Marelize Vergottini has dedicated 26 years to social work, building extensive expertise across various domains. Her experience spans generic social work with the Department of Social Development, child and youth care centers, and probation work within the criminal justice system. For the past 11 years, her focus has been on integrating social work into the education system.

 

In 2018, Marelize completed her PhD in school social work, solidifying her commitment to this specialized field. In 2022, she was appointed as a senior lecturer at North-West University Vanderbijlpark in South Africa. In her current role, she not only teaches undergraduate social work students but also leads the development of a proposed Masters qualification in school social work.

Marelize is deeply involved in the professional development of postgraduate social workers, providing targeted training to enhance their knowledge and skills for effective practice in schools. Her work continues to shape the future of school social work, equipping professionals to better serve students and educational communities.

Maria Kjellgren is a certified social worker, a licensed psychotherapist, a licensed healthcare social worker, a supervisor and teacher of psychotherapy, and holds a PhD in Social Work. She works as an associate professor at Umeå University, Department of Social Work. Her doctoral research focused on the individual counseling practices of school social workers with children in Swedish elementary schools. She lectures in the Bachelor’s and Master’s Programme in Social Work, the Hospital Social Work/Healthcare Social Work programme, and the Policing programme at Umeå University.

Her current research focuses on child psychiatry, school social workers, and healthcare social workers. Maria Kjellgren has 30 years of experience in clinical social work and psychotherapy.

Prospera Tedam is Professor of Social Work in the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice. She has held positions at Universities in England and the United Arab Emirates University. Her research interests are in the areas of culturally sensitive social work, anti-oppression and anti-racism in social work, school social work, as well as decolonising social work research, education and practice.

 

An advocate of Critical Race Theory (CRT), Prospera’s research weaves together multiple, interconnected strands. She is particularly focused on how social work education equips practitioners to be culturally responsive in their work with diverse families and communities.

 

Prospera is keen to hear from PhD students with related interests.

Jenny is a highly qualified social worker who began her career in adult mental health in East London. She later transitioned to working with a children’s charity, serving as a school-based social worker across the East of England.

Subsequently, Jenny joined Anglia Ruskin University, where she has been a staunch advocate for integrating social work into schools. In response to the challenges of the pandemic, she launched the Social Workers in Schools (SWIS) project, which is now in its fifth year. This initiative has successfully placed nearly 300 social work students in school-based placements, providing vital support to children and families. Jenny's leadership in this area also led to her being commissioned to expand the project regionally through a neighbouring teaching partnership.

Currently in the fifth year of her doctoral studies, Jenny's research focuses on advancing school-based social work practices. To elevate the profile of SWIS in the UK, she has published several academic papers, often collaborating with like-minded professionals passionate about the field. She has also established a network of academics dedicated to school social work and begun sharing her insights into the project’s potential benefits through various platforms.

In 2024, ARU hosted the inaugural international SWIS conference, which featured presentations from global experts and further solidified the growing recognition of the initiative. Jenny’s work continues to inspire innovation and collaboration in the intersection of social work and education.

Prof Leticia Villarreal Sosa is the Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development and Professor in the School of Social Work at UTRGV. Her current research focuses on utilising Photovoice with the Muslim/Arab American and Latinx communities as a tool for advocacy and a Spencer funded immigrant student equity project.

 

Her most recent book, Chicago Latina Trailblazers, focuses on the testimonies of Latinas in Chicago who were activists in the 1960s and 70’s, making a significant impact in the areas of health, education, policy, and social services. She was also awarded a three-year grant from New York Life Foundation to develop a culturally informed response to grief and loss certificate for a school-based professional. She has received several awards including the book of the year award for her book, School Social Work: National Perspectives on Practice in the Schools, the best conceptual article published in 2021 in the International Journal of Social Work Education for her decolonising and human rights approach to study abroad, the Davlin Diversity Leadership Award in 2022, and the Gary Lee Shaffer award in the field of school social work.