SK 765

Relational Accountability is a course that asks you to wholistically reflect on the values and practices you envision carrying as a researcher, including concerning theory and epistemology and the future research you hope to conduct. Social work, including research is culturally, politically, and economically intertwined with colonial systems that historically and presently dispossess Indigenous Peoples from their children, elders, culture and land relations. In light of the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, it is important to reflect on professional and research assumptions that may harm Indigenous peoples. In this course, you will be asked to reflect on your unique ancestral position in relations with Indigenous people and the land; and on the historic relation of academic research in these relations. The emphasis will be on your responsibility as a social work researcher to be active in the relational transformation of ourselves, social work, and research culture. This course will be delivered over the first two terms of the PhD program and will help students to bring a relational accountability lens to the other PhD courses being delivered over the first year of their program.