Social Work
The Academic Collaborative Center Social Work is concerned with transitions in the social domain. Changing to more citizen autonomy in his/her social environment and more integrated work in the neighborhood also entails a change in the role of the social professional. Moreover, the transitions are a major challenge for the municipalities and entail a risk for vulnerable citizens.
We want to underpin and support these changes scientifically by co-developing, implementing, and assessing innovative products and methodologies for their effectiveness. Central to the research agenda is the question of how social work can foster empowerment of citizens and of organizations, with a strong, inclusive society as its goal.
On June 20, 2022, Jolanda Sonneveld successfully defended her thesis Growth Opportunities in Professional Youth Work. Contribution of a Multi-Methodic Approach on the Personal Development and Social Participation of Socially Vulnerable Youngsters. Working with 11 youth work providers in the Netherlands, she examined how and to what extent a multi-method approach to youth work contributes to the development of young people growing up in vulnerable situations. It was shown that participation in professional youth work contributes to the personal development and social participation of young people. The multi-method approach and functioning of youth work is thus substantiated with research.
On October 21, 2022, Rene Schalk gave his farewell address entitled, "Time does not stand still. Dynamics and change in work and society'.
Preparations for the Master’s track in Social Work began in 2022. This track will become part of the Master’s in Sociology at Tilburg University and the first academic Master’s program in this field in the Netherlands.
The faces of Social Work
From left to right: Carla Nouwen MSc, Aletta Simons MSc, Prof. Tine Van Regenmortel, Jolanda Sonneveld MSc, Marcel van Eck MSW, Dr. Hans van Iersel, Dr. Jacoba Huizenga, Prof. René Schalk, Dr. Marieke van Egmond, Wilma Numans MSc
Not pictured: Dineke Bent AA, Drs. Martine Ganzevles, Rachel Jacobs, Ingrid van Loon, Thomas Noordink MSc
