<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

Refugees increasingly become part of the European societies. Afghans, Syrians, Ukrainians fled their countries due to war, conflicts, persecution, and settled, temporary or not, in more stable countries. During pandemics, with openness towards foreigners shrinking, and borders closing, the situation of refugees might become uncertain. Our scoping review explores what academics considered relevant about refugees to Europe in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings reveal increasing resentment against immigrants, a need for redesigning European migration policies, preparing welfare systems, asylum protection mechanisms, and societies as a whole, in order to prevent disruptions in the eventuality of large-scale crises. Such implications are to also be considered for the consequences of the current Russian aggression on Ukraine.
</abstract>

The COVID-19 pandemic and refugees. A scoping review

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The present paper presents the experience and situation of third country nationals living in Timisoara, Romania. Their experience is relevant to the region of Banat, in the West of the country, but broadly speaking, also mirrors the situation of various types of migrants who come to Romania. Through both individual interviews and focus groups, we obtained information concerning 4 main topics that are relevant to integration: education, health, housing, and employment. The respondents were adults who came from a background that is diversified professionally, culturally, and geographically. Thus, the sample, consisting of a total of over 50 persons, is relevant to our purpose: finding out what the needs of the third country nationals are and how can both state institutions and civil society organizations better meet those needs. After having studied material stemming from previous research and after having analysed the discourse of those whom we have encountered, we conclude that, though the Romanian state has the legal basis and premises to ensure the successful integration of TCNs in Romania, there is still work to be done in the field of putting the theoretical framework into common practice on the ground, thus ensuring the fair access of the TCNs to the tools and support they need to successfully integrate in the Romanian society.
</abstract>

The fair access of the third country nationals to successfully integrate in the Romanian society

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

Evolving technology and human-machine interaction are two major stances that question human centricity as a core dimension for the future placement of human variables and social perspectives inside intelligent systems. The present paper explores present challenges and an up to date research synthesis concerning social sciences dimensions, theories, concepts and implementation with regard to the study of human centred artificial intelligence. The main scope consists of drawing several red lines for future research and theoretical social insights on artificial intelligence at work. Following a scholarly literature insight and several reference works, the study explores major topics of interest analysed so far and proposes new directions for the evaluation of human variables and machine learning at work in an organizational setting. Results showed there is a vital need for expanding research from human centricity point of view on the present matter, where studies are still scarce and heterogenous. Moreover, concept clarification and theoretical explanations are yet to be sufficient in explaining people interactions and management of artificial intelligence at the workplace. In conclusion human empowerment at work through ethical and person oriented intelligent systems in a given organizational context can ensure a fair and efficient development of people’s skills, professional objectives or level of performance while promoting human values, ethical principles and preserving the well-being. The paper presents also several practical implications of social sciences domain on artificial intelligence exploration and a few future directions for research.
</abstract>

Human centricity and technology advances research in social sciences: A literature insight on artificial intelligence

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The spread of COVID-19 has led to the physical closure of universities, accelerating the expansion of online learning methods. West University of Timișoara has adapted to the pandemic context using different online teaching methods, useful also for students that needed to enhance interpersonal relationship skills, such as future social workers. Thus, authors explored social work students’ perceptions regarding the effectiveness of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemics. The main goal of the study was to determine the perceptions of WUT students, Department of Social Work, about their online learning experience, assessing the effectiveness of online learning with four indicators: Interaction with professors and faculty colleagues, Student comfort in online learning, Motivation to learn online, and Advantages and disadvantages of online learning. The data was obtained through an online questionnaire applied to 107 students. The results indicate that students were generally satisfied by the online learning experience, 60.7% feeling satisfied with the way the university made the transition to online education and 45.7% appreciating that teachers were prepared for the online environment. Their perception is influenced by their ability to technically access online courses and the educational outcomes. Over 50% of the students expressed satisfaction regarding communication with teachers and colleagues. An important conclusion of the research is that university education can benefit from this glimpse of online education, which has challenged, but in the end, has adapted to a hybrid, alternative, way of education. However, to have a sustainable education, e-learning tools should be constantly adapted to students’ needs.
</abstract>

Vasile Goldis” Western University of Arad

WUT Social Work Department Students Perceptions of the Online Learning Experience During the COVID-19 Pandemic

AHEAD OF PRINT

Volume 21 (2023): Issue 1 (December 2023)

Volume 20 (2022): Issue 1 (December 2022)

Volume 19 (2021): Issue 1 (December 2021)

Volume 18 (2020): Issue 1 (December 2020) Special issue: Migration, food and agriculture: Insights into what we eat and how our food is produced at the beginning of the third millennium

Volume 17 (2019): Issue 1 (December 2019)

Volume 16 (2018): Issue 1-2 (December 2018) Special issue: Debating Immigration in a Country of Emigration

Volume 15 (2017): Issue 1-2 (December 2017)

Volume 14 (2016): Issue 2 (December 2016)

Volume 14 (2016): Issue 1 (July 2016)

Volume 13 (2015): Issue 2 (December 2015)

Volume 13 (2015): Issue 1 (July 2015)

Volume 12 (2014): Issue 2 (December 2014)

Volume 12 (2014): Issue 1 (July 2014)

Volume 11 (2013): Issue 2 (December 2013)

Volume 11 (2013): Issue 1 (July 2013) Risks and Outlooks

Volume 10 (2012): Issue 2 (December 2012)

Volume 10 (2012): Issue 1 (June 2012)

Volume 9 (2011): Issue 2 (December 2011)

Volume 9 (2011): Issue 1 (June 2011)

Volume 8 (2010): Issue 2 (December 2010)

Volume 8 (2010): Issue 1 (July 2010)

Social Change Review

 Publishing House and Owner: Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Romania  Social Change Review was founded in 2003. Between 2003 and 2009 the journal appeared under the name Revista de Sociologie covering a wide range of issues related to sociology, social work and social policy. The journal was relaunched with a new Editorial Board and a new name in 2010. Currently, the accepted manuscripts are published online first, in a continuous process, being then included in an annual volume, at the end of each calendar year.  Why subscribe and read   covers a wide range of issues related to sociology, social work and social policy;  high quality of papers;   Why submit   fair and constructive peer review by experts in the field  provide high-quality editing  indexed in many international databases   Rejection Rate   35-40%   Subjects  Social Sciences, Sociology, Social Policy, Social Work  Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 