Monday, 22 May 2017

The first Policy Lab seminar takes place on Tuesday 23rd May in Room 207, Arts Millennium Building. PhD Candidate Author Title Tareq Abuelhaj, affiliation to University of Maastricht and World Food Programme Tareq Abuelhaj & Professor Cathal O’Donoghue “Cost effectiveness of food voucher transfers: exploiting the cash-out puzzle in Iraq”

Wednesday, 15 February 2017

Would you like to win an Action camera and get recognition for your creative work? All students who submit entries into the awards will be invited to attend a local award ceremony where their work will be showcased. The expert judging panel includes: – Will Goodbody,  RTÉ – Dylan Cotter,  Irish International – Kenneth McKenzie, Target McConnells Multimedia awards Students are asked individually or in small teams (up to 6 people) to create any form of multimedia  (e.g. poster, text, graphics, video, interactive content, animation or audio pieces) to promote walking, cycling, public transport or car sharing. Entries (on this application form) should be sent to info@smartertravelcampus.ie by 5pm on Friday the 24th of February. The 2016 winning entries can be viewed here.

Tuesday, 31 January 2017

Mary McPartlan, Traditional Artist in Residence and University teacher at NUI Galway, performed at the Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow, receiving a 4 star review in the Guardian newspaper. She Moved Through the Fair was co-written by Mary McPartlan and veteran folk critic (and Guardian contributor) Colin Irwin. This was a world premiere of the show. The image shows the cast taking a bow after two standing ovations. 

Tuesday, 8 November 2016

Bunaíodh  i 1995 i gcuimhne ar Bhreandán Ó hEithir, craoltóir, iriseoir, scríbhneoir agus iar-mhac léinn de chuid na hOllscoile le síntiúis óna chairde. Is fiú €1,500 an sparánacht agus bronnfar gach bliain í ar mhac léinn lánaimseartha dochtúireachta i gColáiste na nDán, na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Léinn Cheiltigh atá sa chéad/dara/tríú/cheathrú bliain dá c(h)úrsa. Is iad an Ghaeilge, an Béarla agus Léann na hÉireann na príomhdhisciplíní as a roghnófar iarrthóirí. Ag brath ar an réimse taighde, d’fhéadfadh disciplíní eile (m.sh., an Stair, an Pholaitíocht agus an tSocheolaíocht) a bheith san áireamh freisin le haghaidh na sparánachta. Is iad na réimsí taighde a bheas i gceist: cúrsaí litríochta (Gaeilge nó Béarla) a bhaineas le hÉirinn go príomha. Cuirfear san áireamh freisin réimsí eile léinn a dhíreos ar léann, ar chultúr nó ar shochaí na hÉireann. Is é 30 Samhain 2016 an spriocdháta d’iarratais i mbliana. Is féidir le hiarrthóirí litir iarratais maille le sampla scríbhneoireachta (nach faide ná 3,000 focal) a sheoladh ar an ríomhphost i nGaeilge nó i mBéarla chuig Coláiste na nDán, na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Léinn Cheiltigh (artspostgrad@nuigalway.ie), roimh 5in, 30 Samhain 2016. Ba cheart na focail ‘Sparánacht Uí Eithir’ a chur i líne ábhair an ríomhphoist agus ní mór gach cáipéis a bheith i bhformáid PDF.  SPARÁNACHT UÍ EITHIR  was established in 1995 in memory of Breandán Ó hEithir, through donations from his friends. The broadcaster, journalist and writer was a former student of NUI Galway. The Bursary is valued at €1,500 and will be awarded each year to a fulltime PhD student in the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies. The award may be made in Year 1 – 4 of the student’s programme. Irish, English and Irish Studies are the principal disciplines from which selection will be made. Other disciplines (e.g., History, Political Science and Sociology) may also be considered. Normally, the area of research shall be literary studies (in Irish or in English) principally concerning Ireland. Other subjects of research may be in the general area of linguistic, cultural and social studies of Ireland. The deadline for applications for the current academic year is 30 November 2016. Applicants should forward a letter of Application by email to the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies, (artspostgrad@nuigalway.ie) with a writing sample (in Irish or English and not more than 3,000 words) before 5pm, 30 November 2016. ‘Sparánacht Uí Eithir’ should be in the subject line of the email and all documents should be in PDF format. 

All College News

“Cost effectiveness of food voucher transfers: exploiting the cash-out puzzle in Iraq”

Monday, 22 May 2017

The first Policy Lab seminar takes place on Tuesday 23rd May in Room 207, Arts Millennium Building. PhD Candidate Author Title Tareq Abuelhaj, affiliation to University of Maastricht and World Food Programme Tareq Abuelhaj & Professor Cathal O’Donoghue “Cost effectiveness of food voucher transfers: exploiting the cash-out puzzle in Iraq”

>> Read full story about “Cost effectiveness of food voucher transfers: exploiting the cash-out puzzle in Iraq”

Student Multimedia Awards

Wednesday, 15 February 2017

Would you like to win an Action camera and get recognition for your creative work? All students who submit entries into the awards will be invited to attend a local award ceremony where their work will be showcased. The expert judging panel includes: – Will Goodbody,  RTÉ – Dylan Cotter,  Irish International – Kenneth McKenzie, Target McConnells Multimedia awards Students are asked individually or in small teams (up to 6 people) to create any form of multimedia  (e.g. poster, text, graphics, video, interactive content, animation or audio pieces) to promote walking, cycling, public transport or car sharing. Entries (on this application form) should be sent to info@smartertravelcampus.ie by 5pm on Friday the 24th of February. The 2016 winning entries can be viewed here.

>> Read full story about Student Multimedia Awards

She Moved Through the Fair

Tuesday, 31 January 2017

Mary McPartlan, Traditional Artist in Residence and University teacher at NUI Galway, performed at the Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow, receiving a 4 star review in the Guardian newspaper. She Moved Through the Fair was co-written by Mary McPartlan and veteran folk critic (and Guardian contributor) Colin Irwin. This was a world premiere of the show. The image shows the cast taking a bow after two standing ovations. 

>> Read full story about She Moved Through the Fair

Sparánacht Uí Eithir 2016/17

Tuesday, 8 November 2016

Bunaíodh  i 1995 i gcuimhne ar Bhreandán Ó hEithir, craoltóir, iriseoir, scríbhneoir agus iar-mhac léinn de chuid na hOllscoile le síntiúis óna chairde. Is fiú €1,500 an sparánacht agus bronnfar gach bliain í ar mhac léinn lánaimseartha dochtúireachta i gColáiste na nDán, na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Léinn Cheiltigh atá sa chéad/dara/tríú/cheathrú bliain dá c(h)úrsa. Is iad an Ghaeilge, an Béarla agus Léann na hÉireann na príomhdhisciplíní as a roghnófar iarrthóirí. Ag brath ar an réimse taighde, d’fhéadfadh disciplíní eile (m.sh., an Stair, an Pholaitíocht agus an tSocheolaíocht) a bheith san áireamh freisin le haghaidh na sparánachta. Is iad na réimsí taighde a bheas i gceist: cúrsaí litríochta (Gaeilge nó Béarla) a bhaineas le hÉirinn go príomha. Cuirfear san áireamh freisin réimsí eile léinn a dhíreos ar léann, ar chultúr nó ar shochaí na hÉireann. Is é 30 Samhain 2016 an spriocdháta d’iarratais i mbliana. Is féidir le hiarrthóirí litir iarratais maille le sampla scríbhneoireachta (nach faide ná 3,000 focal) a sheoladh ar an ríomhphost i nGaeilge nó i mBéarla chuig Coláiste na nDán, na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Léinn Cheiltigh (artspostgrad@nuigalway.ie), roimh 5in, 30 Samhain 2016. Ba cheart na focail ‘Sparánacht Uí Eithir’ a chur i líne ábhair an ríomhphoist agus ní mór gach cáipéis a bheith i bhformáid PDF.  SPARÁNACHT UÍ EITHIR  was established in 1995 in memory of Breandán Ó hEithir, through donations from his friends. The broadcaster, journalist and writer was a former student of NUI Galway. The Bursary is valued at €1,500 and will be awarded each year to a fulltime PhD student in the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies. The award may be made in Year 1 – 4 of the student’s programme. Irish, English and Irish Studies are the principal disciplines from which selection will be made. Other disciplines (e.g., History, Political Science and Sociology) may also be considered. Normally, the area of research shall be literary studies (in Irish or in English) principally concerning Ireland. Other subjects of research may be in the general area of linguistic, cultural and social studies of Ireland. The deadline for applications for the current academic year is 30 November 2016. Applicants should forward a letter of Application by email to the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies, (artspostgrad@nuigalway.ie) with a writing sample (in Irish or English and not more than 3,000 words) before 5pm, 30 November 2016. ‘Sparánacht Uí Eithir’ should be in the subject line of the email and all documents should be in PDF format. 

>> Read full story about Sparánacht Uí Eithir 2016/17

Boston College Study Abroad Fair

Friday, 18 September 2015

Ciara O’Neill and Christina Vaughan (3rd Year Arts) flying the flag for NUI Galway at the Boston College Study Abroad Fair.They are both on exchange to Boston Collete for this academic year. Twitter Facebook

>> Read full story about Boston College Study Abroad Fair

Sparánacht Uí Eithir

Tuesday, 8 December 2015

Bunaíodh an sparánacht seo i 1995 i gcuimhne ar Bhreandán Ó hEithir, craoltóir, iriseoir, scríbhneoir agus iar-mhac léinn de chuid na hOllscoile le síntiúis óna chairde. Is fiú €1,500 an sparánacht agus bronnfar í gach bliain ar mhac léinn lánaimseartha dochtúireachta i gColáiste na nDán, na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Léinn Cheiltigh atá sa chéad/dara/tríú/ceathrú bliain dá c(h)úrsa. Is iad an Ghaeilge, an Béarla agus Léann na hÉireann na príomhdhisciplíní as a roghnófar iarrthóirí. Ag brath ar an réimse taighde, d’fhéadfadh disciplíní eile (m.sh., an Stair, an Pholaitíocht agus an tSocheolaíocht) a bheith san áireamh freisin le haghaidh na sparánachta. Is iad na réimsí taighde a bheas i gceist: cúrsaí litríochta (Gaeilge nó Béarla) a bhaineas le hÉirinn go príomha. Cuirfear san áireamh freisin réimsí eile léinn a dhíreos ar léann, ar chultúr nó ar shochaí na hÉireann. Tabharfaidh an t-iarrthóir a roghnófar seimineár in ábhar a chuid taighde le linn thréimhse na sparánachta. Tig leis an sparánacht a bheith sa bhreis ar aon deontas, scoláireacht nó eile a bheas ag an té a roghnófar, ach tig leis an mbord measúnóirí tús áite a thabhairt d’iarrthóirí nach bhfuil aon mhaoiniú eile acu dá gcúrsa dochtúireachta. An Bord Measúnóirí: Ollamh na Nua-Ghaeilge (nó ionadaí), Ollamh an Bhéarla (nó ionadaí) agus Stiúrthóir an Léinn Éireannaigh (nó ionadaí). Modh Iarratais: Seol litir iarratais maille le sampla scríbhneoireachta (nach faide ná 3,000 focal) ar ríomhphost i nGaeilge nó i mBéarla chuig Coláiste na nDán, na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Léinn Cheiltigh, (seoladh rphoist: artspostgrad@nuigalway.ie) roimh 8 Eanáir 2016. Ba cheart go mbeadh ‘Sparánacht Uí Eithir’ i líne ábhair an ríomhphoist agus go mbeadh gach cáipéis i bhformáid PDF. This bursary was established in 1995 in memory of Breandán Ó hEithir, through donations from his friends. The broadcaster, journalist and writer, was a former student of NUI Galway. The bursary is valued at €1,500 and will be awarded each year to a fulltime PhD student in the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies. The award may be made in Year 1 – 4 of the student’s programme. Irish, English and Irish Studies are the principal disciplines from which selection will be made. Other disciplines (e.g., History, Political Science and Sociology) may also be considered. Normally, the area of research shall be literary studies (in Irish or in English) principally concerning Ireland. Other subjects of research may be in the general area of linguistic, cultural and social studies of Ireland.  The successful candidate will give a seminar on his/her research topic during the period of the bursary.  The bursary may be held in conjunction with other funding (e.g., grant or scholarship). The board of assessors may give preference to applicants who do not have any other funding. Board of Assessors: Ollamh na Nua-Ghaeilge (or nominee), the Professor of English (or nominee), the Director of Irish Studies (or nominee). Mode of Application: Send a letter of Application by email to the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies, (email: artspostgrad@nuigalway.ie) with a writing sample (in Irish or English and not more than 3,000 words) before 8 January 2016. ‘Sparánacht Uí Eithir’ should be in the subject line of the email and all documents should be in PDF format.

>> Read full story about Sparánacht Uí Eithir

News

Dr Sylvie Lannegrand appointed Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Palmes académiques

Tuesday, 25 October 2016

On the recommendation of the French Embassy in Ireland, the Prime Minister of France, Monsieur Manuel Valls, has appointed Dr Sylvie Lannegrand (Discipline of French) Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Palmes académiques. This prestigious award is to recognise Dr Lannegrand’s outstanding contribution to French Studies and to furthering exchanges between France and Ireland. The award will be presented by the French Ambassador on 22nd November 2016. 

>> Read full story about Dr Sylvie Lannegrand appointed Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Palmes académiques

News

The School of Psychology Research Seminar!

Kerry Gibson

Tuesday, 10 October 2023

Join us on Monday 23rd October at 1pm for a talk entitled "What can young people tell us about youth mental health?" by Professor Kerry Gibson, University of Auckland. Where? AMB G065 When? 23rd Oct 1-2pm (light lunch at 12.30)  

>> Read full story about The School of Psychology Research Seminar!

School of Psychology Research Seminar

Alysha Deslippe

Tuesday, 19 September 2023

Monday, 25th September, 2023 1-2 pm, School of Psychology   Alysha Deslippe, PhD(c) Doctoral Student, LFS TA Training Program Coordinator Nutrition and Eating Behaviour (NEB) Lab | Healthy Starts University of British Columbia | BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Canada   Do we really need to consider the impact of gender on dietary habits? A discussion from the eyes of adolescents.   Alysha is a PhD Candidate exploring the role of gender in teens’ dietary habits. Through her research, Alysha aims to help high school students navigate their food choices by co-developing effective and sustainable dietary behavioural interventions with local schools. As a coach and former athlete, Alysha has a strongly interest in student athletes’ dietary habits in particular. Alysha uses mixed methods and participatory research methods to guide her work, keeping the voices of community groups at the forefront. Alysha’s PhD research is supported by her supervisor, Dr. Tamara Cohen (PhD, RD) has been recognized and supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada, University of British Columbia’s Public Scholar Initiative (PSI), the International Behavioural Trials Network (IBTN) and the Canadian Behavioural Interventions and Trials Network (CBITN). Seminar information: In this seminar, join Alysha Deslippe (University of British Columbia PhD Candidate) in exploring the role of gender in adolescents’ dietary habits. A history of how gender impacts dietary habits and recent data exploring adolescents’ dietary habits from a gender lens will be explored. Contrasting trends across different countries wand current gaps will also be highlighted. This seminar is directed at researchers but open to all.  

>> Read full story about School of Psychology Research Seminar

Networking conference - Research on cancer screening in Ireland

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Monday, 13 February 2023

The Health Behaviour Change Research Group (University of Galway) is delighted to invite you to attend a networking conference "Research on cancer screening in Ireland: Exploring an integrated approach across cancer types". This event, organised in collaboration with the HRB Primary Care Clinical Trials Network Ireland (CTNI) and funded by the Irish Cancer Society, will bring researchers and stakeholders working on cancer and cancer screening in Ireland together.  Participants will include speakers from the University of Galway, the Irish Cancer Society, Lynch Syndrome Ireland, the National Screening Service and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. This networking conference will be held in-person on Friday 17th February 2023 from 9.00am to 4.00pm at the University of Galway. Free registration here.

>> Read full story about Networking conference - Research on cancer screening in Ireland

Research Traineeship Scheme 2018 - 2019

Wednesday, 5 September 2018

Applications are invited for a research traineeship scheme offered by the School of Psychology between September, 2018 and September, 2019.  The School of Psychology has a vibrant programme of research across a broad range of topics falling under the themes Brain and Behaviour and Health and Wellbeing.  Interested candidates are advised to view the range of research activities on the School of Psychology web-page and a summary of the participating research groups can be seen below. Click the link below for full details:‌ Research Traineeship Scheme 2018-2019 (extended)

>> Read full story about Research Traineeship Scheme 2018 - 2019

Five Doctoral Research Fellowship Opportunities in Youth Mental Health

Wednesday, 11 April 2018

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for five full-time doctoral research fellowships in the area of Youth Mental Health. These posts are designed to support doctoral research trainees from either a clinical/health related background or a social/behavioural sciences background to undertake a four-year structured PhD in the area of youth mental health. These training positions will be provided by the newly established HRB funded YOULEAD consortium, and will be based at either NUI Galway, UCD, or RCSI. The five currently available projects are as follows: 1. Early Adversity and Later outcomes (based at RCSI, supervised by Prof. Mary Cannon & Prof. David Cotter; Email marycannon@rcsi.ie or drcotter@rcsi.ie ). This project will focus on the analysis of large (already collected) national and international epidemiological datasets. 2. Understanding Barriers to Treatment (based at UCD, supervised by Prof. Eilis Hennesey & Dr. Caroline Heary; Email: Eilis.hennessy@ucd.ie or caroline.heary@nuigalway.ie ). This project will focus on the attitudes and experiences of families’ in seeking access to mental health services for young people.  3. Improving youth participation in mental health service development & delivery (based at NUI Galway, supervised by Dr. Padraig MacNeela; Email Padraig.macneela@nuigalway.ie ). This project will develop and implement a participatory model for engaging young people in the planning and delivery of youth mental health services. 4. Evaluating community based interventions for youth mental health (based at UCD, supervised by Prof. Barbara Dooley, & Dr. Ailen O’Reilly; Email Barbara.dooley@ucd.ie). This project will focus on evaluating community based mental health interventions delivered through JIGSAW, the national center for youth mental health. 5. Evaluating novel community based and online strategies for youth mental health (based at NUI Galway, supervised by Prof. Gary Donohoe Email: gary.donohoe@nuigalway.ie ). This project will focus on adapting and evaluating novel online cognitive and social interventions for use with young people experiencing psychosis. For further details please email any of the above supervisors, or the program director Dr. Donohoe. Deadline for applications is: Friday May 18th 2018.

>> Read full story about Five Doctoral Research Fellowship Opportunities in Youth Mental Health

School of Psychology Climbs in World Rankings Again

Wednesday, 14 March 2018

 The School of Psychology in NUI Galwaysecuring yet another increase in the 2018 QS World Rankings. We have now moved upwards into the 201-250 ranking band with a particularly big increase in  Academic Reputation metric. This area has clearly benefited from the attention and diligent efforts of staff,  particularly those with extensive International collaborative links.

>> Read full story about School of Psychology Climbs in World Rankings Again

Higher Education Awards Success for MSc in ABA

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Monday, 6 November 2017

The MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis has been shortlisted in the gradireland Higher Education Awards for Best Postgraduate Programme in the Arts and Humanities category. Well done to all involved and best of luck in the next stage!

>> Read full story about Higher Education Awards Success for MSc in ABA

Research Seminar Series – 2017/2018

Friday, 8 September 2017

Research Seminar Series – 2017/2018  Coordinators: Clodagh Murray clodagh.murray@nuigalway.ie & Molly Byrne molly.byrne@nuigalway.ie  Seminars take place every second Tuesday during semester in the School of Psychology, 1-2 pm.   A light lunch is served in the ground floor foyer of the School of Psychology from 12.30 in advance of the seminars. All are welcome.   All seminars take place in room AMB G065, except 7th and 21st November, which will take place in AMB G067   Semester 1 2017/2018  Date  Speaker  Title  12/09/2017  Dr Stephen Gallagher, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Faculty of Education & Health Sciences, University of Limerick  Health, hormones and (un)employment    26/09/2017  Dr Jane Walsh, School of Psychology, NUI Galway  Mobile technology and health behaviour change  10/10/2017  Ms Caragh Flannery and Ms Marita Hennessy – PhD candidates, HRB SPHeRE (Structured Population and Health-services Research Education) Programme  Obesity prevention in maternity and infancy  24/10/2017  Dr Padraig MacNeela, School of Psychology, NUI Galway    Sexual health    07/11/2017*  Dr Louise McHugh, School of Psychology, University College Dublin    Acceptance and Commitment Therapy research   21/11/2017*  Ms Edith Walsh and Ms Ciara Gunning, PhD candidates in Structured PhD in Applied Behavioural Analysis  Evaluating social skills interventions for promoting inclusion for individuals with autism  * These seminars will take place in AMB G067 

>> Read full story about Research Seminar Series – 2017/2018

NUI Galway’s School of Psychology in the top 300 of Schools of Psychology internationally

Tuesday, 27 June 2017

The 2017 QS Rankings place NUI Galway’s School of Psychology in the top 300 of Schools of Psychology internationally.

>> Read full story about NUI Galway’s School of Psychology in the top 300 of Schools of Psychology internationally

Prof. Gary Donohoe talks about schizophrenia and the iRELATE project on Newtalk’s Futureproof.

Monday, 27 February 2017

Prof. Gary Donohoe talks about schizophrenia and the iRELATE project on Newtalk’s Futureproof. http://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/Futureproof/Futureproof_with_Jonathan_McCrea/181010/Newsround_Exoplanets_and_Schizophrenia

>> Read full story about Prof. Gary Donohoe talks about schizophrenia and the iRELATE project on Newtalk’s Futureproof.

2016 Doctor of Psychological Science (Clinical Psychology) Graduates

Thursday, 8 September 2016

Pictured is the Doctor of Psychological Science (Clinical Psychology) 2016 graduating class and members of the course team. From L - R: Dr Kiran Sarma, Dr Eamon Smith, Dr John Bogue, Dr Jonathan Egan and Prof Brian McGuire

>> Read full story about 2016 Doctor of Psychological Science (Clinical Psychology) Graduates

Public Lecture by Prof. Brian Hughes: ‘“Trust Me, I’m a Psychologist”

Thursday, 8 September 2016

The Psi Chi Honour Society in Psychology, supported by the NUI Galway Psychological Society, invites you to a public lecture by Professor Brian Hughes titled ‘“Trust Me, I’m a Psychologist” (Said No One Ever): Distinguishing Good Behavioural Science From Bad.’ The lecture will take place on Thursday September 29th at 7:00pm in the O’Flaherty Theatre, Arts Concourse, NUI Galway. It is often easy to forget that psychology is a scientific discipline, and that its core activity is the production of findings that help resolve debates about human behaviour and well-being. It is so easy to forget this that sometimes psychologists themselves fail to remember it. Scientifically limited research -- in other words, bad science -- has become a significant problem in modern psychology. This lecture examines the extent to which imperfect science threatens the impact and credibility of psychology, and argues that society at large stands to gain when psychologists promote and defend scientific standards. Brian Hughes is Professor of Psychology and Dean of International Affairs at NUI Galway. He writes widely on the psychology of empiricism and of empirically disputable claims, especially as they pertain to science, health, and medicine. His recently published book 'Rethinking Psychology: Good Science, Bad Science, Pseudoscience' examines the relationship between psychology, science and pseudoscience, and explores the biases impeding many psychologists from being truly rigorous. Professor Hughes also maintains a successful blog, ‘The Science Bit’, which attempts to demystify science and scientists and highlight abuses of scientific jargon and attempts to exploit public confusion about science. Queries may be directed to psichinuig@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you there!

>> Read full story about Public Lecture by Prof. Brian Hughes: ‘“Trust Me, I’m a Psychologist”

New Study Looks at Experience of Adults with ADHD

Thursday, 8 September 2016

A diagnosis of ADHD for an adult can lead to a sense of disbelief quickly followed by relief. That’s according to a new study of adult ADHD carried out by researchers at the School of Psychology, NUI Galway. The study was done in collaboration with the Irish National Council of AD/HD Support Groups (INCADDS). Please read more about the study from author, Dr. Pádraig MacNeela, on the NUI Galway News section and the Irish Independent. 

>> Read full story about New Study Looks at Experience of Adults with ADHD

Research Seminar Series – 2016/2017

Wednesday, 14 September 2016

Seminars take place every second Tuesday during semester in the School of Psychology, 1-2 pm. A light lunch is served in the ground floor foyer of the School of Psychology from 12.30 in advance of the seminars. All are welcome. All seminars take place in room AMBE G065, with the exception of 11/10/2016 which will take place in room AMBE G067 instead. Please feel free to download and ciruclate the timetable: Research Seminar Series 2016-2017 Coordinator: Molly Byrne, molly.byrne@nuigalway.ie

>> Read full story about Research Seminar Series – 2016/2017

Prof. Gary Donohoe wins 2016 President's Award for Research Excellence "Established Researcher"

Friday, 29 April 2016

NUI Galway hosted the 2016 Research Excellence Awards last Friday, 29 April, when winners of the 2016 Ryan Award for Innovation and the annual President’s Awards for Research Excellence were announced. These awards are made to members of the NUI Galway research community, by the University’s President Dr Jim Browne, in recognition of their outstanding and innovative research.  Professor Gary Donohoe received the Established Researcher Award.   

>> Read full story about Prof. Gary Donohoe wins 2016 President's Award for Research Excellence "Established Researcher"

Supervision Workshop for Board Certified Behaviour Analysts

Wednesday, 6 September 2017

 Supervision Workshop for Board Certified Behaviour Analysts NUI Galway recently became an Approved Continuing Education (ACE) Provider. To celebrate, we are hosting a launch ACE event on Monday October 2nd. This will comprise a 3-hour Supervision Workshop with Dr Helena Lydon BCBA-D, followed by a networking lunch. This workshop fulfils the requirement of 3 supervision CEUs in each recertification cycle. Helena has worked for seven years as a Senior Behaviour Specialist and Consultant for children and adults in Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services, and with private children’s residential care service providers, throughout Ireland. Helena is Clinical Placement Coordinator for the MSc in ABA and has been supervising students in the area of Behaviour Analysis for the past 7 years. We are delighted that she can share the benefit of her expertise in this area for our very first workshop.   We hope that our series of ACE events will provide continued opportunities for BCBAs across Ireland to get to know each other and encourage peer support, as well as offering a way to obtain CEUs close to home. Places are limited so please email the ACE coordinator to book your place Details Date: October 2nd 2017 Time: 11:00 to 14:00 Place: Room G066, Arts Millennium Building, National University of Ireland, Galway Contact: Dr Clodagh Murray, ACE Coordinator (clodagh.murray@nuigalway.ie; 091 494448) Cost: €30 for 3 CEUs, payable on the day. Lunch is complimentary for our launch event.

