‘Inspiring Conversations’: A Comparative Analysis of the Involvement of Experts by Experience in Italian and Scottish Social Work Education

Abstract

The involvement of service users and carers, Experts by Experience (EBE), in social work education at the Catholic University of Milan, Italy, and the University of Dundee, Scotland, is rooted and connected epistemologically and pedagogically. Differences emerge in how these roots are manifest in the models of EBE involvement adopted in the two universities. This article explores these similarities and differences through discussion of the different models of EBE involvement in use at the two European universities, and thus provides a comparative European insight into approaches, experiences and impact of EBE involvement in social work education. The authors contextualise the pedagogy and core values underpinning EBE involvement and introduce the concept of ‘inspiring conversations’. The comparative analysis is centred on five areas of EBE involvement in social work education: context and types of involvement; recruitment of EBE; roles and responsibilities of EBE; resource implications; and impact and outcomes of involvement. The article calls for a focus on ‘Coherence’, ‘Prudence’ and ‘Sustainability’ as a foundation for other universities to enhance their social work programmes through cultivating EBE involvement to co-create knowledge to inform future innovative practice.

Making the ‘Local’ Visible in Social Work Education: Insights from Nigeria and Scotland on (Re)balancing and Contextualising Indigenous and International Knowledge

“…Working collaboratively with service users, ensuring their voices were heard and acted on, is an approach that engages with the complexities of working with difference that was not talked about by the Nigerians. A focus on co-production and user involvement reflects developments in these areas in Scottish social work practice and education (Cabiati and Levy, 2021).…”

Reflections on inspiring conversations in social work education: the voices of Scottish experts by experience and Italian students

“…The concept of 'inspiring conversations' emerged from a comparative study (Cabiati and Levy, 2020) based on the involvement of Experts by Experience (EBE) in social work education in Italy and Scotland. 'Inspiring' refers to how conversations, between EBE and students, when framed within reciprocal, trusting and engaging relationships can be stimulating and impactful on all involved: students, EBE and academics Driessens et al 2016;Rooney et al, 2016;Irvine, Molyneux, & Gillman;.…”

“…'Inspiring' refers to how conversations, between EBE and students, when framed within reciprocal, trusting and engaging relationships can be stimulating and impactful on all involved: students, EBE and academics Driessens et al 2016;Rooney et al, 2016;Irvine, Molyneux, & Gillman;. For students, the participation of EBE in their social work studies can inspire reflection on their motivations for choosing a career in social work, and on relational and communication skills (Cabiati and Levy, 2020;Wilken, et al, 2020). It can provoke a deeper and more intense level of learning which argues, is most impactful when students are challenged to step out of their comfort zone through a 'pedagogy of discomfort' (Boler, 1999).…”

“…There is an increasing literature setting out models and good practice in service user involvement in social work education (Cabiati and Levy, 2020;Askheim et al2017;Duffy et al 2017;Tanner et al 2015;Robinson and Webber, 2013;Skilton, 2011). Pedagogically this work is framed by approaches to integrating the voices, lived experiences and experiential knowledge of service users and carers into social work education.…”

“…The chapter also includes reflective accounts written by Italian social work students as part of their course work. The EBE and students all used the concept of 'inspiring conversations' (Cabiati and Levy, 2020) as a starting point to explore and reflect on their experiences of user involvement in social work education.…”