Digitalisation Research Network North East
Technology and Social Work
At first glance, technology and Social Work appear to be two subject areas that do not have much in common. However, Social Work is always closely linked to technological progress, as this always leads to transformation processes in living environments. This is associated with new modes of communication and changed forms of social coexistence. This can result in new challenges and social problems for both individuals and social groups, which Social Work addresses as a human rights profession. It accompanies social change, empowers marginalised people and stands up for the protection of their basic rights.
The impact of technological progress on Social Work
In recent decades, digital technologies in particular have led to fundamental transformations in the social sphere. On the one hand, digital technologies offer new opportunities for networking, communication and the creation of knowledge, such as the Internet of Things, virtual realities, artificial intelligence and assistive technologies. On the other hand, they open up challenges such as digital inequalities and can lead to conflict-ridden consequences of human-machine interactions.
Social Work is challenged by this technological progress on several levels: It is confronted both with its own organisational mechanisation and with the mediatised lifeworlds of its addressees as well as socio-technical interactions between humans and machines. Social Work is also faced with the question of how it can accompany technologically induced transformation processes to protect human rights and needs.
Research gaps and need for action
Despite the diverse processes of technologisation, digitalisation and mediatisation in social work, research into the influences and consequences, potentials and limits of digital-technological transformations in social work and the teaching of these topics are underrepresented in university curricula.
In order to change this, the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences, the Catholic University of Applied Sciences Berlin, the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg and the Centre for Constructive Education Sciences e. V. are founding the Digitalisation Research Network North East (DigiNo).
Objectives, activities and funding of DigiNo
The joint work focuses on promoting and focussing research into mechanisation, digitalisation and mediatisation in the discipline and profession of social work. There will be an open discourse on the topics with an online lecture series/colloquium in which insights from theory and practice will be discussed. The network members will supervise theses across universities, trial co-operative seminars and publish an anthology to reflect the current discourse on the topic. The network will also be expanded beyond its founding members.
The Digitalisation Research Network North East is funded by the Innovation Fund of the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences in the "Educating Society" profile line and is intended to connect universities and create a basis for cooperation in research and teaching on the topics of mechanisation, digitalisation and mediatisation in Social Work.