The impact of arts based pedagogies: social work education for ethical practice

This paper presents findings from a systematic review of the impact of the arts in social work education (Leonard et al, 2018). The literature on the use of arts-based pedagogies in professional education has been gathering momentum in social work, medical education, nursing, and allied professions. Unprecedented political and socio-economic challenges, an increasingly austere market, and an individually focused micro context have impacted on the way in which contemporary social work education prepares professionals and this has potentially undermined the autonomy and creativity of the academy. The arts are thought to offer a transformative or critical epistemology for social work in its use of activist pedagogies.
We will discuss the three significant themes from our synthesis of the evidence reviewed. These were; positioning social work practice through linking micro and macro thinking; the cultivation of leadership beyond verbal reasoning and art as pedagogy. The findings are discussed in the context of how arts-based pedagogies may contribute to the current challenges in social work education and we offer a framework for theorizing, planning and delivering arts-based pedagogies.

References
Leonard, K., Hafford-Letchfield, T. and Couchman, W. (2018) The impact of the arts in social work education: A systematic review. Qualitative Social Work, Vol.17(2), pp.286-304.