2nd International Conference on Social Work & Social Research

2nd International Conference on

SOCIAL WORK & SOCIAL RESEARCH

23-24 May, 2025

The International Conference on Social Work & Social Research is organized by Azerbaijan University together with the Firat University (Turkiye), Recep Tayyip Erdogan University (Turkiye) and Social research Center (Azerbaijan). The aim of the conference is to provide a forum for researchers and practitioners to discuss current issues in the fields of social work and social policy. By facilitating the exchange of knowledge and insights, the conference seeks to elevate the well-being of vulnerable populations.

The first conference held in 2023 was very attractive for the researchers, practitioners and specialists working in different areas related to the topic of the conference. More than 150 participants from 32 countries attended the conference in online and face-to-face format.

The themes for this conference include (but are not limited to) social work in times of crisis, the development of social work education, the creation of international educational standards in social work, the social protection of vulnerable groups, and innovative social policy.

Committees

Conference Chairs

Saadat Aliyeva | Rector, Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan
Fahrettin Göktaş | Rector, Firat University, Türkiye
Zahid Oruc | Chair, Social Research Center, Azerbaijan
Yusuf Yilmaz | Rector, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Türkiye

Scientific Committee

Nigar Shahuseynbayova (Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan)
Stefan Cojocaru (Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iasi, Romania)
Tunzala Verdiyeva (Social Research Agency, Azerbaijan)
Odessa Gonzales Benson (University of Michigan, USA)
Mayis Aliyev (Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan)
Mehrangiz Najafizadeh (Kansas University, USA)
Cengiz Yanıklar (Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Türkiye)
Elmar Huseynov (Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University, Azerbaijan)
Paul Gibbs (Middlesex University, UK)
Ozan Selçuk (Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Türkiye)
Rifat Bilgin (Firat University, Elazig, Türkiye)
Rana Ibrahimbayova (Baku State University, Azerbaijan)
Bekir Güzel (Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Türkiye)
Handan Karakaya (Firat University, Elazig, Türkiye)
Saadat Mammadova (Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan)
Meryem Serdar (Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Türkiye)
Tahira Allahyarova (Social Research Center, Azerbaijan)
Uzeyir Shafiyev (Baku State University, Azerbaijan)
Zeki Karataş (Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Türkiye)
Aynur Bunyatova (Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan)

Organizing Committee

Chair: Yusif Gasimov (Vice-Rector, Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan)
Co-Chair: Nushaba Guliyeva (Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan)
Deputy Chair: Latifa Aghamaliyeva (Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan)
Mehriban Ismayilova (Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan)
Rashad Asgerov (Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan)
Solmaz Hasanli (Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan)
Ulviyya Afandiyeva (Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan)
Zaur Aliyev (Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan)

Local Committee

Humay Baghirova (Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan)
Aygun Muradli (Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan)
Lale Dilanova (Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan)
Ulviyya Mirzayeva (Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan)

Plenary Speakers

YASUHIRO KOTERA
University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
Osaka University, Suita, Japan
Title of the talk: Feeling well across cultures: CROss-cultural WellNess (CROWN)
STEFAN COJOCARU
Department of Sociology and Social Work, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University from Iasi, Romania
Title of the talk: Appreciative approach in social work \
ELIF GÖKÇEARSLAN
Ankara University, Ankara, Türkiye
Title of the talk: Child protection and artificial intelligence: Changing dynamics of the 21st century
ERIC CHUI
Head in the Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Title of the talk: Humanistic learning in a digital world: Innovations in social work education & practice for a sustainable future
RAFAIL HASANOV
Baku State University, Baku, Azerbaijan
Title of the talk: Changes in values and life orientations among the young generation in Azerbaijan

Call for Abstracts

The conference chairs welcome abstract submissions for presentations on a broad range of relevant topics and particularly welcome submissions on the following conference subthemes:

Vulnerable groups: the search for social protection

Elderly people
Persons with disabilities
Children and teenagers
Women and girls
Migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons
Homeless people, shelter needed people
Addiction victims

Development of social work education

Building competencies, new skills and global standards in social work education
Ethical principles in the digital world
Sustainable development and social work education
Digitalization and ICT in social development and social work education

Social work experience in period of crisis

Hunger and food security
Human rights and social justice
Application of psycho-social knowledge and skills
Unemployment
Public health crisis

Instruction for Authors

The official language of the conference is English, and only English written abstracts will be considered.
Abstracts should not exceed three pages (three full pages preferred).
Authors must strictly follow the abstract template: Template.docx.
Authors will have 15 minutes for oral presentations.
Submit abstracts prepared in the Conference style and a presenter registration form (below)
to SW-SR@au.edu.az

Important Dates

1 April 2025: Abstract submission deadline
10 May 2025: Acceptance notification
15 May 2025: Release of the program

Publication

Abstracts of papers accepted for presentation at the Conference will be published in the conference proceedings book with ISBN.

Presenters are encouraged to submit full conference papers for a special issue of SOCIAL ISSUES, the open-access peer-reviewed journal published by Azerbaijan University. The deadline for submission is 30 June 2025.

https://au.edu.az/en/publications/socialissues

Registration

To register, complete the appropriate registration form and return it to SW-SR@au.edu.az

Registration Form

The registration fee for in person is USD 100 and should be paid to the official bank account below. The fee is also payable at the opening of the conference. Registration fee includes conference materials, coffee breaks, Gala Dinner and the social program.
The registration fee for the virtual participation is USD 50, is payable to the official bank account below. Registration includes on-line presentation and conference materials.

Bank Account

Accommodation

Rooms may be booked at

ADISSON Hotel, Baku

Azadlig Ave. 116A, AZ1000

Baku, Azerbaijan

Reception: (+994) 50 668 66 33

Daily Rates

USD 35 Single standard (+ 18% VAT)

USD 40 Double standard (+ 18% VAT)

USD 50 Triple (+ 18% VAT)

https://adissonbaku.com/

Hotel link in the booking platform

Travel

Air Travel: Heydar Aliyev International Airport is located approximately 30 km from Azerbaijan University Campus.

Visas: Electronic visas are accessible to citizens from many countries via Azerbaijan’s Official Electronic Visa Portal: https://evisa.gov.az/en/

Social Program

On 25 May 2025 a special social program will be offered to the registered presenters and attendees. The program will be covered by the registration fee and will include visits to:

A panoramic view of Baku from the observation deck on the upland park and Old City