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Encyclopaedia of Social Work | Call for chapter suggestions
Are you interested in authoring a chapter for a forthcoming international encyclopaedia of social work (the work)?
If so, your action is needed by 31 May 2026.
Title: Encyclopedia of Social Work
Subtitle: Future Directions, Practices and Histories. Publisher: Elsevier
Editor in Chief: Professor Sarah Vicary, The Open University.
Sub editors: Dr Gillian Ferguson, The Open University; Dr Justin Rogers, The Open University, Professor Gary Spolander, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen
Background
Social work is a well-recognised profession underscored by values, skills and knowledge practised locally but within a global context. Although widely known, the profession and practice of social work is little understood by those who have not been immersed in it. Even for those immersed, the knowledge base, tasks and contribution of social work is subject to perpetual debate.
This work brings together for the first time in one place an authoritative and comprehensive overview of social work as it has emerged, how it is understood, taught, practised and researched today and how it might be in the future. Innovative in its vision, this work will enable its readers to recognise fundamental aspects of social work and its continuing evolution.
Offered in three volumes:
• Volume one looks forward. It provides a collection of chapters which seek to understand how social work itself changes and how the profession supports wider individual and social transitions. This includes the wisdom social work provides along with examples and evidence of how it responds to social and material challenges which might enforce change. This volume examines the evidence base for effective practice including how its service users, practitioners and researchers are positioned in a changing world. Readers will have a chance to consider the impact of change, the challenges for social work and a scan of the horizon for the profession looking to the future.
• Volume two focuses on the international context, considering social work across boundaries, understanding and working with multiple identities and reflections on its management and organisation. Intergenerational aspects of social work are investigated, providing an opportunity to consider how core social work values, knowledge and skills are applied with different people and in diverse contexts. The future is rooted in this context but also in social work histories and development as a profession.
• Volume three allows its readers to explore the fundamental elements of the profession as it has emerged. Across all three volumes, the past, present and future are inextricably connected.
Collectively, the work will be the primary reference in the field, providing the opportunity to consider social work from multiple perspectives in one place. In a new development this work looks to identify the contemporary debates around the profession by way of enabling effective support to those whom it serves.
What do we want from author(s)?
We are seeking over 200 chapters, each of 8,000 words and have an outline for each volume. If you have expertise and interest in a particular topic that you feel would merit inclusion, please let us know indicating which volume this could be included in along with a brief synopsis of your suggested content.
If we as an editorial team agree that your suggested chapter should be included each author will be provided with an author brief by the publisher and assigned a volume editor. The publisher will contract the author.
Important considerations
Each assigned author(s) will be provided with a standard four (4) month writing schedule from the date of the Contributor Agreement.
All chapters must be in, reviewed and in approved format for publication by May 31, 2027, latest.
Thank you for considering this.
Sarah
Please send any outlines by email to sarah.vicary@open.ac.uk
|2026-04-27|3|1|§451|ESWRA Seminar: Death, Loss and Bereavement In Social Work SIG|Date: Wednesday 10th June 2026
Start time: 14:00 BST/ 15:00 CEST
Duration: 90 - 120 minutes
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/CSHh2NTx2X52wbyT7
Title: Death and Bereavement
Abstract: This seminar will examine the critical importance of a nuanced and holistic critical understanding of death, dying, and bereavement within social work education and practice.
Within the UK context, the Social Work Approaches to Death and Dying (SWADD) network, established by academics across multiple universities, has recently undertaken research that highlights significant inconsistencies within the social work education curriculum, including a continued reliance on outdated theoretical frameworks and models. Earlier findings by Turner (Turner and Price, 2021) similarly identified a notable deficit in education and training in this area, describing a “pervasive gap” in practitioners’ knowledge and preparedness.
Drawing on the work of the SWADD network, this seminar will foreground the need to modernise pedagogical approaches to death and dying, with particular emphasis on the integration of digital technologies and evolving cultural practices surrounding death and mourning.
The session will invite critical dialogue among ESWRA members and the wider international community, with the aim of fostering a more coherent and forward-looking approach to teaching death and bereavement, which effectively equips students to engage with the complex realities of contemporary social work practice.
