Honorary degree for social work researcher

It has been announced that the University of Salford’s chair of social work, Professor Steven M Shardlow, will be awarded a prestigious honorary degree, Doctor of Social Science, by the internationally renowned University of Kuopio, Finland.

Professor Shardlow will be awarded the degree in June 2010, for his research in respect of: evidence based knowledge for social work, applied professional ethics, professional education and his international collaborations that have informed social work policy and practice in the several countries including the UK and Finland.

He is currently leading a major three year national research project into the professional development of newly social workers with children and families.

Professor Shardlow says: “I feel very honoured to be nominated to receive this degree; I am confident that it will further strengthen the collaboration between the Universities of Kuopio and Salford.”

The head of the school of social work, psychology and public health at Salford, Dr Ruth Wright says: “Professor Shardlow has been raising the international reputation of social work in the UK for many years through his research and collaborations with other countries.

“His work has improved the provision of social work both at home and abroad and he is richly deserving of the honorary degree.”