Experiences of social work students undertaking a remote research-based placement during a global pandemic

G. Lomas; L. Gerstenberg; E. Kennedy; K. Fletcher; N. Ivory; L. Whitaker; E. Russ; X. R. Fitzroy; M. Short

doi:10.1080/02615479.2022.2054980

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Experiences of social work students undertaking a remote research-based placement during a global pandemic

Journal article

Open access

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Experiences of social work students undertaking a remote research-based placement during a global pandemic

G. Lomas, L. Gerstenberg, E. Kennedy, K. Fletcher, N. Ivory, L. Whitaker, E. Russ, X. R. Fitzroy and M. Short

Social Work Education, Vol.42(8), pp.1145-1162

2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2022.2054980

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Abstract

Field education

online learning

placement

remote

research

Field education globally, has been highly disrupted by restrictions associated with COVID-19. This disruption has forced many students to engage with online learning. The current article presents a student-led co-operative inquiry exploring the experience of four social work students undertaking a remote research-based placement in regional Australia during a global pandemic. In this inquiry students' critically self-reflected on the strengths and challenges of remote research-based placements. Despite some initial reservations, the students' experience was positive overall. This article reports on four key themes that emerged from this inquiry: the translation of social work communication and relationship-building skills to online environments, the development of professional identity in a remote research-based placement, access to supervision in a remote context, and reflection on the experience of completing a research placement guided by the social work value of respect for persons. We conclude that undertaking a remote research placement helped forge students' appreciation for the role of research in social work, enhanced their communication and research skills, and strengthened students' sense of professional identity. These findings confirm remote research-based placements can offer relevant and effective placement opportunities that can inform social work field-education heutagogy as we move beyond the restrictions associated with the pandemic.

Details

Title: Experiences of social work students undertaking a remote research-based placement during a global pandemic
Creators: G. Lomas - School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
L. Gerstenberg - School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
E. Kennedy - Southern Cross University
K. Fletcher - University of New England
N. Ivory - School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
L. Whitaker - Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
E. Russ - Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
X. R. Fitzroy - University Centre for Rural Health
M. Short - Charles Sturt University
Publication Details: Social Work Education, Vol.42(8), pp.1145-1162
Comment: We would like to acknowledge the academics who established our placements. Their names in alphabetical order are Lynn Berger, Southern Cross University; Katie Murrell-Orgil, Charles Sturt University; and Erica Russ, University of New England. Additionally, we wish to acknowledge the team from the University Centre for Rural Health, University of Sydney, Robyn Fitzroy and Frances Barraclough, for their generous support. Lastly, funding was provided for a research officer (Nicola Ivory) by the University Centre for Rural Health, University of Sydney, who assisted with editorial proofing of this article.
Publisher: Routledge
Identifiers: 991013019925002368
Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Academic Unit: Faculty of Health; Social Work
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

Experiences of social work students undertaking a remote research-based placement during a global pandemic

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