>> Read full story about Supervision Workshop for Board Certified Behaviour Analysts

NUIG-led consortium awarded EUR 1.5M by HRB for research on Youth Mental Health

Wednesday, 14 March 2018

A consortium of researchers and health service providers, led by NUI Galway's Professor of Psychology Prof. Gary Donohoe, has received major funding for a new collaborative doctoral program focused on understanding and responding to the mental health needs of young people under the age of 25. Mental health difficulties (including depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia) account for approximately half of all causes of disability in individuals under the age of 25 in Ireland and around the world. Commenting on the awarding of grant funding amounting to 1.5M, lead applicant Prof. Donohoe commented: "Despite the fact that difficulties with mental health usually begin between the ages of 15 and 25, and early treatment reduces later risk, people aged 12-25 years have the poorest access to treatment of all age groups. With this funding, the YOULEAD Consortium will address some of the main reasons for this, including an insufficient understanding of youth mental health, difficulties with early recognition of symptoms, a lack of strategic organisation and delivery of health services, and high levels of stigma. The YOULEAD program will address these issues by establishing an interdisciplinary cross-university PhD training program to equip researchers to better understand youth mental health difficulties and barriers to treatment, and to build an evidence base for treatment”. The YOULEAD consortium consists of leading youth mental health researchers from NUI Galway, UCD, and RCSI, and Ireland’s two main youth mental health service providers - the HSE, and JIGSAW. He consortium will seek to form a new national youth mental health research network, representing key stakeholders in youth mental health, including individuals & families with lived experience of mental health difficulties, national health services, and national/governmental policy makers. This network will provide a much-needed platform for knowledge exchange & dissemination that help to shape future service delivery, and national youth mental health policy.

>> Read full story about NUIG-led consortium awarded EUR 1.5M by HRB for research on Youth Mental Health

News

Teaching Excellence Awards

Dr Cornelia Connolly accepts Teaching Award

Monday, 29 May 2023

Our colleague Dr Cornelia Connolly was awarded the 2022-2023 College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies and the 2022-2023 President’s Award for Teaching Excellence. The University of Galway President’s Awards for Teaching Excellence recognise the outstanding efforts of teaching staff to ensure students receive the highest quality learning experience. In awarding Dr Connolly, the University recognise her sustained commitment to innovative and outstanding pedagogy. The University thrives on academic excellence and supportive relationships in equal measure, and Cornelia’s work is a stellar example of this. Congratulations Cornelia from your School of Education, CASSCS and University colleagues.

>> Read full story about Teaching Excellence Awards

2nd INTERNATIONAL TEACHER DIVERSITY RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

School of Education Logo

Thursday, 25 May 2023

2nd International Teacher Diversity Symposium - Call For Abstracts Diversifying initial teacher education, and the teaching profession, in Ireland and internationally, has been of research and policy significance for some time, and since 2017 has been operationalised in practice (in Ireland) through projects funded by the Higher Education Authority under the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH): Strand 1 (Equity of Access to Initial Teacher Education). On Friday, 20th October 2023, the School of Education at the University of Galway will host the second international research symposium on Teacher Diversity. Similar to our 2019 event, the main aim is to provide a forum for the sharing of research findings from the projects funded under PATH1, and other relevant projects in national and international contexts. Dr. Helen Maher, Vice President for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at the University of Galway will open proceedings, and this will be followed by a keynote address (TBC). The symposium main proceedings will consist of parallel sessions and a panel discussion. If you are interested in having your work considered for presentation at the symposium, please send the completed template to Kaitlin Kaufman at k.kaufman1@nuigalway.ie by July 28th 2023. We are very much looking forward to receiving your submissions and to seeing you in Galway in October! Dr Elaine Keane & Dr Manuela Heinz, School of Education, University of Galway Abstract Submission Template

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The future of education: how ambition loops can help transform the teaching profession

OECD Q and A Webinar

Wednesday, 24 May 2023

Professor Tony Hall has been invited by the OECD to speak at their online global educational event next week, "The future of education: how ambition loops can help transform the teaching profession." It is on Wednesday 31st May 2-3pm Irish time, and 3-4pm Paris time. Further details of the event can be found here: https://oecdedutoday.com/oecd-education-webinars/#Upcoming

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School of Education lecturer addresses Oireachtas Education Committee on the Future of STEM in Irish Education

Dr Cornelia Connolly

Friday, 28 April 2023

April 18th, our colleague Dr Cornelia Connolly, was invited to appear at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Associate Professor Cornelia Connolly delivered a powerful speech to the Education Committee on the Future of STEM in Irish Education, where she highlighted the need to develop a shared understanding and strengthen the acceptance of Computer Science as a foundational competence for every child, irrespective of race, gender or socioeconomic background. Dr. Connolly's insights and recommendations will have a significant impact on future policies and initiatives to advance equality in STEM. Her speech has been widely praised not only by Oireachtas members, but also by academics and experts in the field of STEM education. The transcript of her opening statement is available here. Dr Connolly highlighted the recent research findings by the University of Galway School of Education in regard to capacity for, access to, and participation in Computer Science Education in Ireland (https://doi.org/10.13025/bccm-2c38).‌ Watch the Oireachtas Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, roundtable Discussion on the Future of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) in Irish Education with School of Education Associate Professor, Dr Cornelia Connolly. (Video starts at 28 seconds)

>> Read full story about School of Education lecturer addresses Oireachtas Education Committee on the Future of STEM in Irish Education

CodePlus Company Visit

CodePlus Company Visit

Thursday, 27 April 2023

The School of Education, University of Galway project ‘CodePlus’ brought 50 students to Fidelity Investments last week! 5th year and Transition Year girls from Dominican College, Taylors Hill, Galway spent the afternoon at the Fidelity Investments offices to explore what it’s like to work in technology. The students were given talks by software engineers Mary Tyrell, Oluchi Anyabuike, and Sinead O’Mahoney – introducing the sector and industry to the young people. Then the students conducted some hand-on agile activities with Conor Dunne & Mary McMahon. CodePlus is a national programme co-delivered by University of Galway, University of Limerick and Trinity College Dublin (funded by SFI, Google and others). It provides coding workshops, CS-focussed career talks and industry site visits to 5K+ students annually. Project website: https://www.codeplusireland.ie/

>> Read full story about CodePlus Company Visit

Capacity For, Access To, and Participation in Computer Science in Ireland

Launch of Computer Science in Ireland report

Monday, 27 March 2023

Capacity For, Access To, and Participation in Computer Science in Ireland - report launch with Prof Michal Molcho (Head of the School of Education), Prof. Pól Ó'Dochartaigh (Deputy President and Registrar), Dr Cornelia Connolly and Dr Claire Connelly. Listen back to Dr Connolly on RTÉ's Morning Ireland news programme: https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22230190/

>> Read full story about Capacity For, Access To, and Participation in Computer Science in Ireland

Teastas Teagaisc don Earnáil Ghaeloideachais (TTEG)

Teastas Teagaisc don Earnáil Ghaeloideachais (TTEG)

Tuesday, 28 February 2023

Are you enrolled in an initial teacher education programme (post-primary)? Would you be interested in a certificate programme that would you give you an understanding of Irish-medium education?  The School of Education the University of Galway are offering the Teastas Teagaisc don Earnáil Ghaeloideachais (TTEG). It is an online programme that is available free of charge. For further information contact: breandan.b.macgearailt@universityofgalway.ie An bhfuil tú ar chúrsa in oiliúint tosaigh múinteoirí? An bhfuil roinnt Gaeilge agat? An mbeadh suim agat post a fháil i scoil a bhíonn ag teagasc trí Ghaeilge?   Ba cheart duit cuir isteach ar TTEG mar sin. Tabharfaidh an Teastas Teagaisc don Earnáil Ghaeloideachais (TTEG) léargas agus tuiscint do na rannpháirtithe ar chomhthéacs agus dea-chleachtais iomaire an Ghaeloideachais ag an iar-bhunleibhéal. Tá an TTEG saor in aisce do mhúinteoirí faoi oiliúint. Breis eolais: breandan.b.macgearailt@universityofgalway.ie  

>> Read full story about Teastas Teagaisc don Earnáil Ghaeloideachais (TTEG)

Global Citizenship Education Event 2023

GCE 2023

Wednesday, 15 February 2023

The School of Education recently held 2 days of workshops delivered by 10 domain experts in Global Citizenship Education (GCE). The purpose of this annual event is to introduce our student teachers to the concept of GCE, and the critical issues related to it. The Global Citizenship Education event is organised by Drs Brenda Gallagher, PME Year 1 Programme Director, and Manuella Heinz, Head of the Discipline of Education. The aim of the Global Citizenship Education component of the initial teacher education (ITE) programmes within the School of Education (SoE), University of Galway, is to enable our student teachers to develop their critical consciousness on sustainable development and related issues. As a result, GCE is integrated, in a variety of ways, into all of our programmes. Activities in Year 1 focus on equipping our student teachers with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to be effective in terms of bringing GCE into their classrooms. Follow on activities in Year 2 focus on the importance and impact of GCE and on the evidencing the practice of bringing GCE into the classroom in a manner that has value and meaning in terms of teaching, learning and assessment. The promotion of our student teachers’ professional identity and agency, and personal development in a manner that is consistent with the role of Global Teacher is also a core aim. This is of key important because it equips our student teachers with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to be instrumental in educating their pupils for their future role as global citizens; citizens with the capacity for critical thinking and thoughtful action.

>> Read full story about Global Citizenship Education Event 2023

Call for Papers – Learning Environments Research Journal

Learning Environments Research Journal

Tuesday, 17 January 2023

If you are conducting research in the areas of equity, inclusion and learning environments consider submitting a proposals for an important Special Issue focussing on: Reconceptualising learning environments for equitable and inclusive education futures Call details: https://link.springer.com/collections/ghhadjejej Guest Editors: Manuela Heinz, Linda Graham, Ridwan Maulana Deadline for proposal abstracts: 30 April 2023 Learning Environments Research Journal https://www.springer.com/journal/10984

>> Read full story about Call for Papers – Learning Environments Research Journal

Why is the Irish language so widely abused on public signs?

Irish language abused on public signs

Thursday, 12 January 2023

School of Education, Léachtóir and Stiúrthóir ar an Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas (MGO), Sinéad Ní Ghuidhir, provides RTÉ Brainstorm with an opinion piece on: why is the Irish language so widely abused on public signs? https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2023/0111/1345850-ireland-irish-language-public-signs-badly-translated-misspellings-typos/

>> Read full story about Why is the Irish language so widely abused on public signs?

My TY work experience gave me the confidence to be a teacher

Evan Dunne

Tuesday, 10 January 2023

A lovely profile on Evan Doyle, one of our 4th year BA Education (Computer Science and Mathematical Studies) students, features in the Irish Independent. https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/going-to-college/case-study-my-ty-work-experience-gave-me-the-confidence-to-be-a-teacher-42271205.html

>> Read full story about My TY work experience gave me the confidence to be a teacher

Book launch - Diversifying the teaching profession: Dimensions, dilemmas and directions for the future

Book Launch

Friday, 9 December 2022

Keane, E., Heinz, M. and Mc Daid, R. (Eds.) (2023) Diversifying the teaching profession: Dimensions, dilemmas and directions for the future, London: Routledge Our recently published book was launched by Dr. Helen Maher, Vice President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Professor Gerry Mac Ruairc, (then) Head of the School of Education, University of Galway, in the Moore Institute on December 9th, 2022. Proceedings were facilitated by Professor Daniel Carey, Director of the Moore Institute, and included a panel discussion featuring Dr. Aileen Marron (Senior Manager, Access Policy, Higher Education Authority), Dr. Vivian Rath (Research Project Officer, Reasonable Accommodations and Professional Placements Project (RAPP), Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD)); Ms. María Florencia Sala Rothen (Independent Researcher and Teacher); and Mr. Owen Ward (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Programme Manager for Race Equality, University of Galway). Panel members discussed the significance of the book and implications for national and international policy, practice and future research. ‌ L-R Back Row: Dr. Helen Maher, Vice President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Professor Daniel Carey, Director of the Moore Institute; Professor Gerry Mac Ruairc, (then) Head of the School of Education, Dr. Manuela Heinz, Dr. Elaine Keane, and Dr. Rory Mc Daid.L-R Front Row: Mr. Owen Ward, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Programme Manager for Race Equality; Ms. María Florencia Sala Rothen, Independent Researcher and Teacher; Dr. Aileen Marron, Senior Manager, Access Policy, Higher Education Authority; Dr. Vivian Rath, Research Project Officer, Reasonable Accommodations and Professional Placements Project (RAPP), Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD) Biography:Elaine Keane is a Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor as well as Director of Doctoral Studies in the School of Education and the University of Galway.Manuela Heinz is Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor as well as Head of Discipline of Education in the School of Education at the University of Galway.Rory Mc Daid is Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor in Sociology of Education as well as Director of Research at Marino Institute of Education, Dublin.

>> Read full story about Book launch - Diversifying the teaching profession: Dimensions, dilemmas and directions for the future

Diversifying the Teaching Profession: Dimensions, Dilemmas and Directions for the Future

Book - Diversifying the Teaching Profession

Tuesday, 15 November 2022

Book Launch! You are invited to the launch of Diversifying the Teaching Profession: Dimensions, Dilemmas and Directions for the Future Friday, 9th December 2022, 11am - pmMoore Institute, Room (G010), University of Galway. Biography:Elaine Keane is a Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor as well as Director of Doctoral Studies in the School of Education and the University of Galway.Manuela Heinz is Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor as well as Head of Discipline of Education in the School of Education at the University of Galway.Rory Mc Daid is Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor in Sociology of Education as well as Director of Research at Marino Institute of Education, Dublin.    

>> Read full story about Diversifying the Teaching Profession: Dimensions, Dilemmas and Directions for the Future

Teaching Programming & Computational Thinking in Early Childhood, Primary & Secondary Education

Research Seminar

Monday, 7 November 2022

Methodologies, Applications and Programmes - Teaching Programming and Computational Thinking in Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary Education Speaker: Prof. Raquel Hijón NeiraMonday, 21st November 2022 at 11 amZoom: https://nuigalway-ie.zoom.us/j/92297028763 The interest in children learning to code has grown exponentially recently. In recent years, we have tried effective ways to bring programming to the classrooms of Primary and Early Childhood Education. In this talk, the experiences carried out to bring programming closer to these levels are explained: proposed methodologies, applications and programs used and developed, different approaches, different types of interaction and results obtained in both stages, as well as some experiences to support the introduction of programming in Secondary Education and future work. In Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary Education, results are presented in which significant improvements are observed using different approaches and ways of interaction, which depend on factors such as age. For further information on this and all our Research Seminars please contact Dr Cornelia Connolly cornelia.connolly@universityofgalway.ie ‌    

>> Read full story about Teaching Programming & Computational Thinking in Early Childhood, Primary & Secondary Education

Research Seminar - Adolescents avoiding using public toilets: a universal public health problem, still unrecognised

Research Seminar

Friday, 28 October 2022

Based on recent statistics, we consider that access to toilets, and more precisely school toilets, is no more an issue in the European region. Indeed, compared to the global figure of 63% of schools equipped of a basic sanitation service in 2019, the rates in Europe and North America are much higher (99%). The differences are of the same level regarding handwashing facilities in schools (57% vs. 98%) (UNICEF, 2020). However, use does not only rely on the presence of a given facility. Complementary perspectives will illustrate the scope of this universal yet unrecognised and under discussed public health issue: the avoidance of public and school toilets use by adolescents.  For further information on this and all our Research Seminars please contact Dr Cornelia Connolly cornelia.connolly@universityofgalway.ie  ‌

>> Read full story about Research Seminar - Adolescents avoiding using public toilets: a universal public health problem, still unrecognised

CSWeek 2022 at University of Galway

CSWeek 2022

Monday, 17 October 2022

The first ever national Computer Science Week (#CSWeek) was held 8-15 October, with the School of Education organising several workshops for teachers, pre-service teachers and the wider community. There were workshops facilitated by visiting Professor Raquel Hijon-Neira from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos de Madrid and Postdoctoral Researcher Dr Sally McHugh on Micro:Bits, App Inventor and there was a also a webinar chaired by Dr Cornelia Connolly entitled “Eolaíocht ríomhaireachta don ardteistiméireacht.” A national conference to mark Computer Science Week was held on 13th October in Athlone. This conference was based on the CSforALLie event hosted by Dr Cornelia Connolly at University of Galway, supported by Google, in 2019 as referred to by Minister Foley (https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/dc389-minister-foley-launches-inaugural-computer-science-week-8-15-october-2022/). The week cumulated with support by Google for the SFI CodePlus project. CodePlus is a national project aiming to address the gender imbalance in the fields of Computer Science providing workshops, in-company talks for young people identifying as female. https://www.siliconrepublic.com/careers/google-codeplus-trinity-women-it CS Week 2022 images: https://photos.app.goo.gl/hAy4UggAvvH5zPUH8

>> Read full story about CSWeek 2022 at University of Galway

Postdoctoral Researcher Awarded SFI Postdoctoral Fellowship

Dr Colette Kirwan

Friday, 7 October 2022

Congratulations to School of Education Postdoctoral Researcher Dr Colette Kirwan, who was successfully awarded a Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Postdoctoral Fellowship. Colette, who is collaborating with PI Dr Cornelia Connolly on Computer Science Education research, will contribute to the different areas of the SFI organisation, including the Education and Public Engagement strand. The Fellowship Award is for two years and will offer Colette the opportunity to experience the diverse activities of the SFI first-hand, while remaining with University of Galway.

>> Read full story about Postdoctoral Researcher Awarded SFI Postdoctoral Fellowship

Dr. Cornelia Connolly appointed to the Executive of Lero

Dr Cornelia Connolly

Thursday, 22 September 2022

Dr. Cornelia Connolly, School of Education at University of Galway, has been appointed to the Executive of Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Centre for Software. Dr. Connolly will chair the EDI (equity diversity inclusion) Committee, and contribute to Lero’s vision in establishing Ireland as a location synonymous with high-quality software research and development. Cornelia holds a M.Eng. in Computer Engineering and a Ph.D. in pedagogical innovation, as well as an M.B.A. Her prior experience as a business and management consultant with Accenture informs her research and practice, drawing from related disciplines of education, computing and technology. Since its foundation, Lero has very much extended its focus beyond purely software engineering to embrace a more expansive research agenda, reflecting the needs of industry partners, education and society.

>> Read full story about Dr. Cornelia Connolly appointed to the Executive of Lero

New Book! Diversifying the Teaching Profession Dimensions, Dilemmas and Directions for the Future

Diversifying the Teaching Profession book cover

Monday, 29 August 2022

New book published! This edited volume is about diversifying the teaching profession. It is unique in its inclusion of multiple dimensions of diversity; its chapters focus on a wide range of under-represented groups, including those from lower socio-economic groups, Black and minority ethnic groups, migrants, the Travelling community, the Deaf community, the LGBTQI+ community and those of mature age. The book includes contributions from Australia, England, Iceland, Portugal and Scotland, as well as a number of chapters from the Irish context, mostly emanating from projects funded under Ireland’s Higher Education Authority’s Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH): Strand 1—Equity of Access to Initial Teacher Education. The book also critically engages the rationale for diversifying the profession, arguing not only that representation still matters, but also that ultimately teacher diversity work needs to encompass system transformation to achieve a diverse, equitable and inclusive teaching profession. Biography: Elaine Keane is a Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor as well as Director of Doctoral Studies in the School of Education and the University of Galway. Manuela Heinz is Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor as well as Head of Discipline of Education in the School of Education at the University of Galway. Rory Mc Daid is Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor in Sociology of Education as well as Director of Research at Marino Institute of Education, Dublin. Please see Discount Code below. Valid until 31st December 2022

>> Read full story about New Book! Diversifying the Teaching Profession Dimensions, Dilemmas and Directions for the Future

Primary Teachers - Would You Like To Participate In A Study?

Professional Learning

Thursday, 21 April 2022

‌ Primary Teachers - participate in study exploring religious tolerance in Catholic Primary Schools in Ireland and South Korea Jinmin Cho, primary teacher and PhD Researcher at NUI Galway is exploring teachers’ experiences and perspectives regarding the promotion of intercultural understanding and religious tolerance in Catholic schools in Ireland and South Korea’. The study also compares challenges faced by teachers in both countries. The project aims to support the promotion of religious tolerance and understanding of religious diversity in educational contexts. Jinmin is looking for teachers to participate in research interviews of approx. 1 hour duration. Please contact Jinmin at j.cho2@nuigalway.ie / 083-460-5775 if you would like to participate.

>> Read full story about Primary Teachers - Would You Like To Participate In A Study?

UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre - Policy Recommendations

UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre

Thursday, 21 April 2022

Policy recommendations: The past two years have seen disruptions on a global scale, which have been deeply unsettling for many and highlight the uncertainty of our everyday lives. For young people, the abrupt closing of schools meant that this key part of life either came to a halt or significantly changed the way of ‘doing’ school. As responses to the crisis developed, it became clear that while school closures had negative implications for most young people, the effects had greater consequence for some than for others. Concerns continue as schools reopen and develop new norms for teaching and learning and the practices of everyday life in schools. This study aims to create a rapid response through co-designing and co- developing coping, wellbeing and support strategies for young people (aged 12-18 years) and their parents, in the context of coping with COVID-19, including fast- tracking dissemination to facilitate educational engagement. The following Project Briefs emerged and provide recommendations to policy makers, educators and support service providers. Keane, E., Kealy, C., Dolan, Flynn, P., Flynn, N., Forkan, C., Furey, E., Mac Ruairc, G. and Murray, C. (2022). ‘The Impact of COVID-19 on young people (Project Brief 1)’, Crisis Coping-Marginalised young people’s living and learning experiences during COVID-19 in Ireland Project Brief Series, Galway: UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre and School of Education, NUI Galway. Project Brief 1‌  Murray, C., Kealy, C., Flynn, N., Forkan, C., Dolan, P., Flynn, P., Furey, E., Keane, E. and Mac Ruairc, G. (2022). ‘The coping of young people in the school reopening phase of COVID-19 (Project Brief 2)’, Crisis Coping-Marginalised young people’s living and learning experiences during COVID-19 in Ireland Project Brief Series, Galway: UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre and School of Education, NUI Galway. Project Brief 2‌  Kealy, C., Murray, C., Flynn, P., Dolan, P. Flynn, N., Forkan, C., Furey, E., Keane, E. and Mac Ruairc, G. (2022). ‘Parents’ perspectives on their children’s living and learning during COVID-19 (Project Brief 3)’, Crisis Coping-Marginalised young people’s living and learning experiences during COVID-19 in Ireland Project Brief Series, Galway: UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre and School of Education, NUI Galway. Project Brief 3Below for circulation:https://www.nuigalway.ie/cfrc/projects/currentprojects/crisiscopinglivingandlearningthroughcovid-19/outputs/

>> Read full story about UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre - Policy Recommendations

Piece of Early Transatlantic Cable Donated to Computer and Communications Museum of Ireland

Transatlantic Cable Donated to Computer Museum of Ireland

Monday, 19 July 2021

Dr Cornelia Connolly donates a piece of the Transatlantic Cable to Brendan Smith, Education and Public Engagement Officer, Insight Centre for Data Analytics, NUI Galway.  The cable promises to be a wonderful historical piece and a popular exhibit at the NUI Galway, Computer and Communications Museum of Ireland (https://ccmireland.com/).   The Transatlantic Cable was laid from Valentia in County Kerry to Newfoundland in Canada in the 1800’s – an amazing engineering feat to happen not long after the Irish famine and a short number of years before the establishment of our University.  The laying of the cable established Ireland as a hub for telecommunications.  To read more about the Transatlantic Cable check out the following:    RTE Brainstorm article: https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2021/0616/1228379-transatlantic-cable-valentia-island-newfoundland/  C. Connolly, (2002) "The transatlantic cable-an Irish perspective," in Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 90, no. 4, pp. 623-625, https://doi.org/10.1109/JPROC.2002.1002531  Also check out the Computer and Communications Museum of Ireland (https://ccmireland.com/).

>> Read full story about Piece of Early Transatlantic Cable Donated to Computer and Communications Museum of Ireland

Assessing Computational Thinking in PISA

Assessing Computational Thinking in PISA

Monday, 21 June 2021

Dr Cornelia Connolly has been invited by the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) to design the formative assessment system for the computational problem solving framework. ‘Computational problem solving’ is that iterative process of developing computational solutions to problems. Forming part of the OECD’s PISA 2024 Learning in the Digital World assessment – the impactful international project involves collaboration with Stanford University, University of Maryland and Vanderbilt University.  

>> Read full story about Assessing Computational Thinking in PISA

SpaceShipEarth – Sending STEMM Experiments to Space!

SpaceShipEarth

Wednesday, 16 June 2021

Dr Cornelia Connolly from the School of Education and colleagues from NUI Galway School of Medicine and the University of Limerick are collaborating on a SFI Discovery project ‘SpaceShipEarth.’ SpaceShipEarth (www.spaceshipearth.ie) is a research study to promote and engage young people in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine). On Tuesday 15th June 2021 the team conducted their first workshop with over 300 primary school children attending from schools in Galway, Limerick and Kerry.  In the workshops children were taught about the importance of STEMM in our lives and how to ask interesting scientific questions and then to develop experiments to find the answers. The project involves launching high-altitude space balloons into space carrying experiments from the young people.  When the experiments are returned, the class will engage in analysis and discussion – extending and deepening their learning. SpaceShipEarth plans on launching July 2nd at Valencia Co. Kerry. Project website: www.spaceshipearth.ie  

>> Read full story about SpaceShipEarth – Sending STEMM Experiments to Space!

ERASMUS+ project: Computational Thinking and Mathematical Thinking

ERASMUS+ project: Computational Thinking

Thursday, 10 June 2021

June 9th Dr Cornelia Connolly, School of Education, presented along with colleagues from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) at their ERASMUS+ project meeting.  The project “Computational thinking and mathematical thinking: digital literacy in mathematics curricula” focuses on the use of digital tools which young people and pre-service teachers will explore in our technology-rich learning environment. The project outcomes will influence the design of national curricula and the research questions how we can develop computational thinking skills in relation to mathematical thinking, in pure and applied mathematics. This ERASMUS+ (2019-2021) project is a collaboration with the School of Education, NUI Galway, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA); Eötvös Loránd University, Hungry; KU Leuven, Belgium; National Education Institute Slovenia; Estonian Education Competence Center; Norwegian University of Science and Technology; and SLO, Netherlands Institute for Curriculum Development.

>> Read full story about ERASMUS+ project: Computational Thinking and Mathematical Thinking

Gender in Teaching – A Dialectic Rationale for Diverse Masculinities in Schooling

Taylor Francis Online

Friday, 12 March 2021

A new paper, published today, by School of Education, NUI Galway colleagues Drs Manuela Heinz, Elaine Keane and Kevin Davison explores Gender and Diversity in Teaching. Drawing on a national dataset, the authors explore entry patterns to primary and post-primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes, socio-demographic backgrounds and career motivations of male and female ITE applicants and entrants in Ireland. The paper provides new insights into the complexities of male positionalities in teaching and calls for dialectic debates about reasons for and implications of the underrepresentation of male teachers as well as the transformative potential of diverse and ‘caring’ masculinities for schools and society. 50 free copies available at:https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/SR2XBWK3VVT8HWGDUJBM/full?target=10.1080/02619768.2021.1890709

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Panel Discussion on the Diversity in Teaching as part of Traveller Ethnicity Day

Traveller Ethnicity Day 2021

Wednesday, 3 March 2021

On 1st March, we celebrated Traveller Ethnicity Day in NUI Galway with a series of high-profile virtual events providing insights into Traveller culture, history and social issues.  Among the speakers were Minister Simon Harris and Senator Eileen Flynn.  Well done to our recent PME graduate Owen Ward who worked with the Access Office on the organisation of the Day. Owen also organised a panel session focusing on Diversity in the Teaching Profession, with panellists Josephine Walsh (NUIG Career Development Centre), Dr Manuela Heinz and Rachel Konisberry (School of Education), Joseph Nyirenda (Access Office), Brian Fahy (Teaching Council) and Denise Frawley (Higher Education Authority). During the session, research findings from the Diversity in Initial Teacher Education (DITE) National Study (PIs: Drs Manuela Heinz and Elaine Keane), the rationale for a diverse teaching profession, and experiences of teachers from non-traditional and minority backgrounds were shared and discussed. Panellists also provided information about the Higher Education Authority’s Programme of Access to Higher Education - PATH 1 Strand focusing on the diversification of the teaching profession in Ireland.

