Résumés
Abstract
In 2015, in an unexpected political upset, Alberta’s New Democratic Party was elected to govern for the first time in the province’s history. There were eight social workers amongst those elected, all of whom were interviewed for this research. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the motivations that led these social workers to seek political office, to identify factors in their personal and professional histories that explained their high level of political engagement, and to explore how the profession can increase the numbers of social workers pursuing political practice in the future. A standard qualitative thematic analysis of these interviews revealed that families of origin were influential motivators, and that social work education also played a significant role, as did professional experience and networks. Recommendations for change emerged from our findings. We discuss these with an emphasis on professional education and on what the academy can do to heighten levels of political engagement among future graduates.
Keywords:
- political engagement,
- politics,
- social justice,
- Alberta,
- qualitative research
Résumé
Dans le contexte d’un bouleversement politique inattendu, le Nouveau Parti démocratique de l’Alberta est arrivé au pouvoir pour la première fois de l’histoire de la province en 2015. Les huit travailleurs sociaux qui se trouvaient au nombre des élus ont été interviewés aux fins de la présente recherche. L’objectif de cette étude qualitative était de dégager les motivations qui ont poussé ces travailleurs sociaux à briguer un mandat, d’identifier les facteurs dans leurs trajectoires personnelles et professionnelles qui expliquent leur niveau d’engagement politique, et d’explorer les stratégies pouvant permettre à plus de travailleurs sociaux de solliciter des mandats électifs à l’avenir. Une analyse qualitative thématique classique de ces entrevues a révélé que la famille d’origine est une source de motivation considérable et que l’enseignement en travail social, ainsi que l’expérience et les réseaux professionnels, y jouent également un rôle important. Nos résultats ont donné lieu à la formulation de recommandations pour en vue d’un changement. Nous les abordons en mettant l’emphase sur la formation professionnelle et sur les démarches que les établissements d’enseignement peuvent entreprendre pour stimuler le niveau d’engagement politique parmi les futurs diplômés.
Mots-clés :
- engagement politique,
- politique,
- justice sociale,
- Alberta,
- recherche qualitative
Parties annexes
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