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Podsocs

Podsocs, the podcast for social workers on the run, was launched on the 28th July, 2012 by a team from the School of Human Services and Social Work, Gold Coast and Logan campuses, Griffith University in Australia. This free podcast series is the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

Podsocs is global in its approach, aiming to provide an educational tool for students, practitioners and academics in the fields of social work, human services and related professions, across the world. Social issues, often contested and sometimes controversial, are also of interest to governments, the general public and the people affected by them.

The Podsocs team is strongly influenced by social work values and the values and definition of Social Work, International Federation of Social Work (IFSW); the importance of access to knowledge for all persons; and the purpose of social work best encapsulated by the following:

''To position human welfare and human rights as a primary social responsibility, acknowledging that humanity exists in balance with the environment, and to celebrate and nurture the diversity of humanity. Social workers and human service practitioners are charged with the responsibility of bringing to public notice the values, attitudes, behaviours, social structures, as well as the economic and political imperatives, that cause or contribute to the oppression of human welfare and rights. They are further charged with the duty to respond, with passion and hope, to human need wherever and however it is manifested, and to work towards the attainment of social justice for individuals, groups and communities in a local and global context'' (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2012, p.16)

Podcasts

Podsocs aims to strengthen the link between research, practice and real world experiences, provide students with an early connection to fields of practice and professional identities, and to increase access to knowledge for practitioners. Podsocers (listeners) have access to podcasts of conversations with researchers, practitioners, academics and people affected by social issues. Guests have expertise in a wide range of areas in health, welfare and policy.

Some topics are inevitably controversial, such as intercountry adoption and surrogacy, while others focus on social work practice, such as professional supervision, and arenas where social justice is an issue such as the rights of people with disabilities and other groups in society who face considerable barriers. Well-known guests featured in Podsocs’ inaugural month include Richard Wilkinson, eminent in the field of demography and public health, and Tom Shakespeare in disability rights. An impressive line up of speakers is in motion for future broadcasts. Most importantly, Podsocers are encouraged to contribute to the development and growth of Podsocs by suggesting the topics and speakers they would like to hear.

The podcasts attract continuing professional education credit points from the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Podsocers can listen online, download via iTunes, like Podsocs on Facebook or follow on Twitter.

The Team

The Podsocs team are social workers from the School of Human Services and Social Work, Griffith University, in Australia and have considerable experience as practitioners, academics and researchers. They are Patricia Fronek, Lesley Chenoweth (creator of the Podsocs name), Julie Clark and Jennifer Boddy.

Links

Podsocs – www.podsocs.com

References

[http://www.aasw.asn.au/document/item/740 AASW (Australian Association of Social Work). (2010). Code of Ethics.]

Chenoweth, L., & McAuliffe, D. (2012). The road to social work and human services practice (3rd ed.). South Melbourne: Cengage Learning.

[http://ifsw.org/policies/definition-of-social-work/ IFSW (International Federation of Social Workers). Definition of Social Work].

[http://ifsw.org/policies/statement-of-ethical-principles/ IFSW (International Federation of Social Workers). (2012). Statement of Ethical Principles].