>> Read full story about Panel Discussion on the Diversity in Teaching as part of Traveller Ethnicity Day

Are you a pre-service post-primary teacher with an interest in Irish-medium education?

NUIG Slider

Thursday, 10 October 2019

‌ Are you a pre-service post-primary teacher with an interest in Irish-medium education?  An bhfuil roinnt Gaeilge agat? Do you have conversational Irish?  Would you like to get a job in an Irish-medium school?  If the answer to those questions is ‘Yes’/’Tá’ then you should think of applying for the TTEG?  The School of Education in NUI Galway has developed the Teastas Teagaisc don Earnáil Ghaeloideachais (TTEG) in conjunction with the Department of Education and Skills and COGG. This online programme will give pre-service teachers an understanding of Irish-medium education. The TTEG is being offered free of charge and will run concurrently with your PME and not effect that programme in any way.   Main Points:  Six online sessions (Zoom)  The certificate will be presented on a pass/fail basis.  The assessment is on an oral presentation (there are no written assignments/examinations). This presentation will be based on application of course content to your own subject areas.  Conversational Irish is the only language requirement for TTEG.   Enclosed are more details as Gaeilge in relation to the programme: content, dates, etc. Completed application forms and queries should be sent to:  breandan.b.macgearailt@nuigalway.ie  Tá an Teastas Teagaisc don Earnáil Ghaeloideachais (TTEG)  á chur ar fáil ag foireann an Mháistir Ghairmiúil san Oideachas in OÉ Gaillimh i gcomhar leis an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna agus COGG.  Tabharfaidh an TTEG léargas agus tuiscint do mhúinteoirí faoi oiliúint ar chomhthéacs agus dea-chleachtais iomaire an Ghaeloideachais ag an iar-bhunleibhéal. Beidh an TTEG ag rith comhthreomhar le do chúrsa múinteoireachta agus ní chuirfidh sé as don chúrsa sin ar aon slí. Beidh an TTEG á reáchtáil go hiomlán ar líne agus tá sé saor in aisce do mhúinteoirí faoi oiliúint.  Príomhphointí  6 sheisiún ar líne (Zoom)  Bronnfar an TTEG ar bhonn pas/teip.  Beidh an measúnú bunaithe ar chur i láthair ó bhéal ós na scoláirí. Sa chur i láthair seo beidh ar na mic léinn ábhar an chúrsa a chur i bhfeidhm ar a n-ábhar féin.   Gaeilge chumarsáideach amháin atá ag teastáil don TTEG.  Tá tuilleadh sonraí (dátaí, ábhar an chúrsa srl.) mar aon le foirm iarratais iniata.   Ba cheart ceisteanna agus foirmeachas iarratais comhlánaithe a sheoladh chuig: breandan.b.macgearailt@nuigalway.ie 

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Erasmus+ Project LIFE 2 – Learning Interculturality from Religion Newsletter

Erasmus Project LIFE2 Interculterality

Thursday, 3 December 2020

We are delighted to be involved with this eight country Erasmus+ funded project.  Research Instruments are currently going through final piloting phase and we look forward to implementing new and innovative participatory pedagogies in second-level schools soon. The Ireland team is led by Professor Gerry MacRuairc, Dr Manuela Heinz and Dr Elaine Keane from the School of Education NUI Galway in collaboration with Dr Mary Shanahan from St Angela’s College, Sligo. Newsletter Erasmus+ Project LIFE 2 – Learning Interculturality from Religion

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Online Survey To Explore Parents’/Guardians’ And Children's Experiences Of ‘Schooling At Home’ During COVID-19

Schooling At Home During COVID-19

Tuesday, 23 June 2020

‌‌ A team of researchers in the School of Education at NUI Galway, in collaboration with the National Parents’ Council, are conducting an online survey exploring parents’ and children’s experiences and views of ‘schooling at home’ as a result of the closure of school buildings due to COVID-19.  It is believed that now, when the academic school year has recently ended (for post-primary students) or is coming to an end (for primary students), is a very good time to reflect on ‘schooling at home’, and to think about schooling into the future.  A particular focus of the research is whether the experience of ‘schooling at home’ has been different for different groups within society, particularly individuals from disadvantaged and/or minority communities.  All individuals in the Republic of Ireland who have a primary or post-primary school-aged child who has been ‘schooled at home’ as a result of COVID-19 are being invited to participate in the study.  School-aged children are also being invited to participate in the survey as we feel it is extremely important to capture the experiences and opinions of young people. Further information on the study, including details about what participation in the anonymous survey involves, what the potential benefits and risks of participation are, and how the data will be used, can be accessed at the following links: Information sheet for primary school-aged children and parents Information sheet for post-primary school-aged children and parents The survey, which will be live from 23rd June until 10th July, can be found at: English language version: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/surveyschoolingathomeLeagan Gaeilge ar fáil anseo: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/scolaiochtsabhaile

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The 2020 4th Year BA Mathematics and Education Symposium

Tuesday, 21 April 2020

The 2020 4th Year BA Mathematics and Symposium  It is with great regret that the annual 4th Year BA Mathematics and Education Symposium had to be cancelled this year due to the current COVID-19 circumstances. We would like to thank everyone who had already expressed an interest in attending and our Guest Speakers who had offered to present to what was going to be an excellent event (Lynne McClure, Cambridge Mathematics, Shane Flanagan JCT Mathematics, Brendan Doheny PDST Applied Mathematics).  Thank you also to Dr Cornelia Connolly for her help in organising the event.  In preparation for the Symposium we had organised a Table Quiz in February and raised funds, from the quiz entry fee and raffle.  We wish to thank our friends and our lecturers who attended, participated and contributed prizes for the night.  As our Symposium event is not happening this year and the funding for such is no longer pertinent - the class group decided to make a donation to Charity.  We decided on two very honourable charities close to our thoughts: The Olive Branch for Children and Barretstown.  The Olive Branch for children helps remote communities in Tanzania assess their primary needs and establish programs that target the most vulnerable.  Two members from our class have spent some time there in Summer 2019 https://www.theolivebranchforchildren.org Barretstown is a serious fun camp in Kildare for sick children.  They offer completely free camps for children and their families living with a serious illness https://www.barretstown.org Although the country, and indeed the world, is currently at a standstill due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus we thought about charities and needs in the world that are still in need of support.  We are sad for the way our four years at NUI Galway ended yet very grateful for the memories and times had.

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Invitation to Attend Lecture by Professor Kalwant Bhopal

Thursday, 5 March 2020

Invitation to attend lecture by Professor Kalwant Bhopal We are excited to announce that the School of Education at NUI Galway will host Professor Kalwant Bhopal (Director, Centre for Research in Race & Education (CRRE), University of Birmingham) on Thursday, April 30th 2020 at 3pm.  Venue TBC (NUI Galway).  Her lecture is titled: BME Experiences in Higher Education: Policy making, Social Justice and White Privilege  Abstract: This lecture will examine recent statistics on the representation of BME staff and students in higher education and explore how processes of racism, exclusion and marginalisation continue to disadvantage BME groups.  It will use empirical research which explores BME academic flight from higher education to suggest ways forward for the inclusion of BME focusing on issues of equity and social justice.  The lecture will discuss how white privilege works to disadvantage those from BME backgrounds and will explore how universities can develop good practice for the inclusion of BME groups in higher education.  Biography: Kalwant Bhopal is Professor of Education and Social Justice.  She was appointed Professorial Research Fellow from 2017-2020.  In January 2020 she became Director of the Centre for Research in Race and Education (CRRE) in the School of Education.  Kalwant’s research focuses on the achievements and experiences of minority ethnic groups in education.  She has conducted research on exploring discourses of identity and intersectionality examining the lives of Black minority ethnic groups as well as examining the marginal position of Gypsies and Travellers.  Her research specifically explores how processes of racism, exclusion and marginalisation operate in predominantly White spaces with a focus on social justice and inclusion.  Kalwant is Visiting Professor at Kings College London (Department of Education and Professional Studies) and was Visiting Professor at Harvard University in the Harvard Graduate School of Education from 2017-2019.  Registration: Please register as soon as possible but no later than April 24th.  Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bme-experiences-in-higher-education-professor-kalwant-bhopal-tickets-97151261037  Any queries, contact Dr Elaine Keane at elaine.keane@nuigalway.ie

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Parents of Young Children With Down Syndrome Need Support to Enable Them to Enhance the Home Literacy Environment

Friday, 21 February 2020

An NUI Galway study has been published in the Irish Educational Studies peer-reviewed academic journal calling for the provision of a range of supports for parents of young children with Down Syndrome to enable them to enhance the home literacy environment. We are delighted to see our paper exploring Shared reading practices between parents and young children with Down Syndrome in Ireland published in Irish Educational Studies. https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/7JJT2X5WNTVX328STAN2/full?target=10.1080/03323315.2020.1729836 The paper is based on Ms Sinead Lusby’s M.Ed. study (supervised by Dr. Manuela Heinz) conducted at the School of Education, NUI Galway. Ms Lusby is a Primary school teacher in Scoil Chaitri̒ona Junior, Renmore, Galway with 23 years teaching experience in mainstream, learning support, resource and EAL. The focus of this study was influenced by professional and personal factors.  In her role as a primary school teacher, Ms. Lusby has witnessed the immense benefits of parent-child shared reading in the literacy development of both typically developing children and children with special needs.  Further, as a parent of a young girl with Down syndrome, with whom she introduced shared reading at an early age, she has seen first-hand the significant benefits of shared reading in promoting the development of her daughter’s emergent literacy skills.  Additionally, the significant interest of many parents of young children with Down syndrome, particularly in the Galway Down syndrome branch, in supporting the literacy development of their children, and the call for assistance from parents in this regard, further reinforced Sinead’s motivation to undertake this research study.  In particular, Sinead strongly believed that there was a need to quantify current nationwide shared reading practices in order to explore the need for parental education and support in this area.  We are delighted and very proud to see this important research published in Irish Educational Studies. Dr Heinz, supervisor of Ms Lusby’s M.Ed. study says that: Ms Lusby’s study provides very important baseline data regarding the current reading practices of parents with their young children with Down Syndrome which may be used in the planning and implementation of parental education programmes.  Findings point to high levels of commitment among parents to reading with their children and a call for further guidance and support.  The paper outlines specific recommendations regarding the provision of parental support which we hope can make a significant contribution towards enhancing the development of the emergent literacy skills of young children with Down syndrome.

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Leadership Reserves: Agents of transformation in teacher education

Leadership Reserves

Tuesday, 21 January 2020

Dr Cornelia Connolly hosted the “Leadership Reserves: Agents of transformation in teacher education” at NUI Galway.  The delegation from the Ministry of Education and MOFET Institute in Israel visited the School of Education at NUI Galway where they attended a series of presentations learning from and gaining an understanding of the Irish education system and teacher education.  Dr Connolly hosted the event and there was a series of presentations from colleagues in the School of Education, School of Sociology and Politics, PDST, Centre for School Leadership and the UNESCO Child & Family Research Centre. 

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NUI Galway Host Team Maths Regional Competition

Monday, 20 January 2020

The School of Education, NUI Galway are proud to host the Team Math Quiz for students from second level schools from the catchment area. The Irish Mathematics Teachers' Association (IMTA) Galway Branch are organising the Regional Rounds and the Quiz will be held on Friday January 24th at 7:30pm in Block E, South Campus, NUI Galway. Team Math is a table quiz for teams of 4 students from Leaving Cert year with questions based on the Leaving Certificate higher level syllabus. This competition has been a long running activity of the Irish Mathematics Teachers' Association with local and regional competitions organised since 1991.  The first national final for the quiz was held in Trinity College Dublin in 2005.  The Irish Mathematics Teachers' Association is one of the longest established teacher subject associations, having been founded in January 2nd, 1964 – the inaugural meeting was in Newman House, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin. The IMTA run and support a number of maths competitions for students throughout the year such as Peters Problem, The Pi Quiz and The Junior Maths Competition. NUI Galway are proud to host the Team Math Quiz again this year and look forward to welcoming many local and regional schools! 

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Are You Interested in Learning More About Intercultural Education? Are You a Primary School Teacher?

Monday, 16 December 2019

Are you interested in learning more about intercultural education and enhancing your pedagogical skills in a culturally diverse classroom? Are you a primary school teacher in Galway? If the answer to the above questions is ‘Yes’ then you should consider signing up for an exciting Collaborative Action Research project with teachers starting in February 2020. Seun Adebayo, a PhD student at the School of Education in NUI Galway, is currently conducting an action research project to enhance primary school teachers’ pedagogy so as to create more culturally inclusive learning environments in Ireland. See leaflet for information, and you can also contact Seun Adebayo: s.adebayo2@nuigalway.ie for more details and to sign up!

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School of Education, NUI Galway Hosted Diversity in Teaching Research Symposium

Thursday, 28 November 2019

On Thursday, 14th November, organised by Dr. Elaine Keane and Dr. Manuela Heinz, the School of Education at NUI Galway hosted the Diversity in Teaching research symposium. Building on their previous Diversity in Initial Teacher Education (DITE) project funded by the Irish Research Council (2013-2015), the Diversity in Teaching event was Ireland’s first research symposium on the topic.   Professor Anne Scott, Vice-President for Equality and Diversity at NUI Galway, opened the event and welcomed the 60+ participants who were in attendance from higher education institutions all over Ireland, as well as from Canada, the US, and the UK. Professor Liz Thomas (Edge Hill University, England) provided the keynote address, examining the role of professional passion in improving diversity and success in teacher education.  Drs. Elaine Keane and Manuela Heinz further contextualised the symposium’s work by examining the rationale for diversifying the teaching profession. The remainder of the day featured 18 papers presented by national and international participants, many drawing on projects funded under the Higher Education Authority’s innovative Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH), Strand 1 (Equity of Access to Teacher Education), which in 2017 committed €2.4 million to projects to diversify the teaching profession in Ireland. Chaired by Dr. Rory McDaid (Marino Institute of Education), the day closed with a panel session looking to the future in the area, with contributions from Neil McDermott (Higher Education Authority), Eilish Bergin (Department of Education and Skills), Owen Ward (Professional Master of Education student), and Drs. Elaine Keane and Manuela Heinz (School of Education, NUI Galway).   Dr. Elaine Keane:  "We were delighted to welcome so many colleagues from the national and international contexts to Ireland’s first research symposium on Diversity in Teaching here at NUI Galway. Diversifying the teaching profession has long been a core research focus for us here in the School of Education, and the symposium’s work here today has laid the foundation stone for the progress of this important work into the future." Dr. Manuela Heinz:  "The research symposium offered teacher educators, representatives from the Department of Education and the Higher Education Authority, teachers, student teachers and education researchers the opportunity to discuss ways forward. Our previous DITE research identified a significant ‘diversity gap’ between student and teacher cohorts. Now that we are supporting the recruitment of a more diverse student teacher cohort, we need to provide the necessary supports for teachers from currently underrepresented groups, an important focus for research." L-R  Dr Manuela Heinz (School of Education, NUI Galway), Professor Anne Scott (Vice-President for Equality and Diversity, NUI Galway), Professor Liz Thomas (Keynote Speaker, Director and Chair, Widening Participation Research Centre, Edge Hill University, England), Dr Elaine Keane (School of Education, NUI Galway) Panel Session L-R   Dr Elaine Keane and Dr Manuela Heinz (School of Education, NUI Galway), Neil McDermott (Senior Manager, Access Policy, Higher Education Authority), Owen Ward (Professional Master of Education programme student, Professor Liz Thomas (Director and Chair, Widening Participation Research Centre, Edge Hill University, England), and Eilish Bergin (Department of Education and Skills). For more information, contact: Dr Elaine Keane and Dr Manuela Heinz (Elaine.keane@nuigalway.ie Manuela.heinz@nuigalway.ie)

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BA Mathematics and Education Students Class of 2019

BME Class of 2019

Monday, 25 November 2019

Our BA Mathematics and Education Class of 2019 have graduated.  Congratulations to each of you on your degree awarded today, it has been a pleasure working with you.  We wish you well in your future careers.

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Teachers' Survey

Thursday, 10 October 2019

TEACHERS'  SURVEY! Following the Government's Review of Initial Teacher Education in Ireland in 2012, the School of Education at NUI Galway and St. Angleas Sligo is looking for your views on the development of future graduate courses for teachers and school leaders in all education sectors.   We are asking you to complete this survey so we can find out: 1. What areas you would like to study at graduate level2. What qualifications you are interested in  3. How and where you would like the course to take place - online/blended/face to face   All completed questionnaires will be entered for a draw for a 200 euro voucher in time for Christmas

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Launch of “Big Ideas for Better Schools” Erasmus Project

Friday, 4 October 2019

The School of Education, NUI Galway were delighted to launch a new Erasmus project this week in conjunction with Claregalway Community College and schools and universities from Oslo, Krakow and Murcia.  The project “Big Ideas for Better Schools” #ErasmusBI_BS will focus on diversity democracy and equity in our schools.

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NUI Galway Research Ethics Committee Development Day

Thursday, 12 September 2019

NUI Galway’s University Research Ethics Board recently organised a development event for it’s members.  Dr Kevin Davison (NUI Galway Research Ethics Committee Chair) and Gem Mathieu (NUI Galway Research Ethics Coordinator) welcomed Dr Heike Felzmann (School of Humanities) who opened the proceedings and led challenging discussions around key ethical themes including: value of research, scientific validity, fair subject selection, favourable risk-benefit ratio, independent review, informed consent and respect for participants.   Peter Feeney delivered training on GDPR highlighting the extensive set of resources available on the NUI Galway Data Protection website (www.nuigalway.ie/data-protection) which offers excellent advice on a wide range of GDPR issues and a suite of resources to support.

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Congratulations Dr Laura Tagnin!

Monday, 2 September 2019

Congratulations to Dr Laura Tagnin and her research supervisors Dr Manuela Heinz, Dr Maire Ní Riordáin and Dr Mary Fleming on Laura's successful defence of her PhD.  Her thesis was titled: 'Science Classroom Discourse and Learning in Secondary Biology Classrooms Implementing a Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) Approach.’   Many thanks to Dr Jennifer Johnson, University of Lincoln and Dr Veronica McCauley who examined Laura's work.

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Rose of Tralee

Wednesday, 28 August 2019

The School of Education would like to wish Nicole Loughlin, a student from the BA Mathematics and Education the very best of luck in the Rose of Tralee.  Nicole completed the four-year teacher education programme in June and is representing County Mayo at the Tralee festival. During her undergraduate degree Nicole made a fantastic contribution to her course and the students she taught while on School Placement.  She also organized and fund raised to build a school in Malawi – read more about her efforts here: https://www.nuigalway.ie/about-us/news-and-events/news-archive/2018/november/nui-galway-student-fundraises-to-build-a-post-primary-school-in-malawi-.html Nicole’s classmates, her lecturers and the School of Education wish her the very best of luck!  Wishing all the Roses's a lovely time and enjoyable experience.

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Meeting of the Galway Branch of the Irish Mathematics Teacher Association (IMTA)

Wednesday, 10 July 2019

The Galway Branch of the Irish Mathematics Teacher Association (IMTA) and School of Education, NUI Galway hosted a review of the Junior and Leaving Certificate Mathematics examination papers recently.  Feedback from the meeting was gathered, collated at a national level and will be forwarded to the SEC. The IMTA Galway branch meet regularly at the Education Building at NUI Galway – contact Dr. Cornelia Connolly (cornelia.connolly@nuigalway.ie) for further information on membership and meetings. Open to all teachers of mathematics in the region, and free student membership to PME and BME students, the IMTA is a teacher professional network providing a valuable resource to support teachers of mathematics at post primary level.

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The Story of Innovation in Teacher Education Conference, MOFET Institute.

Tuesday, 9 July 2019

Dr Cornelia Connolly recently presented at the MOFET Institute.  The MOFET Institute is an NGO founded by the Israeli Ministry of Education and a Centre for Research and Programme Development in Teacher Education. Their conference “The Story of Innovation in Teacher Education” was attended by world leading teacher educators sharing best practice in professional development, policy changes, equity and social justice causes, as well as innovative perspectives arising from the latest research, theory and practice. Dr Connolly presented along with Dr Tami Seifert, Kibbutzim College of Education, Tel Aviv and Dr Antonio Calderon, University of Limerick - their paper was titled “Construction of Knowledge in a Web 2.0 Environment – Teachers and Pre-Service Teachers’ Perceptions.”

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Congratulations to Dr Niall McVeigh!

Wednesday, 3 July 2019

Congratulations to Dr Niall McVeigh and his research supervisor, Dr Mary Fleming, on Niall's successful defence of this PhD today. Many thanks to Prof. Alma Harris, Swansea University (external) and Prof. Gerry Mac Ruairc (internal) who examined Niall's work, titled: 'Unpacking Distributed Leadership: Narrowing the gap in practice for post-primary school leaders'. Well done Niall, from all of us here at the School of Education.

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Congratulations to Dr Rose Ní Dhubhda!

Thursday, 27 June 2019

Congratulations to Dr Rose Ní Dhubhda and PhD supervisor Dr Brendan Mac Mahon, School of Education, NUI Galway, on the completion of Rose's thesis and successful viva defence. Rose's doctoral research applied design-based research to technology-enhanced learning in Irish language education. Titled 'Students as Creators: The Impact of Digital Innovation on Irish-Language Learning', Rose's doctoral work exemplifies how digital innovation can impact positively on children’s language learning in Irish, in particular through design-based learning and the application of creative and constructionist technology. Further, the TALES design model she developed in her PhD research provides a framework for educational designers and technologists to adopt and adapt similar, impactful innovations meaningfully within their respective contexts of learning.

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Diversity in Teaching Research Symposium Call for Abstracts

Wednesday, 26 June 2019

Diversifying initial teacher education, and the teaching profession, in Ireland and internationally, has been of research and policy significance for some time, and since 2017 has been operationalised in practice (in Ireland) through projects funded by the Higher Education Authority under PATH1[1]. On Thursday, November 14th 2019, the School of Education at NUI Galway will host a Research Symposium on Diversity in Teaching. Professor Anne Scott, Vice President for Diversity and Equality at NUI Galway, will open proceedings, and Professor Liz Thomas, Director and Chair, Widening Participation Research Centre, Edge Hill University, England, will provide the keynote address. The symposium main proceedings will consist of a number of parallel sessions and a panel discussion.  The main aim is to provide a forum for the sharing of research findings from the projects funded under PATH1, and other relevant projects in the national and international contexts.  The symposium is an invitation-based event in order to focus on core messages from learning to date from national and international projects and progressing the field into the future. If you are interested in having your work considered for presentation at the symposium, please send the completed template to Dr. Elaine Keane (elaine.keane@nuigalway.ie) and Dr. Manuela Heinz (manuela.heinz@nuigalway.ie) at the School of Education, NUI Galway by August 30th 2019.  Initial discussions have been held with Routledge, and a proposal for an edited collection, based on the symposium, will be submitted in early 2020.  A central aim of the proposed edited collection is to bring together research findings from a range of relevant projects and studies to investigate the rationale, process, implications and outcomes of diversifying the teaching profession, from a wide range of perspectives, inter alia, students and student teachers, initial teacher education providers, and student support services. If you would like to have your work considered for inclusion in this edited collection, please indicate your interest on the relevant place on the template.  Please note that not all papers accepted for presentation at the symposium will be selected for inclusion in the proposed edited collection.   Abstract Submission Template Name(s)   Affiliation(s)   PATH1 Project (where relevant)   Title of Paper   Abstract 500 words max. to include contextualisation in policy and research literature, methodology, findings and conclusions.   [extend box as necessary]             Tick if interested in edited collection   [1] Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) (Strand 1: Equity of Access to Initial Teacher Education).

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The Access to Post-Primary Teaching (APT) Project Launch and Schools’ Event

Monday, 24 June 2019

The Access to Post-Primary Teaching (APT) Project Launch and Schools’ Event took place at NUI Galway on Tuesday, May 21st 2019.  The APT project, funded by the Higher Education Authority under the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH), Strand 1 (Equity of Access to Initial Teacher Education), is a three-year joint initiative between NUI Galway and St. Angela’s College, Sligo, and aims to support the progression and retention of those from lower socio-economic groups in initial teacher education (ITE). The NUI Galway aspect of the APT project is led by Dr Elaine Keane and Dr Manuela Heinz (APT Principal Investigators), and Dr Andrea Lynch (APT Post-doctoral Researcher), in the School of Education, in partnership with the Access Centre and the Career Development Centre at NUI Galway.  The project is supported by funding from Galway University Foundation as well as the HEA. Drs Keane and Heinz previously implemented the highly successful Diversity in Initial Teacher Education (DITE) national research project (funded by the Irish Research Council), establishing the first national evidence base in relation to the socio-demographic profile of applicants and entrants to ITE in Ireland. Drs Keane and Heinz published their findings in a range of peer-reviewed journals demonstrating the homogeneity of the ITE population in Ireland and the particular under-representation of those from lower socio-economic and minority ethnic backgrounds and those with disabilities. Dr Keane was subsequently invited to be a member of the Department of Education and Skills Working Group (Diversity in Initial Teacher Education) which led to the establishment of PATH1 funding to diversify ITE. Dr. Heinz has been invited and is currently working on the data working group of the Teacher Supply Data Working Group set up by the Department of Education and Skills. The APT project currently supports 21 participants in the Professional Master of Education (PME) in the School of Education at NUI Galway, and also works with senior cycle school pupils in DEIS schools, through the APT participants’ school placements as student teachers, in relation to higher education progression, and career planning. On Tuesday, May 21st 2019, as part of the celebrations for the 20th Anniversary of Access at NUI Galway, the APT project was formally launched by Professor Gerry MacRuairc, Head of the School of Education.  Over 100 senior cycle pupils from schools across the BMW region,  teachers from these schools, and the APT project participants, participated in the day-long event, which featured presentations and contributions from Professor Liz Thomas (Director and Chair, Widening Participation Research Centre, Edge Hill University, England); Hannagh McGinley (PhD student in the School of Education); APT Project leads Dr. Elaine Keane and Dr Manuela Heinz; Imelda Byrne (Director of Access); Josephine Walsh (Head of Career Development Centre); Dr Olga O’Mahony (Access Centre); Rachel Konisberry (School of Education); and Owen Mac an Bhaird (PME student), as well as small-group workshops facilitated by the Access and Career Development Centres.  The day’s sessions were aimed at supporting school pupils’ higher education and career planning, including in relation to teaching as a career.  Also in attendance were representatives from the Department of Education and Skills (Eilish Bergin and Sarah Kearns) and the Higher Education Authority (Neil McDermott, Senior Manager, Access Policy). Quotes:Dr Elaine Keane:  It was a privilege for us in the School of Education to host students from many schools in Galway and beyond, including from Donegal, at our Access to Post-primary (APT) project event.  Diversifying the teaching profession has long been a core research focus for us here in the School; through the Diversity in Initial Teacher Education (DITE) project, funded by the Irish Research Council, we established a national evidence base regarding the backgrounds and motivations of those applying and entering initial teacher education (ITE). Through the APT project, funded by the Higher Education Authority and Galway University Foundation, we are acting on this evidence base, and working to attract and support those under-represented in the teaching profession into our flagship ITE programme, the Professional Master of Education (PME).  We currently have 21 APT participants on the PME.  The day was wonderfully inspiring and we were delighted by the response of the school pupils. Dr Manuela Heinz:  It was fantastic to see so many second-level students actively participating during lectures and workshops throughout the day and showing an interest in teaching and higher education.  The young people asked many thoughtful questions and made a wonderful contribution to this important day.  We hope that the students have gained a better understanding of the many routes that are available to them with regard to their future career choices.  We would definitely love to see some of them again in the future at NUI Galway and, hopefully, in the School of Education.  Teaching is such an important and wonderfully rewarding job and we hope that people from all backgrounds are encouraged to consider it as a career so that we can, hopefully in the near future, see a teaching body that reflects the rich diversity of the population of Ireland. Dr Andrea Lynch:  The Access to Post-Primary Teaching (APT) Event & Launch was an exciting and inspiring day for all! Numerous Higher Education students and graduates from under-represented groups graciously shared their stories of overcoming educational barriers, demonstrating that with adequate support, hard-work and determination can pay off in the pursuit of dreams and goals.  Additionally, Professor Liz Thomas illustrated the power of Higher Education in changing lives.  It is our hope that the post-primary students who participated in our event won't soon forget the great examples they met today, and that the information shared will have truly life changing consequences. For more information on the APT Project, contact: Dr Elaine Keane and Dr. Manuela Heinz (Elaine.keane@nuigalway.ie Manuela.heinz@nuigalway.ie) or Dr Andrea Lynch (andrea.lynch@nuigalway.ie)

>> Read full story about The Access to Post-Primary Teaching (APT) Project Launch and Schools’ Event

Galway Doctoral Scholarship Scheme 2019-20

Monday, 27 May 2019

The application process for the Galway Doctoral Scholarship Scheme has opened on our website today. The Scholarships are valued at €16,250 per annum, comprised of fees of €5,250 and a stipend of €11,000. The timelines for the application process are as follow:     Tuesday 21th May 2019 Open for Applications Monday 10th June 2019 Closing Date for Applications. Friday 21st June 2019 Submission of Applications to Schools for Assessment. Monday 8th July 2019 Completion of Assessment Process by Schools. Monday 22nd July 2019 First Round Offers. Details of the application process are available at the following link: http://www.nuigalway.ie/colleges-and-schools/arts-social-sciences-and-celtic-studies/phd-research-degrees/scholarships/index.html  Details in relation to the Active Consent Programme Scholarship are also available on this page and the details of the application process for the following Scholarships will be made available over the next few days: The Galway 2020 Scholarship. The DAH Scholarship.

