About the Department Profile

History and Milestones of the Department of Social Work

• Founding and Early Years:

1. Established in 1946 in Lucknow by the YWCA, the institution was originally known as the National YWCA School of Social Work.
2. In 1947, the school relocated to Delhi and, in 1948, it was affiliated with the University of Delhi, becoming the Delhi School of Social Work. It holds the distinction of being the first institution in Asia to offer a Master's Degree in Social Work.

• Development and Expansion:

1. In April 1961, the school officially became part of the University of Delhi, functioning as a Post-Graduate institution.
2. By 1965, a Doctoral program leading to a Ph.D. degree was introduced, followed by a pre-Doctoral M.Phil. program in 1976.
3. In May 1979, it was designated a Post-Graduate Department affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Delhi.
4. The Department began offering a Bachelor's Degree (Honours Course) in Social Work in two constituent colleges of the University of Delhi from the academic session 1994-95.

• Program Innovations:

1. In 2008, NACO sanctioned the establishment of a State Training and Resource Centre at the Department.
2. The Department introduced the semester system in the M.A. (Social Work) program in 2009 and implemented the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) in 2018.

• Recognitions and Achievements:

1. In 1992, the Department was granted the Department of Special Assistance (DSA) status by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and received additional support under the ASIHSS Programme.
2. In 2014, UGC recognized the Department as a "Centre of Advanced Study (CAS) in Social Work" for a five-year term.

• Field Action and Community Engagement:

1. The Department has a rich history of field action programs, including the Centre for Child and Adolescent Well Being (formerly the Child Guidance Centre established in 1971) and the Centre for Community Development and Action (initiated in 1988 as Gram Mahila Kendra in Burari).
2. Relief and rehabilitation projects were undertaken for earthquake-affected villages in Bhuj (Kutch) during 2001-2002 under the University for Development Action and Integrated Learning (UDAI).
3. An innovative action project, UDAI-II, was executed in flood-affected villages in Bihar starting in 2008.

• Jubilee Celebrations:

1. The year 2021 marked the Platinum Jubilee of the Department, celebrating 75 years of academic excellence and research.
2. In 2022, the Department commemorated an additional Platinum Jubilee, marking 75 years since the school's relocation to Delhi and its affiliation with the University of Delhi.

Major Research Areas

Department of Social Work offers an intellectual and experiential space for research on a broad spectrum of disciplinary and cross-disciplinary issues confronting modern societies. Our research approach aims to blend abstract theoretical models with ground realities and people's lived experiences. Find out about some of our focus areas.

1. Intellectual Traditions in Social Work Education

We aim to unfold and reinterpret the philosophical foundations of social work education. Our thrust is on assorting and assembling the discipline of social work by looking at its history, pedagogy, value systems, philosophical issues and contemporary trajectories. One key question we aspire to ask is how global social work education should be restructured to represent the views of indigenous and marginalised populations. Our research explores a range of intellectual traditions, including social justice, human rights, empowerment, and person-in-environment approaches, as well as critical, feminist, and anti-oppressive theories. By examining global and indigenous knowledge systems, the department seeks to understand how these traditions influence social work practice, education, and policy in different contexts, particularly in India. Researchers also focus on critically adapting and localizing Western theories to the unique socio-cultural and political realities of India, while also giving attention to indigenous practices and traditions of care. This exploration helps inform more inclusive and effective social work strategies that are grounded in both local and global intellectual frameworks.

2. Dalit and Tribal Centred Social Work Practice

Our central focus is on realigning the academic discourses in social sciences to represent, and account for the voices of Dalits and the Tribal groups. In pursuance of this goal, many faculty members, research scholars and graduate students investigate matters related to caste-based exclusions, Dalit and tribal epistemology, Dalit and tribal literature, indigenous standpoints and traditional knowledge. By engaging with grassroots movements and social action, the department seeks to contribute to the upliftment and inclusion of Dalit and Tribal populations in mainstream society, addressing the deep-rooted inequalities they face.

3. Oppression and Intersectional Marginalities

As a social work department, we grapple with many forms of historical and emergent marginalities through an intersectional perspective. Our focus has been on unfolding the subjectivities and enhancing the well-being of oppressed groups like migrant workers, gig workers, labourers, informal sector workforce, tea-plantation workers, sexual minorities, sanitation workers and incarcerated persons. Researchers explore how multiple forms of oppression operate simultaneously, leading to the exclusion of individuals and communities from social, economic, and political participation. By analyzing how systemic power structures create and perpetuate exclusion, the department aims to develop inclusive policies and interventions that promote equity, social justice, and the dismantling of oppression in diverse social contexts in India.

