Pandemic provocations: Setting agendas for future research in social work ethic

This workshop is convened by the Social Work Ethics Research Group. It builds on findings of research conducted in 2020 on ethical challenges during Covid-19, inviting workshop participants to explore ethical lessons and agendas for future research. Practising during the pandemic raised many ethical challenges for social workers, making visible often hidden aspects of practice and stimulating deeper and more extensive ethical reflections on the nature of relationships, risks, responsibilities, rights, freedoms and solidarity. As conditions for working continue to change, questions arise: . How should new insights and practices be developed for future use? •How should lessons learned about inequities be taken forward? •What role should social workers have in co-building a new eco-social world post-pandemic? •What is the role of research in promoting ethical social work practice? Utilizing an exploratory research methodology, this workshop starts with a series of ‘provocations’ based on themes emerging from conversations with practitioners following our previous research: 1. Professional self-care versus moral courage and social solidarity. 2. Prioritising existing needs versus campaigning for more resources. 3.Digital communication for empowerment or exclusion. 4. Standards and procedures versus professional discretion and judgement. Each ‘provocation’ will be introduced by two speakers, articulating opposing points of view. We will break into small groups, focusing on different themes, using vignettes to trigger discussion and debate. Each group will be asked to offer feedback for ethical practice in social work in the future, and suggest what research in this area may contribute to understanding and improving ethical social work.