What can we learn about academic identity from allied care professions? Messages for the social work academy

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Santos-Petiot, Joanna and Spolander, Gary and Hafford-Letchfield, Trish (2026) What can we learn about academic identity from allied care professions? Messages for the social work academy. Social Work Education. ISSN 0261-5479 (https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2026.2641650)

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Abstract

Academic identity influences disciplinary contributions and professional development of individuals within those disciplines. Little is known about academic identity within the social work discipline. This paper presents the results of a modified systematic international literature review to investigate academic identity in social work, nursing and allied care professions. Papers (138) were initially retrieved for screening, 40 met the final inclusion criteria for review. Limited social work academic identity literature was identified, with only four papers specifically focused on social work. Results highlighted numerous barriers to establishing a distinct academic identity, with a multitude of challenges in transition from practice to academia and its dual identities of practitioner and scholar. The process of academic socialization requires adequate institutional preparation, collegial support, sense of community and relationality, and not least time. We discuss four key themes from this literature (1) temporality and dynamic nature of developing academic identity in the academy, (2) role of professional work culture and communities of practice, (3) legitimacy, visibility and dichotomies of professional, disciplinary and academic knowledge and skills and (4) strategic imperatives for supporting transitions for the helping professions. The implications for social work academic identity development, social work education and social work knowledge are discussed.

ORCID iDs

Santos-Petiot, Joanna, Spolander, Gary and Hafford-Letchfield, Trish ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0105-0678;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)