Social Science ConneXions

Email: jennifer.stritch@tus.ie

ORCID:  0000-0003-1523-0709 

Biography 

Jennifer Moran Stritch is the founder and primary principal investigator of the Loss and Grief Research Group, part of Social Sciences ConneXions Research Institute at TUS. Having trained as a social worker in the United States, Jennifer is a frequent speaker and workshop facilitator in Ireland and internationally on death education, thanatology and experiences of loss across the lifespan.  In addition to teaching in Applied Social Sciences at TUS, she is module coordinator for the Irish Hospice Foundation/Royal College of Surgeons Ireland MSc in Loss and Bereavement programme.   Jennifer is a member of the Association for the Study of Death and Society, the Irish Childhood Bereavement Network,  and Dementia Research Network Ireland.  She is a Certified Thanatologist (CT) with the Association for Death Education and Counselling and a founding member of the Limerick Bereavement Network and Death Café Limerick.  Throughout her teaching, research and community engagement work, Jennifer is passionate about bringing conversations around loss, bereavement, dying and grief into the everyday spaces of life. 

Publications 

ORCID:  https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0000-0003-1523-0709 

Houghton, F., Moran Stritch, J., Nwanze, L. (2023) An examination of Ireland’s sugar sweetened beverage tax (sugar tax) in practice. Journal of Public Health. https://doi.org/10.34961/researchrepository-ul.23735811.v1 

McKenna, C., Moran Stritch, J. (2023) ‘Care to Dance and Dance to Care: The Development of an Interdisciplinary Education Programme in Social Care and Dance’ in Casal, T., Cabral, M.  (eds)  Global Perspectives on Probing Narratives in Healthcare.  Hershey, Pennsylvania: IGI Global, pp 263-281. 

Stritch, J.M. (2023)  ‘Can You Hear Me? I Can Hear You Now: Building a Blended Learning Interdisciplinary Module on Loss, Death and Grief for RUN EU Students’, paper presented at the Centre for Death and Society Innovation at the End of Life conference, Bath, UK, 9 June. 

Stritch, J.M., McKenna, C. (2022) ‘Round the House and Mind the Dresser’, paper presented at the 14th International Engaging Dementia Conference, Dublin, Ireland, 16 November. 

Stritch, J.M. (2022) ‘The Death Doula/Death Midwife in Contemporary Ireland’, paper presented at the Redesigning Deathcare Conference, Australian Death Studies Society, Melbourne, Australia, 29 October. 

Stritch, J.M. (2022) ‘The Death Doula/Death Midwife in Contemporary Ireland’ [poster] European Grief Conference, Copenhagen Denmark, 21 September. 

 Laranjeira, C., Dixe, M.A., Querido, A., and Stritch, J.M. (2022) ‘Death cafés as a strategy to foster compassionate communities: Contributions for death and grief literacy’, Frontiers in psychology, 13, 986031–986031, available: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.986031.    

Stritch, J.M., McKenna, C. (2022)  ‘Some Dance to Remember’: Exploring the introduction of an adaptive Irish Céilí dance programme for people living with dementia and their carers in Ireland [poster] Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2022, San Diego, California, 31 July. 

Finucane, A., Stritch, J.M.(2022)  Connecting the Person by Removing the Stigma: Why Ireland Should Follow the Portuguese Model of Drug Decriminalisation, South Eastern European Journal of Public Health (SEEJPH), https://doi.org/10.11576/seejph-5768  

Stritch, J.M. (2022)  ‘A Home for Death: Making Space for the Sociology of Death and Grief   in Irish Third Level Education’, paper presented at the Sociological Association of Ireland Annual Conference, Limerick, Ireland, 13 May. 

McKenna, C., Stritch, J.M. (2022) ‘Some Dance to Remember’, paper presented at the    Scottish Dementia Research Consortium Conference, Glasgow, Scotland, 10 May. 

Stritch, J.M. (2021) ‘Let Them Eat Cake: Death Cafes as Death Education Opportunities for RUN-EU Medical, Health & Social Care Students’, paper presented at the RUN-EU European Innovation Conference 2021, Limerick, Ireland, 3 November. 

Email: Liz.Gleeson@tus.ie

Biography 

Liz Gleeson is an experienced Psychotherapist, Academic and Educator in the field of Grief and Loss. Liz offers workshops and trainings for a variety of organisations and coordinates and delivers two modules on the MSc Loss and Bereavement at the Irish Hospice Foundation & RCSI. She is a Social Entrepreneur and a postgraduate research student  at TUS, exploring the potential benefits of Forest Bathing/Forest Therapy for people following a bereavement.  

