Research-based theoretical and methodological knowledge is essential for the social design tasks of social work. This requires competences that are acquired after the Master's degree through active testing in one's own doctoral research. The independent development of research is the prerequisite for social work as a profession to be able to respond appropriately to social problems and challenges in the long term.

In order for social workers to be able to take this step - without having to switch to one of the so-called reference sciences such as education, sociology or psychology - the independent right to do a doctorate in the field of social work was awarded in 2017 and the cross-university "Social Work Doctorate Centre" was founded.

Professors from the four universities Frankfurt (University of Applied Sciences), Fulda, Darmstadt and RheinMain in Wiesbaden are involved.

The partner universities use considerable synergies in bundling research topics and promoting young academics. The doctoral centre organises doctoral procedures in the field of social work, advises on professional and administrative issues, organises workshops and specialist conferences on survey and evaluation methods as well as theories of social work.

Prof. Dr. habil. Monika Alisch
E-mail: monika.alisch(at)sw.hs-fulda.de