer, dyslexic, Persian early career researcher, I am embracing academia. Having presented at regional, national and international conferences on my PhD findings and my experience as a National Institute of Health & Care Research intern with University College London, I am interested in continuing to be part of this welcoming research community. I enjoy bringing people together to participate equally in research and supporting the voice of those who are normally the topic of research to be heard in the research process. I enjoy sharing knowledge, having set up a community of practice for research in my local authority and delivering several training sessions. As the chair of trustees for Citizens Advice Croydon, I understand the role of a board member. In the role, I believe I would expand my knowledge and networks, whilst sharing my experiences and supporting others through the Early Career Research SIG.
Melissa Irvine
PhD Student, School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work
Queens University Belfast
PhD Title: 'Improving Support for Care-Experienced Young Mothers in Northern Ireland.'
Following a period in social work practice, I have returned to the world of academia and social work research to complete a PhD at Queens University Belfast under the supervision of Dr Paul McCafferty and Prof. Davey Hayes. This is the first year of my PhD study and I am keen to explore and engage with exciting opportunities such as this, whilst undertaking my studies.
Statement:
Research is a fundamental aspect of social work, the importance of which is illuminated within the practice example of decision-making. It is well accepted that decisions solely based on good intentions are insufficient (Turney et al, 2024; Devine, 2022; Taylor and Whittaker, 2018; Kirk, 1999) thus, practitioners must utilize “the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence” to inform their decisions (Webb, 2001:62). Synonymously, this echoes the global standards of the IFSW (2012:4.2.3) and ESWRA’s mission of fostering exemplary and analytical research for the promotion of social justice and bridging gaps between knowledge and practice.
I am a research-minded practitioner who is actively undertaking a PhD. I am keen to expand my knowledge through opportunities and consider myself a dedicated individual with a passion for social work academia and research. As my skillset grows, I would be happy to support with administrative tasks as the organisation sees fit.
Workforce Special Interest Group
Date: Wednesday 10th December 2025
Start time: 13:00 GMT / 14:00 CET
Registration link: https://forms.gle/RUoMjEiaC39T6Q219
Contact: info@eswra.org
General Abstract
Symposium Title: Democracy for social workers? Practising social work in neo-liberal contexts: the impact on self, service users and opportunities for resistance and change
Reflecting growing concerns about the impact of social work practice on social workers and service users, this symposium draws on four studies from Romania, the USA, Northern Ireland and an international literature review. These enable consideration of what it means and how it feels to practise social work in neo-liberal contexts, and reports on ways in which social workers, social work students and social work academics are seeking to resist and generate change. Using democracy as the key organising concept and principle, the symposium questions the extent to which democratic values and practices characterise the experience of being a social worker. It argues that an erosion of democracy within social work is manifest in how social workers are treated as individuals and as a professional group. Moreover, it interrogates the feasibility of social workers supporting service users to seek social justice from a basis of relative powerlessness, compromised autonomy and often a sense of professional despondency.
In seeking to redress this, the presentations reflect the democratic value of research with social workers and social work students, for affording primacy to their voice and recording the barriers they encounter in neo-liberal working contexts, including, unmanageable workloads, serious resource constraints, a lack of agency and power, and moral injury arising from being unable to practise in line with the core social work value of social justice, all of which manifest in high levels of stress. The discussions employ a range of theoretical framings to expand on the relationship between social work and democracy. Addressing ‘human sustainability’, the first presentation reports on the experience of Romanian social workers and provides visceral insights into the lived reality of practice in a post-communist state, one that has largely adopted the type of neo-liberal management practices that dominate the social profession internationally. The second presentation reflects on similar problems, this time facing the social work workforce in Northern Ireland. Using the concept of ‘safe staffing’, it contends that the impact of understaffed and over-stretched workforce is felt by not only by social workers but also by the older client group they suport, undermining their democratic rights to effective social care, and arguably representing a form of ageism. The third presentation draws on the history of social work in the United States and highlights how the profession was founded on a commitment to ‘social democracy’, as embodied in the settlement movement. It contrasts the collectivist and rights-based approaches that have characterised much of social work practice with the individualist and de-politicised methods propagated by neo-liberalism. In questioning the possibilities for social work practice within these contexts, it finds that social workers have and continue to find ways to resist, with resistance seen as integral to democracy within the profession. Similarly, the final presentation, which considers the concepts of ‘self-care’ and ‘workplace democracy’, addresses the serious challenges facing social workers but offers a way of conceptualising self-care that embodies values of social justice and supports anti-oppressive practice, both of which are key to social work as a practice of democracy.
