Educating against all odds: The content and context of social work education in times of national crisis in Greece

Authors: Sofia Dedotsi, Alys Young, PhD and Karen Broadhurst, PhD. Presenter: Sofia Dedotsi (PhD Student University of Manchester, UK. Academic Fellow, Department of Social Work, Athens, Doctoral Board Member of ESWRA)... [ view full abstract ]

Authors: Sofia Dedotsi, Alys Young, PhD and Karen Broadhurst, PhD.
Presenter: Sofia Dedotsi (PhD Student University of Manchester, UK. Academic Fellow, Department of Social Work, Athens, Doctoral Board Member of ESWRA)
Contact: sofia.dedotsi@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk


Background
Greece is four years into a socio-economic crisis where oppression have increased as a result of austerity measures driven by the political parties in governance and Troika . In a context of attack in social care and social work (recent abolition of the Social Work Department in Patras), the pursuit of anti-oppressive practice is more crucial than ever. Reflecting on this need, a doctoral research project was carried out asking: What is the role of social work education in influencing students’ ability to manage value tensions in relation to anti-oppressive practice within the current context of social work education in Greece?
Methods
Using a qualitative case study methodology, the research was based in Patras - one of the four national Departments of Social Work (subsequently abolished). Semi-structured interviews from social work students pre and post professional education (n=32) and academic staff/placement supervisors (n=10). Data analysis was informed by a ground theory approach.
Results
The study revealed social work education’s failure in stimulating the development of an anti-oppressive self in students, based on outdated and ineffective educational policies. This presentation will focus on: (i) social work education’s content on anti-oppressive values; (ii) the conditions and the context of social work training. The perspectives of staff and final year students will be compared and contrasted in each case.
Conclusions and Implications
Social work’s commitment to challenging oppression and the promotion of social change are crucial principles especially in times of crisis. These need to be reflected in social work practice and education as both have a significant role to play in current climate of fiscal constraint in Greece.