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"Children are the messages to a world we will never see"

Tuesday, 28 May 2019

“Because we can, we should…” “Children are the messages to a world we will never see…” Our School of Education staff research strategy day, was facilitated this year by Professor Tony Gallagher, from the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen’s University Belfast.

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Closing the Circle: New Research Collaboration Between The School of Education & UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre

Wednesday, 15 May 2019

  The School of Education and UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, Institute for Lifecourse and Society at NUI Galway have announced a new research collaboration which will enable partnership and collaborative expertise to address key priority areas for young people’s education and well-being, in Ireland and internationally. Speaking of the innovative collaboration, Professor Gerry Mac Ruairc, Head of the School of Education: ‘This new initiative provides greater, enhanced capacity at NUI Galway for shared impactful research and graduate study in the promotion of young people’s education and well-being, in and outside of school.’ Professor Pat Dolan, Director of UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, Institute for Lifecourse and Society noted the potential of this timely partnership and how bringing together the cognate research areas of both the School of Education and UNESCO Centre at NUI Galway will help to promote and enhance education in formal and non-formal contexts: ‘Our alignment in research will impact significantly on our current and future work, particularly in terms of augmenting our impact with schools, practitioners, families, parents, and our educational partners and stakeholders, including the regulatory context and policymakers’. The new collaboration between the School of Education and UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre will initially explore developments to enhance NUI Galway’s research capacity and impact across a number of identified priority areas, including education for empathy and well-being; inclusion and diversity; STEM education; special educational needs; educational policy; participatory and practitioner research methodologies; and educational design.

>> Read full story about Closing the Circle: New Research Collaboration Between The School of Education & UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre

McAfee Online Safety Lecture to PME Year 1 Student Teachers

Monday, 27 May 2019

  A group of second-level students from 5 schools in Co. Clare visited NUI Galway to deliver an interactive lecture focusing on the topic of Online Safety to our Professional Master of Education (PME) Year 1 student teachers.  The second-level students were supported by Brian McManus, coordinator from Clare Youth Services and the Clare Comhairle na nOg and Irene Guédan, McAfee Online Safety Program coordinator. A massive thanks to all the students and their supporters for providing this important and very insightful lecture for our future teachers.  

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School of Education 8th Annual Postgraduate Research Seminar (PGRS)

Wednesday, 10 April 2019

The School of Education, NUI Galway hosted its 8th Annual Postgraduate Research Seminar (PGRS) in the Education Building, Nuns’ Island on Wednesday 10th April. It was looking an informative and well supported seminar. Contemporary research in Irish education: Volume 6: Book of abstracts of the 8th Annual Postgraduate Research Seminar: https://aran.library.nuigalway.ie/handle/10379/15109 Where to find us.

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School of Education Research Seminar Series - Design Thinking and Blended Learning Design

Thursday, 4 April 2019

The School of Education, NUI Galway hosted a Research Seminar Series event on Design Thinking and Blended Learning Design. Dr Leigh Graves Wolf, Clinical Associate Professor, Arizona State University; Dr Tony Hall, Deputy Head o the School of Education & Dr Cornelia Connolly, Chair of the School of Education Research Committee  Dr Leigh Graves Wolf presented on principles underpinning design thinking and the increasing popularity of design-based methods in educational research and blended learning design. Dr Graves Wolf exemplified blended learning design through a number of innovative programmes she has worked on and is currently leading in the US. Speaker Biography:Leigh Graves Wolf is teacher-scholar and a clinical associate professor in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University.  Leigh teaches with the educational leadership and innovation eddprogram and is a faculty fellow with the office of scholarship & innovation.  Her work centers around online education, k12 teacher professional development and relationships mediated by and with technology.  She has worked across the educational spectrum from k12 to higher to further and lifelong.  She believes passionately in collaboration and community.  Leigh shares all of her work and ideas publicly on her Blog, Twitter & flickr.

>> Read full story about School of Education Research Seminar Series - Design Thinking and Blended Learning Design

Happy 10th birthday to the Schools of Education & Mathematics' Joint BA Mathematics and Education programme

Tuesday, 2 April 2019

Celebrating the 10th year of the programme and our 4BME final year class on the BA Mathematics and Education initial teacher education programme (CAO Code: GY109).  Initiated in 2008-09, it was the very first progrogramme of its kind in Ireland for students who wanted to become teachers of mathematics and applied mathematics. The fourth year students on the BA Mathematics and Education (BME) programme on Tuesday last (2-4-2019), held their Symposium – a showcase of research and work in the area of mathematical education by the fourth year students. The students were honoured to have past president of NUI Galway, Dr. Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh deliver this year’s keynote address.  Dr. Ó Mhuircheartaigh, himself a graduate of pure mathematics from UCD and a PhD in statistics from Glasgow University – presented about his career and areas of research, namely descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Students presented their final year action research projects and reflections on their time over the four years.  Introduced in 2008, the BME graduates qualified second-level teachers of mathematics and applied mathematics, who are also fully qualified mathematicians.  The event brought together students from third and fourth year on the BME, academic staff from the School of Education, School of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Statistics, as well as staff from GMIT Letterfrack. This year’s Symposium also celebrated the 10 Year Anniversary for the programme and the students marked the occasion with quotes, photographs and a few words from past students and lecturers.  Now to look forward to the next 10 years of the programme! We were delighted to have our opening keynote from President Emeritus Prof. Iognáid (Iggy) Ó Muircheartaigh  ‌ The BA Mathematics and Education Class of 2019, along with Prof. Gerry Mac Ruairc, President Emeritus Prof. Iognáid (Iggy) Ó Muircheartaigh, Drs Cornelia Connolly, Kirsten Pfeiffer and Tony Hall.

>> Read full story about Happy 10th birthday to the Schools of Education & Mathematics' Joint BA Mathematics and Education programme

School-University Partnership Day

Wednesday, 3 April 2019

The School of Education, NUI Galway held its annual School-University Day on Friday 29th April as part of the School's commitment to liaising with the practicing teachers within our area

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School of Education, NUI Galway invited to present at Inaugural ISDDE UK Meeting, University of Cambridge

Monday, 1 April 2019

Drs Cornelia Connolly & Tony Hall were invited to present at the inaugural International Society for Design and Development in Education (ISDDE) UK 2019 meeting at the University of Cambridge.   Hosted by Cambridge Mathematics, the event included discussions and presentations from key educational partners in curriculum design and development, mathematics education, and educational publishing and technology. Prof. Geoff Wake, University of Nottingham, provided the keynote address on key contemporary issues in educational design research.  Cornelia and Tony presented the design of NUI Galway's new undergraduate teacher education programme for computer science and maths teachers: the BA Education (Computer Science and Mathematical Studies).  They also met with colleagues of the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, and visited local primary and post-primary schools.  Tony and Cornelia jointly chaired the 14th Annual ISDDE Conference, which was held May 28th-31st in NUI Galway, for the first time in Ireland; the next international conference will be held at the University of Pittsburgh in September 2019.

>> Read full story about School of Education, NUI Galway invited to present at Inaugural ISDDE UK Meeting, University of Cambridge

Dr Jane Jones, Senior Lecturer Kings College London Presents at Research Seminar Series Event

Tuesday, 2 April 2019

‌ L-R Prof Gerry Mac Ruairc, Dr Jane Jones, Dr Patrick Farren Dr Jane Jones, Senior Lecturer in Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Education at Kings College London, recently presented at the School of Education, NUI Galway Research Seminar Series event. Jane has participated in numerous international projects to provide platforms for teachers and school leaders to share their knowledge and practices of learning teaching and assessment on a cross-national basis.  Her research interests are all aspects of languages teaching and learning, assessment, teacher development and comparative education. One of her key messages during the presentation was Jane's ambition to 'move teachers into transformative practice, away from repetitive practice'.  

>> Read full story about Dr Jane Jones, Senior Lecturer Kings College London Presents at Research Seminar Series Event

School of Education Host Inaugural Irish Computer Science Education Summit CSforALL 2019

Tuesday, 2 April 2019

The guest presenters at CSforALL 2019 The School of Education at NUI Galway recently organised and hosted the inaugural computer science education summit, CSforAll. The Summit was supported by Google and marked the first time CSforAll was hosted outside of the United States, with attendees from across Ireland, Europe and the US. This coincided with the announcement that the School of Education at NUI Galway will commence a new BA Education (Computer Science and Mathematical Studies) undergraduate initial teacher education programme in September 2019. CSforAll is a large-scale global movement to mobilise and promote computer science education among all students and teachers. Initiated and championed by President Barack Obama when he hosted the inaugural CSforAll Summit in the White House. Key stakeholders such as National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, Professional Development Service for Teachers, and the Department of Education attended along with international speakers from Michigan State University, Munich University, industry and James Whelton, the co-founder of Coderdojo who delivered the keynote address. Gaelscoil Riabhach, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Castleblayney College Monaghan, Presentation Secondary School Warrenmount, Dublin, Coláiste Chiaráin Limerick and Scoil Bhríde Mercy Secondary School, Tuam were the selected Showcase Schools at the event. A key message and conversation topic of the day was about the equity in Computer Science – reiterating the message that one can be a great programmer no matter background, gender or race. What is important is increasing baseline Computer Science knowledge amongst all and providing everyone with the opportunity to learn – computer science is about equity, fun, transformation, digital literacy, and so much more. There was discussion also regarding the mental health issues around computing and social media. Dr Cornelia Connolly, event organiser and Lecturer with NUI Galway’s School of Education, said: “As the first CSforAll outside of the US, NUI Galway's event marks an historic development in Computer Science education in Ireland, bringing together the key educational stakeholders and partners in celebrating and exploring the potential of coding and computational thinking in Irish classrooms and schools. At a time when Irish schools are piloting Computer Science as a Senior Cycle subject, we were delighted to host CSforAll and the watershed initiatives taking place around the country and internationally, including the inspirational work of Irish pupils and teachers working creatively with a range of innovative technologies, including micro-controllers, coding applications and software.”    The Summit website, including more photos from the day, are available at https://sites.google.com/view/csforallirelandsummit/home. Press release kindly provided by NUI Galway Marketing and Communications Office.

>> Read full story about School of Education Host Inaugural Irish Computer Science Education Summit CSforALL 2019

The School of Education, NUI Galway, Development Education Day 2019

Tuesday, 12 February 2019

The School of Education, NUI Galway hosted its eighth Development Education Day on Tuesday, February 19th, 2019.  Funded by Irish Aid through the UBUNTU network this event is embedded firmly in the School's philosophy of equality and justice. The overall aim of the day is to raise awareness among student teachers on concepts such as development, social justice, sustainability and human rights and to foster discussion and debate on how best to integrate such issues into teaching and learning at the secondary school level. This year, as per previous years, students from other Schools within NUIG as well as Transition Year (TY) students and teachers from some local secondary schools were invited to attend the event.   A number of development education experts, representing a range of development and development education organisations, facilitated interactive workshops for over 150 student teachers and members of staff of the School of Education and local post-primary schools. In addition, Peadar King, producer of the RTE series 'What in the World?', provided a thought provoking address on how we, and the media in particular, construct people as different and the consequences of such constructions of ‘other’, in particular the impact that this might have for student teachers in their professional practice.  Click here for the Development Education Day 2019 Schedule.

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National University of Ireland Scholarship and Prize in Education

Monday, 26 November 2018

  Daniela Donghi (PME 2016-2018) was recently awarded the NUI Scholarship in Education and Nicola de Faoite (MGO 2016-2018) shared the NUI Prize in Education with a student from UCC (Rebecca Farr).    The awards are given to the top students on the Professional Master of Education (PME) or An Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas (MGO) in the constituent universities.   The  Awards Ceremony was held in the Round Room of the Mansion House, Dublin recently and the Chancellor of the University presented the awards.   Pictured at the Awards Ceremony are Dr Mary Fleming and Daniela Donghi.

>> Read full story about National University of Ireland Scholarship and Prize in Education

Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Resources Workshop in NUI Galway

Monday, 26 November 2018

Dr Veronica McCauley, Lecturer in Science Education, organised a Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) event in the School of Education, NUI Galway to showcase an abundance of online teaching resources for teachers.  John O’Donoghue (Trinity College Dublin), National Education Coordinators for the RSC led this event. Local science teachers from the Galway branch of the Irish Science Teacher's Association (ISTA) network were invited to join School of Education student science teachers from the Professional Masters of Education (PME) programme.   The Royal Society of Chemistry provide a wealth of teaching resources as well as some practical ideas for teaching various topics.  In this 90 minute workshop teachers learned how to use some of the freely available RSC resources in their teaching, with time to discuss each topic openly. This year there was a discussion around the use of UV beads to measure the rate of reaction at Junior Cycle level.  A simple, clean experiment that is ideal for Junior Cycle students was carried out by attendees as part of some 'hands on' experience to support guided inquiry. This workshop was aimed at everyone from trainee to experienced teachers and was interactive and informal.  Both Junior and Senior Cycle resources were reviewed on the evening and there was a bundle of freebies for each teacher. 

>> Read full story about Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Resources Workshop in NUI Galway

Science Outreach: A Dilemmatic Approach

Monday, 26 November 2018

‌ Figure: Presenter Dr Veronica McCauley (Lecturer in Science Education, School of Education, NUI Galway) Dr Veronica McCauley (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Veronica_Mccauley ), lecturer in science education, NUI Galway recently co-presented with her former School of Education doctoral student, Dr. Diogo Martins Gomes (@dgomes1307) who is the Science Communicators' Team Leader at the Cambridge Science Centre in the UK.  Both were invited to present a paper at the inaugural MORSE conference (http://www.rsc.org/events/detail/31852/methods-of-research-in-science-education-morse), which is the first conference that singularly promotes discussion and teaching of methods of research in science education.  The conference was held on 2nd November 2018 at Dublin Institute of Technology. The abstract for the talk is below: Abstract:Decision making in research is critical. Narrowing down the research problem, eliciting specific research questions and identifying a research methodology to draw adequate insight is an ongoing challenge where we continue to question each alternative.  This seminar invites you to consider decision making as a provoked and exploratory research methodology.  Our overarching research aim was to examine and compare primary teachers’ and outreach practitioners’ understanding and   perception of a constructivist science pedagogy, in an effort to understand the potential of a teacher-outreach partnership.  From a qualitative perspective, we took a dialectic pragmatic stance.  Conceptual and pedagogical dichotomies were created from educational theories and their practical application.  These dilemmas were then illustrated through video animation in order to entice the participants to consider each virtual concept within the daily practice of their classroom.  A brief overview will be given of our research context, question, and the methodological design of three conceptual and three pedagogical dichotomies and insight into the dilemmatic method that was enacted with 31 teachers and 30 outreach practitioners.  During the seminar, we will also invite you to try out some data analysis with us, to get a sense of the type of data that we analysed and the fun we had in trying to make sense of it all.    Relevant papers that were discussed during the talk to illustrate the dilemmatic methodology are below: Martins Gomes, D. and V. McCauley (2016) 'Dialectical dividends: fostering hybridity of new pedagogical practices and partnerships in science education and outreach'. International Journal Of Science Education  https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09500693.2016.1234729 McCauley, V., Martins Gomes, D. and Davison, K. (2018) 'Constructivism in the third space: challenging pedagogical perceptions of science outreach and science education'. International Journal of Science Education. Part B: Communication and Public Engagement, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21548455.2017.140944

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Basic Principles of Physics and Maths relative to the Earth and Space strand for Junior Cycle Science

Monday, 26 November 2018

Figure (From L to R): John Loughlin, National Chair of ISTA and Mr. Rory Geoghegan, Presenter (ISTA) The Irish Science Teachers’ Association, in collaboration with Lennox Laboratory Supplies recently (Wednesday 24th October 2018) supported an ‘Earth and Space' event in the School of Education, NUI Galway. Dr Veronica McCauley (VMcC_ScienceEd) Lecturer in Science Education, organised the event in conjunction with the Galway ISTA branch, and the response from teachers was immense.   Rory Geoghegan, Lecturer in Physics Education and Editor of Science Journal, ISTA presented the workshop.  The workshop aimed to give teachers further insight into the new Earth and Space strand from the New Junior Science Specification.   The workshop covered topics of space, celestial bodies, planetary systems, gravity, space exploration, the scale of the solar system, galaxies, the Big Bang, etc.  A powerpoint resource suite was shared with all teachers, in addition to Excel and GeoGebra resources that were developed by Mr. Geoghegan as simulation resources to enhance an interactive teaching and learning experience.

>> Read full story about Basic Principles of Physics and Maths relative to the Earth and Space strand for Junior Cycle Science

Teachers Review Leaving Certificate Biology, Physics and Chemistry Papers 2018 at NUI Galway

Monday, 26 November 2018

The School of Education, NUI Galway and the Galway Branch of the Irish Science Teacher’s Association (ISTA) hosted a Q&A Leaving Certificate Exam Review for both Biology and Physics on Tuesday 9th October 2018.  The event was open to all teachers from Galway City, County and beyond.  Each year, Dr. Veronica McCauley (@VMcC_ScienceEd), lecturer in Science Education, NUI Galway, in collaboration with the Galway Branch of the ISTA organises this event for both teachers and student teachers.   The strong attendance was indicative of it’s value and the importance that teachers place on Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and in supporting their students through this pinnacle exam.

>> Read full story about Teachers Review Leaving Certificate Biology, Physics and Chemistry Papers 2018 at NUI Galway

Energy in Action SEAI and JCT workshop for Junior Cycle Science

Monday, 26 November 2018

Organised by Dr Veronica McCauley, (@VMcC_ScienceEd) lecturer in Science Education, NUI Galway, in conjunction with the Irish Science Teachers Association.   This, the first many events hosted in the School of Education for science teachers for the academic year 2018-19, invited science teachers and educators to come to a seminar designed by practicing teachers in conjunction with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT). This workshop ‘Energy in Action' welcomes local science junior cycle science teachers, and it’s focus is on Energy Efficiency.  It provides teachers with guidance on how to explore the Nature of Science strand with their students; as investigative, problem solving and design skills are incorporated throughout.  This event was open to all science teachers and took place on Thursday 20th September 7-9pm, D102, Education Building, School of Education, NUI Galway. For further information, email galwayista@gmail.com

>> Read full story about Energy in Action SEAI and JCT workshop for Junior Cycle Science

Book Launch - Transforming Language Teaching and Learning

Monday, 8 October 2018

‌ L-R Professor Gerry Mac Ruairc, Head of the School of Education; Dr Patric Farren, Lecturer in the School of Education and President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh A new book, 'Transforming Language Teaching and Learning’, by Dr Patrick Farren, Lecturer in the School of Education, NUI Galway, has been published by Peter Lang.  The book is timely in light of the recent initiatives in language teaching and learning in Ireland. It was launched by the President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, on Wednesday 14th November 2018. All are welcome to attend. The Foreword, written by Dr Jane Jones, Head of Modern Foreign Language Teacher Education at King's College London, refers to how the three studies in the book ‘provide deeply satisfying, engaging and challenging pictures of initial teacher education and the exceptionally good educational work being undertaken’. Following an outline of various practitioner research approaches and 'a scholarly consideration of language acquisition and learning theories that provide a framework for the book' (Jones), we are taken on a journey in the context of three studies undertaken by Farren in collaboration with university educators, student-teachers, and post-primary teachers at the National University of Ireland, Galway, King’s College London, and Boston College, MA. The book includes interviews with several leading educators, e.g. Paul Black, a leading, international expert in formative and summative assessment.  The book is available to buy online from the publisher or from Amazon. The book will be of interest to language teachers, student-teachers, researchers, students in any sector of education, education bodies, parents, as well as the general reader with an interest in education. More information here at Peter Lang and here at Amazon 

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Senior Cycle Computer Science Workshops in School of Education

Monday, 15 October 2018

The School of Education, NUI Galway is hosting a series of Computer Science (CS) workshops for pre-service and in-service teachers.  These workshops will focus on the Senior Cycle CS specification. The first of four workshops commenced on 17th October 2018 6-9pm in our School of Education, Block D building and was very well attended.  The attendees were kept busy with lots of coding activities! Roll on Workshops 2, 3 and 4! For more information contact Dr Cornelia Connolly by email cornelia.connolly@nuigalway.ie 

>> Read full story about Senior Cycle Computer Science Workshops in School of Education

NUI Galway Autumn Conferring Ceremonies

Friday, 19 October 2018

Dr Mary Fleming, out going Director of the Professional Master of Education (PME), School of Education, NUI Galway, with newly graduated teacher, Mr Jason Kiernan. Jason was one of 132 newly qualified teachers who graduated during the NUI Galway Autumn Conferring ceremonies.

>> Read full story about NUI Galway Autumn Conferring Ceremonies

Comhairdeas Le Mic Léinn an MGO 2018!

Friday, 19 October 2018

Comhairdeas le mic léinn an Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas (MGO) 2018! Go n–éirí go geal libh amuigh ansin.

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BA Mathematics and Education Students Class of 2018

Wednesday, 17 October 2018

Our BA Mathematics and Education Class of 2018 students have graduated.  The four years have flown!  It has been a pleasure working with you.  On our own behalf, and that of our colleagues in the School of Mathematics who  jointly run this programme, we  wish you well in your future careers.

>> Read full story about BA Mathematics and Education Students Class of 2018

PME Student 2016-2018 Receives Inaugural BSTAI Award for Excellence in Business Studies Teaching

Wednesday, 17 October 2018

Mr Mark Loughnane, School of Education, NUI Galway Professional Master of Education (PME) student 2016-2018, received the inaugural BSTAI John O Connor Award for Excellence in Business Studies Teaching from Margaret O’Donnell, Honorary National President – Business Studies Teachers Association of Ireland on Wednesday 10th October 2018   John O’Connor was a founding member of the Business Studies Teachers Association of Ireland (BSTAI) in 1976.  He served for a time as Chairperson of the Dublin Branch of the BSTAI and was a former National President of the association.  He was a leading textbook author over the last 4 decades.  John had a lifelong record of sharing best practise with Business Teachers and promoting excellence in all aspects of Business Studies Education.   While working as managing director of Folens and running his own publishing company Blackwater Press LTD, John continued his connection to teaching as well as travelling all over the country to give workshops to teachers and revision seminars to Business students.  Very close to John’s heart was the desire to support teachers new to the profession.   John O’Connor sadly passed away in July 2016 and the BSTAI wish to commemorate his memory by commissioning this award to the PME student from each university who has obtained the highest mark in their teaching practice of Business Studies.      Pictured here are Dr Manuela Heinz (Director of the PME),  Mark Loughnane and Margaret O’Donnell (Honorary National President – Business Studies Teachers Association of Ireland)  

>> Read full story about PME Student 2016-2018 Receives Inaugural BSTAI Award for Excellence in Business Studies Teaching

Maths Week 2018

Monday, 8 October 2018

Maths Week event! The BA Mathematics and Education students are participating in an event for Maths Week 2018 with IZAK9 .   The workshop will take place October 17th from 12-1.30pm.  School children from the St. Joseph's Patrician (The Bish) Secondary School will be coming along to take part in the workshop also! IZAK9 is a unique maths resource which encourages active learning in mathematics.  The product provides a physical resource which supports children and teachers in implementing new pedagogical approaches, supporting existing practice, and thus helps students and teachers better engage with the teaching and learning of mathematics.

>> Read full story about Maths Week 2018

JCT Maths Workshop in School of Education

Thursday, 11 October 2018

  Mr Shane Flanagan, Team Leader JCT Maths (@JCTMaths) conducted a wonderful workshop at NUI Galway to the Professional Master of Education (PME) mathematics methodology and BA Mathematics and Education (BME) pre-service teachers. Introducing the Junior Cycle Mathematics Specification the workshop was activity based, informative and provided invaluable knowledge to the pre-service teachers for their use on school placement and when they graduate. Dr Cornelia ConnollyJoint Programme Director (Education) BA Mathematics and Education  See also: Web  www.jct.ie   Twitter: @JCforteachers

>> Read full story about JCT Maths Workshop in School of Education

Dr Cornelia Connolly Presents at Steinhardt Graduate School of Education at New York University

Tuesday, 2 October 2018

Dr Cornelia Connolly, School of Education, NUI Galway, recently presented on the design of the Irish Computer Science Specification at Steinhardt Graduate School of Education at New York University.  Hosted by NYU Dolcelab (Lab for the Design of Learning, Collaboration, and Experience) and CREATE (Consortium for Research and Evaluation of Advanced Technologies in Education) the seminar explored the Computer Science specification design and development process and attendees included faculty from NYU, Cornell University and CSforAll.  Dr Connolly also contributed to class on the MA program in International Education facilitated by Prof. Chris Hoadley. 

