Interview with Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Ande Nesmith, about research in social work and differences between Czechia and Minnesota, USA.
Posted date: 28 Jun 2019
Dr. Ande Nesmith is an associate professor at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, USA. She earned her Ph.D. in social care and her research interests include teenagers in foster care, environmental justice, engagement of university students in research and the use of technology in supporting socially disadvantaged young people and adolescents. Dr. Nesmith was selected for the Fulbright grant to expand her research into the Czech Republic. She cooperates with the Department of Social Sciences at the University of Ostrava Faculty of Social Studies.
What is the topic of your research in Ostrava?
The research examines the Czech experience with young people leaving institutional care. It includes the outcomes of feelings of young adults after leaving foster care homes or other similar institutions. At the same time, I endeavor to develop long-term partnerships with Czech experts in the field of substitute family care that would continue after my stay in the Czech Republic.
How long is your stay?
Seven months in total. I came to Ostrava in September and I will leave in April. The research will be completed at the end of March and then I am going to a conference on the research of social work in Brussels.
Did you know anyone in Ostrava before you came here?
I did not know anyone in the city but I had communicated with the University of Ostrava for more than a year prior to my arrival via e-mail to prepare for my research. I have been to many European countries and I have visited Prague. However, I did not see any other cities in the Czech Republic but there is a large Czech community in Minnesota. I spent some time in the local Sokol organization and I participated in a yearlong language course with a native Czech speaker.
On what basis did you choose the Czech Republic for your research?
For its unique history. Social work as a profession was extremely limited here during communism. After 1989, it got the opportunity to rebound and improve but it is still unexplored within scientific research as it is a new field. The context of a post-communist country differs from the system in the U.S. I am not saying that it is worse. Even though we have advanced in the United States, we are still far from a good system of foster care for children. The role of international politics and the European Union influenced the Czech Republic differently than what we experience in the U.S. I believe that there is a lot we can learn from one another.
How did you learn about the possibility of cooperation with the University of Ostrava?
The Department of Social Studies at the University of Ostrava has participated in the international research in the field of social work. Therefore, I expected that my study could be supported. The European Social Work Research Institute resides there and there are many experts in social work and family law. I have been cooperating with Dr. Monika Chrenková, Dr. Kate?ina Cile?ková and Tereza Polochová, a doctoral student. Also, Dr. Jitka Návratilová from the Masaryk University has joined our team and I am very pleased about this cooperation between the universities.
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