Social Work Scholars Research Articles

What are we even here for? AI, Critical Feminism, and Social Work Scholarship

What are we even here for? AI, Critical Feminism, and Social Work Scholarship

Autistic SPACE(S) in Social Work

Social work has a vital role to play in supporting Autistic people of all ages. Whether in facilitating access to other services, such as housing, enhancing quality of life, or in a safeguarding capacity, social workers have a legal and moral responsibility to ensure their practice ensures full, equitable involvement of Autistic people. Regrettably, research evidence indicates practice is not always inclusive and can fall short in responding effectively to Autistic people’s needs. This article adds to recent UK practice guidance and social work scholarship concerning social work and autism. It does so by introducing a framework developed by Autistic doctors for meeting Autistic people’s needs in medical settings known as ‘Autistic SPACE’ and exploring how it could be used for social work contexts. The five core autistic needs recognised in the SPACE framework are addressed, i.e. Sensory, Predictability, Acceptance, Communication and Empathy. How a practice-near social work perspective may aid in developing the framework further is also considered, extending the acronym from SPACE to SPACES to highlight the significance of Social Safety and Support.

Social work practice in complex emergencies: A study of Northwest Syria

Summary Existing scholarship discusses social work during war and conflict, but less social work scholarship specifically names and focuses on the reality of complex emergencies. This article discusses perspectives on “good” social work practice in complex emergencies by drawing upon a study of Northwest Syria which included 29 interviews with international and Syrian practitioners. Findings This study found that although Syria did not have a formal social work profession before the emergency, the crisis created a need for social work practice to bolster and help reactivate Syrian families and communities’ supportive nature. Participants perceived “good” social work practices as a range of practices, that are suitable to the community, which helped to reactivate the family and community's supportive role. Practitioners described how “good” social work practices incorporated Syrian culture and were best performed by practitioners with certain characteristics. Ultimately, this article argues social work practice should aim to reactivate rather than replace these important and existing culturally embedded forms of support. Applications During complex emergencies, “good” social work practice considers and incorporates cultural aspects such as spirituality and stigma. A range of social work practices, which are suitable to the community, can help to restore family and community supports. Practitioners who know the community, are trustworthy, and have a relevant background can best perform what are regarded as “good” social work practices.

Efficacy and Effectiveness Research on Interventions in Sweden Between 1990 and 2019

Purpose: This article investigates the extent of effectiveness studies of behavioral, psychological, and social interventions aiming for measurable changes at the individual level in Sweden 1990–2019. Methods: The data stems from a retrospective analysis of published literature on effect studies between 1990 and 2019. Results: The results show an increase in published articles reporting on effect studies in Sweden the past 30 years, accelerating the past 10 years. However, only 25% of the studies focuses on core social work practices and only certain target groups and areas, especially children and elderly, are covered. Of these studies, only 4% are conducted by social work scholars. Conclusions: Effect studies still holds a weak position in Swedish social work research, despite of processes of professionalization and academization with national efforts to promote knowledge production for practice. This is discussed in relation to competence, opportunity, and motivation in Swedish social work and beyond.

Centering Asian Americans in Social Work Education, Research, and Policy

ABSTRACT The Asian American population is incredibly diverse in terms of ethnicity, culture, language, religion, class, and histories of war shaped by U.S. imperialism. Understanding this immense diversity is crucial for engaging with communities while recognizing the diversity–convergence paradox - the idea that Asian Americans share common experiences of discrimination and racialization despite their varied backgrounds and social locations. This paradox offers a critical lens to address health and social challenges for Asian Americans and other minoritized populations. Drawing on insights that account for this paradox, this article reflects on the authors’ experiences as Asian American social work scholars and alumni of the Council on Social Work Education’s Minority Fellowship Program. We discuss contemporary and historical issues facing Asian American communities as well as offer recommendations for advancing antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion within social work and beyond.

