CSWIR members are involved in a range of research projects that showcase and focus in on the Centre’s cross-cutting research themes:
- Reshaping policy thinking and social work practice governance, systems and methods
- Responding to social injustice in times of political crisis
- Reimagining the psychosocial dynamics and digital mediation of the social work relationship
- Extending and innovating social work research methodologies
The CSWIR Community
CSWIR partners include academics, professionals, experts by experience, postgraduate researchers, and students from around the world.
We benefit from cross-disciplinary local, national, and international collaborations and links, and aim to extend and advance our partnerships with scholarly, professional, and governmental bodies.
International Partnerships
CSWIR benefits from international partnerships across four countries including VID Specialised University (Oslo, Norway), Flinders University (Adelaide, Australia), University of Helsinki (Finland), and University of Complutense – Madrid (Spain).
- PROBUF, VID Specialised University (Norway)
Since 2019 CSWIR has collaborated with PROBUF (Professional practice with children, youth and families PROBUF; PROCYF), a research centre composed of researchers from different disciplines who share a research interest in professional practice in work with children, young people and families. The research group has a multi- and interdisciplinary profile and a goal of developing practice-relevant knowledge for social and health fields.
- SWIRLS, Flinders University (Australia)
The collaboration with the Social Work Innovation Research Living Space (SWIRLS) began in 2020-21. SWIRLS represents a unique and innovative space driven by practice-led social and practice. SWIRLS’ mission is to advance social work, policy and research through innovation, collaboration and partnerships.
- Helsinki Practice Research Centre, University of Helsinki (Finland)
Since its inauguration in 2022 CSWIR has partnered with the University of Helsinki’s Practice Research Centre, located within the Faculty of Social Sciences and discipline of social work at the University of Helsinki. The mission of Helsinki Practice Research Centre (HPRC) is to promote wellbeing, participation and equality by producing practice relevant social work research together with various stakeholders, and by supporting the use of research in practice.
- University Complutense of Madrid (Spain)
CSWIR and the University Complutense of Madrid, Spain (CSWIR-UCM) collaboration planning began in May 2022. The collaboration aims for cross-institutional collaboration on research, postgraduate researcher knowledge exchange, international seminars, online seminars and teaching innovation.
Postgraduate Researchers
CSWIR supports Post-graduate Researchers in the Department of Social Work and Social Care undertaking research as part of their PhD course. Postgraduate researchers are an integral part of CSWIR’s events and activities, and we aim to provide various opportunities for them to engage in a wide range of research-related events, including knowledge exchange and impact activities.
The South Coast Social Work Teaching Partnership
The activities of the Practice Research Hub in the South Coast Social Work Teaching Partnership align closely with the mission of CSWIR. Recent growth in practice research projects under the auspices of the Hub have led to a growing relationship between the two forums and we are looking forward to developing these links in the coming year.