You are warmly welcome to the HPRC International Doctoral Practice Research Seminar on Wednesday, May 21st, 2025, at 11am -1pm Finnish time. The seminar is an online seminar hosted by the Helsinki Practice Research Centre, University of Helsinki, The Centre of Social Work Innovation and Research, University of Sussex, UK, and The University of Melbourne, Australia.
The presenters and abstracts
Krista Watts
Master of Social Work and PhD candidate (Department of Social Work, University of Melbourne)
An examination of the relationship between socioeconomic factors and TB care in Victoria, Australia: a cross-sectional study
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis is the cause of tuberculosis (TB); a consumptive disease that disproportionately affects marginalised people globally. People with TB are described as often incurring large costs related to illness and disability, as well as seeking and receiving health care. Such costs impact TB transmission and progression, contributing to public health risk. This project will document the magnitude and main drivers of different types of costs incurred by people with TB disease (and their households), and co-occurring determinants, to guide practices to reduce finance-related access barriers and minimize the adverse socioeconomic impact of TB in Victoria, Australia. Outcomes have the potential to inform meaningful policy and practice enhancement in the Victorian and national TB public health response.
Noora Kivioja
Master of Social Sciences, licensed social worker and PhD candidate (Discipline of Social Work, University of Helsinki)
Transnational child protection and securitization: social work with child returnees from a conflict zone
Finnish children who had been affiliated with the terrorist organization Isis rose to national headlines in 2019 and have since also returned to Finland. This study examines the transnational child welfare issue of these child returnees and their mothers from the perspective of social work professionals. Existing literature implies that reintegrative work of returnees is demanding. The societal environment for this work in Finland was also characterized by discursive battles, especially regarding the risk of radicalization of these children and their right to receive support. Additionally, previous international research has highlighted tensions between values of social work and state’s security agenda. By analysing the empirical case at hand, this research aims to shed light on these potentially challenging dynamics and their effects
Rebecca Stephens
Associate Professor in Social Work and PhD candidate (University of Sussex, United Kingdom)
Vets, Pets, and Social Workers: Exploring the role of social work in supporting veterinary and animal welfare teams to enhance the well-being and safety of their clients in the UK
Traditionally, animal welfare, veterinary medicine, and social work have operated as separate disciplines. However, there is a growing recognition of the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among these fields to promote the well-being and safety of both people and animals. This presentation will share findings from three studies that highlight the importance of human- and animal-centred approaches in social work. It will focus on Veterinary Social Work, an emerging speciality that addresses the human needs arising from the human-animal bond within animal welfare and veterinary care contexts.
How to join the seminar
Click here to join the meeting:
https://unimelb.zoom.us/j/84114199546?pwd=653kVhFh5CWUo2IANXB4PZddvFXa3G.1&from=addon
Password: 627118