The Canadian Social Work Review: A Canadian character of social work?

Abstract

Noting that scholarly journals represent a particular repository of knowledge, we use content analysis to explore the constructions of social work represented in the Canadian Social Work Review – Revue canadienne de service social over 2010–2019. This journal is the only formal bilingual (French-English), peer-reviewed social work journal in the country. Rather than broadly reflecting Canadian realities and contexts, the emerging trends imply specific regional and social work program dominance, both in terms of authorship and issues explored. In part this is related to English-French language parity having been achieved, though this has led to other unintended consequences. While the published articles represent critical discourses and qualitative approaches are preferred, many articles do not address power, oppression and representation, particularly with regard to Indigenous, racialized and gendered groups. We conclude that the journal, whilst leaning toward a critical representation of social work, also reflects mainstream, dominant views of Canadian social work, the journal thus portraying the contested nature of Canadian social work. Mechanisms that add to existing Editorial Board efforts for further strengthening a critically interrogative lens may be required.