The III International Seminar – Social Work in History will take place on 23–24 March 2026, at the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal, in the Auditorium B0.02 (Laboratory Complex).
This international meeting brings together researchers from Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Chile and the United Kingdom to discuss the historical and theoretical foundations of Social Work in Europe, with particular focus on Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom, as well as their connections with Latin America. The seminar promotes critical reflection on the historical trajectories of Social Work, its intellectual traditions, institutional configurations, and the contemporary socio-political challenges shaping the field.
Objectives
- Analyse the historical development of Social Work across different national contexts;
- Examine the theoretical frameworks underpinning Social Work in Europe;
- Explore the relationship between European and Latin American research agendas;
- Strengthen international research networks in the field of Social Work and Social Policy.
Programme
The programme includes:
23 March 2026 – Auditorium B0.02 – Laboratory Complex
Opening Session (9:30–10:00 a.m.)
Institutional representative of UTAD, Pedro Gabriel Silva (CETRAD/UTAD), Alexandra A. L. T. S. Eiras (UFJF/Collegiate Coordination of the Research Network)
Morning (10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.)
Session 01: “Europe and Latin America Today: Context and Socio-Political and Economic Challenges”
Speakers: Manuel Loff (University of Porto/Portugal) and Paula Vidal (University of Chile/Chile)
Chair: Daniela Monteiro (UTAD/Portugal)
Afternoon (14:30–18:30 p.m.)
Session 02: “Social Work in History: Trends and Challenges in Latin America and Europe”
Speakers: Marilda Vilella Iamamoto (UERJ/Brazil), Fernanda Rodrigues (OAS/Portugal) and Inês Maria Martinez Herrero (UNED/Spain)
Chair: Carina Berta Moljo (UFJF)
17:00 p.m.: Coffee break
17:30 p.m.: Closing Session – Vera Mendonça (CETRAD/UTAD) and Cláudia Mônica dos Santos (UFJF/Brazil)
24 March 2026 – Auditorium B0.02 – Laboratory Complex
Morning (9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.)
9:30–9:50 a.m.: Analysis of Iberian and Latin American Social Formation in the Context of 21st-Century Capitalism
Guest Speaker: Carlos Hortmann (PhD candidate, Iscte-IUL/Portugal)
Chair: Maria Helena Elpídio (UFES/Brazil)
10:00 a.m.: Presentation of Partial Research Results: Coordinators of the research teams from Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom
Presenters: Miguel Oliver Perelló (UIB/Spain), Cláudia Mônica dos Santos (UFJF/Brazil), Antoniana Defilippo (UFF/Brazil)
Chair: Maria Rosa Tomé (ISMT/Portugal)
11:45 a.m.: Debate
Afternoon (2:30–5:30 p.m.)
14:30–16:30 p.m.: Research in Social Work in History and the Relationship between the Europe and Latin America Axes: Convergences, Trends and Challenges
Guest Speakers: Marilda Vilella Iamamoto (UERJ/Brazil), Maria Carmelita Yazbek (PUC-SP/Brazil)
Chair: Miguel Oliver Perelló (UIB/Spain)
16:30–17:30: Closing Session – Pedro Gabriel Silva (CETRAD/UTAD), Alexandra A. L. T. S. Eiras (UFJF): Guidelines for Research Planning and for the IX International Symposium of the Research Network (scheduled for September 2026, Brazil).
Registration
Registration is available at:
https://forms.gle/N8X7TqqSHA6dhhaZ7
Organisation
The seminar is organised by researchers from UTAD/CETRAD – Centre for Transdisciplinary Development Studies, in collaboration with partner institutions in Portugal, Spain and Brazil, within the framework of an international research network dedicated to Social Work in History.
The Organising Committee is composed of:
Pedro Gabriel Silva, Vera Mendonça, Paula Manuela Rodrigues de Sousa, Miguel Ángel Oliver Perelló, Antoniana Defilippo, Daniela Monteiro, Alexandra Aparecida Leite Toffanetto Seabra Eiras, Cláudia Mônica dos Santos, Carina Moljo, Alcina Martins, Fabrícia Maciel and Maria Rosa Tomé.
