We are proud to host this year's annual conference in partnership with the Joint Universities Social Work Association (JUSWA). This is the UK's only conference covering the whole social work field.
Welcome from the Chair of JUSWA
Welcome to the Joint Universities Social Work Association annual social work education and research conference (JUSWAC). I am delighted that this year it is hosted by our colleagues at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) continuing our commitment to take the conference to the different regions and countries of the UK.
It has been a turbulent year politically and professionally with many challenges facing our colleagues in practice including workforce pressures of recruitment and retention and poor outcomes in terms of workplace wellbeing. For those of us in mainstream academia we continue to struggle to support many of our students with low or no bursaries and in the context of continuing complex regulatory and professional frameworks.
Aidan Worsley is a Professor of Social Work at the university. Following a lengthy professional career in probation, Aidan moved into academia and led social work programmes at three different universities before arriving at the University of Central Lancashire in 2009. He has written many articles covering issues around social work education and social work regulation.
Aidan has recently worked for the NIHR as a Speciality Lead for social care research and currently also works as Research Manager for Social Work England alongside his role at the university.
Find out more about our Keynote and Panel speakers
John Devaney is the Centenary Chair of Social Work and Head of the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh. He is a qualified social worker, and worked for nearly twenty years in social work practice in Northern Ireland.
Rob Mitchell is currently the Principal Social Worker for Adults at Bradford Council and the Chief Social Worker for the Integrated Care System in West Yorkshire.
Anna Gupta is Professor of Social Work at Royal Holloway University of London. Much of her research has focused on marginalised children and families’ experiences of the child protection, family court and care systems. She has led projects based on participatory approaches with young people and families who have lived experiences of these systems and brought them together in dialogue with professionals.
Please email us if you have any questions. This includes queries about delegates or submissions, special interest groups or to contact the local organising committee.