Innovative research projects in Social Work

In September 2015, the United Nations adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as an integrated approach to economic and social development and as a framework for action to meet the needs of vulnerable people and communities worldwide. The goals were developed recognizing that environmental issues and many health and social challenges know no borders; therefore, all countries are committed to working towards their achievement by 2030.

The direction, emphasis and focus of the SDGs are interlinked and directly related to Social Work. As a profession focused on change and human rights, among other things, Social Work has a key role to play in the implementation of the SDGs.

However, despite observable efforts by governments to translate the goals into national long- and medium-term plans, there is a lack of empirical evidence on whether and how Social Work practitioners have adopted and adapted the directly related goals into their practice, education, and policy. This project, funded by OEAD's “Cooperation Development Research”, is carried out in cooperation between the Department of Social Work and the Institute of Social Work in Dar Es Salam, Tanzania, to help fill this research gap.

Planned project activities include:

1. Country specific studies on the role of Social Work in the realization of SDGs
2. Publication of two national reports and two journal articles with recommendations towards realization of SDGs in Austria and Tanzania
3. Organization of dissemination workshops in Austria and Tanzania
4. Exchange visits for professional knowledge sharing and transfer

The project reinforces and extends the efforts already undertaken in Tanzania and Austria since 2011 to promote professional Social Work through the PROSOWO 1 and 2 project, which involved research projects, publications, and exchanges of staff and students.

MCI research activities also take place as part of a practical project in the master's program of Social Work, Social Policy & Management involving a group of students from the year of 2023.