1. Title: Social Workers Under Stress: Navigating structural, political, organisational and individual challenges.
Silvana (Bobarnat) Crivoi) 1,2, Florin Lazar1, Georgiana-Cristina Rentea1, Anca Mihai1, Daniela Gaba1, Lucian Alecu3, Ovidiu Pop3, Adrian Luca3, Ana-Maria Mustatea1 1University of Bucharest, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work; 2National Scientific Research Institute for Labour and Social Protection; 3University of Bucharest, The Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, Romania.
The social work profession requires strong vocational commitment, but the constant pressure on social workers often undermines their participation in processes that characterise democracy within organizations, including decision-making and contributing to change. Using the lens of ‘human sustainability’ proposed by Docherty et al. (2009), this research explores strategies for improving working conditions and enhancing democratic practices in both public and private social service providers.
Between December 2023 and February 2024, 22 semi-structured interviews were carried out with Romanian qualified social workers focusing on their working conditions and experiences. Our preliminary results highlight that social workers are confronting a professional crisis, characterised by structural and organisational challenges which impact significantly at the individual level. Intensive workloads, work-life imbalance, underpayment, and reduced autonomy lead to discouragement among social workers that further result in their retraction from the processes required to facilitate the organizational renewal the profession urgently requires.
Our study illustrates that when organizations and government are guided by managerialist and post-Fordist principles, the constant and multiple pressures on frontline social workers undermine their active role in the places where they work, and the quality of their working lives. The results show the necessity for organizational and structural change to develop democratic practices for social workers, these practices being one of the key dimensions of human sustainable organizations. The diversity and complexity of social work require institutional internal capabilities to carry out continuous and sustainable change. Liberating, democratic practices would allow social workers to actively contribute to this continuous change process.
2. Title: Safe Staffing in Older People Social Work: The democratic rights of older citizens to access to social work services from a stable workforce
Professor Paula McFadden, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland.
Workforce planning models in social work are less developed than other health and social care disciplines. A research project, commissioned by the Department of Health, Northern Ireland provided baseline analysis to inform ‘safe staffing’ policy and legislation policy and legislative developments expected between 2025-2028.
This presentation focuses on analysis of 80 older people’s social work community teams in Northern Ireland. Analyses of staffing supply and service demands were conducted at individual, team, and regional levels within older people services. Mixed methods were used for scale and in-depth analysis on staffing supply and service demands. A survey collected team level data and 5 focus groups with teams and 12 interviews with front line social workers provided voice to support the analysis of staffing levels and caseload demands. The findings reveals social workers and managers frequently face overwhelming worker-to-caseload ratios, routine use of waiting lists, and team vacancies. The findings indicate that the democratic rights of older people, to a timely, safe and effective service, is likely to be severely impacted by high workloads and delays due to the need for waiting lists, as well as social worker vacancies. This raises broader questions about the priority given to older people within social services and their lack of agency and engagement in shaping service provision. The results underpin the importance of foregrounding social workers’ views when scoping workforce issues so that policy formation is a democratic, evidence-based process.
3. Reclaiming the Democratic Profession in the United States: Social Workers’ Involvement in Resistance
Jessica Toft, Associate Professor; Elin Amundson, PhD Student, and Channel Lowery, PhD Student, University of Minnesota, USA.
In response to early US industrialization, social workers founded settlement houses to facilitate ‘social democracy’ to workers (Addams 1902, 1910), enabling social activity and access to learning. These reformers also supported labor unions to challenge dangerous and exploitive work. During the Depression, social workers organized a Rank and File movement to protect their and their clients’ rights. Social work has thus long utilised collective approaches to fight for civil, political, social, and economic rights, yet, since the rise of neoliberalism in the 1980s, social work management has largely advocated individualized interventions over collective ones. Practice related to the social aspects of democratic well-being - advocacy, addressing social policy issues, collective action – are often thwarted under neoliberal administrations, and social workers experience exploitive working conditions and de-professionalizing pressures.
