Guest: Dr.Sylvia Ramsay, School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia.
INTRODUCTION TO THIS EPISODE
The growing academic research base of eco-social work (ESW) practice in Australia has a been an important springboard in helping to diffuse ESW ideas and approaches into the mainstream here. Several guests in this podcast series, including Dr Heather Boetto, Dr. Peter Jones and Dr. Sue Bailey, have already contributed influential published research work linked to eco-social work practice and approaches in this country.
My guest on this episode of the series, Dr. Sylvia Ramsay, is also very conversant with the world of applied social work research and has developed particular research interests in how eco-social work frameworks and perspectives can help shape and enhance mainstream social work intervention. In this episode we talk about some of the formative ideas and values that have helped create Sylvia’s perspective on the eco-social work turn in mainstream practice.
INTERVIEW TALKING POINTS – with approximate time elapsed location in minutes.
- General introduction – 0.50
- Guest self-introduction – 1.59
- What does ESW practice mean in 2021? – 6.07
- How can ESW approaches be used in practical terms – 14.24
- Why should the SW mainstream be involved with ESW concerns in 2021? – 21.18
- What could the future hold for ESW interventions over the next 2- 10 years? – 23.05
- Guest’s take home message – 26.00
- End of interview and credits – 27.12
REFERENCES AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN OR RELEVANT TO THE DISCUSSION
Work of Sylvia Ramsay on understanding environmental social work (2016)
- Work of Fred H Besthorn – for example on deep ecological social work
- Work of Naomi Godden - for example on community work, love and the Indigenous worldview
- Work of Prof Lena Dominelli
- Book by Powers and Rinkel (2017) Social Work Promoting Community and Environmental Sustainability accompanied by two other volumes.
- Val Plumwood philosopher and eco-feminist – example of her work Feminism and the Mastery of Nature (1993)
- Related concepts of the better valuing of nature through ecokinship and kincentric stewardship
- Achieving a sense of purpose through caring for nature and opportunities to work with clients in ‘blue’ and ‘green’ spaces. This could involve activities taken from Nature Mindfulness, Forest Bathing, Forest Therapy or Awe Walk All of these initiatives are aligned with a growing body of international psychological research, collectively designated under the umbrella term Nature Connectedness. Such research is pointing increasingly to the benefits of close psychological and emotional engagement with nature, both to enhance human wellbeing, but also to foster greater care for and greater stewardship of the natural world and living things.
- Related concepts of closer human-nature connection - developing nature connectedness and an ‘ecological self’ through forming an ecological identity as suggested by, for example, Thomashow (1995).
- Creating eco-friendly workplaces – a couple of examples of ways to help create lower environmental impact at home and in workplace environments.
GUEST AND OTHER CONTACT DETAILS:
Guest: Dr. Sylvia Ramsay, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
Householders’ Options to Protect the Environment (HOPE):
T 07 4639 2135 E office@hopeaustralia.org.au WEB FACEBOOK
Production:
Produced for HOPE by Andrew Nicholson E: counsel1983@gmail.com
T: +61 413979414
This episode recorded in Toowoomba, S.E. Queensland, Australia on 25th November 2021
Artwork: Daniela Dal'Castel Incidental Music: James Nicholson
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