Systems Theory for Social Work and the Helping Professions

This book provides an easy to read introduction to systems thinking for social workers who will encounter social problems in their professional practice or academic research.

Author: Werner Schirmer, Dimitris Michailakis
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 04/02/2019
Pages: 168
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.57lbs
Size: 9.21h x 6.14w x 0.38d
ISBN: 9780367076900

About the Author

Werner Schirmer, PhD, holds a docent title in sociology from Uppsala University. He has worked at several universities in Germany, Sweden, the USA, and Belgium. Currently, he is working at the department of Sociology at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, research group TOR. Schirmer has written several articles and book chapters applying systems theoretical thinking to topics such as interethnic relations, social work and social problems, inclusion/exclusion, respect and tolerance, international relations, priority setting in healthcare, and loneliness among older people. His current research focuses on the impact of digital technologies on social relations.

Dimitris Michailakis, PhD, is Professor of Sociology and Chair Professor of Social Work. He is the author of several books and reports for national and international organisations. In his research, he mainly highlights two strongly correlated areas. The first area is political governance, with particular emphasis on how the welfare state has tried to control other social systems to become more responsive towards vulnerable groups. The second area is about modern society's strongest conflict, namely the one between a fundamental right to inclusion and a steadily increasing exclusion.