This presentation interrogates how social work’s mission to promote democratic principles stacks up when social workers themselves experience low wages, long hours, and poor working conditions. Do social workers follow the dictates of neoliberal individualized practice to protect their jobs? Or do they resist, and possibly threaten their pay and even employment? Do they somehow embody both? If so, how does this unfold in the workplace? The presentation provides evidence from a statewide survey and interviews regarding resistance to neoliberal managerialism. Following Strier and Bershtling’s (2016) prescription that resistance is practice, it identifies ways that social workers are resisting in real time, from hallway discussions to union actions, and in doing so offers hope for how democratic principles and practices can be supported within the profession.
4. Title: Conceptualising self-care as a form of workplace democracy for social workers and social work students
Dr Pearse McCusker1 and Dr Sarah Rose2
University of Edinburgh1; Edinburgh Napier University2
Concerns about wellbeing for social workers have grown in tandem with increasing research highlighting challenging working conditions across social work contexts and countries. ‘Self-care’ is a contested term used to describe approaches aimed at mitigating the negative impact of such conditions on social workers. Various definitions of self-care emphasise the importance of maintaining a sense of personal agency and the opportunity to ‘take ownership’ of personal wellbeing (Lee and Miller, 2013). While potentially useful, this individualised approach to self-care can characterise broader issues as personal problems, thus obscuring the impact of organisational and structural factors (Collins, 2021) and placing expectations on individuals to adapt rather than address these.
Based on the findings of a narrative literature review, undertaken as part of a funded participatory action research project with social work students, this presentation advocates for a broader conceptualisation of self-care that can be understood as a form of ‘workplace democracy’, embodying the democratic values of respect for diversity, collective action and social justice. In reference to these three key democratic values, it considers the importance of adopting a diverse understanding of the ‘self’ beyond narrowly defined social and cultural norms. It explores how self-care practice can support the wellbeing of social workers by collectively addressing the organisational factors and working conditions that precipitate stress and burnout. Moreover, it highlights the potential for self-care to support the social justice aims of the profession by enhancing social workers’ reflexivity, awareness of social inequality and capacity for anti-oppressive practice
|2025-10-29|5|1|§430|ESWRA Annual Awards for Outstanding Publications|ESWRA is seeking nominations for two Annual Awards for Outstanding Publications:
- The ESWRA Award for an Outstanding Publication in European Social Work Research.
- The ESWRA Award for an Outstanding Publication in European Social Work Research
Based on a Doctoral Thesis/Dissertation.
The second award is open to all who were doctoral students at the time of the research nominated for the award.
Prizes!
The winners will receive:
- The registration fee for the ECSWR 2026 Aberdeen 15th EUROPEAN CONFERENCE FOR SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH 15th – 17th April 2026
- 500 Euro
- A certificate of award presented at ECSWR 2026 Aberdeen
Eligibility criteria for the awards
The awards are made for social work research papers published for the first time either in an Advance Access format or in hard copy during the period 1st January to 31st December 2025
Nominations for general awards must be for articles published in a peer reviewed social work or equivalent social science journal; nominations for the doctoral award must be for articles based on the candidate’s PhD research.
Nominations for either award must demonstrate a significant contribution to research against the following criteria:
- Overall research quality, including appropriate rigour, transparency, and validity.
AND at least one of the following:
- Explores a demonstrably new area of research.
- Demonstrates methodological innovation.
- Makes a significant conceptual or theoretical contribution to its field.
- Has a (potential) impact for policymakers, practitioners, and other research users.
The awards will go to individuals whose research and publication are deemed to have made the most significant contribution to research in social work of those put forward for consideration.
In the case of articles with more than one author who must meet the criteria, the certificate of award will be given to all authors (the authors must decide among themselves how to share the conference fee and the 500 Euro prize).
Nomination process
Nominations for the awards should be made no later than January 31st, 2026.
A nomination for the award should include:
- A completed nomination form which is available below or can be requested at info@eswra.org (self-nominations are welcome for the general award).
- A proposal statement of not more than 1,000 words in support of the nomination. The statement must include the reasons for which the article is a candidate for the ESWRA award, not for instance the biography of the author or the abstract of the article. In the case of the doctoral research award, the statement could be provided by either a supervisor or external examiner.
- A copy of the publication in English or a link/citation to where the publication can be accessed in English.
Dear ESWRA members
A very quick reminder, post conference, that the society has its very own journal, European Social Work Research, and book series, Research in Social Work, both published by Policy Press on our behalf.