As a grief therapist and founder of www.shapesofgrief.com, Liz is excited to see how the intersection of forestry and health science could benefit the bereaved, potentially leading to improved outcomes for those who are grieving.  

Research 

‘Taking Grief to the Forest: The Impact of  Forest Bathing Sessions on the Physical & Emotional Health of Parentally-Bereaved Adults in Ireland’ 

Email: Michaela.Cooley@tus.ie

ORCID:   0000-0003-2769-7090 

Biography 

Michaela Cooley is a PhD student with the TUS Loss & Grief research group. Michaela (Kayla)’s research interests include critical suicidology, internet culture, death, social geography, dark tourism, mass media and public trauma.  

Kayla is co-founder and director of Community Crisis Response Team, a suicide intervention non-profit that has been delivering suicide prevention, intervention and postvention services in the community since 2016. She is also director of a training and consultancy agency where her focus is on suicide education (Driving Change).  

In her spare time, Kayla co-hosts a podcast focused on social science education in practice and co-manages the Postgrad Hub, an international virtual postgraduate engagement community.  

Research Projects 

Kayla’s undergraduate thesis explored content from pro-suicide communities with a view to obtaining information that could improve therapeutic or intervention responses. Her PhD research aims to obtain further insight on suicide methods, locations of suicide and dyadic death.  

Dr Sinead McMahon (2019) ‘Governing Irish Youth Work through Outcomes”, World Community Development Conference 

Dr Sinead McMahon and Dr Sasha Noonan (2019) ‘Re/Forming Irish Youth Work through Policy Framing and Shaming’, Critical Welfare State Studies Conference 

Dr Sinead McMahon (2020) ‘Value for Money’: Using economic evaluation discourse and devices to govern youth work Thinking critically about impact, evaluation and accountability in youth work’ 

Dr Sasha Noonan. (2019). Absent Voices. Youth Workers Perspective on Professional Youth Work: Nurturing the Vocational in a Professionalised and Regulated World [Oral Presentation] 5th International Irish Narrative Inquiry Conference 2nd and 3rd April 2019, Trinity College Dublin 

Dr Sasha Noonan. (2021). Assessing Value – Considering the “Value” in Youth Workers Stories. [Oral Presentation] 4th Maynooth International Youth Studies Conference 24th and 25th June 2021, Maynooth University. 

Dr Sasha Noonan. (2021). Exchanging and Creating Our Stories. Challenges, Uncertainties and Risks for Youth Workers [Oral Presentation] 7th International Irish Narrative Inquiry Conference 16th and 17th June 2021, Dublin City University. 

Dr Sasha Noonan. and Dr Sinead McMahon.  (2022) Home is where the heart is: Exploring values and emotional labour at the heart of professional practitioner motivation [Oral Presentation] Home: Sociological Association Annual Conference, Limerick 13th and 14th May, 2022. 

Dr Sasha Noonan.  (2022) Social Professionals: Who are they and what do they do? [Oral Presentation] TUS Social Science Connexions Spring Series, Limerick & Athlone 21st April, 2023. 

Paul Keating (2020) “Using Games in Youth Work and Development Education” Toolkit, NYCI 

Dr. Michael Ryan (2020–2023) Supporting Student Engagement Through Active Learning Approaches in Blended and Online Learning Environments (LIT Doctoral Study -Sarah O’ Toole & Lead Supervisor -Michael Ryan DASS & QTnL) 

Dr. Martin Fitzgerald (2019-2021)- Exploring the Early Years Educators (EYE’s) perceptions on Anti-Bias Approach and Inclusive Culture in early years settings (LIT-MA Research Study Ger Boland, LIT in collaboration with Tipperary Child Care) (Lead Supervisor – Martin Fitzgerald DASS) 

Dr. Martin Fitzgerald (2019-2021) -National Forum Funded Projects including Flexible CPD Pathways Initiative (LIT, MIC, UL) & Projects on Active Learning (Strategic Alignment Fund) National Forum Seminar Series – Active Learning For Student Engagement (Michael Ryan and Martin Fitzgerald). 

Dr. Bridget Kirwan (2020-2022) – How do parents experience the support services available to them when their children are/have experienced being in care? LIT-MA Research Study – Mags Higgins LIT in collaboration with Silver Arch FRC) (Co-Supervisors Bridget Kirwan and Emma Aherne) 

Dr Catherine Ann O Connell; 2023: Dissertation-thesis: “Embodying and Enacting a Pedagogy of Care in Higher Education.” 