>> Read full story about Dr Cornelia Connolly Presents at Steinhardt Graduate School of Education at New York University

Welcome to Our New 1BME1 BA Mathematics and Education (BME) Students

Monday, 15 October 2018

And a big warm NUI Galway welcome to our new 1BME1 BA Mathematics and Education (BME) students. We wish you the very best for and enjoyable & productive time with us & we look forward to working with you. #choosenuigalway

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Welcome to Our New 1PME1 Professional Masters in Education (PME) Students

Monday, 3 September 2018

A big warm NUI Galway welcome to our new 1PME1 Professional Masters in Education (PME) students. We wish you the very best for and enjoyable & productive time with us & we look forward to working with you. #choosenuigalway

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The Immersive Classroom Galway 2020: Augmented and Virtual Reality

Friday, 8 June 2018

The Belgian performance art company CREW (@CREW_EricJoris) visited NUI Galway (@NUIGalway) to co-design an emerging augmented and virtual reality design for the Galway 2020 (@Galway2020) Immersive Classroom project. Project Producers, Dr Veronica McCauley (@VMcC_ScienceEd), Dr Kevin Davison (@kevinGdavison), School of Education (@edtechne), NUI Galway and Artistic Director, Denise McDonagh (@Dinnymac) worked together with CREW on a plan for a number of mini-projects that will be enacted throughout Galway during 2020.

>> Read full story about The Immersive Classroom Galway 2020: Augmented and Virtual Reality

Design Competition - Why Making Galway Plastic Free Matters to You

Friday, 23 February 2018

The School of Education, NUI Galway Design Competition was open to post-primary school students in Galway city and county. The theme of the competition was ‘Plastic Free’ and we invited students to design an art-piece that captures “Why making Galway plastic free matters to you”.  The work also highlighted relevant statistics about plastic usage. Winning submissions to the School of Education Design Competition, organised by Dr Eílis Flanagan, were announced on 28th May, at the reception of the International Society for Design and Development in Education conference hosted by NUI Galway. Inspiring creativity, design thinking and environmental awareness the competition invited second-level students across Galway city and county to design an art piece capturing the theme ‘Why making Galway plastic free matters to you’.  The Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Pearce Flannery presented winners with their prizes, which were kindly sponsored by Iceland Ireland Ltd, Galway County Council, Galway City Council and SEAI. Selected prize winners attended the MakerSapce in NUI Galway to learn about the principles of design, facilitated by Paula Walsh.  Bláithín Breathnach from Seamount College, Kinvara claimed the first runner up prize for her 3D artistic representation of sea life and plastic pollution while Sarah McGown from Coláiste Bhaile Chláir was awarded secondrunner up for a creative poster design.  Three design idea prizes were awarded to students form St. Jarlath’s College, Tuam: Tiernan Godwin, Bartosz Sulkowski and Ivan Maslennikova Plaza for ideas including repurposing plastic to create bird houses.  The overall competition first prize was awarded to students from Presentation College, Tuam: Sasha Hogan, Kate Smith and Agata Szajda for their artistic fashioning of waste plastic. The School of Education would like to congratulate all students on their entries and especially to the competition winners for their interesting, engaging and thought-provoking submissions.  Thank you to School of Education students Nuala Egan, Sara McHugh and Nicole Loughlin for competition poster design and dissemination. Link to photos of competition winners For more information contact Dr Eílis Flanagan, eilis.flanagan@nuigalway.ie 

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When Behavioural Change Meets Technology Design

Monday, 21 May 2018

Dr Veronica McCauley and Dr Kevin Davison, School of Education, NUI Galway will present a case study at the 8th National Social Marketing Conference: Co-Creating Change (http://conference.ie/Conferences/index.asp?Conference=554) (#CCCSMC2018), 25th May, that outlines an engaging scenario of where behavioural change meets technology design, be it in game design with Coderdojo or in their latest article, in the design of an marine iBook for the formal secondary school classroom. The article that the book is based on is cited below and will be available on ARAN in pre-print form shortly: Domegan, C.; McHugh, P., McCauley, V., and Davison, K. (2018) 'Co-creating a Sea Change campaign for Ocean Literacy in Europe: A digital interactive tool for environmental behavioural change' In: Social Marketing in Action: Cases from Around the World. New York: Springer. 

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The 5th Annual Statistical Summer School

Tuesday, 19 June 2018

The 5th Annual Statistical Summer School will be held at NUI Galway, June 20th – 22nd.  This Summer School is the fifth in a series being organised collaboratively by the Schools of Education at NUI Galway, University College Cork and the University of Limerick.  This Summer School has arisen out of a desire to develop competence in the domains of research methods and design, and data analysis, with a focus on conducting studies to address questions of policy and practice. This year’s Summer School, facilitated by Dr Laura O’ Dwyer (Boston College), will introduce participants to the most frequently used quantitative research designs in educational research, and will familiarize attendees with data analysis procedures commonly used to address substantive issues in education. It will cover the key stages in addressing questions relating to policy and practice, including validity, sampling, statistical hypotheses, major research designs, descriptive and inferential analyses. The Summer School will include demonstrations and hands-on practice, and detailed materials will be provided. For more information please see the attached document. Registration can be completed via the website link available at http://www.conference.ie/Conferences/AddRegistration.asp?Conference=546  Places are limited to 40 participants. Please share this announcement with any colleagues and research students who might be interested in this Summer School.

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Minister of State for Higher Education, launches the St Angela’s Strand of the "Access to Post-Primary Teaching"

Friday, 20 April 2018

On Monday, 16th April 2018, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Minister of State for Higher Education, formally launched the St. Angela’s Strand of the “Access to Post-Primary Teaching (APT) Project” at St Angela’s College, Sligo.  The APT Project is a three-year joint initiative between St Angela’s College and the National University of Ireland Galway, which aims to recruit and support individuals from under-represented socioeconomic groups in their initial teacher education programmes.  This project, which targets students at the school, further education, undergraduate, and post-graduate levels, is spearheaded by Dr Eileen Kelly-Blakeney of St Angela’s College, and Dr Elaine Keane & Dr Manuela Heinz of NUI-Galway. The APT Project at St. Angela’s specifically focuses on recruiting students with a Further Education QQI/FET qualification to their second-level teacher education programmes and is conducted in cooperation with five Further Education providers in the Border-Midlands-Western (BMW) Region: Sligo College of Further Education, Castlebar College of Further Education, Monaghan Institute, Errigal College, and Cavan Institute.  During the next two years, the Project hopes to create additional partnerships with more Further Education providers in the region. Students who transition into the teacher education programme will all study Home Economics, in addition to one elective subject of their choosing, either Irish, Biology, or Religious Education.  Students are also provided with a €1000 equipment bursary on entry to Year One, and a €500 School Placement grant each of their five years of study. Additionally, students receive faculty mentoring, peer support, academic writing, and subject specific guidance over the course of their studies. In attendance at Monday’s launch were the President of St. Angela’s, Dr Anne Taheny, staff and students from the College, local government officials, representatives from each of the five partner Further Education providers, colleagues from NUI-Galway, and associates from the Irish Teaching Council. In her speech, Minister O’Connor noted the significance of direct-entry routes, such as the APT Project, which ultimately aim to increase access to third level studies, while also acknowledging the great achievements made by students in the Further Education sector.  As the minister explained that the APT Project, “will also help support the achievement of national policy objectives to broaden opportunities for graduates from further education to progress on to higher education.”  Additionally, she also remarked on the important role that teachers play in the lives of young people, and she projected that “Teacher training centres, teachers and school leaders will continue to play a pivotal role in helping children to achieve their potential.” Dr Anne Taheny, President of St Angela’s referred to the College’s long standing commitment to equal opportunity and to widening access and participation in Higher Education in association with NUI, Galway.  This is demonstrated through the provision of an Access Foundation Programme, an Access Schools Programme, entry routes for mature students and entry through the HEAR and DARE Schemes. Speaking at the launch, Dr Taheny noted:  ‘This new direct entry route from Further Education into our Initial Teacher Education Programme through the Access to Post-Primary Project is an exciting addition and much welcomed progression route for students in the Further Education Sector.’ This project supports the diversification of the Irish teaching body in Ireland and recognises the positive contributions that teachers from underrepresented groups make to classrooms throughout the country each day.  For more information on the APT Project, or to learn more about St Angela’s initial teacher education programmes, please see the College website at: http://www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie.  Additionally, interested individuals can contact the post-doctoral researcher for the APT Project, Dr Andrea Lynch at 087 112 9868

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School of Education Annual Postgraduate Research Seminar 2018

Monday, 9 April 2018

School of Education, NUI Galway Annual Postgraduate Research Seminar, 5:15pm, Wednesday April 11th in Education building, Nuns Island.  All welcome. Click for information on the location of the venue

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8th Annual BA Mathematics and Education Final-year Symposium

Thursday, 29 March 2018

The 8th Annual BA Mathematics and Education Final-year Symposium was held Tuesday last at NUI Galway.  The Symposium was organised by students of the NUI Galway concurrent teacher education degree programme, the BA Mathematics and Education (BME).  Introduced in 2008, the BME programme graduates qualified second-level teachers of mathematics and applied mathematics, who are also fully qualified mathematicians. This event is a showcase of research and findings in the area of mathematical education by the fourth year students and we were very fortunate to have Prof. John O’Donoghue deliver this year’s keynote address, “Reflections on Mathematics Education and mathematics teaching based on the personal journey of an accidental teacher”.  Prof. O’Donoghue is Emeritus Associate Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Limerick and a pioneer of Mathematics Education in Ireland. Having completed his PhD with Professor Avi Bajpai, OBE, University of Loughborough Prof. O’Donoghue has served as the founding Director of the Mathematics Learning Centre and Director of the National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and Learning (NCE-MSTL) at UL, as well as previously Head of Mathematics, Thomond College of Education. Three BME students were selected by their classmates to present on the day.  Conor McCarthys presentation was titled “Can I use group-work in the mathematics classroom to improve my students’ critical thinking?” Mark Foy presentation was “How the layout and atmosphere of the classroom with a particular emphasis on group work increases the children’s academic success?”. The third BME student to present was Conor Cuddihy, “How the layout am atmosphere of the classroom with a particular emphasis on group work increases the children’s academic success?”  There were also presentations from students of Education at GMIT Letterfrack and St Angela's College, Sligo – with Gary Weir and Sarah Moloney presenting on their final year projects. The Irish Mathematical Trust provided funding towards hosting the symposium and Dr Aisling McCluskey presented on their Maths Circles initiative. The well attended event brought together students from third and fourth year on the BME, academic staff from NUIG School of Education, School of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Statistics, as well as staff from GMIT Letterfrack and St Angela’s College Sligo, Teaching Council and local post-primary Mathematics teachers.  

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Ubuntu's Dialogue Day

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Friday, 8 June 2018

School of Education, NUI Galway, staff member, Dr Manuela Heinz was invited as a plenary speaker and panel discussant to Ubuntu's Dialogue Day which took place in UCC on 25th March 2018. The Dialogue session focused on how Higher Education responds to issues related to development, e.g. equality, sustainability, migration, climate justice, and the role of initial teacher education in this regard. The Ubuntu Network was established in 2006 to support the integration of Development Education into post-primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) in Ireland.  It seeks to ensure that education for justice, equality and sustainability are central to the experiences of student teachers and it encourages all educators to recognise and respond to the opportunities within education to transform society for the better.  u-bun-tu is a sub-Saharan philosophy and way of life that emphasises co-operation, compassion, community and concern for the interests of the collective. 

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NUI Galway and Google Ireland Announce Creative Coding for Maths Makers

Thursday, 29 March 2018

Project aims to promote STEM amongst student teachers The School of Education at NUI Galway, supported by Google Ireland, has announced an innovative project titled “Creative Coding for Maths Makers.”  The new project integrates mathematical and computer programming concepts, with a specific focus on promoting STEM amongst student teachers. BA Mathematics and Education student teachers at NUI Galway will be working with primary and post-primary school children to promote mathematics and computer programming integration.  Both student teachers and school children will develop an understanding and design of innovative mathematical concepts by a coding interface and will then render their virtual models physically in the MakerSpace. Unique, and the only facility of its kind in an Irish university, the MakerSpace in the James Hardiman Library at NUI Galway is a space purposefully designed to facilitate engaged teaching and learning.  It's a space where students can be creative, collaborate, share, develop ideas, innovate, and generally just ‘make stuff’.  The computers available in the MakerSpace have a higher specification than those available in most of the PC suites on campus.  MakerSpace offers a 3D printing service*.  Such exposure and experience is of value to students as it replicates life in a STEM industry. Claire Conneely, Computer Science Education Programme Manager at Google Ireland said: “We are excited to support the Creative Coding for Maths Makers programme at NUI Galway. Embedding Computer Science as a fundamental and rigorous subject throughout the entire school curriculum - including the introduction of Computer Science as a Leaving Certificate subject later this year - will ensure that students have a deeper understanding of how they can use technology to be creative and solve problems.  Equally important is growing the confidence and skillset of the next generation of teachers, so that Computer Science will be accessible and available to all students across Ireland in the coming years.”  Professor Gerry MacRuairc, Professor of Education and Head of School, commented: “this Google funded programme reinforces the philosophy of the School that technology will not replace teachers but it is essential that teachers are introduced to many forms of technology in their teacher education programmes.” In order to be a catalyst for positive change in computer science education, Google has sponsored projects like the NUI Galway ‘Creative Coding for Maths Makers’ program in order to help address a key challenge for computing education in Ireland, in the preparation and up-skilling of teachers to deliver the new Computer Science curricula in primary and post-primary Irish schools. Leading the project is Dr Cornelia Connolly in the School of Education at NUI Galway: “The introduction of coding in schools and the new Computer Science Leaving Certificate present a landmark opportunity for STEM advancement in Ireland; however, there is the challenge now to prepare teachers properly to teach these key STEM areas in an engaging and effective way.  Projects like ‘Creative Coding for Maths Makers’ enable us to start doing this in Galway, in partnership with schools in the city and region.” Author: Marketing and Communications Office, NUI Galway

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Aspiring Leadership Programme - Applications for 2nd Cohort Now Open

Friday, 9 March 2018

The Postgraduate Diploma in School Leadership (PDSL) / Dioplóma Gairmiúil i gCeannaireacht Scoile (DGCS) is designed to prepare aspiring leaders with the knowledge, skills, confidence and qualifications for senior school leadership positions. This programme addresses the areas of leadership capacity published by the Department of Education and Skills in 2016. APPLICATION DEADLINE March 30th https://www.ul.ie/cpe/pdsl/ 

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International Women's Day - The Influential Women Who Shaped Education

Thursday, 8 March 2018

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BME Mathematics & Education Students Use IZAK9 Innovative Maths Resource

Friday, 9 March 2018

The Mathematics Methodology class, 2nd year BA Mathematics and Education along with the Professional Master of Education students had a workshop facilitated by IZAK9 http://www.izak9.com/ recently.  Franz Schlindwein had an attentive audience and lots of interest! IZAK9 is a unique innovative maths resource for active learning design by children in primary and post-primary schools. What the product provides is a physical resource which supports children and teachers in implementing new pedagogical approaches, supporting existing practice, and thus helps students and teachers better engage with the teaching and learning of mathematics. The importance of experiencing a variety of mathematical methodologies and approaches enabling the teaching of mathematics is crucial for our pre-service teachers.  As Dr Cornelia Connolly explains the students, once again, experienced a variety of math question and tasks to pose in the classroom setting; dealing with math mistakes and understanding student thought process; encouraging communicating and collaboration on mathematical tasks! @AbacusandHelix

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School of Education Research Seminar Series - Exploring Sexuality and Gender Identity in the Irish Education System

Wednesday, 21 February 2018

The School of Education, NUI Galway invites you to its latest Research Seminar Series event: Exploring Sexuality and Gender Identity in the Irish Education System Speaker: Dr Aoife Neary, School of Education, University of LimerickDate & Time: Wednesday, 7 March 2018 at 5pmVenue: AM214 Siobhán McKenna Theatre, Arts Millennium Building, NUI Galway. Speaker Biography: Dr Aoife Neary joined the School of Education in September 2014 as Lecturer in Sociology of Education.  Aoife was a teacher of Physical Education and English between 2003 and 2011.  She has an MA in Gender, Culture & Society and a PhD in Sociology. She held an Irish Research Council (IRC) Government of Ireland Doctoral Scholar award from 2011 until 2014 and has been an IRC New Foundations Awardee in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.  She currently has a funded research partnership with the Transgender Equality Network of Ireland.  Drawing on feminist, queer and affect theory, her work explores the politics of gender and sexuality as they are lived, constructed and configured in schools and society. So far, her work is published in the following journals: British Journal of Sociology of Education; Gender and Education; Sexualities; Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education; Irish Educational Studies and Sex Education.  Her recent book entitled LGBT-Q Teachers, Civil Partnership and Same-sex Marriage: The Ambivalences of Legitimacy is published with Routledge.  RSVP by 5 March 2018 to caroline.casey@nuigalway.ie 091 495985

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NUI Galway Host 14th Annual Conference of the International Society for Design and Development in Education

Tuesday, 20 February 2018

Tuesday, 20 February, 2018: Papers and registrations are now being accepted for the 14th Annual Conference of the International Society for Design and Development in Education (ISDDE), which will be held from 28–31 May at NUI Galway. The conference theme, Culture and Educational Design, highlights the importance of context in principled and participatory, educational design, and the significant influence of culture, the historic, natural and social environs on learning, teaching and assessment. Dr Tony Hall and Dr Cornelia Connolly, School of Education, said: “The School of Education at NUI Galway are delighted to have been invited to host the 14th Annual Conference of the International Society for Design and Development in Education, the first time the conference will be held in Ireland.  ISDDE is one of the preeminent research communities for educational technology and design, and those researching, designing and developing educational resources, learning environments, curricular materials and technologies, particularly in the STEM areas.” Dr Hall added: “The International Society for Design and Development in Education was recently affiliated to the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction.  Following last year’s conference at University of California, Berkeley, we look forward to hosting and welcoming Irish and international colleagues in educational design and technology to Galway and the West.  This year’s conference theme, ‘Culture and Educational Design’ reflects the importance of the broader social, cultural and physical environs in the participatory and principled design of educational innovations and technologies.” The International Society for Design and Development in Education was formed to help educational designers work effectively as a coherent professional design and development community.  The goals of the Society are to improve the design and development process, building a design community and increasing our impact on educational practice. More information available at: https://sites.google.com/view/isdde-2018/home. -Ends- For further information contact Tony Hall at tony.hall@nuigalway.ie or Cornelia Connolly at cornelia.connolly@nuiglaway.ie Confirmed Keynote Speakers for the Conference are as follows: Professor Sarah Moore, University of LimerickDr John Breslin, NUI GalwayProfessor Zalman Usiskin, University of ChicagoDr Michael Hogan, NUI GalwayDr Anna Walshe, National Council for Curriculum and AssessmentProfessor Kaye Stacey, University of Melbourne

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Interested in pursuing a PhD in Education? Galway Doctoral Scholarship Scheme - Applications Now Open!

Monday, 19 February 2018

Interested in pursuing a PhD in Education?  Galway Doctoral Scholarship Scheme, applications now open! The Expression of Interest Call for fully funded Galway Doctoral Scholarships offered by the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies at NUI Galway, is now open. http://www.nuigalway.ie/colleges-and-schools/arts-social-sciences-and-celtic-studies/phd-research-degrees/scholarships/ The scheme offers opportunities for suitably qualified individuals to pursue a Structured PhD – candidates wishing to pursue a PhD in Education are encouraged to apply. To help find a potential supervisor and the research interests of our academic staff, please refer to http://www.nuigalway.ie/our-research/people/education/

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Ceist chaighdeán na Gaeilge faoi chaibidil

Friday, 16 February 2018

Alt in Tuairisc scríofa ag foireann an Mháistir Ghairmiúil san Oideachas, léigh anseo é. Agus pléite ar Cormac ag a Cúig ar Raidio na Gaeltachta freisin.  Éist leis anseo.  

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Call for Papers: 14th Annual Conference of the International Society for Design and Development in Education

Tuesday, 30 January 2018

Call for Papers14th Annual Conference of the International Society for Design and Development in EducationMay 28th-31st, 2018National University of Ireland, Galway Papers and registrations are now being accepted for ISDDE 2018: 14th Annual Conference of the International Society for Design and Development in Education, which will be held from Monday 28th – Thursday 31st May, 2018, at the National University of Ireland, Galway. The conference theme, Culture and Educational Design, highlights the importance of context in principled and participatory, educational design, and the significant influence of culture, the historic, natural and social environs on learning, teaching and assessment.  Continuing the tradition set by previous conferences, the meeting will be intimate and highly participatory.  Attendees will enjoy plenary talks by leading educational designers, paper and poster presentations, small group work sessions on pressing problems of practice, and many meals and informal conversations over food and drink, all included in the price of registration.  The conference will take place in the beautiful environs of the National University of Ireland, Galway and Galway City. Confirmed Keynote Speakers: Professor Sarah Moore, University of LimerickDr John Breslin, NUI GalwayProfessor Zalman Usiskin, University of ChicagoDr Michael Hogan, NUI GalwayDr Anna Walshe, National Council for Curriculum and AssessmentProfessor Kaye Stacey, University of Melbourne Conference Website: https://sites.google.com/view/isdde-2018/home

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NUI Galway School of Education Study on Attitudes Towards Teaching Religion in Ireland

Thursday, 18 January 2018

Study finds attitudes of those in initial teacher education in Ireland have a tendency to comply with, rather than endorse or reject teaching religion Thursday, 18 January, 2018: The School of Education at NUI Galway has carried out the first ever study in Ireland that explores the religious affiliations and religiosity of applicants and entrants to undergraduate primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes in Ireland.  Since 96% of state primary schools in Ireland are denominational, considering religious diversity in teaching is both critically important and a complex undertaking. The study explores the backgrounds, motivations and perspectives on the Irish education system of applicants and entrants to Initial Teacher Education programmes across Ireland.  The paper, published this week in the European Journal of Teacher Education, explores the religious backgrounds, religious practice and attitudes towards teaching religion of applicants and entrants to primary teacher education programmes.  All three authors of the paper, Dr Manuela Heinz, Dr Kevin Davison and Dr Elaine Keane are lecturers at the School of Education, NUI Galway  While there has been much debate about the compatibility of publicly funded denominational schools with growing religious pluralism and secularism in Ireland and internationally, these debates have so far, mostly focused on equity of access to state-run schools and freedom of religion and conscience for children and their families.  The position of teachers in a predominantly denominational primary school system has received much less attention in academic and policy discourse. The study interrupts the silence and invisibility of atheist, non-practicing Catholic and minority faith students and practicing teachers, and highlights the need to critically examine teaching and teacher education policy and practice, including access to Initial Teacher Training, the ITE curricular and pedagogical spaces, school cultures and employment legislation, from a social justice perspective that includes a religious diversity dimension. The data gathered suggests low levels of religious practice and religiosity among ITE applicants, many of whom would prefer to teach religion using a non-confessional approach.  The study raises critical questions regarding the experiences, constitutional rights and professional practice of increasingly secular and/or non-practicing Catholic teacher cohorts in a predominantly Catholic primary education system that has survived the trend towards the progressive ‘unchurching’ of Europe. Lead author of the study, Dr Manuela Heinz from the School of Education at NUI Galway, said: “Our main data collection method is an anonymous voluntary cross-sectional online questionnaire implemented annually with applicants to all state-funded Initial Teacher Education programmes across Ireland.  The diversity in the ITE study addresses the data vacuum with regard to ITE cohorts’ socio-demographic backgrounds in relation to their religious affiliations, religious practice, and attitudes towards religious education in primary schools in Ireland.” Dr Heinz continued, “We noted a high non-response rate (25%) to an open-ended question probing respondents to express their feelings about teaching religion which may indicate that a significant proportion of ITE applicants were reluctant or felt uncomfortable to disclose their personal thoughts regarding the requirement for primary teachers to teach religion in the majority of primary schools in Ireland, even in an anonymous survey. “In addition, we also noted a widespread tendency of complying with, rather than endorsing or rejecting, the teaching of religion with many respondents using language like ‘it’s no problem’, ‘part of the job’, ‘grand’, or ‘doesn’t bother me’ in their responses.  It may be that enculturation into Catholic education and possibly positive experiences and memories of ‘no harm’ have led many to uncritically accept the status quo.  Or, alternatively, it may be that many of those considering and/or entering the teaching profession feel that they have no choice in the matter, that they need to comply and be prepared to take on the role of religion teacher if they want to succeed, even if they are not religious themselves, do not practice or believe.” Dr Heinz added: “We are hoping that this research will trigger more thinking about the characteristics and qualities we are looking for in teachers. Considering that only 58% per cent of our respondents considered themselves to be ‘a religious person’, we need to ask what about the others?  What experiences await them as they pursue careers as primary teachers?  In our study, the great majority of respondents indicated a clear preference towards teaching children about different faiths/world views/religions with some respondents stressing the importance of tolerance, equal treatment and/or of children making up their own minds with regard to religious beliefs.” In light of the findings presented in this study, the authors conclude that the prospect and experience of entering a third level learning and future professional space that is permeated by a religious, predominantly Catholic ethos, will cause conflict between personal beliefs and professional requirements for many potential and actual Initial Teacher Education applicants and entrants.  This situation will most likely result in some highly motivated and suitable individuals who are atheist, non-practicing Catholics or from a minority religious background deciding against a career in teaching. Those who enter Initial Teacher Education training, despite the considerable religious barriers, may experience significant, and likely unforeseen, difficulties throughout their ITE and professional careers due to tensions between their personal and professional lives.  The study suggests that it is time to ask whether it is fair, ethical or moral to put individuals who are committed to the education of our children in this difficult situation.  The DITE study was funded by the Irish Research Council and was led by principal investigators Dr Manuela Heinz and Dr Elaine Keane. To read the full study, click here European Journal of Teacher Education. The Irish Times also published an item on this research: Scant religious practice in trainee primary teachers, study finds http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/study-finds-little-support-for-purely-catholic-religious-instruction-among-trainee-primary-teachers-823479.html#provider_moreover  https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/scant-religious-practice-in-trainee-primary-teachers-study-finds-1.3360740  https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/catholics-make-up-90pc-of-trainee-primary-teachers-36506252.html  http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/study-finds-low-levels-of-religious-practice-among-initial-teacher-education-applicants-465967.html http://connachttribune.ie/nuig-finds-90-per-cent-of-trainee-primary-teachers-are-catholic/ -Ends- For further information about the study contact Dr Manuela Heinz at manuela.heinz@nuigalway.ie  For Press contact Gwen O’Sullivan, Press and Information Executive, NUI Galway at gwen.osullivan@nuigalway.ie or 091 495695.