Zoom Link
Topic: ESWRA Seminar June
Time: Jun 10, 2026 14:00 London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84337078998?pwd=4wih786ncxQSKh6xVh1EdPobw67Ikq.1
Meeting ID: 843 3707 8998
Passcode: 365839
|2026-03-25|5|1|§450|ESWRA Seminar: Solidarity and Social Work SIG|Date: Wednesday 13th May 2026
Start time: 12:15 BST/ 13:15 CEST
Duration: 90 - 120 minutes
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/6KFvoQ9iktMcEGPB9
Title: Ecosystem of Reintegration of Veterans and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Times of Crisis: Coordination of Efforts Between the State, Communities, and Civil Society
ESWRA Solidarity and Social Work Special Interest Group
Speakers: Ecosystem of Reintegration of Veterans and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Times of Crisis: Coordination of Efforts Between the State, Communities, and Civil Society
Abstract
The ongoing crisis caused by war and large-scale displacement has significantly transformed the socio-economic landscape of Ukraine, intensifying the need for effective reintegration mechanisms for veterans and internally displaced persons (IDPs). Despite the growing number of initiatives, reintegration processes often remain fragmented, leaving individuals to navigate complex systems of support on their own. These groups face multidimensional challenges, including employment barriers, social adaptation, psychological recovery, and limited access to essential services. In this context, the formation of a comprehensive reintegration ecosystem becomes a critical priority for sustainable recovery and long-term resilience. The concept of a reintegration ecosystem is examined as an integrated, multi-level system that combines the efforts of public authorities, local communities, civil society organizations, and the private sector, with a particular focus on coordination mechanisms that ensure synergy between stakeholders and prevent duplication of efforts. Drawing on international practices and emerging Ukrainian experiences, the study identifies key challenges in building a coherent reintegration ecosystem, including fragmentation of initiatives, insufficient data integration, limited intersectoral communication, and capacity gaps at the local level. At the same time, it highlights opportunities for strengthening coordination through digital platforms, public-private partnerships, and integrated service delivery models. A conceptual model of an effective reintegration ecosystem is proposed, emphasizing inclusiveness, adaptability, and cross-sectoral collaboration. It is argued that only through a coordinated, human-centered, and ecosystem-based approach can Ukraine ensure successful reintegration, strengthen social cohesion, and support long-term recovery.
Keywords: reintegration ecosystem, veterans, internally displaced persons (IDPs), coordination, public governance, civil society, local communities, crisis response, Ukraine.
Zoom link
Topic: ESWRA Seminar
Time: May 13, 2026 12:15 London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85131747851?pwd=wqh4DIyAEafpxlP0XsyXii9CDWXxaG.1
Meeting ID: 851 3174 7851
Passcode: 735894
Deadline for submission of abstracts: 15 May 2026
This special issue will showcase stimulating, quality papers presented at the European Conference on Social Work Research held from 15-17 April 2026 in Aberdeen, Scotland
Proposals are invited from all who presented at the conference. The European Social Work Research journal provides an international forum for the
publication of high-quality contributions relating to all aspects of social work research and drawing on diverse research methodologies, ideas and knowledge. This peer-reviewed journal is published through a partnership between the European Social Work Research Association and Policy Press.
This special issue will focus on one or more of the eight conference subthemes with a connection to the main conference theme: ‘Social Work and Interdisciplinary Research: researching and facilitating evidence informed practice and policy'
The eight subthemes are:
- Challenges and opportunities for social work research, practice, policy or education in contemporary contexts
- Social work research, policy, practice or education across national, social, cultural, disciplinary and professional boundaries
- Exploring the impact and effectiveness of social work practice
- Social work history and identity as a profession and discipline
- Linking the industry 4.0 and digital welfare state
- Theorizing social work and/or social work research
- Linking social work research and practice, including the co-creation of knowledge
- Methodological development, innovation, technologies and capacity building in social work research
Please see the conference website for further description of the conference themes https://www.ecswr2026.org/call-for-abstracts . We welcome in particular research that uses innovative methods or applies theory in new ways.
The special issue, like all issues of the journal, includes a ‘Reflection, Exchange and Dialogue’ section, which provides a dedicated space for shorter contributions that focus on issues that are important and topical for social work research. These contributions will be critical and discursive and are intended to stimulate further inclusive discussion and debate. Further details are available here
Abstracts should be submitted by email to eswr-journal@bristol.ac.uk no later than 15 May 2026 with a maximum length of 500 words. Please note that papers must not be submitted to, or under consideration with, another journal. All research articles will undergo the journal’s standard double-anonymous peer review process, and accepted papers will be published in the journal, either in the special issue or in subsequent issues.