Emma Aherne, (ongoing research) Year 3 Doctoral Studies, Maynooth University; “Where we come from, what we Bring; An Inquiry into Trauma Informed Pedagogy from the lived experience of teaching and learning in Social Care” 

Emma Aherne, (Ongoing collaborative research project) Erasmus+ Programme, “The European Alliance for Innovation and Sustainability Education in Welfare, Nature and Tourism” 

Dr Michael Ryan, Series of workshops and seminars to Education Networks: Developing Resilience and Responding Positively to Change and Loss within: Education Environments & Resilience and Self Care for Education Professionals 

Dr Michael Ryan, National Forum Funded Projects including Flexible CPD Pathways Initiative (LIT, MIC, UL) & Projects on Active Learning (Strategic Alignment Fund) National Forum Seminar Series – Active Learning For Student Engagement (Michael Ryan and Martin Fitzgerald). SATLE 

Dr Michael Ryan, LIT Research Application for Funding under Domain of Professional Knowledge and Skills for Teaching Staff. (Dept -QTnL) & AIT/LIT Collaborative Component under Assessment Literacy Strand. (Michael Ryan +Project Team from QTnL) 

Dr Bridget Kirwan (2018- ongoing). Certificate in Energy Efficiency through Behaviour change programme (On-Line) co-authors Clifford Guest and Seamus Hoyne. 

Dr Martin Fitzgerald (ongoing) series of workshops and seminars to Education Networks: Leadership in Education, MBTI Personality Type and Leadership 

Dr Martin Fitzgerald (2019) Kilkenny and Leighlin Diocese, Leadership and the Power of Teaching 2019 –Carlow further education College (Carlow ETB), Leadership and developing leadership skills in education 

Dr Martin Fitzgerald (2020) CEIST Schools Leadership for Middle Management, MBTI, Personality and Leadership 

Dr Catherine Ann O Connell (2022 – ongoing) The Visual, Carlow (centre for contemporary art), the Workhouse Union (a social engagement collaborative) and Trasna (a creative arts organisation) which is researching the role of care in social and educational institutions.  

Emma Aherne, (Ongoing collaborative research project) Erasmus+ Programme, “The European Alliance for Innovation and Sustainability Education in Welfare, Nature and Tourism” 

Dr.Catherine Ann O’ Connell, Emma Aherne and Justine O’ Brien, (current student collaboration research project) N-TUTORR- “ Embodied Learning for Personal Development and Self-Care with Social Care students. 

Dr Michael Ryan (2021). The LIT Compendium of Active Learning For Student Engagement -in collaboration with LIT Colleagues. LIT Ryan, M. 

Dr Michael Ryan (2020) – Undergraduate Reflections of An Arts Student, Chapter in: Ryan, S. & Sheridan, J.P. 

Dr Michael Ryan (2020, p.306-311). Remember Maynooth: A College Across Four Centuries. Dublin: Messenger Publications. 

Dr Michael Ryan (2018) Inside Education: Exploring the art of good learning. ISBN-979-0-415-52920-4 Book Review of above Publication – in: The Adult Learner Review. Maynooth Author – Stephen O’ Brien. Routledge 

Dr Catherine Ann O Connell (2019), CRALE Conference presentation in 2019: Presentation entitled: Exploring a Pedagogy of Care in Higher Education.   

Dr Catherine Ann O Connell (2020), CRALE Conference poster and presentation 2020: Narrative Inquiry -the heart of methodology.  

Dr Catherine Ann O Connell (2020). (In press). Care Matters in Higher Education . In L. O Toole, Handbook of Relational Pedagogy.  

Dr Catherine Ann O Connell (2020).; Dr Mchael Francis Ryan. 2022. Care-centered Pedagogy through Active Learning and Assessment. In Compendium of Active Learning and Assessment for Student Engagement (Volume II) 

Dr Catherine Ann O Connell (2020). (2021). Using Visuals for Active Learning. In M. Ryan, Compendium of Active Learning and Assessment for Student Engagement (Volume II) (pp. 15-16). Thurles: LIT. 

Dr Catherine Ann O Connell (2020). Relationship-Centred Education Network (RCEN) Conference. 2023. Presentation title: Exploring relational pedagogies in higher education.  

Dr Catherine Ann O Connell (2020). Relationship-Centred Education Network (RCEN) Conference 2022. Presentation title: Finding ‘pockets of care’ in the academy.  

