I am delighted to welcome you to JSWEC2023 hosted by our colleagues at the University of Strathclyde.  This is our fifth conference since instigating a new strategy to take the conference to each nation of the UK and to its different regions.  We are especially pleased to be in Scotland this year.  
 
The theme this year reflects our deepening concerns about the turbulent and uncertain times that we are living in. These times present us with important but difficult work to do especially when many of our colleagues, including social work students, are also badly affected by them.  However, it also challenges us to recognise the key role that social work can and needs to play in understanding the impact on our most vulnerable citizens locally, nationally and internationally.  
 
I know that whether you are a first-time presenter, expert by experience, student, practitioner, keynote speaker or regular JSWEC presenter, that you will find the warmest of welcomes at this year’s conference.  I also hope that you will fully recognise the importance of your work and contributions to our shared endeavour.  That way we can become closer to realising the full transformative power of social work and its allies through education, research and practice.  
 
I would like to thank the team at Strathclyde, especially Professor Trish Hafford-Letchfield and Katherine Boyling and their colleagues, for organising this year’s conference and I look forward to seeing you.
 
Janet                               
Dr Janet Melville-Wiseman       
Chair – Joint University Council Social Work Education Committee