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Teachers Invited to Regional Focus Group at NUI Galway on the Draft Specification for L.C. Applied Mathematics

Tuesday, 9 January 2018

The School of Education at NUI Galway hosted a regional Focus Group on the revised Applied Mathematics specification to give teachers and stakeholders the opportunity to provide feedback on the revised specification for the Leaving Certificate subject.  The curriculum was recently redesigned by the NCCA (National Council for Curriculum and Assessment) and Ms Rachel Linney, NCCA Education Officer will lead the discussion on the draft specification. Dr Cornelia Connolly, School of Education at NUI Galway said: “It is an exciting time for new subject and curriculum development at Senior Cycle.  This Applied Mathematics focus group provides an opportunity to gather input from stakeholders, in the specification development process.” The specification is now available on the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment website for consultation on: www.ncca.ie Please contact Cornelia Connolly at cornelia.connolly@nuigalway.ie if you require further information on this key regional consultation on the Leaving Certificate Applied Mathematics. The Focus Group was held on 29th January 2018 in the Education Building, Block D (south campus) at NUI Galway. -Ends-

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SCii (Science Conversations informal & informative) Teacher Event on new Junior Science Specification

Thursday, 4 January 2018

From L to R: Mr James Stephens (Chairman Galway Branch of ISTA); Ms Eleanor Nolan (Teacher Claregalway College, Presenter); Ms Roisín Reid (Teacher Claregalway College, Presenter); Dr Veronica McCauley (Lecturer in Science Education, NUI Galway) From LtoR: The three teachers from Claregalway College who presented and instigated a very worthwhile discussion at the SCii event: Ms Eleanor Nolan; Ms Orla Bergin and Ms Roisín Reid The inaugural SCii (Science Conversations informal & informative) Teacher Event was hosted by the School of Education, NUI Galway. Organised by Dr Veronica McCauley, (@VMcC_ScienceEd) lecturer in Science Education, in conjunction with the Irish Science Teachers Association.  This, the first many events, invited science teachers and educators to come to a seminar designed by practicing teachers who relayed their daily practice tips and techniques in delivering the new Junior Science specification.  This event was open to all science teachers and took place on Tuesday 16th January in AM150 (O'Tnuthail Theatre), Arts Millenium Building, NUI Galway Number 13 on Map It was facilitated by teachers for teachers.  Ms Eleanor Nolan and fellow science teachers at Claregalway College offered to share their wealth of experience in planning and teaching strategies for the new junior cycle science specification with other science teachers in the region.  Within their science department, they have strategically divided up course content under specialism, that is, content and CBA design in ‘Earth & Space’, ‘Physical World’, ‘Biological World’ and ‘Chemical World’; in addition to some great work in the ‘Nature of Science’ which is interdisciplinary.  Hands on strategies were delivered by teachers at the cutting edge.  The format involved a brief presentation by each teacher followed by a chaired Q&A session. For further information, email galwayista@gmail.com

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International Conference on Mobile Technology in Teacher Education (MiTE) 2018

Monday, 12 February 2018

The well attended, fourth International Conference on Mobile Technology in Teacher Education (MiTE) 2018 was successfully held in The Galway Bay Hotel, Galway Ireland, Friday January 19th & Saturday January 20th 2018. Mobile technology has the potential to significantly change practice in classrooms and schools by reshaping how and when learning takes place.  Initial teacher education can play a central role in the integration of this technology within teaching and learning in the classroom. This inovative conference celebrated the possibilities and explored the challenges of integrating mobile technology in ITE and in the broader field of education in order to promote best practice by teachers, students and schools. Check out the wrap video and other related information on the conference home page, to get a flavour of this event.  Roll on 2019! 

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Virtual Physics Lab and Online Teaching Resources for Physics (JC/LC)

Tuesday, 5 December 2017

The Institute of Physics provide a wealth of online teaching resources.  A two hour lunchtime resource seminar for Physics teachers and teachers of Physics (Junior Science) was organised by Dr Veronica McCauley, Science Education lecturer, School of Education, NUI Galway on Thursday 7th December 2017 in the School of Education, Block D building, NUI Galway. Paul Nugent, Education Officer, Institute of Physics, facilitated the workshop which gave all teacher participants free access to the Virtual Physics Lab http://vplab.ndo.co.uk (an abundant supply of laboratory simulations, over 70 of which can be used for JC Physics and Maths). The event was aimed at everyone from trainee to experienced teacher and was interactive and informal.  VPLab is a very successful piece of software which is officially endorsed by The National Physics Laboratory and The Institute of Physics. Location of School of Education Buildings

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Chemistry Resource Celebration with the Royal Society of Chemistry

Tuesday, 5 December 2017

The Royal Society of Chemistry (@RoySocChem) hosted an abundance resource sharing seminar with local science teachers from Galway and student teachers from the Professional Master of Education course on Thursday 23rd November 2017. Dr Veronica McCauley (@VMcC_ScienceEd) Lecturer in Science Education, organised the event in the School of Education, NUI Galway with the Galway ISTA branch, and the response from teachers was excellent.   Presenter, Dr John O’Donoghue (@johndhodonoghue) offered a 90 minute seminar where he challenged teachers to find the best resources in the shortest time. There was time to assess the suitability of resources for individual classrooms and a take home resource for teachers to use the next day.  The session was aimed at all teachers from trainee to experienced and was interactive and informal.  Both Junior and Senior cycle resources were reviewed on the evening.

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Doctoral Graduation at NUI Galway Winter Award Ceremonies

Thursday, 23 November 2017

Congratulations to Martin McHugh on his doctoral graduation at the winter award ceremonies in NUI Galway. Martin’s thesis employed a Design-Based Research (DBR) methodology, in which both theory and design are advanced in light of practical findings resultant from authentic classroom contexts, his research explored nascent research areas, including the design, construction and implementation of hooks, a bespoke instructional method/tool grounded in the requirements of all stakeholders in the science classroom.   Martin is the latest School of Education student to be awarded a PhD.  He is pictured with is PhD supervisor, Dr Veronica McCauley, Lecturer in Science Education (V_McC_ScienceEd)

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World Philosophy Day - Launch of the Young Philosopher of the Year Award

Friday, 17 November 2017

Professor Gerry Mac Ruairc, School of Education, NUI Galway was invited to attend the launch of the Young Philosopher of the Year Award in Áras an Uachtaráin, to mark World Philosophy Day The Schools of Education and Philosophy, NUI Galway are partners in P4C (Philosophy for Children) - a development for schools endorsed by President and Mrs Higgins.  The Young Philosopher of the Year Award will be held in May 2018 and all schools are invited to participate.  Please see www.p4c.ie President Higgins made a compelling speech at this event.  You will find a recording of this speech at the following link:  http://www.president.ie/en/diary/details/president-higgins-hosts-a-reception-to-mark-world-philosophy-day

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10 Creative Ways To Teach Maths

Thursday, 16 November 2017

Staff from the School of Education and the School of Mathematics NUI Galway, recently featured on RTÉ's Brainstorm service to talk about 10 creative ways to teach maths   RTÉ Brainstorm is a new online platform for academics and researchers to publish a broad range of articles. #scienceweek

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Galway Atlantaquaria Our Ocean, Our Health Exhibit

Thursday, 9 November 2017

Galway Atlantaquaria will launch their innovative 'Our Ocean, Our Health Exhibit: Observe, Enjoy and Explore the Digital Ocean’ on Saturday 11th November 2017 at 2pm.If you would like to attend, please RSVP garry@nationalaquarium.ie Galway Atlantaquaria, Ireland’s largest native species aquarium, is excited to host this new exhibit, which will amaze, excite and educate visitors about the diversity of life under the sea!  The visitor experience includes access to the Harmful Algal Blooms iBook, by author NUI Galway Scientist Dr. Robin Raine.  The iBook was co-edited by Dr Veronica McCauley and Dr Kevin Davison of NUI Galway’s School of Education and has been developed as part of NUI Galway’s contribution to an EU-funded European research project Sea Change (@SeaChange_EU).  The project aims to raise European citizens’ awareness of the ocean’s influence on us and our influence on the ocean, or “ocean literacy”. This iBook is designed to infuse the engaging story of Harmful Algal Blooms into teaching across the sciences, and also provoke general discussion about these powerful species amongst the public.  Harmful algal blooms, or HABs, occur when colonies of algae - simple plants that live in the sea and freshwater - grow out of control while producing toxic or harmful effects on fish, shellfish, marine mammals, birds and people. The importance of the ocean, and therefore ocean literacy, cannot be overestimated. The ocean defines and dominates everything about our planet. It is home to most of the life on Earth, regulates our weather and climate, provides most of our oxygen, and feeds much of the human population.

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Earth and Space Event for Science Teachers of the New Junior Science Curriculum

Wednesday, 8 November 2017

The Irish Science Teachers’ Association, in collaboration with Lennox Laboratory Supplies recently (Wednesday 25th October 2017) supported an ‘Earth and Space' event in the School of Education, NUI Galway. Dr Veronica McCauley (VMcC_ScienceEd) Lecturer in Science Education, organised the event with the Galway ISTA branch, and the response from teachers was immense.  Over 80 teachers secured a place within days of the event being promoted. Rory Geoghegan, Lecturer in Physics Education and Editor of Science Journal presented the workshop.  The workshop aimed to give teachers further insight into the new Earth and Space strand from the New Junior Science Specification.  Teachers were brought through a series of curious questions that targeted astronomical events on a local, global and ‘beyond' scale. The workshop covered topics of space, celestial bodies, planetary systems, gravity, space exploration, the scale of the solar system, galaxies, the Big Bang, etc.  A powerpoint resource suite was shared with all teachers.  This resource collates for teachers, a suite of sound bites, explanatory statements, links to video/audio files, simulations, relevant websites for the astronomy strand.  Although the content in part is more advanced than Junior Science, it’s aim is to present teachers with a contextual experience, allowing them to teach from a broader knowledge point, and of course have the multiplicity of resources to hand in designing their own class materials.

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School of Education Collaboration With the Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education

Monday, 6 November 2017

Pictured at the office of the Minister of Education to discuss a collaboration between the Department of Education,  Seychelles, Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education and the School of Education, NUIGalway.  The proposal is to develop a collaborative Masters In Education between the three institutions awarded by NUI Galway. This collaboration builds on the well established links between Shannon College NUIG and Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA)

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DITE Project - Sexuality/ies In Initial Teacher Education - Article In Irish Examiner

Thursday, 19 October 2017

LGBT applicants view teaching as a vehicle for change according to research conducted by School of Education, NUIGalway staff, Drs Elaine Keane (@thegalwegian ), Manuella Heinz and Kevin Davison (@KevinGDavison ) as part of their DITE Project. Full article in the Irish Examiner

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Research Seminar on Practitioner Research in Education at the School of Education

Tuesday, 17 October 2017

At a recent event, Dr Mary Mc Ateer (@DrMaryMcAteer) from Edge Hill University in the UK and lecturers and graduates from the School of Education, NUI Galway, explored issues of quality in action research and shared their experiences, conducting and supervising practitioner research projects, as part of the newly conceptualised Professional Master in Education/Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas. The event attracted teachers and principals as well as professionals conducting action research in other professional areas.

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Teachers Review Leaving Certificate Biology and Physics Exam Papers 2017 at NUI Galway

Thursday, 5 October 2017

The School of Education, NUI Galway and the Galway Branch of the Irish Science Teacher’s Association (ISTA) hosted a Q&A Leaving Certificate Exam Review for both Biology and Physics on Wednesday 4th October 2017. The event was open to all teachers from Galway City, County and beyond.  Each year, Dr. Veronica McCauley (@VMcC_ScienceEd), lecturer in Science Education, NUI Galway, in collaboration with the Galway Branch of the ISTA organises this event for both teachers and student teachers.  The strong attendance was indicative of it’s value and the importance that teachers place on Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and in supporting their students through this pinnacle exam.   

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Introduction to Junior Cycle Science: A CPD event hosted in the School of Education, NUI Galway

Wednesday, 4 October 2017

The new Junior Cycle Science Specification was launched in September 2016, with students due to receive their Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) in 2019.  In line with this new specification, the School of Education, NUI Galway is hosting a CPD event for science teachers, in conjunction with the Galway Branch of the ISTA and the JCT Science team. According to the Junior Cycle Science Specification: "Science in junior cycle aims to develop students’ evidence-based understanding of the natural world and their ability to gather and evaluate evidence: to consolidate and deepen their skills of working scientifically; to make them more self-aware as learners and become competent and confident in their ability to use and apply science in their everyday lives.” (NCCA, 2015 p.5) Commenting on this event, Dr. Veronica McCauley (@VMcC_ScienceEd) Lecturer in Science Education, NUI Galway said “The new Junior Science Specification has the potential to contribute further to the debate of ‘Science with and for society’ with the unifying strand, The Nature of Science, woven throughout .  What is particularly exciting is the introduction of the new Earth and Space contextual strand, especially with Space Week nationally starting today - Oct 4th-10th, 2017”. The "Introduction to Junior Cycle Science” event will be held from 7-9pm on Monday 9th October 2017 in the Education Building, Nuns Island, NUI Galway and will be led by the JCT Science team.  This workshop aims to work with all teachers of Junior Cycle Science, in a collaborative manner with the JCT Team to assist in teaching the new specification.  Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) is a dedicated continuing professional development (CPD) support service of the Department of Education and Skills.  Their aim is to support schools in their implementation of the new Framework for Junior Cycle (2015) through the provision of appropriate high quality CPD for school leaders and teachers, and the provision of effective teaching and learning resources. Event: An Introduction to Junior Cycle ScienceDate: Monday, October 9thTime: 7.00 - 9.00 pmLocation: Education Building, Nuns Island, NUI Galway (building next door to St Joseph's 'The Bish' secondary school. Parking will be available in The Bish school carpark for attendees) A maximum number of 30 teachers will be facilitated.  Booking is essential at  https://goo.gl/forms/WiukbTKFv9KpbUne2 Teachers who are successful in getting a place will be sent a confirmation email.  A waiting list will be in operation so early booking is essential

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School of Education Hosts Regional Focus Group on Computer Science Specification

Wednesday, 4 October 2017

The School of Education at NUI Galway recently hosted a regional Focus Group on the new Senior Cycle Computer Science curriculum. The Department of Education are compiling feedback on the Computer Science draft specification and our Regional Focus Group forms an integral part of the consultation process. Attended by Post Primary principals, teachers, academic staff from NUI Galway and representatives from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), the feedback and discussion generated was positive and worthwhile. The expertise in our School in technology enhanced learning, computing, combined with education is unique and the ideas generated last week will be key in defining the Computer Science Leaving Certificate curriculum. Computer Science is due to be a Senior Cycle subject in a number of pilot schools in September 2018.

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Teachers Invited To Give Feedback At NUI Galway On New Computer Science Curriculum For Leaving Cert.

Friday, 8 September 2017

The School of Education at NUI Galway are hosting a regional Focus Group on the new Computer Science curriculum to give teachers the opportunity to provide feedback on the new Leaving Certificate Computer Science subject that will be introduced, on a phased basis, to schools in September 2018.  The curriculum specification for Leaving Certificate Computer Science is currently being developed by the NCCA - National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. Dr Anna Walshe, NCCA Education Officer who will lead the discussion on the draft specification said:  “The needs and views of learners, teachers and schools are central to developments at senior cycle. Teachers and schools are at the heart of leading and supporting change that is deep and lasting.  The purpose of this consultation is to achieve a closer understanding of the dynamics of change for the learner, for the teacher as a professional and for the school as an organisation.” The draft specification, published by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is available for consultation until 22nd  September on www.ncca.ie Please contact Cornelia Connolly at cornelia.connolly@nuigalway.ie if you wish to attend and be part of this key regional consultation on the new Computer Science subject for schools.  Teachers who attend will have substitution and travel expenses reimbursed.  The Focus Group will be held on Thursday 14 September, 2017. The session will take place between 2–4pm in Room D202, Education Building, Block D (south campus) at NUI Galway. -Ends-  Keywords: Press. Author: Marketing and Communications Office, NUI Galway

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Breaking the SEAL Represents Selected to Represent Ireland At 2017 EUSTORY Next Generation Summit in Berlin

Tuesday, 8 August 2017

Two participants in the award winning School of Education & James Hardiman initiative, Breaking the SEAL, have been selected to represent Ireland at the 2017 EUSTORY Next Generation Summit in Berlin later this year. Ms. Maggie Larson (Presentation College Headford, Co.Galway) & Ms.Sarah Scott (Colaiste Mhuire, Ballygar, Co.Galway) were selected to receive attendance scholarships from over 200 applicants put forward by history competitions organisations across Europe.  Both of these leaving certificate history students made excellent presentations at our NUI Galway campus event earlier this year supported by friends, family and their history teachers - Mr. James Shovlin (PCH) & Ms Fiona McGuinness (Ballygar). Congratulations to Ms. Larson and Ms. Scott. We wish them every success at the EUSTORY Next Generation Summit 2017. https://www.historycampus.org/summit2017/

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Applications Open for the Master of Education (MEd) Programme

Tuesday, 28 March 2017

Closing date for applications: PAC has now been REOPENED FOR LATE APPLICATIONS until 21st August 2017. The School of Education at NUI Galway invites applications for the Master of Education (MEd) programme.Start Date:  September 2017.Duration:  Two years, part-time.  Classes will take place on Wednesday evenings (5-9pm) with additional sessions during school mid-term breaks and potentially during other holidays.Entry requirements:  Those eligible to apply will have: - A degree at level 8; and - A teaching qualification (or equivalent) In addition, a minimum of two-three years teaching experience, or relevant professional experience in education, will normally be required.Applications:  (which includes a personal statement) are made online via the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC), http://www.pac.ie/.  The relevant PAC application code is GYA47.Closing date for applications: PAC has now been REOPENED FOR LATE APPLICATIONS until 21 August 2017.Further information here: Master of Education (MEd) Programme

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New Q-Tales Article in the Literacy Journal

Thursday, 20 July 2017

A new Q-Tales journal article, 'Enhancing children's literacy skills: designing the Q-Tales ecosystem for children's e-book design and publication', features in the latest issue of Literacy: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/lit.12128/full The paper, by Dr Bonnie Thompson Long (@BonnieTLong), Dr Tony Hall, Dr Michael Hogan (@michaelhogannui), NUI Galway, and Nikos Papastamatiou (@papnik1974), Omega Technology Athens, describes the design of the Q-Tales ecosystem for children's e-book design, curation and publication. @Q_TalesEU @EU_H2020 @ResearchatNUIG #literacy

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International digital storytelling (DST) meeting 2017

Wednesday, 12 July 2017

Drs Bonnie Long and Tony Hall attended the international digital storytelling (DST) meeting 2017, "Untold – An Un-conference about Digital Storytelling": https://www.uel.ac.uk/events/2017/07/unconference-digital-storytelling.  Untold 2017 was organised along a novel interactive format, and Bonnie and Tony participated in two demes (thematic groups), Digital Storytelling in Higher Education and Digital Storytelling Practices.  Leading figures in DST chaired and attended the conference, including the editors of the recently published international DST collection by Palgrave Macmillan, Digital Storytelling in Higher Education, in which Bonnie and Tony’s have a chapter on the DST design-based research undertaken in the School of Education, NUI Galway: "From Dewey to Digital: Design-Based Research for Deeper Reflection Through Digital Storytelling" https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-51058-3_5.  This year’s international DST meeting was held at the University of East London.

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School of Education Design Based Research Publication

Wednesday, 28 June 2017

Drs Bonnie Thompson Long (@BonnieTLong) Centre for Adult Learning and Profesional Development and Tony Hall, School of Education have published their invited article in the Palgrave Macmillian book just published in June 2017 on Digital Storytelling, edited by the leading international scholars in the field. The article entitled, From Dewey to Digital: Design-Based Research for Deeper Reflection Through Digital Storytelling,  describes the School of Education research in desiging educational technology to enhance reflection in teacher education.

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School of Education Technology Enhanced Learning Methodologist appointed to ISLS

Tuesday, 27 June 2017

School of Education Technology Enhanced Learning Methodologist, Dr. Paul Flynn ( @FlynnDPaul ) has been appointed to the International Society of the Learning Sciences (ISLS) Education Committee. ISLS  is a professional society dedicated to the interdisciplinary empirical investigation of learning as it exists in real-world settings and to how learning may be facilitated both with and without technology. For more information on this please follow this link: https://www.isls.org

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Breaking the S.E.A.L. - EUSTORY

Friday, 19 May 2017

Dr. Paul Flynn will travel to Lisbon this week to represent a joint initiative of the School of Education and James Hardiman Library, Breaking the S.E.A.L. at the annual meeting of EUSTORY. EUSTORY is European network of second level history research project competitions. Dr. Flynn will give a keynote address ahead of Breaking the S.E.A.L being inducted into this European network.

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Dr. Paul Flynn Appointed to National Scoping Group to Discuss Supporting Student Success

Friday, 19 May 2017

Dr. Paul Flynn, School of Education, NUI Galway,  has been appointed to a National Scoping Group to discuss Supporting Student Success in and through Higher Education. This group will focus on issues relating to non-completion of third level programmes.

>> Read full story about Dr. Paul Flynn Appointed to National Scoping Group to Discuss Supporting Student Success

Post Graduate Diploma in School Leadership (PDSL) Commencing September 2017

Monday, 19 December 2016

Following a tendering process run by the Office of Government Procurement on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills (DES) and the Centre for School Leadership (CSL) a new Post Graduate Diploma in School Leadership (PDSL) for aspiring school leaders will commence in Autumn 2017. The programme will be jointly awarded by University of Limerick (UL), the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) (including St Angela’s College, Sligo) and University College Dublin (UCD).   Additional academic support for the programme will be provided by Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) with delivery support from Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and Association of Teachers Education Centres in Ireland (ATECI). The programme will be a part-time (18 months) blended learning professional diploma, delivered locally in six regional locations throughout the country.  There will be specific provision for teachers in Irish-medium schools in NUI Galway. Fees support for this programme will be provided by the DES/CSL. The course will be open to approximately 200 participants annually.

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Breaking the S.E.A.L. nominated for the 2017 Education Awards in the Best Outreach Category

Friday, 19 May 2017

Breaking the S.E.A.L., a joint intiaitve of the School of Education and the James Hardiman Library, has been nominated for the 2017 Education Awards in the Best Outreach category. We wish Dr. Paul Flynn and Mr. Barry Houlihan the very best on Thursday night when the winners will be announced at a ceremony in the Ballsbridge Hotel, Dublin.

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Rang nuacháilithe Mháistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas (MGO) - Apple Teachers

Friday, 19 May 2017

Rang nuacháilithe Mháistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas (MGO) Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh agus cáilíocht 'Apple Teacher' bainte amach acu leis.Maith sibh! Mháistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas (MGO) Teacher Ed in NUI Galway.  NQT's final day on campus today.  All have also completed #AppleTeacher & are looking for schools!Ádh Mór oraibh!

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Sixth Annual Postgraduate Research Seminar

Tuesday, 28 March 2017

The School of Education, NUI Galway hosted its Sixth Annual Postgraduate Research Seminar and were delighted with the turnout to this important event. The seminar is part of the School's annual Research Seminar Series, the purpose of which was to showcase research activity in the School and to provide a forum for discussion with our educational community with respect to the research-educational practice nexus.The School of Education at NUI Galway is highly active in educational research and we have a range of funded research projects across our four research clusters: 1. Diversity and Inclusion in Education, 2. Science Technology and Mathematics in Education, 3. Leadership and Professional Development in Education, and 4. Irish and Modern Languages Education.This Postgraduate Research seminar consisted of parallel sessions, during which our PhD students presented on their current educational research. L-R  Maeve Dunne, Devon Goodwin (both PhD students) and David Reilly (PME2) Further information, including the list of presentation topics, is detailed here: Annual Research Seminar Series

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Computational Thinking for Education with Dr Aman Yadav

Thursday, 6 April 2017

School of Education, NUI Galway Research Seminar In his talk on the 18th April, Dr Aman Yadav ( @yadavaman ) discussed what entails computational thinking and presented ideas of embedding computational thinking in primary and secondary classrooms.  In addition, he discussed how teacher education faculty can engage preservice teachers in computational ideas. Aman presented results from a study examining the influence of modules designed to expose preservice teachers computational ideas on their understanding of computational thinking ideas and embedding them in their future classrooms. For more information about Aman's research and teaching, please visit: http://www.amanyadav.org

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6th Annual Symposium on Research in Mathematics and Education

Wednesday, 22 February 2017

    The final year students of the BA Mathematics and Education (BME) hosted their Final Year Symposium: Research in Mathematics and Education, on April 11, 2017.   The Keynote speaker was Dr Terry Maguire ( @TerrymagNF ), Director of the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning  in Higher Education and founder of ‘Maths Eyes’.  Dr Maguire gave an inspiring presentation on the value of engaging all learners with Mathematics in a relevant and constructive way that enables deeper understanding of both mathematical concepts and their applications.   The Final Year BME students shared their classroom based practitioner research projects in Mathematics Teaching and Learning  through a poster exhibition and presentations from the group.  Also contributing to the symposium poster exhibit and presentations were students from the B.Sc. Design Technology Education programme in GMIT Letterfrack.   Many thanks to all the 4BME Group and their Module leader Dr Paul Flynn ( @FlynnDPaul ) who organised a very successful and inspirational morning for all educators present: teachers, fellow students and their lecturers from NUI Galway and GMIT.     (L-R) Mary Fleming (Co Director of the BME), PJ Folan (St Joseph's 'The Bish'), Aisling Mc Cluskey (Co Director of the PME), Dr Terry Maguire (keynote speaker), Susan Rodgers, Dermot O Donovan and Pauline Logue (GMIT)   http://mathedsymposium.weebly.com/  

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Mathematics Matters in Junior Cycle

Thursday, 30 March 2017

First year BA in Mathematics and Education students at NUI Galway showed their mathematical mettle recently by coordinating and delivering an exciting Junior Mathematics Enrichment (JME) programme at NUI Galway, under the direction of Dr. Aisling McCluskey, School of Mathematics. The programme, part of a nationwide Irish Mathematical Trust initiative, was piloted over an eight-week period in Spring 2017.  Local schools were invited to select Junior cycle pupils (normally 2nd or 3rd year) who have an interest in and enthusiasm for mathematics for the eight-week programme.  The pupils showed lively engagement and impressive problem-solving skills in a series of weekly activities in an environment centred on enjoyment of discovery and investigation amongst like-minded peers. The programme exposed a rich and fertile seam of mathematical talent in junior cycle, supported by a strong network of parents, teachers, students and lecturers. Junior Mathematics Enrichment (JME) event photos

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4th Annual Statistical Summer School

Tuesday, 28 March 2017

The 4th Annual Statistical Summer School will be held at the University of Limerick, June 21st – 23rd 2017.  This Summer School is the fourth in a series being organised collaboratively by the Schools of Education at NUI Galway, University of Limerick and University College Cork.   This Summer School has arisen out of a desire to develop statistical competence in the domain of survey research, while promoting data awareness and impact on policy and intervention. This year’s Summer School, facilitated by Dr. Laura O’ Dwyer (Boston College), will familiarise people with the strategies, techniques, tactics, and issues in conducting survey research in the social sciences.  It will cover the key stages in the survey research process, including sample design and selection, questionnaire design, pretesting, and data analysis.  The Summer School will include demonstrations and hands-on practice, and detailed materials will be provided. For more information please see the attached document.  Registration can be completed via the website link available at http://epistem.ie/home-2/summer-school-2017/  Places are limited.

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Good news for the School of Education in the QS Subject Ranking 2017

Thursday, 9 March 2017

The QS 2017 Subject rankings results are now out.  The excellent news for the School of Education (SoE) is that we  retained a ranking of 201-250 this year, coming 2nd in Ireland! This is a great achievement for our School and is confirmation of the continued hard work and dedication of all the SoE staff.

