In this lecture, Prof Doel investigates how tangible, existing objects play a role in establishing and enhancing the professional identity of practitioners involved in the social sciences. He will describe how his role evolved into one of 'curator' of 125 objects that contribute to the professional identity of his research participants. He will present the thirteen 'collections' of objects and analyse a typography of objects (historical, metaphorical, personal, practical, political) to help understand how a professional identity might be understood and further developed via the concept of objects.

Is it possible to evoke a profession through a collection of objects, and can these objects then act as catalysts for enhancing professional identity? What would these objects be? And furthermore, what perceptions are evoked when social science professionals are confronted with concrete objects such as a suit of armour, a mountain of paperwork, a blinking computer screen, a brick wall, a ball of tangled wool, and a two-headed coin (for example, Mother Teresa on one side, Hitler the other)? In answering these questions, Prof Doel used Neil MacGregor's A history of the world in 100 objects and Sherry Turkle's Evocative objects as successful examples of telling an expansive story through a limited number of objects. 

Brief Biographical Sketch:

Prof Mark Doel, a graduate of Birmingham City University, The University of Oxford and the University of Hull, and currently Professor Emeritus at Sheffield Hallam University, has an international reputation for scholarly work in practice education and social work methods. His 20th book Rights and wrongs in social work: ethical and practice dilemmas was published this year, eight of his books have been translated into foreign languages (Georgian, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Ukrainian), and he has published numerous scholarly articles and edited international journals. Prof Doel is Honorary Professor and Doctor at Tbilisi State University in Georgia, and Vice President of the International Association for Social Work with Groups. He was a social work practitioner for twenty years, mainly in the UK but also in the USA, and served as Director of Practice Studies at the University of Sheffield before moving into academic management as Head of the School of Social Work at the University of Central England in Birmingham, one of the largest schools in the UK, where he was appointed to his first chair. From 2003 to 2010, he was Research Professor in the Centre for Health and Social Care at Sheffield Hallam University.

Parking will be reserved on request.

Light refreshments will be served after the lecture.

Persons with disabilities are requested to contact Ms Nivi Ragubeer at [email protected] should they require assistance.