Bridging the Divide Exploring Social Theory and Social Policy

In today's complex and rapidly changing globe, understanding the link between social theory and social policy is crucial for addressing the diverse challenges that diverse societies face. This book aims to provide a thorough critical analysis of how social theory shapes social policy and how effective policies can be informed by theoretical frameworks emanating from history and the present.

This book is both important and significant: by bridging the gap between theory and policy, this book seeks to contribute to the development of evidence-based policies that promote social cohesion, social justice, and well-being. The book is one of the first to open up theoretical strategies and applicability to social policies.

Chapter 1. Introduction – Social Theory and Social Policy: Enriching Understandings.- Chapter 2. The Relevance of Michel Foucault.- Chapter 3. Foucault and Social Theory.- Chapter 4. Foucault, Governmentality and Social Work Policy.- Chapter 5. Foucault’s Impact: Butler, Performance and Social Work.- Chapter 6. Foucault, Surveillance and Penal Policy.- Chapter 7. Elder Abuse and Social Policy.- Chapter 8. Public Health and Social Policy.- Chapter 9. Death, Social Policy and Aging.- Chapter 10. Risk, Aging and Policy.

Professor Jason L. Powell PhD, DSc(hc) , FCMI, CSBP is Provost and Chief Academic Officer of UK Management College and Adjunct Professor in Health and Aging at McMaster University. He is an elected Companion of the Society of Bereavement Practitioners (7th ever in history) and holds an Honorary Fellowship at the University of Liverpool bestowed for outstanding contribution to aging research. He has won several awards for his research. He is a recent Winner of Best Researcher Award (2022) from the INSO and Winner of Excellence in Service Award (2023) by INSO. Professor Power is also a former Winner of the Best Article of the Year, published in International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy.

Dr. Powell has interests in interdisciplinary research focusing on ageing, social theory and social policy. He has held many research and knowledge exchange grants in the UK, EU and Asia and disseminated his research globally with many publications including 80+ academic books and hundreds of chapters and top ranked refereed journal articles, ie, The Journal of Applied Gerontology; Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law; The Canadian Journal of Sociology; and The Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. Professor Powell is one of the most prolific researchers in the world.

His most recent books are The Sociology of Aging and Death (2022) (Springer Nature); and New Perspectives on Health and Social Care (2023) (Springer Nature). Professor Powell is Editor-in-Chief of Illness, Crisis & Loss (SAGE). He is also Co-Series Editor, International Perspectives on Aging and Co-Series Editor, International Perspectives on Social Policy, Administration and Practice (Springer Nature).