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NUI Galway Launch Marine Science eBook

Tuesday, 7 March 2017

‘Harmful Algal Blooms’ is an Innovative Introduction to Ocean Literacy in Irish Secondary Schools. A marine science eBook entitled Harmful Algal Blooms has been developed as part of NUI Galway’s contribution to an EU-funded European research project Sea Change.  The project aims to raise European citizens’ awareness of the ocean’s influence on us and our influence on the ocean, or “ocean literacy”. The eBook was launched by Professor Colin Brown, Director of the Ryan Institute for Environmental, Marine and Energy Research on Monday, 13th March in the Moore Institute Seminar Room, Hardiman Research Building, National University of Ireland, Galway Dr Christine Domegan, the NUI Galway Principal Investigator for Sea Change, Whitaker Institute, said: “co-creating ocean literacy calls for collaboration, discussion, participation and engagement across multiple stakeholders in Europe; from policy makers, to educators, and from media to mariners, children and grandparents.” Opportunities to increase awareness of the ocean are limited in the junior cycle science curriculum across Europe.  This eBook is designed to infuse the engaging story of Harmful Algal Blooms into teaching across the sciences.  Harmful algal blooms, or HABs, occur when colonies of algae - simple plants that live in the sea and freshwater - grow out of control while producing toxic or harmful effects on fish, shellfish, marine mammals, birds and people.  During the launch, the author, Dr Robin Raine, from Earth and Ocean Sciences, NUI Galway, spoke about his experiences at the heart of the book.  The audience were also introduced to the teaching design used within the book, which aims to ensure the content can be taken up by Science teachers and students to advance a Sea Change in Irish and European ocean literacy.  And there was a great response from both teachers and students after piloting the eBook in Irish, Swedish, and Belgian schools. The eBook was co-edited by Dr Veronica McCauley (@VMcC_ScienceEd) and Dr Kevin Davison (@KevinGDavison) of NUI Galway’s School of Education.  Dr McCauley said: “Teachers are becoming more savvy with technology in the classroom and are finding innovative ways to teach the curriculum so that it encourages personal interest in the sciences.  This is particularly true given the recent Digital Strategy for Schools, 2015-2020 and its promotion of coding and programming.” The importance of the ocean, and therefore ocean literacy, cannot be overestimated.  The ocean defines and dominates everything about our planet.  It is home to most of the life on Earth, regulates our weather and climate, provides most of our oxygen, and feeds much of the human population. Dr Robin Raine, author and lecturer at NUI Galway, says: “This book will introduce students to important features of our ocean as well as harmful algal blooms.  It will act as a resource for teachers to strengthen and promote science through the topic of marine science.” Link to the Harmful Algal Blooms eBook on the iBookstore You will be able to view it using the iBooks app on your Apple computer, or iPad, or iPhone and it is currently available in 51 countries world-wide. For additional information please contact Dr Veronica McCauley, School of Education, NUI Galway on veronica.mccauley@nuigalway.ie. Other marine related resources are available on the project website at www.seachangeproject.eu

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Scrum Methodology for Innovative Educational Design

Monday, 6 February 2017

The School of Education, NUI Galway, today hosted its February research seminar by Dr Leigh Graves Wolf on "Scrum" Methodology for Innovative Educational Design.  The abstract and links for Dr Graves Wolf's talk are below.  As well as presenting on the NUI Galway campus, colleagues from St Angela's College Sligo, joined the seminar which was hosted online through 'Zoom' video conferencing software.  Head of School, Prof. Gerry Mac Ruairc, introduced Dr Graves Wolf virtually from St Angela's College. Link to slides AbstractOne year ago, Michigan State University (MSU) started a new campus initiative: The Hub for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (“The Hub”).  The Hub’s mission is to “facilitate the passion and inventiveness of students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders both inside and outside of MSU to create, identify, and accelerate new ways to collaborate, learn, research, and deliver instruction.” While the core staff of The Hub is quite small, many on campus are working with and through the Hub. To facilitate this campus change, the Hub leadership team has anchored much of its “getting started” work and processes to sound design theories and processes. One technique which has proven successful in sharing our work openly and strategically is "scrum" - a framework for project development.  In this session, I will share the scrum process along with other lessons learned from our first year as a campus entity. Biography Leigh Graves Wolf  (@gravesle) is teacher-scholar and her work centers around online education, emerging technologies and relationships mediated by and with technology. She has worked across the educational spectrum from K12 to Higher to further and lifelong. She has been a disc jockey, network administrator, teacher, instructional technologist and now professor. She believes passionately in collaboration and community and is currently the Assistant Director of the MSU Hub for Innovation in Learning & Technology (hub.msu.edu), an academic specialist in the Dean’s office in the MSU College of Education, and a fixed-term Associate Professor of Educational Technology at Michigan State University. http://www.leighgraveswolf.com

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Budding Young Scientists at the RDS Primary Science Fair

Friday, 27 January 2017

The RDS Primary Science Fair is a non-competitive forum, showcasing STEM investigations (science, technology, engineering and maths) undertaken by primary school classes across Ireland.  The investigations focus on core skill development and encourage children’s innate curiosity to explore the science behind the everyday.  The RDS Primary Science Fair is taking place in Dublin, Limerick and Belfast this year with over 7,500 children participating across these venues. Dr. Veronica McCauley, ( @VMcC_ScienceEd ) lecturer in Science Education, NUI Galway was invited as a Judge at the Limerick exhibition and showcase which took place at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick from January 19-21, 2017.  While the Fair is a non-competitive exhibition, the role of a Judge is to discuss, listen to and provide feedback to the children and their teacher on their project investigation.  The standard of project entrants was excellent, revealing an encouraging insight into young scientists of the future, whether they progress directly within the science field, or benefit from their growing scientific literacy in order to appreciate and make decisions about their own health, and/or extract key information from the media, and/or make informed science policy decisions that may come their way in the future.  At the end of the day each project is given feedback by a Judge and awarded a class trophy and certificates for each student. The Judging Panel that Dr. McCauley worked with were led by the RDS Science and Technology Programme Manager, Karen Sheeran and consisted of a multiplicity of strengths across the sector: Dr Maeve Liston, Director of Enterprise & Community Engagement, Mary Immaculate College; Michael Browne, Lecturer in Science Education, Mary Immaculate College; Dan Fitzgibbon, Paediatric Occupational Therapist, Health Service Executive; Karl Lynch, Teacher, Killeen NS, Galway; Dr. Veronica McCauley, Lecturer in Science Education, NUI Galway; Dr. Carmel O’Doherty, Director, Limerick Education Centre; Dr. Anne O’Dwyer, Lecturer in Science Education, Mary Immaculate College, and Irene Walsh, Primary Education Advisor, Kilkenny.

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Research Seminar - "Scrum"Methodology for Innovative Educational Design

Wednesday, 25 January 2017

"Scrum"Methodology for Innovative Educational Design by Dr Leigh Graves Wolf, Michigan State University. School of Education, NUI Galway, D Block Building, Main CampusMonday, February 6th at 1pm, Room D102Light refreshments will be served; Further information/RSVP to: tony.hall@nuigalway.ie  AbstractOne year ago, Michigan State University (MSU) started a new campus initiative: The Hub for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (“The Hub”).  The Hub’s mission is to “facilitate the passion and inventiveness of students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders both inside and outside of MSU to create, identify, and accelerate new ways to collaborate, learn, research, and deliver instruction.”  While the core staff of The Hub is quite small, many on campus are working with and through the Hub.  To facilitate this campus change, the Hub leadership team has anchored much of its “getting started” work and processes to sound design theories and processes. One technique which has proven successful in sharing our work openly and strategically is "scrum" - a framework for project development.   In this session, I will share the scrum process along with other lessons learned from our first year as a campus entity. Biography Leigh Graves Wolf (@gravesle)  is teacher-scholar and her work centers around online education, emerging technologies and relationships mediated by and with technology.  She has worked across the educational spectrum from K12 to Higher to further and lifelong.  She has been a disc jockey, network administrator, teacher, instructional technologist and now professor.  She believes passionately in collaboration and community and is currently the Assistant Director of the MSU Hub for Innovation in Learning & Technology (hub.msu.edu), an academic specialist in the Dean’s office in the MSU College of Education, and a fixed-term Associate Professor of Educational Technology at Michigan State University. http://www.leighgraveswolf.com

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Third Cohort of PDMT/DGMM Mathematics Teachers Graduate

Monday, 23 January 2017

Congratulations to the third cohort PDMT/DGMM mathematics teachers who graduated on Saturday 21st January with the Professional Diploma in Mathematics for Teaching, in the University of Limerick. The Professional Diploma in Mathematics for Teaching/Dioplóma Gairmiúil sa Mhatamaitic don Mhúinteoireacht (PDMT/DGMM) was introduced jointly in 2012 by a consortium of higher education institutions.  Jointly designed and accredited by UL and NUIG, this two-year, part-time, blended and bilingual postgraduate programme is wholly funded by the Department of Education and Skills (DES) as the national initiative to upskill 'out-of-field' mathematics teachers in Ireland. Link:  http://www.ul.ie/graduateschool/course/professional-diploma-mathematics-teaching-level-8 

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Congratulations to Dr Niall Mac Uidhilin

Monday, 5 December 2016

Congratulations to Dr Niall Mac Uidhilin who has successfully defended his PhD thesis, entitled: "Ag Spreagadh Gasúir Ghaeltachta chun Ceangal a dhéanamh le hAcmhainní Teanga Saibhre Digiteacha agus ag Cruthú Deiseanna Idirghníomhaíochta idir na Glúnta a thrasnaíonn teorainneacha Baile-Scoile-Pobail (Encouraging Gaeltacht Children’s Engagement with Rich Digital Language Resources and Creating Opportunities for Intergenerational Interaction across Home-School-Community Boundaries)". Niall’s research examined the trajectory of a pedagogic intervention that was designed to support the language development of native-speaking children of Irish through their sustained engagement with rich language resources from the RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta archive and with resources brought in from home.  Design-based research, which is an interventionist, iterative approach for designing practical solutions to complex educational problems was a suitable approach to take in the context of the precarious nature of Irish as a community language in the Gaeltacht.  The theories guiding the design of the intervention included socio-cultural theory, new literacies studies, multimodality and a number of theories that link school-based and out-of-school literacy practices.  These include funds of knowledge, knowledge producing schools, artefactual literacies and identity texts.

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Seminar: The Integrated Curriculum: Teaching for Transfer in Bilingual Learning

Monday, 14 November 2016

Save the Date!  School of Education, NUI Galway Seminar Invitation 'The Integrated Curriculum: Teaching for Transfer in Bilingual Learning' Speaker:  Emeritus Professor Jim Cummins, Department of Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto, Canada Speaker Biography: Dr. James Cummins is a noted world leader in second language learning and literacy development research. He holds a Canada Research Chair and has been a recipient of the International Reading Association's Albert J. Harris award.  He also received an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from the Bank Street College of Education in New York City. Dr. Cummins has co-authored several books on literacies in education, and has seen his work translated into Japanese and Spanish.  His work has had a significant influence on policy, curriculum development and practice in the area of bilingual education both nationally and internationally including the recently launched Primary Language Curriculum /Curaclam Teanga na Bunscoile. Date: Monday, 5th December 2016Time: 5 pmVenue: School of Education, Education Building, Nuns Island, NUI Galway RSVP: by 1 December 2016 to caroline.casey@nuigalway.ie ; 091 49 5985 / 2195

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2PME Geography Methodology Field trip to Silver Strand

Tuesday, 29 November 2016

On a cold, breezy, bright day in October, staff from the School of Education, NUI Galway brought the 2PME  Geography methodology student teachers on a field trip. Mr Ambrose Conboy led the trip and the aim was to show student teachers how to plan, prepare and carry out the Geographical Investigation section of the Senior Cycle Geography syllabus. After an indoor workshop in the Education building, the group set out in convoy to the beautiful Silver Strand Beach, Co Galway.  Using equipment borrowed from the Discipline of Geography, the student teachers examined features of Erosion and Deposition; measured Long Shore Drift and Wave frequency and they also measured the height of the cliff.

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NUI Galway's Kitchen Chemistry Launch Free Online Resource for Primary Science Classrooms

Monday, 28 November 2016

Free online resource includes a series of science videos and support material for primary school teachers. As part of the Science and Technology Festival, which took place at the weekend, Galway’s future young scientists and science enthusiasts were drawn together in explosive, sticky and steamy investigations at the Kitchen Chemistry Workshops held during NUI Galway’s Science Festival Exhibition.  This event marked the launch of a series of Kitchen Chemistry videos, which entice teachers and the public to engage in science, using materials from their own kitchen larders. Kitchen Chemistry is one of the most popular events year on year during the Final Day Exhibition, and this year saw the launch of a free online resource set.  The set includes a series of free science videos and associated support materials for teachers to use with primary children of all ages in the science classroom.  In 2010, Kitchen Chemistry began as an outreach venture in NUI Galway’s School of Chemistry when a team of postgraduate chemistry students designed a series of simple experiments and developed them into a science outreach roadshow for primary schools.  Experiments were designed using simple household materials.  Two years later, one of the founders, a then doctoral student, Dr Nicole Walshe worked with Dr Veronica McCauley in the School of Education to examine opportunities of translating these sporadic outreach visits into free online resources that could be shared nationally and beyond. The development of the Kitchen Chemistry videos and resource materials is a result of this joint venture between the School of Education and the School of Chemistry at NUI Galway. Dr Veronica McCauley, Science Education Lecturer at NUI Galway and staff leader in this resource design and development project, said: “In line with one of the core aims of the primary science curriculum, ‘to reinforce and stimulate curiosity and imagination through engagement in science’; these videos and support materials offer teachers and students opportunities to explore science beyond the classroom.  They help to realise its everyday application with products found in our kitchens.  As you can imagine, when you look at the videos, this was a fun and messy project to work on, and I hope that this ignites further exploration in science!” The set of videos were designed by doctoral students from the College of Chemistry and student science teachers from the School of Education.  Kitchen Chemistry resources offer primary teachers a collection of videos and classroom support material that capture novel and engaging aspects of chemistry-based science topics.  The collection is available at www.sciencehooks.scoilnet.ie and is also available trí Ghaeilge. Dr Rachel Quinlan, Vice Dean for the promotion of STEM, College of Science at NUI Galway, said: “Explore funding enables student-staff collaboration on research and resource development, often with benefits that go far beyond the university as in this case.  Students brought their scientific expertise to the development, design and recording of these simple and creative science experiments, and now this inquiry can be ignited in schools and homes throughout the country, in addition to those classrooms already participating with NUI Galway Science students in the Kitchen Chemistry programme.” -Ends- For further information contact Dr Veronica McCauley, School of Education, NUI Galway veronica.mccauley@nuigalway.ie

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Congratulations to Dr Carol Baumann

Thursday, 24 November 2016

Congratulations to Dr Carol Baumann, School of Education, recently conferred with her PhD in Education at the NUI Galway November graduation ceremony. Carol’s PhD, titled: “Dominant discourse and prevailing practice: positioning financial education within education”, centred on a foundational, philosophical consideration and analysis of the idea of financial education.  Employing ideology critique methodology, the research examined this underdeveloped area in the Irish educational context, seeking to inform the conceptualisation and design of financial education, one that foregrounds the needs of the individual citizen.  Carol’s research was supervised by Dr Tony Hall, School of Education. Link to thesis on NUI Galway ARAN

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Teaching Council Event

Tuesday, 22 November 2016

On Saturday, 19th November 2016, Professor Gerry Mac Ruairc, Head of the School of Education, NUI Galway and Dr. Manuela Heinz, Director of Teaching Practice, participated in a Shared Learning event focusing on school placements for student teachers, together with colleagues from Salerno Secondary school (http://www.salerno.ie/).

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Important Notice: Information on PhD Fellowships

Friday, 8 July 2016

Information on PhD Fellowship in School Leadership, School of Education, NUI Galway As part of its strategic development and in order to build capacity in key areas in Irish Education, the School of Education NUI Galway is offering two dedicated topic-area PhD fellowships in the area of School Leadership (at primary and/or post-primary level) open to both full-time and part-time students.  The overall aim of this initiative is to attract applicants of the highest academic standards to participate in and expand the work of the school in the area of school leadership. Applicants must have at least a first or upper second-class honours primary degree and/or master’s degree and have significant professional experience in the field of education. Click on the link above for full information on how to apply

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Launch of Education Policy for Gaeltacht Schools

Friday, 4 November 2016

Government launches policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022 the Taoiseach, the Taoiseach, The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, together with the Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton and Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, Sean Kyne launched the Department of Education and Skills’ Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022. The launch was held in Scoil Náisiúnta Mhic Dara, An Cheathrú Rua (Carraroe), Co Galway. School of Education staff from the Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas (MGO) programme provided valuable information and input in to the creation of the policy document. Enda Kenny, together with the Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton and Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, Sean Kyne launched the Department of Education and Skills’ Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022. The launch was held in Scoil Náisiúnta Mhic Dara, An Cheathrú Rua (Carraroe), Co Galway. - See more at: http://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2016-Press-Releases/PR2016-10-28.html#sthash.pjJjPwwp.dpuf Enda Kenny, together with the Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton and Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, Sean Kyne launched the Department of Education and Skills’ Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022. The launch was held in Scoil Náisiúnta Mhic Dara, An Cheathrú Rua (Carraroe), Co Galway. - See more at: http://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2016-Press-Releases/PR2016-10-28.html#sthash.pjJjPwwp.dpuf http://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2016-Press-Releases/PR2016-10-28.html http://tuairisc.ie/gailearai-la-mor-ar-an-gceathru-rua-agus-polasai-oideachais-a-sheoladh/   Normal 0 false false false EN-IE X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} Government Launches Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022 - See more at: http://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2016-Press-Releases/PR2016-10-28.html#sthash.pjJjPwwp.dpuf

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Seán Ó Grádaigh, Mír Nua-Theicneolaíocht sa Rang Scoile: RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta

Thursday, 3 November 2016

Nua-Theicneolaíocht sa Rang Scoile: Labhair Seán Ó Grádaigh (Oideachas) le Cormac ag a Cúig ar RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta faoi úsáid na nua-theicneolaíocht san oideachas.

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Congratulations Dr Paul Flynn

Monday, 10 October 2016

Congratulations to School of Education, NUI Galway staff member and PhD student, Paul Flynn ( @FlynnDPaul ) on the successful defence of his PhD, using design-based research to design community of practice within initial teacher education. Paul’s PhD was based on his teaching within NUI Galway’s BA Mathematics and Education programme.

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Contributions to Panel Discussion at Teaching Council, FÉILTE 2016 Event in RDS, Dublin on Saturday 1st Oct.

Thursday, 6 October 2016

Dr Manuela Heinz, Director of Teaching Practice and Ms Hannagh McGinley, Ph.D Student from the School of Education, NUI Galway, were invited to contribute to a panel discussion on the topic “Diversity in Education”. The panel discussed recent developments and challenges affecting students, teachers and schools as well as equity issues and barriers for individuals from underrepresented and disadvantaged groups who would like to enter and/or have already joined the teaching profession. Manuela shared findings from the DITE (Diversity in Initial Teacher Education) national research project. Féilte 2016 Photo Gallery

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Staff contribute to Teaching Council, FÉILTE 2016 event in RDS, Dublin on Saturday 1st Oct.

Thursday, 6 October 2016

Staff and Researchers from the School of Education, NUIGalway contributed to the recent Teaching Council, FÉILTE 2016 event in RDS, Dublin on Saturday 1st Oct.   The Researchmeet follows the standard Teachmeet format, with each presenter providing a 5-minute nano presentation on their research.  Subsequent to the presentations, presenters then moved to their display stands where they were available to engage with the FÉILTE audience further about their research. Sorcha O'Toole presented on her research so far, as part of her PhD programme within Researchmeet on Enabling a professional identity in FE teachers and  the emerging importance of dialogue in developing practice. Eilis Flanagan partook in the Researchmeet at this year’s FÉILTE.  She presented on her completed four-year doctoral study, which explored the design of technology-enhanced learning in English education.  Her presentation concentrated on the theoretical foundations and the iterative implementation of the Digital Ensemble approach to English teaching and assessment.   This approach integrates mobile technologies with collaborative, drama-based strategies to mobilise and augment embodied approaches to engaging with literature.   @EilisFlanagan Féilte 2016 Photo Gallery

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1st Year PME Scratch Programming

Tuesday, 4 October 2016

1st Year PME ICT Methodology students, Paul Mc Keever and Robert Butler designed and programmed computer programmes in Scratch as part of their ICT Methodology course. ICT in Irish education is undergoing significant change with new curriculum developments, including short courses for coding and digital media design in the new Junior Cycle.   Scratch is a free, highly user-friendly programming environment designed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT, which enables creative technology design and programming: http://scratch.mit.edu

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School of Education Lecturer Made Fellow of ISDDE

Monday, 4 April 2016

Dr. Tony Hall, Lecturer in Educational Technology, School of Education, NUI Galway has been made a Fellow of the International Society for Design and Development in Education (ISDDE). An international professional society for educational designers and design-based researchers, ISDDE was established to help develop, promote and advance systematic, principled design of educational environments, innovations, solutions and technologies. 'The Fellows are designers and project leaders with outstanding records, together with some representatives from government agencies and foundations that fund such work.' www.isdde.org

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NUI Galway Lecturer Recognised as Fellow of International Education Society

Thursday, 22 September 2016

Dr Tony Hall, Lecturer in Educational Technology with NUI Galway, has been elected a Fellow of the International Society for Design and Development in Education (ISDDE). Dr Hall was welcomed to the society at its recent annual conference in Utrecht in The Netherlands and joins 150 other active educational designers and technologists who are connected as Fellows of the society. Chair of ISDDE, Professor Susan McKenney said: “Becoming a Fellow of ISDDE is both recognition of Tony's work as an educational designer as well as entry into an international community of professionals striving to promote and support excellence in educational design.”  Dr Tony Hall said: “I am honoured to be a Fellow of ISDDE and look forward to further building contact and collaboration with the colleagues and design researchers from all over the world that I met in Utrecht.” Dr Hall is a lecturer with NUI Galway’s School of Education. His leadership in developing Design-Based Research at NUI Galway and role in collaboratively designing NUI Galway’s Bachelor of Arts Mathematics and Education, the national Professional Diploma in Mathematics for Teaching, and EU H2020 Q-Tales Project contributed to his election as Fellow of ISDDE. The ISDDE was founded to bring together outstanding education course designers and developers from around the globe. The society aims to promote excellence in educational products and materials, particularly for science, mathematics, and technology by creating a professional community that shares knowledge, research, approaches, and critiques. ISDDE advances these goals through annual conferences, a peer-reviewed e-journal, Educational Designer and annual prizes for excellence in educational design. For more information about ISDDE and its awards, visit www.isdde.org.

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Gradam an ‘Apple Distinguished Programme 2016-18’ bronnta ar an Máistir Gairimiúil san Oideachas

Thursday, 8 September 2016

Bronnadh an Apple Distinguished Programme ar an Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas mí naFeabhra 2015 agus ba é an chéad chlár tríú leibhéal lasmuigh de Mheiriceá a ghnóthaigh angradam seo.Bronnadh an gradam den dara huair ar an Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas do na blianta2016-2018 ar na mallaibh.Leis an ngradam seo, tá an Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas aitheanta an athuair mar chlár le barrfeabhas san nuálaíocht, sa cheannródaíocht agus mar eiseamláir oideachais maidir le húsáid nateicneolaíochta san oideachas.Ghlac Ceann nua-cheaptha na Scoile, an tOllamh Gerry Mac Ruairc, in éineacht le stiúrthóir anchláir, an Dr Brendan Mac Mahon leis an ngradam, thar ceann na foirne MGO, ó Éanna ÓBrádaigh, Bainisteoir Forbairt Gnó san Oideachas, Apple. The Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas (MGO) programme, offered by the School of Education, NUIGalway, was again recently awarded the prestigious Apple Distinguished Programme forinnovation, leadership and educational excellence 2016-2018. This award identifies centres ofexcellence in the use of technology in education.Gerry MacRuairc, the School of Education’s newly appointed Professor of Education and Dr.Brendan Mac Mahon (MGO Programme Director) accepted the award on behalf of the MGOprogramme team, from Éanna Ó Brádaigh (Apple).In February 2015 the Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas (MGO) was the first third level programmeoutside of the USA to be awarded the Apple Distinguished Programme award.

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NUIG Collective Intelligence and Design-Based Research Seminar, Graduate School of Education, University of Exeter

Tuesday, 6 September 2016

Dr Michael Hogan, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, School of Psychology and Dr Tony Hall, Lecturer in Educational Technology, School of Education recently facilitated a joint seminar on Collective Intelligence and Design-Based Research at the Graduate School of Education, University of Exeter. Hosted by Professor Rupert Wegerif at the Centre for Teaching and Thinking Dialogue, the seminar examined how CI and DBR methodologies can be used in the collaborative conceptualisation and design of educational innovations, solutions and technologies. Over the past few years, Michael has worked to extend the pragmatic systems science and collective intelligence methods developed by John Warfield.  In his talk, Michael described Warfield’s method, outlined a variety of recent basic and applied social science applications, and discussed how collective intelligence can be used in a classroom setting.  Tony's talk examined the emergence, potential and limitations of design-based research (DBR) as a solution-oriented, change-driven research methodology across different educational contexts and settings, elective and formal.

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School of Education English Methodologists Present at NATE 2016

Thursday, 4 August 2016

Drs Eílis Flanagan ( @EilisFlanagan )and Tony Hall, School of Education, NUI Galway presented on the digital ensemble innovation with local Galway schools and the related ENaCT educational design framework at this year’s National Association for the Teaching of English (NATE) Conference 2016, Stratford Upon Avon. Digital ensemble is a technology-enhanced approach to English teaching and assessment, exploring the combination of ensemble: drama and performative learning, and mobile and portable technology, e.g. iPad. A key outcome of the research has been the development of a Junior Cycle Short Course, titled ENaCT-It, which outlines a syllabus for using mobile ICT and drama to enhance engagement with English literature. The research will feature as a paper, “Digital Ensemble: The ENaCT design-based research framework for technology-enhanced embodied assessment in English education”, in a forthcoming special issue of the NATE journal, English in Education, appearing in spring 2017, on the topic of learning and assessment, edited by Dr Ann Harris, University of Huddersfield.

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DBR & Collective Intelligence Seminar, Graduate School of Education, University of Exeter

Wednesday, 13 July 2016

DBR & Collective Intelligence Seminar, Graduate School of Education, University of Exeter.  1st September 2016 at 1pm Tony Hall is Lecturer in Educational Technology and a design-based researcher in the School of Education, National University of Ireland, Galway.  In his talk, Tony will explore the potential and limitations of design-based research (DBR) as a solution-driven, change-oriented research methodology in different educational contexts and settings, elective and formal, including museums, schools and higher education.  Tony was formerly a secondary school teacher of physical education, English and ICT, and a school ICT coordinator.  He jointly leads the H2020 Q-Tales Project to design and develop educational eBooks with Drs Michael Hogan and John Breslin at the NUI Galway.  Tony is also the Co-PI at NUI Galway for the REX Project, funded by the National Forum, to design and develop an online portal to support the integration of educational academic research and teacher professional practice.  Further information: http://www.nuigalway.ie/our-research/people/education/tonyhall/. Michael Hogan (@michaelhogannui) is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the National University of Ireland, Galway.  Over the past few years, Michael has worked to extend the pragmatic systems science and collective intelligence methods developed by John Warfield.  This work includes basic and applied collective intelligence research and the creation of a new approach to systems science education.  Michael currently works on a variety of EU projects that use collective intelligence, including projects focused on marine ecosystem sustainability, open data transparency, and e-book design for children.  In his talk, Michael will describe Warfield’s method, outline a variety of recent basic and applied social science applications, and discuss how collective intelligence can be used in a classroom setting.

