Within WP1, three doctoral students investigate understandings of the notion of co-construction among stakeholders in the field, with the assumption that differences in perceptions need to be understood to bring clarification and make the concept of co-construction operational.

Close-up of a protester with an EU flag in a street rally, showcasing activism.

They will compare how perceptions and definitions vary between categories of stakeholders (DC1), over time (DC2), and across countries (DC3). This will lay the groundwork for combining different perspectives on how co-construction can make sense for all citizens involved.

This Work Package aime to :

  • Compare understandings of the notion of co-construction
  • Lay the ground for combining different perspectives on how co-construction can make sense for all citizens, practitioners, managers and politicians involved
  • Critically reflect on and develop existing theories of co-construction rooted in democracy, citizenship and the perspectives of vulnerable groups;
  • Make the concept of co-construction operational
  • Inform and support policy processes for durable goals and frames for co-construction

It consists of 3 research projects which will be conducted by 3 PhD students.

This doctoral research aims to 

  • Compare perceptions and understandings of co-construction between disabled citizens, practitioners, managers and policy makers
  • Analyse collaborative and involving understandings and processes including disabled citizens, practitioners, managers and policy makers. 
  • Identify obstacles and possibilities in developing co-construction processes between disabled citizens, practitioners, managers and policy makers.

This project analyses the efforts of social workers to establish social work as a recognised profession and a regulated workforce at national and worldwide level. 

  • Consider gender, intersectional and global power inequalities in the evolution of the social work profession.
  • Analyse archival materials concerning social work’s establishment.
  • Conduct oral history interviews with key actors involved in creating legislative and policy frameworks for the social sector workforce (at national and supranational level)
  • Assess the role and influence accorded to the participation of users of social services within the evolution of the social work profession.

Through this project research, the doctoral student will:

  • Map European young people’s views and experiences with co-construction of social programs and services, by using a participatory mixed-methods approach, combining a survey on vulnerable young people, across 8 European countries, with ethnomethodology on selected case studies; 
  • Enhance the participation of more vulnerable youth in co-construction processes with social services.