| Project/Area Number |
19K14002
|
|---|
| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
|
| Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
|---|
| Review Section |
Basic Section 08020:Social welfare-related
|
|---|
| Research Institution | Japan College of Social Work (2022-2023)
Nagasaki International University (2019-2021) |
|---|
Principal Investigator |
VIRAG VIKTOR 日本社会事業大学, 社会福祉学部, 准教授 (10804297)
|
|---|
| Project Period (FY) |
2019-04-01 – 2025-03-31
|
| Project Status |
Granted (Fiscal Year 2023)
|
| Budget Amount *help |
¥4,290,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥990,000)
Fiscal Year 2022: ¥520,000 (Direct Cost: ¥400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥120,000)
Fiscal Year 2021: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000)
Fiscal Year 2020: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000)
Fiscal Year 2019: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000)
|
|---|
| Keywords | social work / theoretical models / historical development / indigenous knowledge / indigenous people / Ainu / theoretical model / indigenousl people |
|---|
| Outline of Research at the Start |
This research studies indigenous social work internationally. Indigenous people like the Ainu in Japan face various social problems. This research aims to find new theoretical models and ways for their implementation to raise the living standards of indigenous people through social work.
|
| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
This research studies indigenous social work internationally. Indigenous people like the Ainu in Japan face various social problems. The purpose of the research is to examine and compare the historical and theoretical evolution of indigenous knowledge-based models of social work around the globe.
While literature review is being carried out, a field survey was carried out in Hokkaido regarding new Ainu-related policy. However, overseas field surveys were not possible as planned during the academic/fiscal year of 2023. This was due to the COVID-19 infection during the Hokkaido survey and following long COVID symptoms of the Principal Investigator. By the time such symptoms stabilized late winter (early spring), seasonally it became difficult to visit the Arctic regions of Nordic countries that were set as main targets of the research in terms of studying social work with Northern indigenous people who share commonalities with the Ainu in Japan.
Furthermore, an online symposium on social work with Northern indigenous people in Canada with a special focus on indigenous knowledge-based mental health approaches was carried out as planned. Also, relationships were nurtured with potential contact persons for a field survey through various international platforms. Particularly important points of contact include faculty members at Hawai'i Pacific University and Universiti Sains Malaysia. Such networks are to be utilized in the next phase of the study during the 2024 academic/fiscal year to study Pacific and Southeast Asian indigenous social work models.
|
| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
4: Progress in research has been delayed.
Reason
The main reason for the delay and extending the research to the academic/fiscal year of 2024 was that the Principal Investigator contracted COVID-19 in a domestic survey in Hokkaido and faced long COVID-19 symptoms that made planned overseas field study to the Arctic region of Nordic countries difficult. By the time these health challenges made international travel possible in late winter/early spring, it became unfeasible to visit such regions due to the climate. Therefore, overseas field surveys that were planned for 2023 had to be rescheduled.
While online research methods were utilized as feasible alternatives in 2023, research strategy has to be reconsidered to avoid such seasonal restrictions in the last year of the project. Therefore, focus is redirected from Nordic to Pacific and Southeast Asian models of indigenous social work.
|
| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
Plans for the 2024 academic/fiscal year of 2023 include field surveys on Pacific and Southeast Asian social work models. The former is targeting Hawai'i, including preliminary online coordination with faculty members from Hawai'i Pacific University, as well as in-person exchanges in Japan. The latter focuses on social work and social policy regarding the Orang Asli population in Malaysia. Negotiations are being carried out with relevant researchers at Universiti Sains Malaysia, including initial introduction to the government agency of the Department of Orang Asli Development.
The above exchanges and field visits are planned for the summer, winter, and spring break seasons. Targets under consideration are relevant agencies and key persons, as well as professionals to learn about models of indigenous social work and their historical development in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. Preparations include possible application for approval of research ethics by an institutional review board in cases where considered necessary.
|
