Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ASTRA (Applying Sustainability Transition Research in Social Work tackling Major Societal Challenge of Social Inclusion)
Período documentado: 2020-10-01 hasta 2022-09-30
The overall shared objective of the ASTRA research is to explore in 15 individual research projects of the employed early-stage researchers, how transdisciplinary inputs of sustainability transition research can provide relevant and effective new tools for social work in promoting social inclusion. The second overall scientific objective is to contribute to the new emerging research area. This means that deeper understanding of the complex interconnectivity of social inclusion and environmental, economic and social sustainability is needed. The inputs of sustainability transitions research to be investigated in the context of social work promoting social inclusion are for example: the usage of natural and built environment for human well-being, nature-based activities and sustainable models of housing and food policies (environmental sustainability), the opportunities of new economic models such as circular, social and solidarity economy (economic sustainability), ecosocial innovations, contributive and environmental justice and participation of vulnerable communities (social sustainability). Finally, the third objective of ASTRA is to provide new policy- and practice-relevant knowledge for developing the sustainability transitions of social work and policies for social inclusion. These will in turn contribute to the sustainability transition of societies, too.
At the time being it can be concluded that a) the transdisciplinary research of sustainability transitions continues to grow in many disciplinary contexts and social work is in most cases regarded as relevant disciplinary partner, b) yet, social work issues and inclusive society are not often explicitly considered as part of the sustainability transitions research, c) the inputs of sustainability transitions research which could be identified as being applicable for social work are concrete empirical-practical tools and concepts which can improve social inclusion. As concrete examples we can mention nature-based interventions improving well-being, inclusive models of circular economy, and ecosocial community interventions. However, they are not just single methods or tools but also inspirations for new societal thinking, which can open up further impacts and wider societal implications. This may emerge out of the new dialogue between the research fields of sustainability transitions and social work. First, transdisciplinary sustainability transitions research promotes new thinking, which critically reflects social work’s own professional and disciplinary structures, often mirrowing the bureaucratic-managerialistic power structures and unsustainable economy of society. This may open perspectives and concrete methods for a new type of social work which is able to promote social inclusion and justice more effectively. On the other hand, the new disciplinary dialogue may have impact on the transdisciplinary sustainability transitions research, too. Social work inputs may strengthen for instance the awareness of issues of social justice and environmental justice, the contributive role of vulnerable groups themselves in sustainability pathways, and the insight that sustainable income structures for all require more space for new type of local and global economies.