SWIRLS

Social Work Innovation Research Living Space

A unique and innovative concept, driven by practice-led social work researchers based at Flinders University. We work alongside industry to influence policy and practice. We educate and mentor future social workers. And we are driven by social work justice values to uplift individuals, families and communities.

Our vision is of a world where social justice values - access, equity, human rights and participation - are front and centre.

Our mission is to advance social work, policy and research through innovation, collaboration and partnerships.

Who we are

With a formidable reputation built on years of evidence-based and lived-experience research, the Social Work Innovation Research Living Space (SWIRLS) is a leading Australian social work research centre.

We design better prevention, intervention and services. We change policy and practice. We educate and mentor future social workers. And we help to empower and uplift individuals, families and communities.

Meet the team

History

SWIRLS Advisors

We work with you

We put you at the heart of creation. Our ethos is user-centred, open innovation ecosystems of research. Together, we can solve the issues that tear communities, families and individuals apart.

What we do

SWIRLS dives deep into the whirlpool of information, theories, opinions and facts that make up our modern world. We take the spin out, concentrate on research that uses evidence and lived-experience, and create innovative solutions in and around social work.

We are an established centre that makes meaningful connections between research, practice and policy. Our research environment is informed by appreciative inquiry and participatory action research. We offer evidence that has the power to promote social justice values and shape our future workforce through knowledge, education, and professional development.

Research themes

Resources

News and events

Research in life, not the lab

People don't live, work and think within the white walls of a laboratory or under microscopes. We're all different. There are a hundred different factors that influence our every decision. So, we take our social issue research into the community. It's research in real time, real places and real lives.

Work or study with us

Our research is supported through competitive external funding schemes and partnerships with community organisations and government stakeholders. All of our work is co-designed, theoretically driven and prioritises knowledge translation.

We bring together researchers, practitioners, policy people, and anyone who engages with social work and related professions, to share in the excitement of research that makes people’s lives better.

Stay updated, get involved

Become a member

Study with us

Partnerships & Projects

Learn about our projects with industry partners.

Partnerships & projects

Get in touch

Make an enquiry about SWIRLS research and sign up for our e-news.

Connect with us

Courses

Find out about SWIRLS courses developed with industry partners.

Learn more

We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of the lands on which we work and pay our respects to First Nations Elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty has never been ceded. It always was and always will be, Aboriginal land.

We recognise the past atrocities against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this land and that Australia was founded on the genocide and dispossession of First Nations people. We acknowledge that colonial structures and policies remain in place today and recognise the ongoing struggles of First Nations people in dismantling those structures.

We acknowledge the intellectual property of our First Nations partners and recognise that our research would not be possible without their cultural authority and leadership.

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Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042

South Australia | Northern Territory
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