The knowledge generation in Social Work: readings from southern and feminist epistemologies readings from southern and feminist epistemologies

Abstract

Based on bibliographic review, in this article we address the production of knowledge in social work, by considering the socio-historical constitution of the discipline/profession and some analytical concepts from the southern and feminist epistemologies. Accordingly, the questions that guide our analysis refers, on one hand, to the historically way in which the discipline has relegate the production of knowledge; and on the other, to the potential ways of overcoming such characteristic. We argue that critical epistemologies may overtake the dichotomy investigate/ intervene because they underline the integrality of knowledge generation, demystify scientific work, revalue the experience in scientific filed and the existing knowledge diversity. We organize the article in three sections. First, we review the socio-historical constitution of social work as a feminized profession and as well as a discipline, to explain the causes of its difficulties in knowledge production. Second, we present basic concepts of the southern and feminists epistemologies that would collaborate with (re) thinking the knowledge generation in social work. And third, we make an integrative proposal considering both knowledge generation and professional intervention processes to highlight the possibilities of generate knowledge from intervention practices.