Migration and Social Work

Abstract

This book aims to provide a European perspective by collating different perspectives for social work research on migration and asylum. It is the result of a joint work developed by a group of social work academics and researchers across Europe, most of whom are members of the Special Interest Group on Social Work Research on Migration and Asylum of the European Social Work Research Association. The authors of the different chapters are conscious of the importance of social work as a profession and discipline and aware of their responsibility towards society, the citizenry and migrants and refugees. They have written these chapters because they have previously developed a critical perspective and this has not been easy work, as the context – as it has been explained – does not favour any alternative position that challenges the current state of things. This is, by itself, good news and a reason for hope as it paves the way for future research and reflections. This book can be read as a series of interconnected pieces of social work research exploring social work practice in the areas of migration and asylum across Europe. However, the aim of the volume is to produce a comparative analysis of contemporary social work practice in this complex and challenging area. It is also a reflection on how effective social practice is in the field and a source of reflection on how social work education programmes can contribute to training professionals.