Pacific epistemologies in professional social work practice, policy and research

Abstract

Utilising traditional cultural perspectives is an important lens towards developing a platform to create effective social work practice, policy and research. Through this relevant and realistic cultural context, social work as a profession may strive to interface more appropriately with individuals, families and the community. This article examines Pacific epistemologies, and the experiences of eight Western Sydney University social work students who have completed a three-month placement within the islands of Fiji and Samoa; and their reflections on the differences between Western and Pacific epistemologies and respective methods of intervention.

Keywords:

• Social work education
• social work practice
• neocolonial
• indigenous
• Pacific Islands

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to the students of the Pacific Islands Field Education (PIFE) initiative who participated in the research, and the invaluable research and writing assistance provided by Shannon Said. I also acknowledge and appreciate the support of Prof Kevin Dunn, Assoc Prof Brian Stout, Kate Saxton and Kim Tilbury from the School of Social Sciences and Psychology of Western Sydney University, and Dr Donald (Bruce) Yeates from the Faculty of Arts, Law and Education at the University of the South Pacific.