Program

Conference theme ​​​​

Re-imagining Social Work and Social Justice:

The Nexus of Theory, Practice, and Dissent

In the Global Definition, social work is defined as both a practice and an academic discipline. However, a de-intellectualisation of social work is apparent. This is embodied in a focus in research and practice on the development of skills on the one hand, and on the other hand evidence-based tools, rather than critical analysis. As such, the theory-practice nexus becomes problematic: either theory is seen as ‘hindering’ real social work, or theory merely has to be ‘implemented’ by social workers. This is a reduction of both research and practice to a hegemonic instead of a dissenting activity. Both intuitive knowledge and evidence-based models tend to be conservative, focused on the status quo instead of social justice. 

In this conference, we want to reimagine the theory-practice nexus. The central question is: how can both research and practice be intellectual dissenting activities, countering hegemonic thinking and contributing to social justice? 

PhD-Pre Conference supervisory panel

The PhD-Pre Conference provides a unique opportunity for doctoral candidates who conduct research in the overall field of social services and related social problems to present their results or work in progress. A board of professors of international standing will form a panel to comment on the presentations and will be available for any further guidance. The 2025 supervisors are: 

• Dr. Cristiana Almeida
  Lusofona University (Portugal)
• Prof. Lieve Bradt
  Ghent University (Belgium)
• Prof. Jim Campbell
  University College Dublin (Ireland)
• Prof. Anna Gupta
  Royal Holloway University of London (United Kingdom) 
• Prof. Onno Husen
  University of Münster (Germany)
• Prof. Vasilios Ioakimidis
  University of West Attica (Greece)
• Prof Christian Kjeldsen
  Aarhus University (Denmark)
• Prof. Helena Neves Almeida 
  Coimbra University (Portugal)
• Prof. Anna Odrowaz-Coates
  Maria Grzegorzewska University (Poland)
• Prof. Anna Lena Rademaker
  Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences (Germany) 
• Prof. Kim Robinson
  Deakin University (Australia)
• Prof. Griet Roets
  Ghent University (Belgium)
• Prof. Rudi Roose
  Ghent University (Belgium)
• Prof. Martin Wagener
  UCLouvain (Belgium)