The human-nature relationship within an eco-social worldview Eco-Social Work in Australia

Guest: Dr Sandra Engstrom (she/her) | Social Work Lecturer | UNITY Convenor | Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee |  Extremes in Society Research Group Co-Lead | Faculty of Social Sciences  |  University of Stirling
INTRODUCTION TO THIS EPISODE 
The eco-social worldview or values and principles ‘lens’ which underpins eco-social work practice is made up of a number of discernible facets which have been discussed by various guests across this podcast series. One such facet illuminates the primacy of holistic incorporation of physical environment concerns wherever possible across micro, meso, and macro scales of intervention. Another facet reflects the importance of social, environmental and ecological justice concerns to help frame social work approaches. All facets of the eco-social lens, also reflect on a bigger picture concern for the damaged state of the overall human-nature relationship, and the roles which the social work profession could and should play in helping heal that relationship for the long term benefit of its diverse client constituencies around the world.
My guest in this episode, Dr. Sandra Engstrom, has a strong interest in that bigger picture, human-nature perspective as providing a path toward understanding the overall rationale of eco-social work practice. She has worked in a number of international settings including her current role as a social work lecturer and researcher based at the University of Stirling, in Scotland. Her academic publication record touches upon many themes relevant to eco-social work practice including the value of reconnecting with Earth, or nature connectedness, both as a client therapeutic and professional self-care resource, the role that eco-grief plays in responding to environmental degradation, and the theory and practice of building community resilience to extreme events.
Dr Engstrom talks with me about how such themes interconnect and how they inform a holistic understanding of eco-social practice and its particular value in approaching some of closely intertwined social and physical environmental challenges increasingly faced by our client groups today.
INTERVIEW TALKING POINTS – approximate time elapsed in minutes.
General introduction - 0.49
Guest self-introduction - 3.42
For you, what is ESW practice in 2022? - 8.50
How can ESW help tackle client related sustainability challenges in practical terms? – 17.04
Why should the SW mainstream be involved with such concerns in 2022? – 26.30
What could the short to mid-term future hold for ESW interventions? - 31.20 
Guest short take home message on ESW practice – 41.10
Thanks to guest and closing comments - 45.34 
End of recording 48.12
SOME RESOURCES MENTIONED OR RELEVANT TO THE DISCUSSION
 Dr.Sandra Engstrom –University of Sterling – contacts and publication record
(Relevant to this podcast - see her research listings on embracing an ecosocial worldview (2021) radical self-care for social workers (2020) and recognising eco-grief in environmental degradation (2019)
The Value of Time Spent in and with Nature
 The aesthetic valuation of nature in the 19th century including by John Muir (2010- 2015)
 The value of time spent in nature by different age groups in developing pro-environmental values and behaviours  – some recent contrasting research (2018 – 2021)
 The public mental health value of time spent in nature (2021)
 Balancing nature visitation and stewardship
 Scotland’s Right to Roam tradition (2022)
The problems of public pressure on natural areas – e.g., through so-called overtourism (2019)
Eco-anxiety and grief
 See guest’s paper on eco-grief as noted in her publication record (2019)
 A public health perspective on ecological grief and anxiety with some practice recommendations (2020)
The Influence of Modernity on Social Work
What might be needed to move toward a postmodern form of social work (2019)
The implications of human exceptionalism and nature connectedness