Precious Mseba holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Northern Iowa and a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Philosophy from the University of Zimbabwe.

Research interests: human development, well-being, and higher education

Working Title: Social Work Education and Professional Well-being: A South African Case Study

Abstract
Higher education is crucial in addressing questions of human development, poverty alleviation, and social justice. This is especially the case with Social Work education. As an academic field of study and a profession, social work is globally understood to be a discipline that promotes social change and cohesion, development, as well as the empowerment and liberation of disadvantaged people. Consequently, Social Work education focuses on the attainment of knowledge and skills required to accomplish these goals. However, recent studies have shown that social workers’ well-being or lack of it affects their ability to perform effectively. Using the capabilities approach, this qualitative study critically examines how Social Work education can enhance professional well-being in a way that leads to effective public-good interventions. It draws from interviews with ten Social Work students, six practicing social workers and four faculty members from one university in South Africa to understand how professionals conceive well-being, its connection to their ability to effectively perform their work and how it can be promoted through education. The findings of this study might be useful to educationists and policy makers in formulating policies that are sensitive to professional well-being and effective public-good interventions. They might also be useful to other public-good professions, as well as social service organisations who may gain advice on how they can intervene with their employees and promote effective practices.