social work researcher

Social work researchers manage research projects aiming to investigate and provide reports on social issues. They first perform research by gathering information through interviews, focus groups and questionnaires; followed by organising and analysing the gathered information using computer software packages. They analyse social problems and needs, and the different ways and techniques to respond to them.

The most in-demand skills for this role include social work theory, legal requirements in the social sector, social sciences, action research, social justice, scientific research methodology. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.

Our AI-durability model gives social work researcher a score of 0.50 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.