Emma Aherne (Sept 2023), Presentation on current doctoral research at ‘Care and Social Justice in Social Care’ roundtable discussion, South East Technological University, Carlow 

Dr Catherine Corcoran; 2021; Dissertation Thesis: “Developing Resilience through Collaborative Planning: A Case Study of Ferbane” 

Dr Michael Ryan  (2018-2021)- An Exploration of Community Based Social Care Model of Care for Residents with Dementia (LIT-MA Research Study -Noelle Clancy LIT in collaboration with Carebright, Bruff) (Lead Supervisor – Michael Ryan DASS) 

Cathy Jones, (ongoing research) Doctoral Studies, Manchester Metropolitan University; ‘Exploring Well-being within an Irish Prison in development’ 

Dr Bridget Kirwan (2020-2022) – How do parents experience the support services available to them when their children are/have experienced being in care? LIT-MA Research Study – Mags Higgins LIT in collaboration with Silver Arch FRC) (Co-Supervisors Bridget Kirwan and Emma Aherne) 

Cathy Jones (2020) Exploring Wellbeing within an Irish Prison in Development, Paper presented at Psychology Society of Ireland conference, Dublin (online), 19-20 November 

Cathy Jones (2021) Exploring Wellbeing in an Irish Prison: Collaborative Approaches. Paper presented at Diversity and Research in Critical Times: Power in the Polyvocality: PGR 13th Annual conference, Manchester Metropolitan University (Online), 17th March 

Cathy Jones (2021) Opening the Door: Access, Ethics and Opportunities within research in an Irish Prison. Australian Corrections Education Association 14th International Conference, November 

Cathy Jones (2021) When Prison is your home, SAI conference, TUS Limerick, May  

Cathy Jones (2022) Setting up a Participant Advisory Panel in an Irish Prison, Paper be presented at MMU PGR conference (Online) 3rd March 

Cathy Jones (2022) ‘Did we get to Work? Evaluation of ‘Let’s get to work’ programme 2021-2022’ Pobal, November 

Cathy Jones (2023) Caught in the Middle: Navigating Access in Prison research PGR 15th Annual Conference, MMU, 20th March 

Email: lisa.orourkescott@tus.ie

Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2242-6531

Biography 

I am a Chartered Psychologist and began teaching at TUS in 2006. I started my first degree as a mature student in 1995 and have been studying and reading about psychology ever since.  My fascination with what makes people behave the way they do keeps me motivated to find new and interesting research challenges.   When not at work you will find me on the Dingle Peninsula where I spend time with family and friends, swim in the Atlantic and enjoy music and culture.   

Research 

My Research interests span a range of topics including gender and sexuality, gender at work, mothering, young single mothers, mental health, domestic abuse, rape and sexual assault, intergenerational work, critical psychologies, persuasion and social influence and many other topics in social and community psychology.  

Research Partners 

In 2020 I established an MOU with Haven Horizons to develop a Research and Knowledge Hub: Gender-Based Abuse Research and Knowledge – Haven Horizons .  As part of this initiative, we have developed a Special purpose award, Reflecting on and Responding to Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control.  As part of this initiative, we also won two research grants from the Irish Research Council’s New Foundations programme.  We used these grants to develop a web resource which allows practitioners and researchers in the field of gender-based abuse prevention to connect with one another https://researchgba.ie/ Researchers in this area are welcome to create a profile.  We have also hosted a webinar and a conference on the topic of Research Translation and Engaged Research in the field of Gender Based Abuse.  

Publications 

Orcid ID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2242-6531  

O’Rourke Scott L (2022), Utilising ‘new’ power strategies for public health education in addiction and dependency: learning from social media influencers South Eastern European Journal of Public Health https://doi.org/10.11576/seejph-5721  

Houghton F, O’Rourke Scott L (2022) Condemning the War in Ukraine & the Need for Peace, South Eastern European Journal of Public Health https://www.seejph.com/index.php/seejph/article/view/5349  

O’Rourke Scott, L (2021) Transformation in the neoliberal academy in Ireland: Athena SWAN, feminist activism and social class, Gender Work and Organisations 

Houghton, F. & O’Rourke-Scott, L (2019) Linguistic Imperialism, Toponymy, Semiotics & Taxonomies: the Anglicisation of Irish place names in hegemonic library cataloguing systems, Journal of Radical Librarianship. 

 O’Rourke Scott, L (2018) Voice of the Child, Report on women exiting domestic violence experiences of custody and access in the court system, ASCEND Domestic Abuse Prevention Service. 

