British Association of Social Workers

Abstract The Research Assessment Exercise was introduced in 1986 to measure research quality and to determine the allocation of higher education funding. The renamed Research Excellence Framework (REF) has become an important barometer of research capacity and calibre across academic disciplines in UK universities. Based on the expert insights of REF sub-panel members for Unit of Assessment 20 (UOA20), Social Work and Social Policy, this article contributes to understanding of the current state of UK social work research. It documents the process of research quality assessment and reports on the current social work research landscape, including impact. Given its growing vigour, increased engagement with theory and conceptual frameworks, policy and practice and its methodological diversity, it is evident that social work research has achieved considerable consolidation and growth in its activity and knowledge base. Whilst Russell Group and older universities cluster at the top of the REF rankings, this cannot be taken for granted as some newer institutions performed well in REF2021. The article argues that the discipline’s embeddedness in interdisciplinary research, its quest for social justice and its applied nature align well with the REF framework where interdisciplinarity, equality, diversity and inclusion and impact constitute core principles.

Résumé Cette contribution examine l’importance du modèle social du handicap pour le mouvement des personnes handicapées au Royaume-Uni et comment il a nourri la réflexion sur la politique à l’égard des personnes handicapées. Elle relate les changements introduits dans cette politique depuis 1948 et revient sur l’évolution de la protection sociale, depuis les modes institutionnels mis en place à partir du XIX e siècle jusqu’à la naissance d’une politique d’individualisation, laquelle attend des personnes handicapées qu’elles exercent la maîtrise de l’aide qui leur est apportée. L’article montre l’antagonisme entre les objectifs de la politique du handicap et les aspirations des personnes handicapées. Il décrit la métamorphose du rôle des travailleurs sociaux et analyse certains problèmes de mise en œuvre qui se sont fait jour.

Journal Article Management in Social Work, Veronica Coulshed and Audrey Mullender, with David N. Jones and Neil Thompson, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2006, pp. xi + 244, ISBN 4039 1837 6, £17.99 Get access Ray Jones, Dr Ray Jones, Dr Chair, British Association of Social Workers Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The British Journal of Social Work, Volume 37, Issue 2, February 2007, Pages 364–365, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcm008 Published: 01 February 2007