Professor Darja Zavir拧ek
Prof Darja Zavir拧ek, Ph.D. is sociologist, researcher and professor at the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Social Work. She is the chair of the Department of Social Justice and Inclusion and co-founder and professor at the international MA studies 鈥楽ocial Work as a Human Rights Profession鈥� at the Alice Salomon University of Applied Science Berlin.
She is the member of Academic Network of European Disability Experts and serves as the president of the Eastern European Sub-Regional Association of the Schools of Social Work, as part of the IASSW.
Areas of research and publishing:
gender and disability studies;
history of social work education;
diversity studies and anti-racist social work,
qualitative comparative critical methodology.
Latest books:
Roma Families (2019);
Coercive Care (2018);
Intercountry and international Adoption: a social work perspective (2012);
From Blood to Care: Social Parenthood in a Global World (2012);
Rainbow Families go to School: Perspectives of Children, Parents and Teachers (2012); 鈥淲ith Diploma it was easier to Work!鈥�
The History of social work education in Slovenia (2005);
Disability as a Cultural Trauma (2000).
She was part of the development of social work programs in Ukraine, Kosovo, Georgia and Republica Srbska in Bosnia and Herzegovina; during 1996-2005 was visiting professor at the Central European University, Budapest. Since 2014 she is member and mentor of the Southeast European Academic Women's Leadership Network.
From 2018-2019 she worked as the research technical assistance of the Oxford Public Management (OPM) and UNICEF for East Europe and Central Asia on strengthening of the social welfare workforce in the region (Enhancing Professional Competencies of Frontline Workers in the Social Service Workforce).
During 2018-2021 she is part of the EU project RISEWISE 鈥� Women with disabilities in Social Engagement (No. of project: 690874).
Recent awards:
Journal of Social Work Education, article of the year, 2017;
Hokenstad Lecture Award. CSWE, 2016;
Special award of the jury, 8th International Competition of the Child and Youth Literature 禄Auf Schmetterlings und Schwanenfuegeln芦 (for the editorial work and preface of the book: Beata Akerman, Isabella: The princess who was stuttering, 2010);
Hong Kong PolyU guest professor award, 2009;
Commission on Global Social Work Education, CSWE, 禄2009 Partners in Advancing Education for International Social Work芦, 2009.
University of Ljubljana
University of Ljubljana (UL) is placed in the capital of Slovenia and is the largest and the oldest University in Slovenia. UL educates critical thinking top scientists, artists and professionals qualified for leading sustainable development.
The UL encourages interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary study, exchanges results of achievements in science and art with other universities and scientific research institutions across the world.
Faculty of Social Work (FSD) is the only institution educating social workers in Slovenia. It was established in 1955 and offers undergraduate, master and doctoral studies. It is well connected to the global academic and research networks and has more than 200 bilateral agreements with European universities.