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Research subject

Social Work

About

Subject information

Contact

Björn Johansson

Research domains

  • Humanities-Social sciences

Areas of research

  • Children and youth
  • Prison research
  • Institutional care
  • Migration and social change
  • Bullying
  • Profession
  • Violence
  • Aging

Research environments

The global definition of Social work was approved by the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) General Meeting and the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) General Assembly in July 2014. It reads: ”Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work.  Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledges, social work engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing. The above definition may be amplified at national and/or regional levels.”

Social work is both an interdisciplinary research discipline and a cross-disciplinary research area. Social work is thus based on a wide range of scientific theory developed in one's own field and in other disciplines. Research in social work is often applied and focused on freeing up human resources and developed in collaboration with clients and users in an interactive, dialogue process and based on experience from practice.

The research in Social work at Örebro University includes studies of social problems among children, young people, adults and the elderly, as well as the conditions for social work and related social measures. The predominant focus of a specific research project can be a social phenomenon, problem or policy, a client group, a social working method or intervention or social law and/or issues related to organizations. It may have a strong, weak or no connection to a specific work area. At Örebro University, most of the research in Social work is gathered in the research groups above.

Research projects

Active projects

Completed projects