European Social Work Research journal
All members have free access to the journal via the My ESWRA Login.
If you are enjoying the journal, please help us to build up its readership by recommending to your librarian. Policy Press can offer them a free three month trial.
Do remember to submit your abstracts by 30th April 2025 for the conference special issue, ‘Embracing Democracy in Social Work Practice and Research'. The issue will be guest edited by Carolin Auner, Florian Spensberger and Lars Uggerhoj.
If you are interested in reviewing for the journal please contact eswr-journal@bristol.ac.uk.
Books
We hope you enjoyed browsing Policy Press's most recent publications at the book stand. As a reminder, all of their social work books are available at 50% discount until 30th April 2025 when purchasing direct from the Policy Press website. Please enter CNF25 at checkout to claim your discount.
If you are interested in writing a book for the Research in Social Work series please get in touch with
John Gal - johngal30@gmail.com Anna Gupta - anna.gupta@rhul.ac.uk Isobel Bainton (Commissioning Editor) - isobel.bainton@bristol.ac.uk
With best wishes,
Karen Winter
ESWRA Chair
|2025-04-01|6|1|§441|International Course in Participatory Action Research|International Course in Participatory Action Research: June 14-21, 2026 in the Austrian Alps
To all those interested in participatory action research and community-based research methods:
We are pleased to announce that applications for the sixth 'Action Research Summer Camp' are now open until December 31. visit suttneruni.at/camp for more information.
This international short course will take place from June 14 to 21 2026 in Innsbruck, Austria. The summer school offers a unique training opportunity combining personal development, deep academic learning, practical solidarity, and community engagement.
This microcredential program (6 ECTS credit points) is open to individuals with varying degrees of experience in participatory processes and community engagement, as well as to those who aspire to integrate community-based research into their work.
The Camp welcomes students, activists, researchers, academic leaders, union members, community workers, and members of non-governmental and governmental entities.
The residential week in June will take place at an off-campus venue belonging to our social partner, the progressive Waldhüttl project. Camp participants will frequently interact with community members, including Roma from Eastern Europe living there temporarily as well as local supporters.
Best regards,
The course leaders: Prof. Eberhard Raithelhuber (Austria), Prof. Corey Dolgon (USA) and Prof. Karin Sauer (Germany).
Dr. Eberhard RAITHELHUBER, Privatdozent (he/him)
Professor for Social Intervention and Transformation
Project Manager of the ERASMUS+ Cooperation Partnership „Mentoring for Social Inclusion in Europe: Sharing Knowledge and Building Capacity“ (Ment4EU, 2024-2026)
|2025-11-20|5|0|§438|EiPSIG Fourth Seminar |EiPSIG Fourth Seminar
From Ideas to Action: Making Change Stick in Social Work
Speaker Prof. Laurence Taggart
11th November 2025 Start time: 14:00 GMT / 15:00 CET / 09:00 ETM
Contact: EipSIG@hscni.net
Bridging Disciplines and Cultures: Indigenous Knowledge as a Resource in Social Work Practice SIG
Theme: Indigenous Knowledge as a Resource in Social Work Practice
Indigenous knowledge represents accumulated wisdom, relational ethics, and community-based practices that sustain social and ecological well-being. This Special Interest Group (SIG) explores how Indigenous knowledge can inspire transformative approaches to social work theory, practice, and education—bridging disciplinary, cultural, and geographical boundaries.
Indigenous knowledge systems embody holistic understandings of life, rooted in reciprocity, respect, and interconnectedness between humans, land, and nature. In many contexts, these systems challenge Western epistemologies by emphasizing collective responsibility, oral traditions, and lived experience as valid sources of knowledge. For social work, engaging with Indigenous epistemologies offers opportunities to rethink practice ethics, promote decolonization, and strengthen community resilience in the face of social and ecological crises.
The workshop invites contributions that reflect on how Indigenous knowledge informs social work across diverse regions, including collaborations between the Global South and the Global North, and between academia and Indigenous communities. It aims to create a dialogical space where practitioners, researchers, and Indigenous knowledge holders can co-produce knowledge grounded in respect, reciprocity, and relational accountability.
Topics for Discussion
- How can Indigenous knowledge systems inform and transform social work theory, ethics, and education?
- In what ways can Indigenous knowledge bridge disciplines such as anthropology, education, environmental studies, and psychology?
- How can land-based and community-based methodologies enrich social work research and practice?