O’Rourke Scott, E (2018) Family talk: Irish women across generations negotiate single motherhood, PhD thesis, The British Library.  Available at https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?did=1&uin=uk.bl.ethos.748584 

Houghton, F., ORourke Scott, L, Houghton, S., O’Doherty., D., McInerney, D & Duncan, B (2018) Room 101: Are Gender Specific Cigarette Packets the Way Forward?  Irish Journal of Medical Science. 

Commissioned piece for RTE Brainstorm (October 2018) – Why do we Lie?, By Lisa ORourke Scott.  Available at https://www.rte.ie/eile/brainstorm/2018/1024/1006287-why-do-we-lie/  

Scott, L and Jones, C (2016) Evaluation of HETAC level 6, Special Purpose Award: Health Advocacy and Community Development at LIT, Published by HSE and Limerick Institute of Technology. 

Houghton, F., Scott, L., Houghton, S. & Lewis, C.A. (2014) ‘Children’s awareness of alcohol sponsorship of sport in Ireland: Munster Rugby and the 2008 European Rugby Cup’, International Journal of Public Health, 59: 829-832. DOI: 10.1007/s00038-014-0568-4 

Professional memberships and organisations  

I am a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society.  I am also licenced to administer and interpret psychometric tests of ability and aptitude (level A) and personality (level B) by the British Psychological Society.   

I am also Chair of Limerick Mental Health Association, Home – Limerick Mental Health Association a Charity which promotes positive mental health in Limerick City and County. 

Teaching 

I teach undergraduate psychology at all levels and recently led the development of a new BSc Hons in Applied Psychology at TUS.  I am particularly interested in critical psychologies, in particular critical discursive psychology and phenomenology.  I also have a strong interest in the varied perspectives in psychology and the theoretical underpinnings and applications that they use.  I am also involved in the development of collaborative programmes with RUN EU partners across the European Union.  I am also an Associate Lecturer in Psychology with the Open University. 

Biography 

I am an artist, researcher and academic lecturing in the Dept of Fine Art & Education at LSAD. I attended the  National College of Art & Design Dublin,  followed by the Crawford College of Art Cork , graduating with a  BFA in 1993.  I was awarded a postgraduate scholarship by The  Irish  Dept of Education and CIMO,  for postgraduate  studies at the Finnish Academy of Fine Art  in Helsinki, completing an MA in Fine Art in 1995. This was followed by a second MEd from Aalto University of Art, Design & Architecture in 2004. In 2017, I completed my PhD at  the European Centre for Photographic Research e(CPR), in Newport, Wales. Prior to working  at TUS,  I have  also been a lecturer and visiting artist at The Finnish Academy of Fine Arts, The Free Art School of Helsinki, Imatra Art School, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences Helsinki, Burren College of Art/NUIG, GMIT, Cardiff School of Art & Design and Moore College of Art and Design Philadelphia. 

Research 

My research areas include; Photography memory and trauma, community-based and socially engaged practices, Jungian depth psychology, feminist critical theory, contemporary media and technological innovation in Fine Art and education. 

Practice-based research projects 

Over the past three decades I have presented work in over 11 countries, participating in a range of international festivals, solo and group exhibitions. This work has been supported by grants  and awards  from the Arts Councils of Ireland and Finland, Suomen Kulttuurirahasto, The  National Forum  for  the Enhancement of  Teaching & Learning, CREATE Ireland, The Finnish Cultural Foundation, and several  local Arts Offices in both Ireland and Finland. Examples of community based collaborative projects completed include; 

House – An investigation into the impacts and legacy of defective building materials on thousands of homeowners along the  western seaboard of Ireland https://www.martinacleary.com/archive/house 

Re-Visioning the Screen – A collaboration with Cree poet and activist Janelle Pewasconias (Ecoaboriganelle) exploring postcolonial memory,  site and trauma https://www.martinacleary.com/recent-work/revisioning-the-screen-2022  

Kilkeedy A Space Between – An exploration of place, memory, photography and identity within the local https://www.martinacleary.com/archive/kilkeedy-a-space-between-2015 

The Outside is Inside – A collaborative research project with Clare Women’s Network into gender-based violence https://www.martinacleary.com/recent-work/the-outside-is-inside-2011 

Selected Publications 

‘Re-Generating the Myth of the Missing Mother for Growth,  Healing and Transformation’ (book chapter) – The Missing Mother,  Demeter Press, forthcoming. 

