Eva Maria Löffler
Eva Maria Löffler is a social worker and currently working as professor for social work at IU International University of Applied Sciences in Hamburg. She also works at the University of Applied Sciences Cologne where she is researching social workers in politics. Her research interests are professional action in social work, theories of social work and poverty. She has a thematic focus on social work with the elderly. She examines how the welfare state framework enables professional action, but also, how social workers can influence the framework.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this article is to analyse the occasions and formats in which social workers holding elected office in Germany use to transfer knowledge from social work into political decision-making processes. THEORETICAL BASE: The knowledge of social work should not only be used to help individuals, but also to initiate social change. There are different routes through which social workers can engage in policymaking, one of which is called “holding elected office”. METHODS: This study utilized various methods such as surveys, interviews, and panel discussions to generate knowledge. OUTCOMES: The analysis reveals the different occasions and formats that social workers holding elected office use to transfer knowledge into political processes. However, they also encounter limitations, such as resource constraints and lack of majority support. SOCIAL WORK IMPLICATIONS: Therefore, a stronger political commitment from social workers remains highly desirable and, above all, relevant for shaping social change.
Keywords
social work, social workers, politicians, policy practice, politics, knowledge transfer
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