Introduction

To enable readers to identify and explore issues about international social work education that arise from the interviews presented in Part 2, this chapter highlights and summarizes the achievements, experiences and concerns of the recipients of the Katherine Kendall Award. Building on this, we discuss how they promoted and contributed to international social work education.

In this chapter, we ask a range of questions. Who are the awardees? The interviews indicate variations between them in many aspects of their careers. What are their characteristics? Where did they come from, where did they travel in their international work, what did they do and how did they do it? In what ways have the awardees promoted social work education internationally? Are the differences related to the historical, social and political context to which they belonged?

The awardees and their work

Between 1992 and 2016, thirteen social work educators have received the distinction of the Katherine Kendall Award. Table 2.1 provides some basic information, listing them by forename and surname in alphabetical order. Of the 13 awardees, seven (53.8%) are women and six are men, even though social work is a predominantly female profession in most parts of the world. Three are from the US, two from the UK, one from Israel living in the UK, two from Sweden and one each from Switzerland, India, Mexico, Jamaica and Comoros. In percentages, 46% came from the UK or US, 69.2% came from a country in the European continent plus the US. A high proportion, 62%, lived in the largest 25 countries by population and the same proportion, 62%, came from a country where English is an official language.

The Kendall Award is the only international opportunity for formal recognition for social work educators. Only one of the awardees, Mariacarmen Mendoza, reports recognition in the public media. Some have been honoured by their colleagues and home university, but not all. This lack of public recognition might be because the award is not well known, and the awardees do not promote it themselves. Consequently, it does not raise the visibility of IASSW or social work education.

Upon receiving the award, interviewees were all well established in their career, as you would expect for an award that honours career achievements.