‘Staring At A Painted Sky’ – Limited Edition photobook, selected and published PhotoIreland as part of their TLP Editions, December 2021. 

‘Re-Imagine’, Exhibition  Catalogue,  The Luan Gallery Athlone, with forward by Ángel Luis González Fernández, Director of PhotoIreland, 2019. 

’Flaneur New Urban Narratives’, Exhibition Catalogue, published by Procur.arte Lisbon, 2016.

’Re-Frame Memory’, The Athens International Photography Festival 2015, Exhibition Catalogue published by HCP Hellenic Centre for Photography, Athens, 2015.

’Format 2015- Evidence’, Exhibition Catalogue, by QUAD Publishing Derby, 2015. 

Prism Photo Magazine, Featured Photographer, Jan-Feb 2012. 

’Art@Work’, Residency Catalogue, published by Roscommon County Council, 2008. 

The Irish Arts Review, ‘OPEN/INVITED EV+a 2008, by Marianne O’Kane Baol, Spring 2008. 

EV+a (2008) Too Early For Vacation’, Exhibition Catalogue, Gandon Distribution, 2008. 

ADEPT Research Group

Additional biographical details  are available here  https://www.martinacleary.com/pagecv 

Matthew.Cannon@tus.ie 

Orcid ID 0000-0002-1124-4022

Biography

I am a lecturer in Research Methods, Sociology and Social Policy in the Department of Applied Social Science at the Technological University of the Shannon Midwest. I have also worked as a part-time lecturer in Financial Regulation at the University of Limerick Kemmy Business School as well as a Consultant Trainer in Intercultural Awareness and Conflict Resolution.

My previous experience includes over 10 years in cross-community / cross-border conflict resolution as CEO of the Irish Peace Institute at the University of Limerick where I was responsible for managing the Institute’s cross-border and cross-community reconciliation projects. I also co-ordinated social inclusion projects as part of a joint Paul Partnership and Local Employment Service initiative promoting back to education for early school leavers in Limerick through the Building Education Skills and Teamwork (BEST) programme.

In my work as Integration Policy Officer for Doras Luimni I was involved in the development of the Limerick Integration Strategy and helped develop the NGOs intercultural awareness and anti-racism training programmes. My experience includes developing and delivering intercultural communication and conflict resolution workshops for young people, community representatives and local leaders. I have also worked with a range of community-based initiatives in Ireland aimed at promoting community engagement and examining the role intercultural awareness plays in organisations and communities. In addition, I have worked as a consultant expert on the Council of Europe’s Intercultural Cities Programme and as an evaluator for the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme.

Research

My research covers the areas of migration and integration in the EU, community development, conflict resolution and reconciliation, and subnational / supranational social and political development.  I have extensive experience conducting research in a community setting, and I have worked to translate practical experience in community development into applied research and publications addressing issues of social inclusion, integration and conflict.

Teaching

I began lecturing while I was completing my PhD and I have worked across a range of disciplines and departments.  I started in the Department of Politics at the University of Limerick as a tutor and lecturer, but I have also taught and provided training with the Department of Management & Marketing (KBS), Management Development Unit (KBS) and I also work with the Department of Accounting & Finance (KBS).  During my time working with NGOs and in community development, I have worked as a consultant trainer on Conflict Resolution and Intercultural Awareness with Doras Luimni and a range of community partners.  In my most recent position as Lecturer in the Department of Applied Social Sciences at Limerick Institute of Technology I teach on a range of modules in the Social Care, Community Development and Early Childhood Education curriculum.  In LIT I have been involved in the re-structuring and re-development of the MA in Social Care Management as well as the creation of new courses including MA in Community Development, HRM and Diversity and an upcoming module in Local Governance & Community Engagement.    Although the material seems to cover a very broad spectrum, I feel that the overall aim is still tied to the values of higher education as a facilitator for systemic societal change.  In my approach there is a strong link between subjects such as Financial Regulation, Research Methods, Sociology and Diversity and HRM for Non-Profits as each strives to provide a framework for understanding how to identify societal challenges and how to address those challenges through community engagement, research and policy actions.

Research Partners

Intercultural Cities, Limerick City and County PPN, Clare PPN

I have over 15 years of practical experience working with community development, integration and social inclusion, and I continue to build links through my consultancy work on interculturalism and local development.  Examples of my experience includes management experience through my role as the Coordinator of the Limerick BEST Project; a citywide multi-agency initiative designed to assist young people from RAPID areas in Limerick city.  I also provide training to local organisations through my work with the Limerick Public Participation Networks (PPN) and as a consultant in intercultural communication and awareness.  Prior to my most recent positions, I worked as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Irish Peace Institute (IPI), a non-governmental organisation that has worked for over twenty-five years to support peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland through cross-border and cross-community peacebuilding programmes focused on issues of sectarianism and social exclusion.

