ABSTRACT

There is growing recognition of the relevance of political mobilization in educational, social and community work, particularly when working with people in situations of vulnerability. However, there is also a scarcity of research that describes and explains professionals’ political involvement and mobilization and allows them to share their activist experiences, to inspire others and legitimate this crucial dimension of their work. This qualitative study explores the meanings of “professional activism” for professionals working in Portugal, who are recognized for developing relevant political work related to their profession. A net of themes – Taking Sides, Utopian Ideal, Sense of (In)Justice and Praxis – portrays professional activism as a praxis that promotes and is guided by a sense of (in)justice, which demands a positioning in defense of the people with whom professionals work, leading to interventions oriented by/for a utopian ideal of transformation.

摘要

人们越来越认识到政治动员在教育、社会和社区工作中的相关性，特别是在与处于弱势的人一起工作时。然而，描述和解释专业人士的政治参与和动员并允许他们分享他们的激进主义经验、激励他人并使其工作的这一重要方面合法化的研究也很匮乏。这项定性研究探讨了在葡萄牙工作的专业人士的“专业激进主义”的含义，这些专业人士因发展与其专业相关的相关政治工作而受到认可。一系列主题——选边站、乌托邦理想、（不）正义感和实践——将专业激进主义描绘成一种促进（不）正义感并受其指导的实践，