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Social Work Research and the City

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Social Work and the City

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Abstract

Shaw’s initial review of major social work databases indicated little contemporary published research on social work and the urban (Eur J Soc Work, 14(1):11–26, 2011). The opportunity to introduce social workers to a consideration of innovative research methodologies in the context of city life is apparent. This chapter revisits the insights from urban sociological research practice, outlining key traditions such as the social administration tradition, the Settlement ethnography, the Chicago School and others. It draws examples of innovative methodologies utilised in the context of assessing needs, engaging with hard-to-reach and very vulnerable communities, including ecological research models, ethnography, community mapping, psychogeography, audio walking and social impact assessment, among others. The intention is to foreground research as a social work practice and to highlight the possibilities for social work practitioner research, as well as point to academic research trajectories on urban/city issues. The role of research in social justice advocacy will be highlighted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC, 3001, Australia

    Charlotte Williams

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  1. Charlotte Williams
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Global, Urban and Social Studi, RMIT University School of Global, Urban and Social Studi, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Charlotte Williams

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Williams, C. (2016). Social Work Research and the City. In: Williams, C. (eds) Social Work and the City. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-51623-7_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-51623-7_4

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-51622-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-51623-7

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