Applying Ubuntu principles to decolonise social work research: A mixed method study on intimate partner violence among women in two refugee camps in Ghana
Global social work research has been predominantly influenced by Eurocentric paradigms, leading to the coloniality of knowledge production. This article reflects on the processes and methods used in mixed-methods research – guided by the African philosophy of Ubuntu as the theoretical framework – on intimate partner violence among women in refugee camps in Ghana. The research shows that community stakeholder consultations, use of local languages, use of talking circles, and integration of community perspectives in research can serve to decolonise. The article offers valuable insights into why social work researchers globally should adopt a decolonising approach to avoid coloniality of knowledge production.
Authors
- Jacob Mugumbate (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5295-8198)
- Paul Alhassan Issahaku (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3726-2277)
- Emmanuel Brenyah Adomako (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0610-9704)
- Alankaar Sharma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7783-9133)
- Jo Spangaro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7806-7956)
Institutions
- Memorial University of Newfoundland (CA)
- University of Wollongong (AU)
Publication Details
- Journal
- International Social Work
- Published
- 2025-11-11
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/00208728251386045
- Primary Topic
- Social Work Education and Practice
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00