Reflections on inspiring conversations in social work education: the voices of Scottish experts by experience and Italian students

Abstract

For many years, Experts by Experience (EBE) have participated in the learning journeys of social work students at the University of Dundee (Scotland) and the Catholic University of Milan (Italy). This chapter draws on practices of user involvement at these two European Universities. Drawing on the voices of three EBE, as co-authors, and three undergraduate students, the chapter explores the experience and impact of user involvement on: student learning; challenging perceptions of service users, and at a personal level. Considering the increasing literature on models and the practice of service user involvement in social work education, understanding the impact of this involvement from the perspective of EBE and students is limited. This chapter contributes to addressing this lacuna, we use the concept of 'inspiring conversations' as a conduit for guiding the future inclusion of tacit knowledge in social work education across Europe.Acepted Manuscript version of: Levy, Susan et al. "Reflections on inspiring conversations in social work education: the voices of Scottish experts by experience and Italian students.". and Driessens, Kristel Lyssens-Danneboom, Vicky (editors).