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.

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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
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article

Applying Ubuntu principles to decolonise social work research: A mixed method study on intimate partner violence among women in two refugee camps in Ghana

Jacob Mugumbate, Paul Alhassan Issahaku, Emmanuel Brenyah Adomako, Alankaar Sharma et al.
International Social Work
Social Work Education and Practice
article

Applying Ubuntu principles to decolonise social work research: A mixed method study on intimate partner violence among women in two refugee camps in Ghana

Jacob Mugumbate, Paul Alhassan Issahaku, Emmanuel Brenyah Adomako, Alankaar Sharma, Jo Spangaro
article en

Abstract

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.

International Social WorkVol. 69(2)
Memorial University of Newfoundland (CA), University of Wollongong (AU)
Openalex Percentile: Top 58%
Social Work Education and Practice
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Applying Ubuntu principles to decolonise social work research: A mixed method study on intimate partner violence among women in two refugee camps in Ghana — Jacob Mugumbate, Paul Alhassan Issahaku, et al. · International Social Work (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS