New Social Work Book Focuses on Decolonisation

Following on the success of Indigenous Social Work around the World, FEDUA social work researcher Professor Mel Gray has edited her thirteenth book Decolonizing Social Work.

In this book Professor Gray joins, with scholars from Canada, the USA and Australia, examine local cultures, beliefs, values and practices central to decolonisation. The book affirms the need to decolonize western frameworks of social work and recognise and apply Indigenous values and models when working with Indigenous clients and communities.

Professor Gray said decolonizing social work is important because, with the spread of international social work in this age of globalisation, the particularities of local cultures are easily lost.

"Social work educators, practitioners and researchers need to be ever-mindful of this lest they perpetuate colonising practices that run rough shod over Indigenous and minority cultures and values. Also with the increased mobility of people, the particular issues facing refugees and immigrants in Western countries are all too easily overlooked," Professor Gray said.

The book brings together a diverse range of authors from around the world grappling with decolonizing practices in inter alia Australia, Canada, Cuba, India, Jordan, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, and the USA.

"Its strength lies in the diversity of perspectives, approaches and decolonizing methodologies presented in the interests of developing culturally relevant social work research, education and practice," Professor Gray said.