October 9, 2019
Professor Shereen Hussein was invited by the European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disability (EASPD) to provide a keynote speech on the disability workforce in Europe. Professor Hussein drew on several of her research onto this area as well as current research from the PSSRU, including RESSCW ; ASCOT-Staff and Sustainable Care projects. Her talk focused on how the disability workforce should be a dynamic agent for change to achieve autonomy and desired policy outcomes for service users and their carers. She discussed current trends, including characteristics, motivations and retention issues within the workforce as well as potential mechanisms to ensure and enhance the quality of services. The conference was an important opportunity for networking with different European and national agencies and stakeholders. During the conference, Professor Hussein and other delegates were invited by the Helsinki City Mayor to attend a welcome reception at the City Hall as the conference was a part of the Finnish Presidency Programme. Professor Hussein has used this opportunity to meet with Professor Teppo Kröger, Director, and Professor Sirpa Wrede, Group leader, at the Centre of Excellence in Research on Ageing and Care (CoE AgeCare), University of Jyväskylä. Professor Hussein discussed common research interests and future collaboration opportunities particularly in relation to the care workforce wellbeing and the interplay between migration, care and inequalities.
