Three year PhD scholarship in social work with the University of Edinburgh’s School of Social and Political Science

To mark the centenary of social work at Edinburgh in 2018 the University of Edinburgh is offering a full-time research post within the School of Social and Political Science. This three-year scholarship will enable doctoral research on the history of social work education in Scotland, focusing on a case study of the history of social work education at the University (1918-2018).

The proposed study will have three main components:

1. Documentary research – both primary sources (minute books, annual reports, student records, teaching materials, publications) and secondary sources (newspaper articles, histories of other social work education courses, histories of social work in Scotland and other histories including women’s history).

2. Interviews with key informants (people who have taught or studied on the social work courses over the years, as well as some others who are notable figures in the history of social work in Scotland, and who can contribute to a wider view of the significance of the Edinburgh programmes).

3. Focus groups with staff, students, practice teachers and service users, Scottish Social Services Council and Scottish Association of Social Work representatives who are currently involved with the Edinburgh programme.

Supported by Professor Viviene Cree, Professor of Social Work Studies and Dr Louise Jackson, Reader in History this research will support the Social Work Centenary Committee at The University of Edinburgh.

The scholarship is for a period of three years, commencing September 2015 and funded by the McLean endowment.

Click here to find out more about this exciting opportunity.