ABSTRACT
This chapter has brought together the varied experiences of leading researchers, practitioners and service users from around the world to share their experiences of practice research. It attempts to weave together the common threads of these diverse contributions and yet celebrate the multifaceted layering of experience of the contributors. One of the ethical considerations is the value placed on “expertise through experience”. This is based on the viewpoint that knowledge is democratic, owned and controlled by all. Practice research not only acknowledges the expertise of experience but, in addition, reconnects the divides within the profession. It bridges the divide between the academic world and social work practice creating shared resources and opportunities for research implementation. Practice research starts and finishes in practice. It is defined by questions that arise from practice and the findings of this form of research feed directly back into practice.