- What are the challenges and possibilities of decolonizing social work through Indigenous perspectives?
- How can Indigenous worldviews contribute to solidarity, healing, and sustainable community development?
- What international or intercultural collaborations illustrate the integration of Indigenous epistemologies into social work?
Submission Guidelines
- Proposals may not exceed 250 words, including:
Title of presentation - Abstract of the paper
- Short biography (up to 100 words)
- Contact details (email, phone, and institutional affiliation)
Please indicate clearly whether your proposal is theoretical, empirical, or practice oriented.
Deadline for submission: 1 December 2025 Notification of acceptance: 1 January 2026
Submission and Contact: Prof. Dr. Nuzha Allassad Alhuzail, Sapir Academic College, Israel nuzha6@gmail.com; nuzhaa@mail.sapir.ac.il
Dr. Koustab Majumdar – Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, India & York University, Canada, Koustab Majumdar koustabm@ranchi.rkmvu.ac.in
SIG Convenors
Prof. Dr. Nuzha Allassad Alhuzail. Sapir Academic College, National Centre for Knowledge, Policy and Research on Bedouin Society in the Negev and Social Work School. Nuzha6@gmail.com
Dr. Koustab Majumdar, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Morabadi, Ranchi-834008, Jharkhand, India & York University, ON, Canada koustabm@ranchi.rkmvu.ac.in
Dr. Lily Makalanga, Dodoma University, Tanzania lilybogohe@gmail.com
Dr. Poppy Masinga, South Africa College of Applied Psychology poppy@sacap.edu.za
Title: Relocated Solidarity: rethinking social workers' roles in supporting politically displaced migrants
Date: Wednesday 11th February 2026 Start time: 14:00 GMT / 15:00 CET
Abstract
In the wake of the 2019 protests in Hong Kong, China’s imposition of a draconian National Security Law and subsequent suppression of political dissent, many Hongkongers migrated to countries offering ‘lifeboat’ schemes for them, creating new diasporic communities. These migrants carried memories and sentiments rooted in their protest experience and its aftermath, particularly a strong commitment to solidarity with comrades and allies. Drawing on two related research projects, in this presentation, we analyse how these ideals are manifested within the Hongkonger diaspora in the UK through ‘relocated solidarity’. This takes two forms: ‘solidarity in exile,’ which informs continued political activism in the UK, and ‘exiled solidarity,’ which focuses on preserving the Hongkonger community in the host country. The practices adopted by Hongkongers reflect their political commitments and the varied challenges they face in adapting to life in the UK. Hongkonger diaspora as a case provides a critical lens to consider social workers and local authorities’ roles beyond the current focus on safeguarding. We will use three examples, UK Welcomes Refugees , the British Association of Social Workers and Sutton Council, to illustrate social workers’ roles as bridgers for resources and information, engineers of policy space for marginalised voices and community-oriented innovators.
Authors
Dr. Sui Ting Kong is an Associate Professor at Durham University, specializing in feminist participatory methodologies and social work practice research. Her work focuses on the impact of social movements on personal lives, particularly examining gender-based violence and the experiences of the Hongkonger diaspora. She has developed innovative methods to democratize knowledge production and enhance understanding of violence against women in both political and personal contexts.
sui.t.kong@durham.ac.uk https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/sui-t-kong/
Hei Chow is the programme Manager of UK Welcomes Refugees, a UK charity supporting refugees from worldwide. With the Background of Social work and Master’s Degree in Values Education, Hei focused on youth work, community work, while he worked as a social worker, lecturer and fieldwork supervisor in Hong Kong and UK. Hei hopes not only to support and resettle Hong Kongers but to play a key role in UKWR’s wider mission to build a more understanding and harmonious society for the common good of all. Part of Hei’s work also focuses on supporting refugees and overseas social workers from around the world, helping them to build mutual support networks, strengthen their professional identity, and develop new career pathways in the UK.
https://ukwelcomesrefugees.org/hei/ Hei@ukwelcomesrefugees.org
|2025-10-29|2|0|§434|ESWRA Seminar Series January 2026 Arts Based Research SIG|Why use Arts Based Research in Social Work?
