Research

Researchers affiliated with Grandparents Raising Grandchildren project

The research unit for the School of Social Work is RISC (Research Initiatives for Social Change). Research Initiatives for Social Change is committed to promoting social change through critical thinking and participatory processes.

Program objectives

The research program has four broad objectives:

1. To engage in research activities that enhance the well-being of children, youth, families and communities. By well-being, we refer to those characteristics that contribute to the social, psychological, economic, cultural, political, and environmental life of people and their communities;
2. To undertake research activities that contribute to the production and communication of knowledge, and that inform policy development and practice innovation, in the area of family and child welfare;
3. To promote research collaboration between the University of Victoria's School of Social Work and other organizations and community groups concerned with family and child welfare; and
4. To enhance the research capacity of the School of Social Work.

Program principles

Research Initiatives for Social Change upholds the following principles:

1. Fundamental interconnections exist between the many dimensions of well-being; thus, issues pertaining to family and child welfare will be approached holistically;
2. The social values that guide the research will be articulated, in recognition that research is not a value-neutral process;
3. Meaningful community participation will be incorporated into all phases of the research process;
4. All participants will be treated with respect, fairness and dignity, in appreciation for one another's differences;
5. Research and communication processes will build on and promote the capacities and strengths of people and communities;
6. Openness of process and independence of thought will guide all research activities; and
7. Research products will be publicly accessible.