Learning through Social Work Stories-That-Matter: Global Perspectives

by Tony Ghaye (Editor), Rita Sørly (Editor)

Overview

In our increasingly tumultuous world, this book offers insight and inspiration through personal narrative. It collects the accounts of twenty-seven social workers and those in academia based in five continents, surveying a wide range of environments, communities, and systems. Each narrative serves as a testament to the profound intersections of relationships, emotions, and experiences, encapsulating stories of genuine human significance. Advocating for the cultivation of three essential intelligences – social intelligence (SQ), emotional intelligence (EQ), and experiential intelligence (XQ) – the book prompts readers to grasp the nuanced power dynamics inherent in each tale. As a prompt to critical reflection that guides readers towards self-discovery and professional identity, this collection is ideal for graduate students and researchers in social work.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781009386227
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	09/11/2025
Pages:	398
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 1.50(h) x 9.50(d)

About the Author

Professor Tony Ghaye is a Community Activist and Positive Psychologist at UiT the Arctic University of Norway. He advocates for sustainable social change through innovative approaches rooted in kindness.

Professor Rita Sørly specializes in Social Work at UiT the Arctic University of Norway, focusing on collaborative mental health research and emphasizes user involvement and participatory action in Northern Norway.

Table of Contents

Introduction: 1. Why are stories of social work important? Rita Sorly; 2. Social work for a better world: Are we in-between stories? Tony Ghaye; Part I. Storying-to-Learn: How Stories-That-Matter Help Us Appreciate Social Work in Action Tony Ghaye and Rita Sorly: 3. The shortest distance between two people is a story Tony Ghaye; 4. The gift of social work: Blessing or burden? Gloria Acan; 5. Dreams, reality and invisibility: Social workers unpacking child labour through children's stories in urban and rural Maharashtra, India Yamini Suvarna and Vikas Sawant; 6. Who do I want to be as a social worker?: Perspectives from the Arctic region Rita Sorly, Raymond Stuen, Ingvild Kristoffersen and Sunniva Hestsveen; 7. Social work in need of activism: A story about gangs, marginalisation, and crime in two South African townships G. Nokukhanya Ndhlovu; 8. On my toes: Reflections from a research project about birth parents of children in foster care in Sweden Ylva Spanberger Weitz; 9. A story of love, family and mental health Jin-Yong Wang; 10. Pieces of walnut Kay Hampton; 11. 'Kurdistan is my country': Understanding the importance of positioning in stories Rita Sorly and Var Mathisen; 12. Living on a pause: Experiences from conflict resolution in a Mexican migrant shelter Monica Ayala-Mira; 13. Promissory notes and other forms of consent Tracie Rogers; 14. For some people you make a difference, you carry their hope: A social worker's story Sheila Zimic; 15. Partner in decolonisation: A tale of two strangers united by a common interest Pratiksha Ghimire and Raj Yadav; 16. Human rights approaches of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement: A case of de facto social work? Farhat Taj; 17. Empathy from origin: A Colombian social worker's life story Maria Delden and Gull Tornegren; 18. Welfare transitions in an agrarian community: Solidarities, subsistence, and struggles of older women in Uganda Venesio Bwambale Bhangyi; 19. Former refugee youth in rural Northern Norway: Stories as knowledge development for social work in refugee services Var Mathisen and Rita Sorly; 20. Social work: More than just a profession? Pauline Camilleri; 21. Reflections of psychiatric social work in an African setting: A story about challenges Wilberforce Kurevakwesu; Part II. Lenses and Lessons: Towards More Global Perspectives Tony Ghaye and Rita Sorly: 22. From punitive measures to comprehensive services: A reflection on the evolution of social work practices in Tanzania Thomas Ndaluka; 23. Learning from a Pasifika perspective: Navigating social work across Oceania Jioji Ravulo; 24. 'I was so tired of all the words': The challenge of epistemic injustice for social workers Tony Ghaye; 25. What next? Tony Ghaye and Rita Sorly; Index.

Editorial Reviews

‘In a world with many crisis and increasing inequalities, reading this book gives me hope! The stories that matter provides thought-provoking ideas and perspectives that we need to build a better world. Ghaye and Sørly, together with all the contributors from all over the world have created a brilliant book: critical, eye-opening, intriguing and very well written – a must read to creating a more empathic and mattering society.' Ottar Ness, Professor of Counselling, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway

'When people create meaning together through stories, so do they sow seeds of action', conclude Ghaye and Sørly in this tour de force book spanning narratives from over 13 countries, reflecting skillful intertwining of the personal and professional/political. The power of stories to challenge epistemic injustices is one of several salient messages.' Vishanthie Sewpaul, Emeritus Professor, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

From the Publisher