Aims of DARSIG
The aims of the Decisions, Assessment and Risk Special Interest Group of the European Social Work Research Association are to support the development of research on decision making, assessment and risk in social work and to promote the use of research on these topics to inform practice, management and teaching in the profession.
Objectives of DARSIG
Within Europe, in relation to decision making, assessment and risk in social work:
1. to develop research capacity and learning opportunities;
2. to facilitate the development and application of research methods;
3. to develop collaboration in research and theory development;
4. to facilitate collaboration in presentations, publications, and teaching materials; and
5. to develop knowledge that will inform practice, management, regulation and teaching.
Indicative Scope of DARSIG
A. Professional judgement including cognitive heuristics, bias and use of knowledge.
B. Decision & assessment processes with clients, families, professionals and organisations.
C. Assessment tools & decision aids including diagnosis and statistical prediction of harm.
D. Risk perception, assessment, communication & management, including positive risk taking.
E. Learning, managing, supervisory & organisational aspects of decisions, assessment & risk.
F. Emotional, ethical, legal and contextual aspects of decision making, assessment and risk.
The Annual Coordination Meeting of DARSIG takes place at the annual European Conference on Social Work Research (ECSWR). DARSIG has a web presence as part of the ESWRA website, and has a Facebook page and Twitter feed so as to provide more immediate communication. Members of the group are encouraged to collaborate in joint presentations at ECSWRs, joint research grants and joint publications. DARSIG runs a Pre-Conference Event at each ECSWR, and supports members in collaborating in putting on Symposia, Workshops, Oral Presentations and Posters at ECSWRs. DARSIG now plans to facilitate greater collaboration between members, and to develop activities between ECSWR events. Further information about DARSIG is included in: Taylor BJ, Killick C, Bertotti T, Enosh G, Gautschi J, Hietamäki J, Sicora A & Whittaker A (2017) European Social Work Research Association SIG to study decisions, assessment and risk. Journal of Evidence-Informed Social Work, 15(1), 82-94. doi:10.1080/23761407.2017.1394244.
Convenors
Ravit Alfandari, Convenor
Campbell Killick, Deputy Convenor
Mary Baginsky and Joel Gautschi Co-Convenors: Communications
Duncan Helm, Co-Convenor: Symposia
Previous convenors
Brian Taylor, Convenor 2014-2021
Andrew Whittaker, Convenor 2021- 2023
Alessandro Sicora, Co-Convenor: Communication 2016
Peter Voll, Co-Convenor: SIP Preconference 2022
Ravit Alfandari, Co-Convenor: SIG Preconference 2023
A monthly emailing is sent out to DARSIG members by the Co-Convenor: Communications. If you wish to join DARSIG and be added to the mailing list please contact Dr. Ravit Alfandari at: ravit103@gmail.com