Publications

Journal Articles

“Experiences, Barriers and Identity: The Development of a Workshop to Promote Understanding of and Empathy for the Migrant Experience”,(2017) Policy & Practice: A Development Education Review, Vol. 24, pp.26-46.

 “Ireland, Neutrality and European Security Integration – Book Review”, (2004) European Foreign Affairs Review, Winter Edition, Vol. 4.

“Cross-border Regionalism: Co-operative Europeanisation or Competitive Globalisation?” (2005), World Society Focus Paper Series, World Society Foundation, Zurich.

“The Channel Tunnel Case Study: The European Meso” (2002), Committee of the Regions Best Thesis Prize, Brussels.

“The Dunnes payment scandal, Charles Haughey and contemporary Irish political culture”,(1998) Crime, Law & Social Change, vol. 30, no. 1. 43 – 65. (Kluwer Academic Publishers).

Reports

Towards Intercultural Limerick, Limerick City and County Integration Plan 2013-2016, (2013), Limerick City and County Integration Working Group.

Treated Differently, Racism in Limerick, (2013), Doras Luimní / Atlantic Philanthropies, October.

National Forum for Teaching & Learning Sessions

“Practice what we preach: How do we teach about transition and work in a culturally diverse environment”, (2015),  National Forum for Teaching & Learning Seminar Series, University of Limerick, April 29^th.

“Promoting Intercultural Intercultural Communication in Teaching & Learning” (2014), National Forum for Teaching and Learning Seminar Series, University College Cork, May 8^th.

Opinion Pieces

“Micheál Martin’s response to anti-immigrant rhetoric was lily-livered” (2013), TheJournal.ie, April 30^th.

“Why are Asylum-Seekers Protesting?” (2013), TheJournal.ie, July 10^th.

“Why are we making citizenship difficult for those who are entitled to it? (2013), TheJournal.ie, August 18^th.

“Why report it?” (2013), The African Voice, July 16^th.

Chapters in Books

“Conflict in Northern Ireland”, (2011), Encyclopedia of Religion and Violence, Sage.

“Human Security and Education in a Conflict Society: Lessons from Northern Ireland” (2003) in Wayne Nelles eds. Comparative Education, Terrorism and Human Security: From Critical Pedagogy to Peace Building. New York: Palgrave.

Edited Books / Booklets

“Top 5 Migration Myths”, (2015), Limerick Anti-Rumours Project, Doras Luimní / Council of Europe.

Mankind Must Manage A World Without War Booklet Series, (2005) Irish Peace Institute, Six Booklets with essays on peacebuilding/conflict resolution Irish Peace Institute Strategic Review of Practice and Policies, November, 2005.

“Pens for Peace”, (2001), Irish Peace Institute, University of Limerick

Conference Papers / Presentations

“The Changing Face of Ireland – 100 years of Migration in Limerick”, (2016), Mary Immaculate College, February 20th (co-presenter, Brighid Golden).

“Migrants, Myths and misconceptions”, (2014), April, University of Limerick, Department of Sociology.

“The impact of the Asylum Process on young people”, (2013), 3rd Conference on Social Psychology in Ireland, “Them” and “Us”? Constructing Minority Identities. Community and Research Perspectives on Travellers, Roma and Immigrant Groups, October 3.

“Understanding and Addressing Social Exclusion – Youth & Community in Ireland: Limerick BEST Project” (2010), Limerick Regeneration Conference, June 2010.

“Do Hedges make good neighbours: Community Peacebuilding in the Republic of Ireland” (2008), Irish Political Studies Association Conference, October 18, 2008, NUI Galway.

“Measuring and Evaluating Peace I and II through Multi-level governance” (2006), British International Studies Association, Dec. 2006, Cork

“The role played by ‘power-sharing’ in promoting and maintaining the principles of the Good Friday / Belfast Agreement”, (2006), Decentralisation, Federalism and Conflict, Centre for Research on Inequality, Human Security and Ethnicity, University of Oxford, 5-7 October.

The Role of the Information Officer in the Community and Voluntary Sector, Opening Address (2003), The Wheel Information Officer Conference, Dublin, May 16.

