A1 Journal article (refereed)
Raising awareness of transformative ecosocial work : Participatory action research with Australian practitioners (2020)

Boetto, H., Bowles, W., Närhi, K., & Powers, M. (2020). Raising awareness of transformative ecosocial work : Participatory action research with Australian practitioners. International Journal of Social Welfare, 29(4), 300-309. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijsw.12445

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Boetto, Heather; Bowles, Wendy; Närhi, Kati; Powers, Meredith

Journal or series: International Journal of Social Welfare

ISSN: 1369-6866

eISSN: 1468-2397

Publication year: 2020

Volume: 29

Issue number: 4

Pages range: 300-309

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijsw.12445

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Abstract

This article reports on Participatory Action Research with social work practitioners who collaboratively explored the effects on professional practice when practitioners raise their awareness of an ecosocial work approach. Although contemporary research in the profession has contributed to the ongoing development of ecosocial work, there is a notable lack of collaboration with social work practitioners. Using a transformative ecosocial work model of practice, researchers together with social workers from a range of practice contexts met as co‐inquirers to plan, implement and evaluate ecosocial work interventions. As part of a larger international study, this article reports on research outcomes within the Australian context. Overall, results indicate that practitioners incorporated interventions across personal, individual, group and organisational levels of practice, but were constrained by structural elements at broader levels. Continuing the development of ecosocial work requires further collaborative exploration with practitioners, which takes into consideration communities and broader social and political systems.

Keywords: social work; environmental problems; sustainable development; social workers; environmental awareness; participatory research; action research

Free keywords: ecosocial work; environmental social work; ecological social work; sustainability; social work practice

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2020

JUFO rating: 2