Authors will be notified of acceptance of their abstract 19 June 2026, and the deadline for submission of the full paper online via Editorial Manager is 1 September 2026. Publication date of the special issue is scheduled for June 2027. For further information please contact one of the special issue editors:
Lars Uggerhøj, Professor, Dr., Aalborg University, Denmark
Richard Ingram, Professor, Dr., Dundee University, Scotland, UK
Gary Spolander, Professor, Dr., Robert Gordon University, Scotland, UK
|2026-03-23|1|1|§456|EIPSIG - Seminar 12th May 2026|
Dear EIPSIG Members
We are delighted to invite you to our next EIPSIG Online Seminar on 12th May 2026, 2pm BST and 3pm CET
Most significant change (MSC): A Story Telling approach
Please register using this link
Our presenters, Nick Andrews and Michael Gray are from Wales, United Kingdom,
|2026-04-30|2|0|§452|ESWRA Board statement on policy in relation to Israel and Palestine|ESWRA Board statement on policy in relation to Israel and Palestine
The Board of the European Social Work Research Association (ESWRA) has received an appeal from a group of members calling for Israeli scholars to be excluded from participation in the Association’s conference activities. This raises important principal issues regarding ESWRA’s approach to world affairs and conflict where there might be a diversity of views among our members. This statement sets out ESWRA’s position in relation to Israel–Palestine, building on our 2023 statement and restating the Association’s core principles.
The Board unequivocally condemns the horrific violence inflicted upon civilians in both Israel and Palestine. We recognize the profound suffering, fear, and loss experienced by individuals and families on all sides of this conflict. We are deeply concerned by the scale and intensity of harm, particularly the significant impact on Palestinian civilians resulting from ongoing military actions. This situation constitutes a serious threat to universal human rights and is of grave concern to social workers committed to the protection of all oppressed and marginalised populations.
ESWRA’s vision is to promote just and equitable societies through social work research, pursued through its conferences, special interest groups, publications, and online activities. To fulfil this mission, the Association depends on the contributions of members across national, political, and cultural contexts. The Board therefore does not support banning individuals from ESWRA activities on the basis of nationality or institutional location. Especially in times of heightened polarisation, upholding individual academic freedom is essential. ESWRA maintains that academic exchange grounded in rigorous research can foster critical understanding and shared knowledge.
At the same time, the Board recognises that academic dialogue is shaped by structural inequalities. ESWRA therefore has a responsibility to actively support the participation of scholars from oppressed and marginalised communities and will use its structures and activities to facilitate this.
The Board affirms that sustained dialogue, critical scholarship, and a firm commitment to human rights are essential to addressing injustice and advancing the values that underpin social work research.
|2026-04-08|1|0|§448|European Social Work Research journal|Dear ESWRA members
European Social Work Research journal is now in its fourth year. It is the only Europe-wide journal to focus uniquely on social work research, advancing scholarship and debate by connecting empirical research with theoretical understandings that may inform, and be informed by, social work. It publishes many excellent papers from the annual ESWRA conference, was read in over 125 countries last year, and is expecting its first Impact Factor this summer.
As it is the flagship journal of the European Social Work Research Association, we are asking members to support the journal by expanding its readership through university subscriptions. We would like to urge you to contact your librarians and request that they subscribe to the journal. Subscriptions are essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the journal, especially in the current academic climate. They enable more people to access the journal, which increases the usage, citations and the reach of the important work that ESWR publishes.
ESWR is published by Bristol University Press (of which Policy Press is an imprint), an independent, non-profit university press with a social mission. If you are happy to help, they have supplied some suggested wording which you can pass to your librarian. Recommendations are usually more successful if they are supported by information about any projects or courses (especially teaching) that would benefit from a subscription. Download a template for contacting your librarian here https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/asset/13160/recommend-eswr-to-library.docx.
Thank you for taking the time to support the journal and our research community.
Karen Winter, Chair, ESWRA
|2026-03-03|6|0|§447|ESWR journal February articles|ESWR have published five new research articles in February 2026, including two open access articles, all available at European Social Work Research | Bristol University Press.
