Critical Diversity Research in Social Service Organizations – a conceptual framework

Abstract

In this article, we will discuss diversity-sensitive research approaches and demonstrate how researchers can engage in self-critical reflections on their projects in relation to diversity and inclusion. The debate about diversity and inclusion in social work is increasingly characterized by a critical examination of organizations and professions. In this context, questions about the configuration of diversity and the ethical justifications of categorizations applied play a fundamental role. Against the backdrop of different models of justice, we examine diversity in terms of inclusion and exclusion within research on organizations. In this article, we provide a conceptual framework of critical diversity research in social service organizations which reflects the interplay of diversity, inclusion, and social justice. For this framework, we specifically draw on principles of participatory and inclusion research and apply them to the context of diversity in social service organizations.