Research Note—Making Peer Review Evidence-Based: It’s Time to Open the “Black Box”

ABSTRACT Peer review serves an essential role in the cultivation, validation, and dissemination of social work scholarship. Nevertheless, the current peer review system has been described as unreliable, biased, ineffective, and unaccountable, among numerous other issues. That said, peer review is still commonly viewed as the best possible system of knowledge governance, given the relevant alternatives. In this research note, I scrutinize this assumption. Although peer review can sometimes be effective, it is not therefore a rigorous or even dependable system. Indeed, the practice of peer review in social work is overwhelmingly closed and opaque, and assurances of its rigor are speculative at best. After highlighting common criticisms of traditional peer review, I articulate a research agenda on “open peer review”.

Social work's contribution to socio-economic development–why, how & who?

Real development should be seen as more than just economic growth. Social Workers have important roles in the development of Africa. Mupedziswa, Sewpaul, Lombard, and others have put forward developmental social work as an approach that addresses issues affecting people at the macro level, nipping underdevelopment causal factors in the bud. Developmental social work abandons the reactionary and residual approach to problems. To celebrate Africa Day, the Africa Social Work and Development Network holds annual indabas where social work scholars and practitioners make presentations and discuss identified themes. Answering the questions why, how & why, this article presents one of the presentations delivered at Africa Day Indaba on 25 May 2023 and the ensuing discussion on social work's contribution to the socio-economic development of Africa. The presentation adopted a developmental social work lens HOW TO REFERENCE USING ASWDNET STYLE Muridzo N. G. (2024). Social work's contribution to socio-economic development - why, how & who? African Journal of Social Work, 14(3), 133-139. Presentation delivered at Africa Day Indaba, 25 May 2023. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v14i3.4. Visit journal website: https://ajsw.africasocialwork.net

Food justice within US-based social work literature: a 20-year scoping review

ABSTRACT Social workers within the United States (US) have addressed food issues since the profession’s origin in the late 1800s. Today, the acute problem of food insecurity continues to concern social workers. However, solely addressing food insecurity is not holistic nor sufficient to adequately promote food justice. Nevertheless, most food assistance resources familiar to and employed by social workers address food insecurity and lack structural change components to fully address food injustice. This paper reports the findings of a scoping review of US-based social work scholarly literature from 2000 to 2020 to understand the profession’s engagement with food justice, identify implications for social work practice and education, and promote the development of new knowledge that may result in more social work led, dynamic, and comprehensive food justice. The findings reveal a dearth of unequivocal discourse among social work scholars in the US concerning food justice, highlighting a significant knowledge gap within US-based social work scholarship. This gap underscores the potential for enriching social work education to equip students adequately for addressing food justice in practice.

Helping Fathers in the Perinatal Period: A Mapping Review of Paternal Mental Health Issues for Social Workers

The absence of father-focused perinatal research and the prioritizing of child- and family-focused perinatal research is particularly noticeable within social work literature. While recent social work scholarship on research related to paternal mental health and the experience of fathers exists, it is sparse. Focused on what is currently known about helping fathers in the perinatal period, this mapping review was done to explore existing and relevant knowledge related to practices to better serve fathers and their families. Themes among the existing knowledge related to developmental change, traumatic birth, paternal mental health, interventions, neurobiology, and policy will be discussed before concluding with a focus on emerging focal points for future research related to nurturing fathers during perinatal care.

Revisiting the Bond between Social Work and Ethnography

Abstract Ethnographic research in social work is extremely valuable, yet not very commonly applied. In this theoretical article, I delineate the historical bond and ethical alliance between ethnography and social work, as well as highlight the empirical value that ethnography can offer the social work profession. By so doing I render visible the affinity between ethnographic research and the discipline of social work. I conclude by examining the relations between slow scholarship and ethnographic research as a means of resistance to the corporate neo-liberal university setting, encouraging social work scholars to do more ethnographic work. Such work can make a potentially significant contribution to social work practitioners, service users, policy makers, educators and scholars and encourage social science with meaning.

Forum: The Limitations of Large Language Models and Emerging Correctives to Support Social Work Scholarship: Selecting the Right Tool for the Task

Forum: The Limitations of Large Language Models and Emerging Correctives to Support Social Work Scholarship: Selecting the Right Tool for the Task

The Types of Scholarly Publications Produced by Australian Social Work Researchers

ABSTRACT The publication of social work research and scholarship is integral to generating and disseminating knowledge for the profession and the human services field. Previous research has found a large proportion of nonresearch articles in social work journals, but there has been little exploration of the nature of this scholarship. Using a scoping review method supplemented by analysis of national research assessment output data, this study examined the quantity, format, and characteristics of scholarly publications between 2010–2020 by Australian social workers. It found they produced proportionately more journal articles than other disciplines and relatively fewer books and book chapters. Of 1,389 Australian social work articles published in top-cited social work journals, 821 (59.1%) were research articles. Of the nonresearch articles, almost half provided an analysis of policy or practice without stating a method. Understanding the scope of social work research provides a foundation for reflection on the discipline’s research endeavours. IMPLICATIONS Information about the scope of social work research is useful for developing both individual and disciplinary research strategy. A clear statement of method that describes the processes used for observation and analysis would enhance the quality of nonresearch social work publications.

Radical informed consent: considering a new approach for reproductive justice in social work practice

Abortion restrictions most greatly impact people of the global majority and queer populations, and social work scholarship has repeatedly called for the profession to engage in a reproductive justice framework across all levels of practice. This article does not provide another tool created by a White scholar with privilege; instead, I encourage social workers to consider: what is radical informed consent, and how can we do it?

FINDING THE “SO WHAT?”: DEVELOPING A MEANINGFUL CAREER THAT MAKES AN IMPACT

Abstract As a foundation to my social work scholarship, I consistently ask myself a question that my advisor once posed to me: “So what?” In other words, why and to whom does your research matter, and what are you going to do with it? In this presentation, I will show how my scholarship is framed by my practice experience working in Washington, DC for a think tank and advocacy organization. I will describe my approach to merging traditional academic pursuits with public communication and dissemination activities, including publishing in open-access journals, writing op-eds and reports, and pursuing organizational and community collaborations. I will provide specific examples of my collaborative research with local, state, and national organizations, including how we discuss potential research projects and reach mutually beneficial agreements. Lastly, I will describe how I blend this exciting and personally meaningful approach with more established expectations for tenure-track professors.

INSIGHTS FROM A HAPF ALUMNUS ON AGING POLICY ADVOCACY IN SOCIAL WORK

Abstract “Once a fellow, always a fellow” and “Networks get things done”. The Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program has brought together experts in aging for more than ten years for policy education and fellowships, assembling an alumni network of more than one hundred and fifty fellows. Fellow alumni are social work scholars, physicians, nurses, gerontologists, sociologists, and many more. Each of these alumni completed one or more placements in policy making in congress, federal agencies, and advocacy organizations. Some have remained in those spaces while others are academics, state and local officials, and corporate leaders. They continue to advocate for and shape policy in aging in those positions. Told from the perspective of a non-residential program alumnus who is a mid-career faculty member in social work, this presentation will discuss the lessons learned during the fellowship, how the fellowship shaped future policy work, and present insights on how social workers can engage in policy advocacy in aging through the fellowship.

What Social Workers Need to Know about Muslims: An Analysis of the Contemporary Social Work Scholarship.

This article analyzes peer-reviewed English-language social work scholarship on Islam and Muslims published between 2011 and 2021. Of these 127 articles, 70 journal venues are represented, and first authors are primarily American (44 percent), followed by British (15 percent) and Canadian (11 percent). A total of 70 journals published studies analyzing data related to Muslims/Islam and social work, with 46 consisting of only one publication between 2011 and 2021. A total of 13 of these journals had a SCImago Journal Rank indicator of over 0.5, and three with rankings over 1.0. The volume of publications was high in 2015 and 2020, in particular. Major themes include faith-aligned and strengths-based approaches, the importance of mosques in the lives of Muslims, the relevance of the hijab in the lives of Muslim women, and the prevalence and impact of sociopolitical stereotypes. The conclusion calls for still greater culturally respectful approaches to the profession that include Islam and Muslim individuals/communities and ensuring that ethics and practice/research continue to evolve in ways that are culturally relevant to diverse communities.