Challenges and opportunities for social work practice research in addressing epistemic injustice
Authors: Catrine Torbjørnsen Halås , Bas van Lanen , Sui Ting Kong , Elke Plovie , Silvia Fargion, and Martine Ganzevles
Authors: Leigh Ann Loebs and Katarina Grim
Authors: Jan Wienforth and Ursula Unterkofler
Authors: Lesley Deacon , Dean Stamp, Mel Cawkwell, Carrie Phillips, Alex Cuthbertson, Paige Thomason, Zeta Bikova, and Suzie Keyes
What do the public think about artificial intelligence note-taking tools in social care?
Authors: Jed Meers , Eppie Leishman, Izzie Salter, Simon Halliday, and Joe Tomlinson
|2026-02-26|6|0|§425|New SIG Adult Protection and Safeguarding SIG|We are excited to announce the formation of a new Adult Protection and Safeguarding SIG. Adult protection (which is also known as adult safeguarding) can be understood as a set of activities through which adults who are unable to protect themselves, due to a care or support need, are supported to receive protection, in line with human rights imperatives. Adults with a range of support needs may require assistance or protection from abuse and neglect. Such support needs include, but are not limited to, dementia, a mental health problem, a learning disability or advanced old age. The types of harm or abuse which adults may experience include physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, modern slavery and neglect. Adult protection has become a key concern of social workers in many jurisdictions. However, state policies vary significantly with state responses being well developed in some countries but underdeveloped or absent in others. The degree to which governments subscribe to and apply international human rights conventions and treaties is also variable.
This SIG emerges from a symposium which was held at the ESWRA conference in 2025, entitled, “Social Work and Adult Protection – Policy, Research and Practice Across National Boundaries”, where the presenters and attendees expressed a wish to work together in the future. The aim of the SIG is to provide a forum for international social work scholars to network with one another on matters relating to adult protection/adult safeguarding. We hope to hold our first event in Aberdeen and will also be organising online events with other SIGs. If you are interested in becoming part of the SIG then please email Jeremy Dixon at Dixonj7@cardiff.ac.uk or Lorna Montgomery at l.montgomery@qub.ac.uk'.
|2025-09-15|2|0|§409|European Social Work Research journal|Dear ESWRA members
A very quick reminder, post conference, that the society has its very own journal, European Social Work Research, and book series, Research in Social Work, both published by Policy Press on our behalf.
European Social Work Research journal
All members have free access to the journal via the My ESWRA Login.
If you are enjoying the journal, please help us to build up its readership by recommending to your librarian. Policy Press can offer them a free three month trial.
Do remember to submit your abstracts by 30th April 2025 for the conference special issue, ‘Embracing Democracy in Social Work Practice and Research'. The issue will be guest edited by Carolin Auner, Florian Spensberger and Lars Uggerhoj.
If you are interested in reviewing for the journal please contact eswr-journal@bristol.ac.uk.
Books
We hope you enjoyed browsing Policy Press's most recent publications at the book stand. As a reminder, all of their social work books are available at 50% discount until 30th April 2025 when purchasing direct from the Policy Press website. Please enter CNF25 at checkout to claim your discount.
If you are interested in writing a book for the Research in Social Work series please get in touch with
John Gal - johngal30@gmail.com Anna Gupta - anna.gupta@rhul.ac.uk Isobel Bainton (Commissioning Editor) - isobel.bainton@bristol.ac.uk
With best wishes,
Karen Winter
ESWRA Chair
|2025-04-01|6|0|§404|Potential New Special Interest Group on Linguistic Diversity|Linguistic Diversity
I am Dr Sarah Pollock, a social work academic based at Manchester Metropolitan University, England, UK. I would like to hear from anyone who would like to join a SIG focusing on linguistic diversity, initially to meet as a group online and develop the SIG proposal for ESWRA.
My research interest is how linguistic diversity impacts all aspects of social work. I am using linguistic diversity to refer to interactions and situations where social workers, or social care providers, and recipients or potential recipients of services do not share a spoken language, usually the language of the host country. I would like to start an ESWRA Special Interest Group to share and develop research and best practice in this area.
The SIG could include research interests including but not limited to:
- work with interpreters
- language brokerage
- language policy
- linguistic diversity as a form of discrimination
- comparative approaches to linguistic diversity
- Linguistic theory in application to social work
- Linguistic diversity and coloniality, history and the global movement of people
Do please contact me via email and share this information with any social work colleagues that may be interested. I look forward to hearing from you, I’d be happy to answer any queries from interested parties– my email is S.Pollock@mmu.ac.uk
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