Lifetime Achievement Award in Social Work Judit Strömpl – “In Social Work, Theory, Practice and Research Intertwine”

Her knowledge of Russian opened doors to the Sociology of Deviance Laboratory at the Tartu State University, where she assisted in editing Russian-language texts. Exposure to sociological research sparked her own interest in independent inquiry. Her first academic article—published in a Hungarian journal—provided an overview of suicide in Estonia.
“Beyond statistics, I wanted to delve deeper into the stories of people who had lost hope,” Dr Strömpl recalls.

In 1991, a new Chair of Social Policy was established at the University of Tartu, and Judit commenced her master’s studies in social work. This marked the beginning of her research into the situation of children and young people exhibiting challenging behaviours. Both her master's and doctoral theses focused on the Kaagvere Special School, a closed institution providing education and protection for girls with behavioural difficulties. Her doctoral research aimed to explore the deeper impact of this institution by employing an ethnographic approach: she worked as a caregiver at the school and studied its internal dynamics from within.

Judit Strömpl defended her doctoral dissertation at the University of Tampere 23 years ago. Since then, her research has addressed a broad range of topics, all centred on the lives of vulnerable individuals—especially children. In recent years, she has focused increasingly on substitute care. As a social work researcher, she seeks not only to understand what is happening but also to develop interventions that offer tangible support. One such initiative, developed in collaboration with Estonian partners and practitioners, has been the introduction of life story work.

This intervention method helps children in substitute care give meaning to their personal histories. Through playful and child-centred activities, they are gently supported in exploring their past—always at their own pace and only when they feel ready. This process strengthens self-understanding, improves relationships with caregivers, and enhances self-esteem. It represents a fusion of qualitative inquiry and social work as a helping profession.

“In social work, theory, practice, and research are inseparable. A qualitative approach enables us to understand people’s lives more deeply and helps prevent imposing our own assumptions in practice. But all of this must be grounded in a solid theoretical foundation,” she explains.
“My long-term research experience shows that people’s problems do not reside within them, but rather in the situations and relationships that shape their lives. Therefore, the solutions lie in changing those situations and relationships.”

In addition to her research on substitute care, suicide, and the treatment of girls with behavioural issues, Judit Strömpl has for decades addressed other complex social issues—including bullying in schools, risk behaviour among youth, the experiences of sexual minorities, intimate partner violence, and sexual abuse.
What sustains her through this difficult work? A deep belief in human dignity.

The Estonian Association of Social Work annually recognises outstanding professionals in the social field in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs. The award highlights the commitment of individuals across Estonia—those who, through dedicated service, have contributed significantly to improving the lives of individuals and communities.