4. Health and Wellbeing

Emerging health discourses – both in public and mental health are a key concern for our department. We research on/through many theoretical perspectives like biopsychosocial, person-in-environment, critical medical anthropology and human rights approaches. We aim to centre body, mind and health in social work discourse through a public health perspective. We attempt to unpack the health-society interface and think of strategies to make communities and individuals resilient to public and mental health concerns. Our focus has also been on matters like HIV/AIDS, leprosy, menstrual health, mental health, tuberculosis, emerging viral diseases, yoga and spiritual health.

5. Green Social Work, Environment and Society

Given the obvious connections between the environment and society, our department views ecology as a fundamental human right, essential for the social justice goal of social work as a discipline. By weaving together theoretical and evidence-driven perspectives on environment, society and disasters, our research attempts to unfold a worldview of sustainable ways of reframing people's relationships with their living environments. We attempt to understand the significant role social work and community development can play in analysing and drawing up suitable responses to facilitate the planet and its citizens to move towards a sustainable, just and secure future.

6. Disability Studies

With an awareness of the fact that persons with disability have continued to live on the margins of the society, there is significant thrust and scope for the engagement of human service professionals such as social workers in enhancing their welfare, development and empowerment. Our focus is both on theoretically understanding disability along with devising strategies for disability management and rehabilitation. Key areas of inquiry include accessibility to education, healthcare, and employment, the impact of policy frameworks such as the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the role of community-based rehabilitation. Researchers also explore the intersection of disability with gender, caste, and poverty, aiming to develop strategies that promote social justice and equality for persons with disabilities across urban and rural settings in India.

7. Sexuality Studies and Gender:

Through interdisciplinary research, the department explores how gender and sexual identities shape, and are shaped by, political, economic, and cultural forces. By engaging with critical theories of feminism, queer studies, intersectionality, and trans studies, faculty and students seek to address contemporary issues such as gender inequality, sexual rights, and LGBTQ+ experiences, contributing to broader discussions on social justice and human rights globally. Our focus is on a broad spectrum of LGBTQIA+ identities including Hijra, Kothi and intersex persons.

8. Corporate Social Responsibility and Human Resources

Our focus on Human Resource Management (HRM) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) integrates social welfare principles with corporate practices to address societal challenges. We focus on ascertaining skills needed in managing workforce dynamics while fostering responsible business practices that contribute to community development. By blending HRM strategies with a strong ethical foundation, we think of strategies to foster inclusivity in workplaces, employee well-being, and sustainable development initiatives. With an emphasis on CSR, we focus on learning to design and implement projects that address social and environmental issues, aligning business goals with India's broader developmental needs.

9. Rural Development and Regional Deprivation

Our focus on rural development in India centers on addressing the unique social, economic, and infrastructural challenges faced by rural communities. The focus is on promoting sustainable livelihoods, improving access to education and healthcare, and enhancing social equity. Research explores grassroots development models, agricultural innovation, rural governance, and the empowerment of marginalized groups, such as women and tribal populations. Through participatory approaches, the department aims to develop policies and interventions that foster self-reliance and community-driven progress, contributing to the broader goal of reducing rural poverty and inequality in India.

10. Social Policy

Our research thrust on social policy in India emphasizes the analysis and evaluation of policies aimed at addressing issues such as poverty, healthcare, education, and social justice. Researchers critically examine how social policies impact marginalized communities, including women, children, and economically disadvantaged groups. The focus is on understanding policy formulation, implementation, and outcomes at both national and local levels, with an emphasis on improving equity and access to resources. The department also investigates the role of government, civil society, and international organizations in shaping social policies that promote inclusive development and address the challenges of inequality and social protection in India

11. Practice Methods of Social Work

The Social Work Department's research on various methods of social work focuses on exploring and refining different approaches to social intervention, support, and advocacy. Key methods include casework, group work, community organization, social action, and social welfare administration. Research examines how these methods can be effectively applied to address individual, group, and community needs, particularly in diverse and complex social environments. By analyzing contemporary challenges, such as poverty, mental health, and human rights issues, the department seeks to develop innovative, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based practices. This research aims to enhance the effectiveness of social work interventions, ensuring that professionals can deliver impactful services across various settings.