“The Emergence of the Transmanche Euroregion, Policy networks and meso-level development”, (2001), in Regionalism in the European Union, Atlanta, Georgia, April 20.

“The Patten Report and the light at the end of the Tunnel: A comparative study of Anglo-French and Anglo-Irish cross-border policing”, (2000), PSAI Postgraduate Conference, Trinity College Dublin, 16 June.

Consultancy Reports / Evaluation

Review of Intercultural Policies in Erlangen, Germany, Intercultural Cities, Council of Europe, Strasbourg, November 2016 (pending)

Review of Intercultural Policies in Botkyrka, Sweden, Intercultural Cities, Council of Europe, Strasbourg, June 2016

Evaluation of Active Citizenship & Leadership Programme for Migrants, (2015), Doras Luimní, Community Foundation for Ireland.

Review of Cross-border Activities, (2002) Irish Peace Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.

Liberalisation of the Electricity Sector, (1999), Report to the European Public Service Union, February 1999.

Achievements of the University of Limerick; 25 years of growth, (1998), President’s Office, University of Limerick, June.

Radio / Television

“EU Policies on Migration”, Limerick Today, Limerick 95fm (May, 2015).

“Human Trafficking”, Limerick Today, Limerick 95fm, (Nov. 2014).

“Dispelling Myths / Rumours – Limerick Anti-Rumours Project”, RTE Morning Edition (March 2014).

“Homelessness and migration”, Newstalk 106, Global Village with Dil W. (April 2013).

“Immigrants and Housing in Ireland – On Air debate with Cllr. Kevin Sheehan”, Limerick Today, Limerick 95fm (March 2013).

Professional memberships and organisations

• I am a member of the Sociological Association of Ireland.
• I have been a ViceChair for EU Horizon 2020 and EU Horizon funding calls
• I am Board Member of the Northside Family Resource Centre a Nonprofit

Biography 

Drew Murphy is a PhD candidate with the EDGE research group. A graduate of Applied Social Studies in Social Care in 2015 with a dissertation that explored Gay and Bi-Sexual men’s interpretations of Hegemonic Masculinities, his current research interests have widened to a broader exploration of queer and gendered identities. He has presented theoretical and practice-based papers on these interests at conferences in Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Most recently, he was a contributing author on the volume “Toxic Masculinity: Mapping the Monstrous in our Heroes”, in which he explored the experiences of mutants of Marvel’s X-Men as a metaphor for the lived experiences of LGBTQI+ members of society. 

Research 

Negotiating Double Trouble: A Critical Discursive Analysis of Identity Negotiation Amongst Gay and Bi-Sexual Men in Ireland  

Research Partners 

Dr. Lisa O’Rourke Scott 

Publications 

​​Murphy, D. (2020). Days of Future Past: Queer Identities and the X-Men. In E. De Dauw, & D. Connell, Toxic Masculinity: Mapping the Monstrous in Our Heroes (pp. 89-102). Mississippi: University Press of Mississippi. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv1595mq0.9 

Professional memberships and organisations  

ISGRN (Irish Sexualities and Genders Research Network) 

Teaching 

TUS Department of Applied Social Sciences 

• Psychology, Identity & Development 
• Psychology: Approaches to Mental Health  
• Psychology of Stress & Distress 
• Health, Safety & Risk  

Email: Lucy.Wolfe@tus.ie

Biography 

Lucy Wolfe is a PhD student with the EDGE research group.  She is a graduate of UCC in Parent and Relationship Mentoring and TUS, with a Masters in The Psychotherapy of Relationship Mentoring.  Her thesis explored the lived experience of first-time mothers in Ireland.  Current research interests continue in this theme.  Keen to revive the term Matrescence in an Irish context.  Providing a contribution to our understanding of the origins of attitudes, feelings, perspectives, and experiences related to mothering.  

Research 

An intergenerational exploration into Irish mothers’ Matrescence. Examining how the transmission of parenting knowledge, beliefs and practices impact the woman to mother transition.   

Research Partners 

Dr Lisa Rourke-Scott  

Dr Nuala Finucane    

Professional memberships and organisations  

• Irish Association of Relationship Mentors 
• International Paediatric Sleep Association 
• International Association of Child Sleep Consultants 
• British Paediatric Sleep Society, UK Multidisciplinary Sleep Professionals 
• Association of Professional Sleep Consultants 

Teaching 

• UCC- Adult Continuing Education  
• Certificate Interpersonal Communication 
• Higher Diploma Relationship Mentoring