Enhancing critical social work practice: Using text-based vignettes in qualitative research

There exist ongoing calls among social work scholars and practitioners to cultivate applied knowledge of critical and emancipatory practice. In this paper, I explore the utility of text-based vignettes as instruments that can be used to elicit insight from marginalized service users on critical social work practice. To do this work, I draw on data from interviews with 20 transgender and gender diverse (TGD) social service users, along with 10 social workers, whose responses to a text-based vignette were originally used to build an understanding of the constituents of equitable social work practice with TGD people. Incorporating critical pragmatism as a conceptual framework and constructivist grounded theory as a methodological orientation, I analyze data from this study as an exemplar that substantiates the promise of using text-based vignettes in qualitative social work research to generate knowledge of critical social work practice. Specifically, I demonstrate how text-based vignettes in this study (1) contextualized the meaning, significance, and impact of oppression for service users, (2) built insight on practice that reflects solidarity and allyship, and (3) identified opportunities for social workers’ reflexive use of professional power to effect change. Accounting for the tensions between empiricism and critical praxis in social work, I consider the promise of incorporating text-based vignettes to develop empirical social work literature that is rooted in the voices of marginalized service users.

Love and Social Work in the UK: A Critical Evaluation

Recently social work scholars have been exploring the concept of love and social work. A focus on love takes social work back to its roots, reinforcing care for, sensitivity and responsiveness to, the feelings of service users and relationships between service users and practitioners. Some scholars see love operating not only at individual levels, but also with action elements at structural levels challenging power, inequality, and oppression. The recent work of various international writers about social work and love is summarised. However, the concept of love and social work raises important complex, critical questions which are tentatively considered in this article. The aims of the article are to explore the concept of love as applied to professional social work, to highlight its strengths and weaknesses and offer some critical perspectives. Other aims are to begin to explore linkages between love and some existing social work theories, concepts, and values and to consider the implications of love for social work practice in statutory contexts in the UK. The role of love in social work can offer ambitious and transformative possibilities, but ambivalence, contradictions and paradox are evident; there is a need for much more debate and research about its place in the discourses of social work.

Navigating, subverting, and replacing conventional academic structures and expectations to co-create with participatory action research (PAR) teams: where to for PAR scholarship?

ABSTRACT In this paper, six social work scholars at varying career stages and institutions used collaborative autoethnography to identify (1) structural constraints and tensions to engage in participatory action research (PAR) in the academy, (2) the strategies we have used to navigate this work, and (3) suggestions for structural changes necessary to meaningfully value this work in the academy. Key structural constraints and tensions center around questioning the legitimacy of this work, time necessary to do this work, challenges funding this work, and inherent ableism in the academy. We share case examples of strategies PAR scholars have used to navigate or subvert academic expectations, including operationalizing values, rooting in movements, uplifting accessibility and knowledge; holding accountability to community, and articulating commitments. We end with recommendations for social work institutions and funders to meaningfully elevate, support, and fund PAR work in the academy. Specifically, we see the need for social work institutions to elevate PAR training and reward systems as legitimate knowledge, build support systems for conducting PAR in the academy, revise evaluation of scholars at milestones to value PAR; funders should also work to align funding opportunities and practices with participatory praxis.

Discipline, Erasure, and Silenced Subjectivities: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Florida's 2022 Parental Rights in Education Act

This critical policy analysis is concerned with the discursive linguistic practices and social justice implications surrounding the passage of Florida's controversial “Parental Rights in Education Act” (PREA), which enacts limitations on classroom instruction involving topics related to gender and sexuality. Foregrounding this essay lays a call for social work scholarship to recognize the significance of the critical semiotic and post-structural turn in social science research, which evinces the importance of attending to the nuanced relationship between discourse, power, ideology, and identity formation. As a field espousing the tenets of social justice and commitments to the broader aims of social equality, social work holds an inherent investment in understanding the politics of language and, by extension, the language of emancipatory change. Informed by critical discourse analysis (CDA) and feminist post-structural thought, this analysis brings to the forefront the relevance of discourse, language, and semiotics as crucial objects of inquiry and seeks to examine what norms are in operation in the context of this legislation. What can discourse reveal about the nature of the social problem as postulated by PREA, and what discursive implications might it contain? Ultimately, this analysis contends that PREA represents a new threshold of educational and queer surveillance, best understood when bracketed by the ideologies of neoliberalism, cis-/heteropatriarchy, and the concomitant articulation of transphobia.