Theoretical and methodological advantages and challenges:
Date: Wednesday 14th January 2026
Start time: 14:00 GMT / 15:00 CET
Registration link will be posted in December
Contact: info@eswra.org
ESWRA Arts based SIG (lead by Ephrat Huss: Nesrien Abu-Ghazaleh, and Susan Levy)
At the last ESRWA conference, we witnessed a significant number of arts-based research presentations, highlighting how the arts have become canonized as a “third pillar” of social work, alongside science and the social sciences. This shift is evident in both practice and research.
The aim of this webinar is to articulate the theoretical rationale for employing arts-based research methods in social work—both as a distinct approach and in relation to central methodological streams such as participatory, qualitative, and quantitative methods. We will demonstrate how the arts can serve as method, subject, and product of social work research, and we will also address the challenges and limitations of arts-based methods. Using examples from our SIG members research that they will present, we hope to demonstrate a set of arts baed methodologies currently being used, and to highlight their advantages and challenges.
Our overall aim in this webinar is to demystify arts-based methods, that often feel unfamiliar to social workers- and to provide participants with a clear theoretical framework for understanding arts-based methods, as well as to provide a toolbox of methodologies that they will be able to apply in their own research.
Arts based research Webinar: For ESWRA
Dr Nasrien Abu-Ghazala: Professor Ephrat Huss: Dr Susan Levy
In the last ESRWA conference we saw a large among of arts-based research presentations: showing how the arts have become canonized as a “third pillar” of social work, next to science and social sciences. This is apparent in both practice and research:
The aim of this webinar is to explain the theoretical rational for using arts-based research methods in social work specifically, and in relation to central methodological streams such as participatory, qualitative, and quantitative methods. We will exemplify how the arts can be utilized as method, subject and end- product of research. We will address the challenges and limitations of using arts-based methods, and we will exemplify structured arts-based methodologies in each of these areas, using our Sig’s participants current research projects. Participants will emerge with a theoretical understanding of arts-based methods, and also with a toolbox of methodologies that can be applied to their own research.
|2025-10-29|4|0|§431|Call for Contributions: Social Work Research on Digitalization and Technology (SIG)|Call for Contributions: Social Work Research on Digitalization and Technology (SIG)
European Conference for Social Work Research (ECSWR) 2026
Aberdeen, Scotland | 15–17 April 2026
Submission deadline: November 25th, 2025
Dear Colleagues,
We warmly invite contributions to the first meeting of the Social Work Research on Digitalization and Technology SIG at ECSWR 2026. This SIG brings together researchers interested in how digitalization and technological change are reshaping social work. The meeting will take place before the main conference, on April 15th.
We welcome short abstracts that introduce your research topic, describe how it approaches digitalization or technology, and explain its relevance to social work today. Why is this research needed now? What questions or challenges does it address?
This inaugural SIG meeting will be an opportunity to:
- Share and discuss current research on digitalization and social work
- Map emerging themes and approaches in the field
- Explore possibilities for future collaboration
- Co-develop ideas for the SIG’s future activities
We are especially interested in contributions that reflect on the ethical, relational, and structural implications of digital technologies in social work practice, education, and policy.
We also warmly encourage colleagues who may not wish to submit a research abstract but are interested in contributing to the SIG in other ways, or who would like to suggest additional topics for discussion, to reach out to us. We welcome diverse forms of engagement and collaboration to help shape the future direction of this SIG.
Submit your abstract (approx. 200 words) by November 25th, 2025 to:
Judit Castellvi Majo judit.castellvi@udl.cat
Jana Verplancke jana.verplancke@arteveldehs.be
Samuel Salovaara samuel.salovaara@ulapland.fi
Jana, Samuel and Judit
|2025-10-21|1|0|§425|New SIG Adult Protection and Safeguarding SIG|We are excited to announce the formation of a new Adult Protection and Safeguarding SIG. Adult protection (which is also known as adult safeguarding) can be understood as a set of activities through which adults who are unable to protect themselves, due to a care or support need, are supported to receive protection, in line with human rights imperatives. Adults with a range of support needs may require assistance or protection from abuse and neglect. Such support needs include, but are not limited to, dementia, a mental health problem, a learning disability or advanced old age. The types of harm or abuse which adults may experience include physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, modern slavery and neglect. Adult protection has become a key concern of social workers in many jurisdictions. However, state policies vary significantly with state responses being well developed in some countries but underdeveloped or absent in others. The degree to which governments subscribe to and apply international human rights conventions and treaties is also variable.
