This book will inspire the next generation of social work and human service practitioners to integrate research into their everyday social justice practice. Through highlighting the centrality of values to the task of research and the possibilities for enacting social justice through our research practice, it argues for respectful, meaningful, and just relationships with the people with whom we do research and build knowledge; acknowledges the ongoing impact of colonialism; respects diversity; and commits to working towards social change. With First Nations Worldviews – ways of knowing, ways of being, ways of doing – weaved throughout the text, this book seeks to both reclaim ancient knowledges and disrupt Western research traditions. Divided into three sections, this book provides a strong rationale for the importance of research skills to social work and human service practice; a step-by-step guide on doing social research aimed at novice researchers; a series of examples of applied social justice projects Bringing the authors’ passion for finding new ways of ‘doing’ research and contesting traditional research paradigms of objectivity and the scientific, it advocates for knowledge building that is participatory, emancipatory, and empowered. It will be required reading for all social work and human service students at both the undergraduate and master's level as well as professionals looking to put research into practice.

Provides an accessible, research informed book for students, social workers and other social service workers and community development workers focused on practically linking climate change to social justice in their everyday practice. Provides theoretical and contextual analysis linking climate change and social justice and integrates this discussion with specific examples and case studies of original research and innovative practice on the ground. Of interest to all scholars and students of social work, social welfare, community development, international development, community health, environmental and community education and policy.

This book will inspire the next generation of social work and human service practitioners to integrate research into their everyday social justice practice. Through highlighting the centrality of values to the task of research and the possibilities for enacting social justice through our research practice, it argues for respectful, meaningful, and just relationships with the people with whom we do research and build knowledge; acknowledges the ongoing impact of colonialism; respects diversity; and commits to working towards social change. With First Nations Worldviews – ways of knowing, ways of being, ways of doing – weaved throughout the text, this book seeks to both reclaim ancient knowledges and disrupt Western research traditions. Divided into three sections, this book provides a strong rationale for the importance of research skills to social work and human service practice; a step-by-step guide on doing social research aimed at novice researchers; a series of examples of applied social justice projects Bringing the authors’ passion for finding new ways of ‘doing’ research and contesting traditional research paradigms of objectivity and the scientific, it advocates for knowledge building that is participatory, emancipatory, and empowered. It will be required reading for all social work and human service students at both the undergraduate and master's level as well as professionals looking to put research into practice.

Provides an accessible, research informed book for students, social workers and other social service workers and community development workers focused on practically linking climate change to social justice in their everyday practice. Provides theoretical and contextual analysis linking climate change and social justice and integrates this discussion with specific examples and case studies of original research and innovative practice on the ground. Of interest to all scholars and students of social work, social welfare, community development, international development, community health, environmental and community education and policy.

Increasingly students and practitioners in human services are asked or seek to include community engagement, participation and capacity building in their work with groups. In this book expert authors Amanda Howard and Margot Rawsthorne provide guidance on the theory and practice of working with communities, from preliminary planning and scoping before direct work with the community begins, through to evaluation. They explore key issues including developing an understanding of community life, facilitating and supporting community action, understanding and acting on structural inequity, managing negotiation and conflict, and building productive networks. They draw extensively on their own work with communities and research to create a dialogue with the reader on the interaction of task and process in everyday community practice. Written in a friendly and accessible style and featuring the voices of community workers throughout, this is a vital guide for anyone seeking to encourage positive change in an important field of practice. 'This is a splendid addition to the community work literature, offering wise and judicious guidance for those engaged knee-deep in community practice aEURO| it acknowledges that the increasing emphasis on individualised service options has too often led to the neglect of understanding the benefits of collective action within diverse and dynamic communities.' - Dr Winsome Roberts, Honorary Senior Fellow, Department of Social Work, University of Melbourne

Increasingly, students and practitioners in human services are asked or seek to include community engagement, participation, and capacity building in their work with groups. In this book expert authors Amanda Howard and Margot Rawsthorne provide guidance on the theory and practice of working with communities, from preliminary planning and scoping before direct work with the community begins, through to evaluation. They explore key issues including developing an understanding of community life, facilitating and supporting community action, understanding and acting on structural inequity, managing negotiation and conflict, and building productive networks. They draw extensively on their own work with communities and research to create a dialogue with the reader on the interaction of task and process in everyday community practice. Written in a friendly and accessible style and featuring the voices of community workers throughout, this is a vital guide for anyone seeking to encourage positive change in an important field of practice. "This is a splendid addition to the community work literature, offering wise and judicious guidance for those engaged knee-deep in community practice . . . it acknowledges that the increasing emphasis on individualized service options has too often led to the neglect of understanding the benefits of collective action within diverse and dynamic communities." --Dr Winsome Roberts, Honorary Senior Fellow, Department of Social Work, University of Melbourne

This book responds to an urgent need to reinvigorate collective community action for just change in Australia. At a crucial point in its evolution this book gives a critical perspective to working with communities. It argues that working collectively with communities is vital in this time of rampant individualism and rapid social change. This book explores many ongoing debates about work with communities: How should we think about the concept 'community'? How should we relate to governments? How do we know we make a difference? How do we learn from our practice? The book offers promising ideas for practice and growth in this field for the future. It provides critical questions for practice useful for those involved in community action including: community members, paid community workers and policy makers.