Program PhDact
Program of each session
Morning session (plenary)
09.30 - 09.45 - Welcome and introduction
09.45 - 10.30 - First lecture
10.30 – 11.00 - Break
11.00 - 11.45 - Second lecture
11.45 - 12.30 - Questions and debate
Afternoon session (only for enrolled PhD students)
13.30 – 16.30: Interactive seminar with the students and lecturers (with 30 minutes break)
Dates and topics
Session 1: February 2, 2024
Social Work Research as a political practice
Lecturers : Prof. dr. Jan Naert (Ghent University) – Prof. dr. Femke Kaulingfreks (InHolland University of Applied Sciences)
In this first session we discuss the political nature of social work research as social work research is inherently connected with society. The political nature of social work is often seen as obvious but the rationality behind this might stay too implicit, or the political nature might be under pressure. As public debate, and politicization, are necessary for social work research this calls for attention and constant critical reflection.
Session 2: March 8, 2024
Feminist perspectives in Social Work Research
Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Andrea Fleckinger (Trento University) – Prof. dr. Maria do Mar Pereira (University of Warwick)
In the second session we focus on feminist perspectives in Social Work. Various feminist scholars describe a complex and sometimes contradictory picture and, within social work, there has been a mixed reception. However, it is maintained that a gendered analysis in a profession where women are in the majority remains highly relevant. In this session we discuss the relevance and the potential lever of feminist perspectives social work research.
Session 3: May 24, 2024
Research perspectives in gerontological Social Work
Lecturers: Prof. dr. Sarah Donnelly (University College Dublin) – Prof. dr. Liesbeth De Donder (Free University Brussels)
The third session focuses on elderly care as an emerging field in social work research and practice. Social work research hereby includes elderly as they are often “oppressed voices” and critically elaborates on societal structures in the vision on, and care for, the elderly. Gerontological social work thus offers insights that can be relevant for social work and society at large.
Session 4: June 14, 2024
Working with extremist voices in Social Work Research
Lecturers: Prof. dr. Stephen Cowden (University of Gloucestershire) – Prof. dr. Vasilios Ioakimidis (University of West Attica)
In the fourth and final session, we discuss the challenge in social work to include “extremist voices”, such as conspiracy thinkers or right wing extremists. We will focus on the position social work research can take choices that researchers need to make in relation to bringing in these voices in research, with examples regarding the development of social work practice.