This SIG emerges from a symposium which was held at the ESWRA conference in 2025, entitled, “Social Work and Adult Protection – Policy, Research and Practice Across National Boundaries”, where the presenters and attendees expressed a wish to work together in the future. The aim of the SIG is to provide a forum for international social work scholars to network with one another on matters relating to adult protection/adult safeguarding. We hope to hold our first event in Aberdeen and will also be organising online events with other SIGs. If you are interested in becoming part of the SIG then please email Jeremy Dixon at Dixonj7@cardiff.ac.uk or Lorna Montgomery at l.montgomery@qub.ac.uk'.
|2025-09-15|2|0|§411|ECSWR 2025 Munich Poster Competition winners|It was wonderful to see so many poster at ECSWR 2025 in Munich, As usual ECSWR attracted many high quality posters translating innovative, compelling research and complex ideas into visually engaging and intellectually stimulating posters.
We are pleased to announce the winning poster at ECSWR 2025 Poster Competition for the poster entitled: Introducing Professional Supervision into Social Services of Local Authorities in Italy: A Qualitive Study. The authors are
- Valentina Calcaterra, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano - Italy
- Maddalena Floriana Grassi, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro - Italy
- Mara Sanfelici, Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca, Italy
CONGRATULATIONS!
Download the PDF version here
We are delighted to announce that the winners of this year's Award for Outstanding Publication in European Social work Research based on a Doctoral Thesis are Dr. Jonathan Berg and Dr. Diletta Mauri
Jonathan Berg, Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, The Netherlands
Berg J, Oldenhof L, Putters K, van Wijngaarden J. Which client is worthy of using discretion? Analysing storytelling practices of Dutch street-level bureaucrats in inter-departmental settings. Journal of Social Policy. Published online 2024:1-20. doi:10.1017/S0047279424000199
Jonathan says: I’m truly honoured to receive this prestigious award for our paper on how social workers use collective storytelling to determine who ‘deserves’ responsiveness when resources are scarce. The award means a lot to me, as it acknowledges our contribution to the field of Social Work (research), which I care about deeply. We owe the quality of our paper to the amazing efforts and contributions of social workers in Rotterdam, along with the inspiration we've drawn from both the Social Work Research community and the Narratology community. I firmly believe in the merit of interpretive research to support social workers in their roles as both policy practitioners and agents of change, and will continue to contribute to the field in the best of my ability.
Dr. Diletta Mauri, Trento University, Italy
Constructing the ‘zero family’: Breaking the intergenerational transmission of maltreatment from the perspective of care-experienced parents, Child Abuse & Neglect, Volume 153, 2024, 106855, ISSN 0145-2134, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106855, www.sciencedirect.com
Diletta says: When I received the award, I expressed my deep gratitude for this recognition from such an important organization as ESWRA. I thanked the committee for their trust in my work and everyone who has supported me throughout my research and PhD journey. In particular, I acknowledged my supervisor, Silvia Fargion, for her invaluable guidance, passion, and wisdom.
I also thanked my community of social work researchers, both in Italy and abroad, who make me feel part of a professional network that is a constant source of inspiration and encouragement.
Finally, I expressed my gratitude to the parents who participated in the research. Their stories of struggle, but above all, of courage and care for themselves and their children, have been the most meaningful and engaging part of my work. I also shared my hope that this comes through in the article that has received this important recognition.
Linguistic Diversity
I am Dr Sarah Pollock, a social work academic based at Manchester Metropolitan University, England, UK. I would like to hear from anyone who would like to join a SIG focusing on linguistic diversity, initially to meet as a group online and develop the SIG proposal for ESWRA.
My research interest is how linguistic diversity impacts all aspects of social work. I am using linguistic diversity to refer to interactions and situations where social workers, or social care providers, and recipients or potential recipients of services do not share a spoken language, usually the language of the host country. I would like to start an ESWRA Special Interest Group to share and develop research and best practice in this area.
The SIG could include research interests including but not limited to:
- work with interpreters
- language brokerage
- language policy
- linguistic diversity as a form of discrimination
- comparative approaches to linguistic diversity
- Linguistic theory in application to social work
- Linguistic diversity and coloniality, history and the global movement of people
Do please contact me via email and share this information with any social work colleagues that may be interested. I look forward to hearing from you, I’d be happy to answer any queries from interested parties– my email is S.Pollock@mmu.ac.uk
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