Abstract
AbstractWhat do the many translations of ‘the brain’ from the domain of neuroscience offer to social work researchers? Drawing upon disability studies and critical social work, this article examines trends and tensions across ‘neuro’ writing in social work journals and summarises some commonly recommended practices. Neuroscientific discourse has undeniable cultural influence and offers distinctive forms of evidence to social workers. Social work scholars have strategically translated neuroscience findings to access greater disciplinary status, to counter neo-liberal onslaughts on public services, to communicate on inter-disciplinary teams and to address calls for ‘new’ scholarship. At the same time, many writers readily acknowledge that they use neuroscience to justify or even revive well-established social work practices and theories. A unidirectional strategy of translation across disciplines comes with inherent risks of reinforcing hierarchy, ignoring social difference and undermining the value of social work research and practice. Neurodiversity discourse offers one example of ‘neuro’ argumentation where social justice and neuroscience have intertwined and may present an opportunity for a different type of social work translation. Social workers should be prepared to engage with neuroscience but must do so in ways that consistently reinforce social justice commitments and include a wide array of perspectives.
Published Version
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