Aila-Leena Matthies

Dr. in social sciences (social policy and social work)., a professor of Social Work at the University of Jyväskylä (JYU), Finland, since 2007. Before that she held a professorship of Social Work at the University of Applied Sciences in Magdeburg, Germany, for ten years. At the second campus of the JYU, at the Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius, she is leading the unit of social sciences including bachelor, master and doctoral level education of social work as well as research and development projects. She is internationally significantly involved in advancing the research, education and practice of environmental sustainability and ecosocial approaches in the field of social work. She is also profiled in the research of participation and role of civil society in welfare services. Currently she is coordinating a European Commission -funded doctoral training and research project “Applying Sustainability Transitions Research in Social Work tackling Major Societal Challenge of Social Inclusion” (MCSA-ITN-ASTRA). She has published 81 peer-reviewed scientific articles and co-edited 26 edited books or special issues. From 2013 to 2021 she was elected member of the Executive Committee of the European Association of Schools of Social Work (EASSW). She acts as an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Social Welfare.