This new Special Interest Group will aim to explore the fields of death, loss and bereavement within social work education and practice. The study of death and dying is still commonly confined to palliative and end of life care in social work, with traditional theories not always representing more contemporary issues and ideas. This group will help members to explore complex contemporary issues, for example, but not limited to, the impact of the internet and AI on the experience and practice of death and dying, together with other issues of great debate, for example assisted dying and suicide.

Within the UK, we are developing a network of researchers interested in aspects of death and dying within social work. We see this new SIG as an opportunity to expand that network internationally and would hope to run workshops and other events at the annual conference.

Convenor: Professor Denise Turner, University of Hertfordshire

Initial Members

Dr Sally Paul , University of Strathclyde

Dr Sue Taplin, University of Winchester

Marva Pickersgill-Mckenzie, University of Kingston

Dr Vida Douglas, University of Hertfordshire