Biographical methods and professional practice: An international perspective

Description

The turn to biographical methods in social science is yielding a rich harvest of research outcomes and invigorating the relationship between policy and practice. This book uses a range of interpretive approaches to reveal the dynamics of service users' and professionals' individual experiences and life-worlds. It shows how biographical methods can improve theoretical understanding of professional practice, as well as enrich the learning and development of professionals, and promote more meaningful and creative practitioner-service user relationships. Biographical methods and professional practice: reviews applications of biographical methods in both policy and practice in a range of professional contexts, from health and social care to education and employment; explores the impact on professional practice of social change in three main arenas: transformation from Eastern to Western types of society in Europe, major shifts in social and welfare principles, experiences of immigration and of new cultural diversities; critically evaluates subjective and reflexive processes in interactions between researchers, practitioners and users of services; considers the institutional arrangements and cultural contexts which support effective and sensitive interventions and which support and encourage change in the lives of individuals. With contributions from leading international experts, it provides a valuable comparative perspective. Researchers, policy analysts and practitioners, postgraduate students, teachers and trainers will find this book a stimulating read.

Dr Prue Chamberlayne is Senior Research Fellow in the School of Health and Social Welfare at the Open University. Dr Joanna Bornat is Senior Lecturer in the School of Health and Social Welfare at the Open University. Professor Ursula Apitzsch is Chair of Sociology and Political Science at the J.W. Goethe University in Frankfurt-am-Main.

"By now, the 'biographical turn' in the social sciences is widely acknowledged but its impact in the main has been upon academics rather than professional practitioners. Biographical methods and professional practice makes an important and worthwhile contribution by demonstrating that the biographical perspective can be focused fruitfully upon applied, social policy issues both for research and for practice in the field." Robert Miller, Department of Sociology and Social Policy, Queen's University, Belfast