Social Work Across Borders: Decolonial Approaches to Refugee Support in Austria and Tanzania

Cooperating countries: Tanzania and Austria

Coordinating institution: University of Innsbruck, Nadja Thoma nadja.thoma@uibk.ac.at 

Partner institutions: Institute of Social Work

Project duration: 

Budget: EUR 40.000

Abstract: 

This project investigates how social work with refugees is shaped by institutional mandates, policy frameworks, and culturally grounded practices in Austria and Tanzania. Both countries host displaced populations within structurally unequal global systems, yet their social-work traditions, welfare infrastructures, and historical experiences with forced migration differ substantially. Using a qualitative, comparative design informed by decolonial and indigenous perspectives, the project analyses how practitioners interpret and negotiate policy–practice gaps, structural constraints, and ethical dilemmas. Empirical data will be generated through semi-structured interviews with practitioners, NGO representatives, and administrators, complemented by focus groups with social work students and transnational team-teaching formats. Grounded Theory methodology guides data collection and analysis, ensuring that interpretations remain sensitive to local epistemologies and everyday professional realities. The project integrates reflexive journaling, multilingual engagement, and participatory co-design of instruments to mitigate power imbalances and enhance contextual relevance. Expected results include a comparative theoretical model of refugee social work, recommendations for more culturally responsive social work education, and practice guidelines that incorporate both Western and indigenous approaches. The project strengthens Austria–Tanzania academic cooperation, and its findings will advance global discussions on equitable refugee support, decolonial research methodologies, and cross-context policy learning.