The Social Work research environment

Baby hand and adult hand.

Social work rests on three pillars: research, education and practical social work. All of them are permeated by critical thinking and an ethical approach. It upholds justice, is guided by the principle of the equal value of all people and works for social change - in the direction of a more sustainable and inclusive society.

Research in social work is characterized by its applicability and often carried out in close relationship with organizations and practices. Our research environment is characterized by cross-border approaches, where theories and methods from several disciplines are applied to social problems and social issues.

In the research that is conducted, light is directed towards the various processes that create and recreate vulnerability, inequality and exclusion, as well as all kinds of initiatives that want to meet and counteract these. The research varies from studies conducted in close relationship with social work practice to structural preventive social work and is carried out in different work and research groups.

Research

The Doctoral Programme in Social Work

Campus Norrköping.

SEK 50 million from the Swedish Research Council to LiU

The Swedish Research Council has awarded SEK 50 million to LiU. This is the outcome of six calls for proposals where the allocation of grants was recently decided. The research covers areas such as segregation, youth crime and opioid dependence.

Portrait of Christina Söderberg.

Collaboration to combat juvenile delinquency against all odds

Collaboration is seen as an important tool for public agencies tasked with helping young people at risk of being drawn into crime. But collaboration partners way too often end up being disappointed with each other and with the meagre results.

Portrait of Susanna Alakoski, author and visiting professor.

Susanna Alakoski: “I wanted to add the voice of the city suburbs to the professor’s pen”

Writing courses, discussions about burning social issues, collaborations with researchers and conversations with those living in vulnerable conditions. Her time at LiU has been filled with what engages her most: writing and social issues.

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Researchers in the Social Work Research Environment 

Organisation