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Sea Change CoderDojo Gaming Challenge Awards

Tuesday, 28 June 2016

The Awards Ceremony for the exciting Sea Change Coder Dojo Challenge took place recently in NUI Galway.  It was the cullmination of a very busy year and also represented the final event for the Galway Coderdojo this school year. The Sea Change game design challenge was launched on February 27th and invited entrants from Galway (Ireland) and Lund (Sweden) CoderDojo members aged 7-18yrs.  The challenge was organised by NUI Galway as part of their contribution to a European project called “Sea Change” which aims to establish a fundamental ‘Sea Change’ in the way European citizens view their relationship with the sea. “The challenge is to use the fun and popularity of designing and playing tech games to raise awareness of Marine issues like the need to protect cold-water coral reefs, how we can begin to address the scourge of micro-plastics, and how we can maintain healthy oceans and seas, for ourselves, for the animals that live in them, and ultimately for the planet” said Dr Anthony Grehan, Earth and Ocean Sciences, NUI Galway and co-organiser of the event. Single and team entrants were encouraged to use their CoderDojos and mentors to develop their games over the three months. “There was a surge of interest with 32 entrants from Galway alone, revealing a strong and enthusiastic coding community, which is particularly relevant from an informal learning perspective, considering the recent Digital Strategy for Schools, 2015-2020 and its promotion of coding and programming at both primary and secondary level” said Dr Veronica McCauley from the School of Education at NUI Galway and co-organiser of the event. The game design was reviewed by a panel of experts: Alan Duggan (Tribalcity.com), Gavin Duffy (RealSim Ltd.) and Triona Mac Giolla Rí (Coderdojo Mentor) and judged on ‘best concept’ and ‘ease of use’.   “The aesthetic and technical merit of the project submissions has been highly commended by the judges” said Brendan Smith, Education Outreach Officer at INSIGHT, NUI Galway and Co-Founder of Coderdojo Galway.  “And as such, we are delighted to hear that one of the winning games will be included within a soon to be published iBook about cold water corals that will be presented as a teaching resource to secondary schools”.  Two awards were presented to the Irish finalists: Junior Award: €300 and Senior Award: €500 and a certificate of participation was presented to each entrant. The organisers wish to thank Councillor John Walsh, Deputy Mayor of Galway City, who took time out of his busy schedule to attend the opening procedings. Other marine related resources are available (newsletters, poster, fact sheet, ocean literacy booklet, videos) on the project website: www.seachangeproject.eu.

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Design-Based Research at the CREATE NYU

Tuesday, 21 June 2016

Dr Tony Hall, School of Education recently presented on NUI Galway's approach to design-based research at the CREATE: Consortium for Research and Evaluation of Advanced Technologies in Education at New York University (@NYU_CREATE).  In particular, the seminar explored the potential of narrative and digital storytelling in the conceptualisation, design and evaluation of educational innovations and technologies in different learning contexts, elective and formal.

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CREW Workshop

Tuesday, 14 June 2016

Valery de Smidt (@CREW_EricJoris) from CREW in Belgium (www.crewonline.org) presented a workshop on Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) at the School of Education, NUI Galway on Wednesday, 8 June, 2016. Dr. Veronica McCauley (@VMcC_ScienceEd) and Dr. Kevin Davison (@KevinGDavison) from the School of Education (SoE) are a leading a project on the Immersive Classroom as a part of the Galway 2020 International Capital of Culture bid. CREW are an internationally recognised company that work in the area of VR/Immersive theatre/education and spectacle.  They were shortlisted for the Ars Electronica 2016 prize.  CREW are a partner in the Immersive Classroom Project along with local digital artist Denise McDonagh, Coder Dojo facilitators, and doctoral students from the School of Education. Also in attendance were, Marilyn Gaughan (@redgaughan and @galway2020) from the Galway2020 project; Michael McNamara (@ML_McN) and Martin McHugh, SoE Doctoral students; Karl Sweeney (@karljsweeney) from Galway Coder DoJo and Denise McDonagh (@Dinnymac)

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Léargas Language Label

Wednesday, 25 May 2016

D'éirigh le hAoife Ní Bhroin, mac léinn ar an Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas, Scoil an Oideachais, áit a fháil ar an ngearrliosta do 'Foghlaimeoir Teanga na Bliana 2016.'  Agus a cuid oideachais ar fad faighte ag Aoife trí Bhéarla go dtí seo, roghnaigh sí an clár MGO a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge mar gheall ar an suim agus an dúil atá aici sa teanga. Tá éacht déanta aici i gcaitheamh na bliana maidir le dul chun cinn agus forbairt sa Ghaeilge.  Maith thú, a Aoife! Aoife Ní Bhroin, student on Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas, was shortlisted for Language Learner of the Year 2016. Having received all her education through English, Aoife chose to undertake her Initial Teacher Education course through Irish, and has made huge progress in the language throughout the year.  Well done, Aoife! Léargas Language Label http://www.leargas.ie/programmes/languages/european-language-label/about/

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Collective Intelligence: An Innovative Research Approach to Promoting Ocean Literacies in Ireland

Monday, 23 May 2016

Sea Change is a European Horizon 2020 project aiming to establish a fundamental “Sea Change” in the way European citizens view their relationship with the sea, by empowering them, as Ocean Literate citizens, to take direct and sustainable action towards a healthy ocean, healthy communities and ultimately a healthy planet.  One aspect of the project involves hosting education conversations across eight European countries to identify the barriers to teaching 12-19 year olds about the ocean. Collective Intelligence (CI), a systems-thinking methodology, is playing a pivotal role in collecting and visualising the barriers impeding ocean literate societies whilst assisting in the design of solutions and options for the successful integration of oceans into education and outreach curricula.  On Thursday 19th May,  Dr. Christine Domegan, Dr. Patricia McHugh (Marketing Discipline, J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, NUI Galway) and Dr Veronica McCauley, Dr. Kevin Davison, School of Education, NUI Galway, co-facilitated Ireland’s contribution to the Ocean Literacy campaign by gathering together key marine stakeholders from across Ireland to discuss and debate the challenges and solutions towards more ocean literature citizens in Ireland.  The primary target group for this research is children from second level education.

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Meitheal Taighde Taifead sa seomra ranga Gaeilge

Thursday, 19 May 2016

Sinéad Ní Ghuidir, Lecturer, Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas (MGO), School of Education, NUI Galway, is collaborating with Deirdre Ní Loingsigh in the University of Limerick on a project to set up a working group interested in collating examples of classroom practice and language teaching in the Irish classroom. Prof Do Coyle, the external examiner for the Professional Masters in Education (PME) will be in Galway at the beginning of June and has agreed to give a short talk on her own experience of similar projects. The session will be followed by a general meeting of interested parties in order to set up a research project specifically focussed on the Irish language classroom. The talk will take place on Thursday 2 June at 2.00pm.  Venue TBC. For further enquiries, please contact Sinéad Ní Ghuidir via email

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#LoveIrishResearch celebrates International Museum Day

Thursday, 19 May 2016

To mark International Museum Day, the Irish Reasearch Council (#LoveIrishResearch) asked two researchers to talk about the importance of museums as sites for educating the public on our shared heritage, contemporary culture, and our future. One of the researchers, Sally McHugh ( @thefordofthekings ) Postgraduate Scholar in the School of Education at NUI Galway, wrote about working on her project, “Innovation in Heritage Education: Towards a Synthesis of Formal and Informal Learning.” Sally's project is supervised by Dr Tony Hall, Lecturer in Educational Techology, School of Education, NUI Galway.

>> Read full story about #LoveIrishResearch celebrates International Museum Day

Irish Association of Science Education Lecturers (IASEL) National Gathering

Wednesday, 18 May 2016

Dr Veronica McCauley, Science Educator, School of Education, NUI Galway, attended the Irish Association of Science Education Lecturers (IASEL) national gathering in Trinity College Dublin on Tuesday 17th May.  The gathering welcomed Science Education Lecturer representation from across the country. The inaugural meeting of IASEL was held on 15th May 2000, and since then it has provided an opportunity for science educators to network, share best practice, and contribute to science education policy development.  This recent meeting invited presentations on best practice and evaluation strategies in science education from seven universities in relation to initial teacher education on their respective concurrent and consecutive programmes.  Picture from left to right:Dr. James Lovatt (Dublin City University), Dr. Veronica McCauley (NUI Galway), Dr. Odilla Finlayson (Dublin City University), Dr. Alison Graham (University College Dublin), Dr. Declan Kennedy (University College Cork), Dr Majella Dempsey (NUI Maynooth), Mr. Rory Geoghegan (University College Cork), Dr. Colette Murphy (Trinity College Dublin), Dr. Peter Childs (University of Limerick) and Ms. Mary Mullaghy (Trinity College Dublin)

>> Read full story about Irish Association of Science Education Lecturers (IASEL) National Gathering

Maths is Murder Summer Camp

Wednesday, 18 May 2016

The third year students from the BA Maths and Education Programme at NUI, Galway organised a two day maths camp for transition year students from Coláiste Iognáid (Twitter: @Jes_school1) on the NUIG campus, on the 12th and 13th of May. The camp was called 'Maths is Murder' and involved students being presented with a CSI-type murder mystery which they solved using their maths skills, allowing them to gain experience with all strands of Leaving Certificate curriculum.  On the first day of the Maths is Murder event, the scene was a Crimecall type scenario; our NUIG Community Guard Hugh Rogers came in and outlined to the students what the Maths is Murder camp would entail. The activities included cryptography, using technology and still CCTV images to estimate heights, shoe sizes etc.  Students were provided with a map of the campus and used this to estimate the distances between the crime scenes.  The student investigators used the clues at the crime scene to pinpoint the shooter’s exact location and then inspect this area.  The final activity was a moot court scenario in which the students argued their points in order to prove their suspect guilty “beyond all reasonable doubt”! This project forms part of one of thethird year modules and has the purpose of building links between the University and the community.  We would like to thank Eir and the Students Union shop for providing some sponsorship of this Summer Camp.

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Breaking the SEAL - A collaboration between the School of Education and Library Services at NUI Galway

Tuesday, 17 May 2016

'Breaking the SEAL - Schools, Archives, Learning' was conceived and completed by Paul Flynn (@FlynnDPaul) Galway Doctoral Research Scholar in the School of Education, NUI Galway and Library Archivist, Barry Houlihan (@stagedreaction).  This innovative project, funded by the SU EXPLORE Initiative, aimed to connect Leaving Certificate History students to the resources of the James Hardiman Library at NUIG and in doing so begin to establish the 21st Century Skills they will require at third level and beyond.  These skills include: Finding Primary & Secondary Sources Interpreting Primary & Secondary Sources Academic Writing Digital Skills Leaving Certificate History students are required to complete a research project that is worth 20% of their final mark in that subject feeding into their final CAO tally for entry to third level education.  Opening up the library archives to these students would provide them with an opportunity to research topics where materials are easily accessible and locally relevant. Twenty four students from Presentation College Headford (PCH) in County Galway visited NUI Galway for a day with their History teacher Mr. James Shovlin and were given a tour of the library archives and four targeted workshops.  Each workshop was focused on a particular 21st Century Skill.  A second set of workshops were held at PCH, where students created and refined content for their research poster presentation in Hardiman Research Building on campus at NUI Galway on 13th May 2016. This research poster exhibition allowed students to exhibit and present their work to the staff and students at NUIG as well as family and friends who attended.  The participating students were presented with certificates of completion by Dr. Mary Fleming, Head of the School of Education, and received their Digital Badge of Completion. For more information on this project and future schools participation contact: p.flynn10@nuigalway.ie

>> Read full story about Breaking the SEAL - A collaboration between the School of Education and Library Services at NUI Galway

School of Education, NUI Galway Design-Based Research (DBR) Seminar at Stanford University

Monday, 16 May 2016

Dr Tony Hall, Lecturer in Educational Technology, School of Education, NUI Galway, recently facilitated a design-based research (DBR) seminar at Stanford University, entitled: 'From Dewey to the Digital: Design-Based Research in Educational Contexts'. The discussion centred on key topics in design-based research and the learning sciences, with participants examining how to design bespoke solutions to meet the local requirements of diverse learning settings, but as design-based researchers, aiming to contribute also to the broader knowledge base of principled, systematic design in the learning sciences.  Tony illustrated his talk throughout by reference to NUI Galway's specific approach to design-based research.

>> Read full story about School of Education, NUI Galway Design-Based Research (DBR) Seminar at Stanford University

MGO 2016 ag an Teachers Ball ag ceiliúradh chríoch an chláir

Friday, 13 May 2016

Scoil an Oideachais, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh, Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas (MGO) 2016 ag an Teachers Ball ag ceiliúradh chríoch an chláir.

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Special Edition - IJMBL Journal, Mobile Learning in teacher Education

Thursday, 12 May 2016

Staff from the School of Education, NUI Galway, guest edited a 'Special issue International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning (IJMBL) Journal, Mobile Learning in Teacher Education.  The staff were Dr Tony Hall, Seán Ó Grádaigh ( Twitter: @SeanOGraTek ) and Sinéad Ní Ghuidhir ( Twitter: @ Snighuidhir ) The International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning (IJMBL) provides a forum for researchers in this field to share their knowledge and experience of combining e-learning and m-learning with other educational resources.  Providing researchers, practitioners, and academicians with insight into a wide range of topics such as knowledge sharing, mobile games for learning, collaborative learning, and e-learning, this journal contains useful articles for those seeking to learn, analyse, improve, and apply technologies in mobile and blended learning.  The journal spans theoretical, technical, and pedagogical issues in mobile and blended learning.  These embrace comprehensive or critical reviews of the current literature, relevant technologies and applications, and important contextual issues such as privacy, security, adaptivity, and resource constraints. Inspired by the first two MiTE Conferences, 2015 and 2016, founded by Seán Ó Grádaigh, School of Education, the IJMBL special issue features international research on mobile learning in teacher education from the UK, US, Poland, Israel, Portugal and Ireland.

>> Read full story about Special Edition - IJMBL Journal, Mobile Learning in teacher Education

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2016

Wednesday, 4 May 2016

The good news!   QS World University Rankings by Subject 2016, shows that NUI Galway gained an international ranking in Education (Ranked 201-250, 4th in the country) this year.  Other subject successes included Geography (Ranked 151-200, 4th in the country) whilst maintaining last year’s rankings in English (ranked 151-200, 3rd in the country).

>> Read full story about QS World University Rankings by Subject 2016

iBook 'The Story of 1916' by Seán O'Grádaigh

Thursday, 28 April 2016

The School of Education, NUI Galway recently launched an iBook 'The Story of 1916' by staff member Seán O'Grádaigh (@SeanOGraTek). It was launched by Dr Jim Browne, President of NUI Galway and the Ireland 2016 team (@ireland2016) with pupils and staff of Scoil Chroí Íosa, Newcastle Road, Galway. This multi-touch book tells the story of the 1916 Rising in Dublin.  It is packed with videos, interactivity and multimedia to engage readers with an authentic learning experience, which brings this period of Irish history to life.  It was built as part of Ireland’s Centenary Programme. The iBook is FREE and is available for download from the iTunes Store, with iBooks on your Mac or iOS device.  Multi-touch books can be read with iBooks on your Mac or iOS device. Books with interactive features may work best on an iOS device. iBooks on your Mac requires OS X 10.9 or later

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School of Education Hardiman & IRC Scholar at MuseumNext 2016 Conference

Wednesday, 27 April 2016

School of Education, NUI Galway, Hardiman & IRC Scholar, Ms Sally McHugh (@fordofthekings) attended the recent MuseumNext 2016 Conference in Dublin.  The conferemce theme this year was on the future of museums. Sally has been interested in the move towards creative practices in European museums and the move away from traditional scholarship.  This new movement is towards themes on social justice, diversity, inclusivity and to emotional experiences.  For example, the Chester Beatty library in Dublin is conducting research on the 'Creative Museum'. The provisional title for Sally's research is: 'Innovation in heritage education: towards a synthesis of formal and informal learning.  Her supervisor is Dr Tony Hall.

>> Read full story about School of Education Hardiman & IRC Scholar at MuseumNext 2016 Conference

Research Expertise Exchange (REX) Project

Wednesday, 27 April 2016

The Research Expertise Exchange (REX) Project Team held their most recent technology design meeting in the School of Education, NUI Galway.  Funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, REX aims to design and develop an online portal to support the integration of educational academic research and teacher professional practice. REX is collaborative educational technology research and development project between Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, University of Limerick and National University of Ireland, Galway.  With the increasing emphasis on teacher research within initial teacher education and across the continuum of teacher professional practice, REX will provide an online, blended resource to support teacher research in classrooms and schools.

>> Read full story about Research Expertise Exchange (REX) Project

School of Education Annual Postgraduate Research Seminar April 2016

Monday, 4 April 2016

The School of Education, NUI Galway, Postgraduate Research Seminar took place on Wednesday, 6 April 2016.  This seminar is part of the School's annual Research Seminar Series, the purpose of which is to highlight research activity in the School and to provide a forum for discussion. The seminar consisted of a number of parallel sessions, during which research students from the School of Education, NUI Galway presented on their current or recent educational research – in areas such as leadership of learning, literacy and numeracy, technology in education, special educational needs, intercultural education and science education. It was very well attended with great questions asked from the enthusiastic audience who were delighted to hear about the array of research being undertaken. Our Contemporary Research in Irish Education, Volume 3 - Book of Abstracts is available to download.  It was compiled by Dr. Veronica McCauley, lecturer in science education and it gives information on all the research projects presented at this event.

>> Read full story about School of Education Annual Postgraduate Research Seminar April 2016

Design-Based Research (DBR) Seminar in University of Hull

Wednesday, 6 April 2016

Dr Tony Hall, Lecturer in Educational Technology, School of Education and Visiting Scholar in the Faculty of Education, University of Hull recently delivered a seminar on design-based research (DBR), and its potential in the conceptualisation, deployment and evaluation of technology-enhanced learning. Tony's talk positioned design-based research as a contemporary research methodology in education, and exemplified DBR in practice.  His visit has focused on further developing research collaborations between the School of Education, NUI Galway and the Faculty of Education, University of Hull, particularly in the design of mobile learning in education.

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School of Education Lecturer Made Fellow of ISDDE

Monday, 4 April 2016

Dr. Tony Hall, Lecturer in Educational Technology, School of Education, NUI Galway has been made a Fellow of the International Society for Design and Development in Education (ISDDE). An international professional society for educational designers and design-based researchers, ISDDE was established to help develop, promote and advance systematic, principled design of educational environments, innovations, solutions and technologies. 'The Fellows are designers and project leaders with outstanding records, together with some representatives from government agencies and foundations that fund such work.' www.isdde.org

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Educational Studies Association of Ireland Conference (ESAI) 2016

Monday, 4 April 2016

The Educational Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI) Conference 2016 was hosted by the School of Education, NUI Galway and held in Galway at the weekend, opening on Thursday evening in the Aula Maxima on campus before moving to the Radisson Blu Hotel in the city for Friday's and Saturday's parallel sessions, meetings and symposia. First hosted by UCG in 1976, the theme of ESA1 2016 was 'Education as a Public Good'.  The School of Education contributions encompassed both conference papers and symposia:  Spotlights on the diversity gap: An examination of the socio-demographic backgrounds of applicants and entrants to primary teacher education programmes in Ireland.Dr Manuela Heinz, Dr Elaine Keane. Collaborative school-university partnerships – how cooperating teachers, principals, student teachers and university tutors see it.Dr Manuela Heinz, Dr Mary Fleming, Dr Bonnie Thompson Long Standardised Assessment: Sacrificing the Individual for the Success of the Majority.Michael Mc Namara Innovative Approaches to Researching, Promoting, and Teaching Ocean Literacies in Ireland and Europe.Dr Veronica McCauley, Dr Kevin Davison, Dr Patricia McHugh Washout or Watershed? Evaluating NQTs' use of mobile technology for teaching and learning during their early years of teaching.Seán Ó Grádaigh, Sinéad Ní Ghuidhir, Dr Brendan Mac Mahon Knowledge Development within a Professional Development Programme for Out-of-Field Mathematics Teachers.Dr Máire Ní Ríordáin, Dr Catherine Paolucci, Dr Laura O’ Dwyer Bringing research and data into teacher professional development.Annelie Eberhardt, Dr. Manuela Heinz Impact of Learning one Foreign Language on Teaching another Foreign Language.Dr. Patrick Farren Symposium: The Naturalistic Context of Design-Based Research (DBR).Paul Flynn, Martin McHugh, Dr. Eílis Flanagan, Dr. Tony Hall, Dr. Veronica McCauley The full conference programme and book of abstracts can be downloaded here.

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INVITATION: Network for Educational Action Research in Ireland (NEARI)

Monday, 4 April 2016

The School of Education, NUI Galway will host the next meeting of the Network for Educational Action Research in Ireland (NEARI).   You can see some of their ideas at  http://eari.ie  and http://eariblog.edublogs.org. NEARI are an independent, non-profit organisation and its members are a cross sectoral group of teachers and educators.  This network is for everyone interested in any aspect of action research / reflective practice.   This event will be an opportunity to meet up and network with other action researchers. The theme for this meeting is Sharing Action Research with Others. Location: Education building, Nuns' Island, National University of GalwayDate: 23rd AprilTime: 10.30 to 14.30 Following the success of the ‘Round Robin’ presentations at previous meets, NEARI invite anyone who wishes to do so, to give a short talk or presentation (possibly 5 mins).  This could be about on your action research or on the theme of the day, or you may wish to share a reading from the literature that inspired you.  Please let Pip Ferguson know (pip.ferguson@dcu.ie), as the schedule can be tweaked accordingly. Email Pip Ferguson on pip.ferguson@dcu.ie by 5pm on 8th April to reserve a seat. (Places limited).

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Design-based research talk - University of Twente, Netherlands

Thursday, 24 March 2016

Dr Tony Hall, Lecturer in Educational Technology, School of Education, NUI Galway,  recently spoke about design-based research (DBR) at the University of Twente, Netherlands. Hosted by Professor Susan McKenney, leading educational design researcher, Department of Education, Twente University, Tony presented on the design-based research being undertaken at NUI Galway's School of Education (SoE), and how researchers in the SoE are working on the principled, systematic design of learning innovations and technologies across a diverse array of educational contexts and settings, formal and informal. Entitled 'From Dewey to the Digital', Tony's talk traced DBR's emergence as intelligent experimentation, and its potential in developing bespoke technology-enhanced learning solutions in context. Tony presented to a wide audience in Enschede, including educational design researchers, teacher educators, educational technologists and STEM designers.

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Farewell to BA Mathematics & Education Class of 2016

Thursday, 24 March 2016

Farewell and good luck to the BA Mathematics and Education (BME) Class of 2016, from all in the School of Education, NUI Galway. This group of student teachers finished with a flourish after four years of study by organising and contributing to the 'Mathematics and Education, 5th Annual Research Symposium'. Keynote speakers included Prof. Ailish Hannigan, Associate Professor of Biomedical Statistics at the Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick and Dr Anne Brosnan, National Coordinator of the Project Maths Development Team (PMDT).

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Education, NUI Galway - one of 11 subjects ranked in the QS subject rankings

Wednesday, 23 March 2016

Good news! Education, NUI Galway was one of the 11 subjects ranked in the QS subject rankings released this week. See these links for details: QS Top Universities NUI Galway Press Release

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International Conference of the Learning Sciences 2016 in Singapore

Monday, 21 March 2016

Paul Flynn, School of Education PhD Candidate and Galway Doctoral Research Scholar has been invited to attend the International Conference of the Learning Sciences 2016 in Singapore 20-24 June.  The theme of the conference is 'Transforming Learning, Empowering Learners’.  Paul has been selected to participate in a Doctoral Consortium at ICLS 2016.  This is an elite grouping of only 12 PhD candidates from around the globe to discuss issues surrounding the Learning Sciences and Design-Based Research.  For more details email p.flynn10@nuigalway.ie You can also follow Paul on Twitter @FlynnDPaul

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3rd Annual Statistical Summer School

Friday, 4 March 2016

The 3rd Annual Statistical Summer School will be held at the School of Education, NUI Galway, June 22nd-24th 2016.  This Summer School is the third in a series being organised collaboratively by the School of Education, NUI, Galway and the Department of Education and Professional Studies, UL.  This event has arisen out of a desire to develop statistical competence in the domain of educational research, while promoting data awareness and impact on policy and intervention. This year’s Summer School, facilitated by Dr. Laura O’ Dwyer (Boston College), will focus on strategies, techniques, tactics, and issues in the development of surveys as measurement instruments.  It will emphasize the theoretical, measurement and practical considerations (including reliability and validity, etc.) in the development of measurement instruments.  The Summer School will include demonstrations and hands-on practice in survey development and data analysis and detailed materials will be provided. For more information please see the attached document. In order to register for this Summer School please email maire.niriordain@nuigalway.ie  or via the website link available at http://bit.ly/1mUG5le Places are limited to 25 participants.

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Q-Tales Technology Design and Development

Friday, 4 March 2016

Dr Tony Hall, Educational Technology Lecturer, School of Education, NUI Galway visits Omega Technology (http://www.omegatechnology.gr ) in Athens. The focus of the work over the past week has been to take the Q-Tales pedagogical design framework and related design schema, developed at NUI Galway by Drs Michael Hogan, Bonnie Long, John Breslin and Tony Hall, and using a gamified design approach, create prototype literacy mini-games for the Q-Tales educational ebook platform. The primary development environment for the technology is C# in Unity 3D, led by Theodoros Doukoulos.

>> Read full story about Q-Tales Technology Design and Development

Sea Change Coder Dojo Challenge

Thursday, 3 March 2016

The Sea Change game design challenge is open to Galway (Ireland) and Lund (Sweden) CoderDojo members aged 10-18. The challenge is being organised by NUI Galway as part of their contribution to a European project called “Sea Change” which aims to establish a fundamental “Sea Change” in the way European citizens view their relationship with the sea.  The challenge is to use the fun and popularity of designing and playing tech games to raise awareness of Marine issues like the need to protect cold-water coral reefs, how we can begin to address the scourge of micro-plastics, and how we can maintain healthy oceans and seas, for ourselves, for the animals that live in them, and ultimately for the planet. You and your team can use your CoderDojos and mentors to develop your games. The game design will be reviewed by a panel of experts and judged on ‘best concept’ and ‘ease of use’.  The winning game will be included in an iBook about cold water corals that will be presented as a teaching resource to secondary schools and the name of the winning team will be inscribed on a special Sea Change Coder Dojo Challenge plaque.  There will also be cash prizes for the top 2 teams in each country: first prize: 500€; second prize: 250€. At the launch, two scientists will talked about their work on corals, and plastics in our ocean, to provide ideas for game development.  Other resources are available (newsletters, poster, fact sheet, ocean literacy booklet, videos) on the project website: www.seachangeproject.eu. Dr Veronica McCauley from the School of Education, NUI Galway and Dr Anthony Grehan, Earth and Ocean Sciences, School of Natural Science, gave an interview about the launch on the Keith Finnegan Show.  It's available on their podcast:  http://galwaybayfm.ie/the-keith-finnegan-show-thursday-february-25th/ from 01:01:57. Competition Time-Table Registration by: 26 March, 2016 Submission by: 14 May, 2016 Winners announced: 11 June, 2016

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Call for Participation: 6th Irish Conference on Game-Based Learning

Wednesday, 2 March 2016

The Irish Conference on Game Based Learning (iGBL), formerly the Irish Symposium on Game-Based Learning, now in its sixth year, will be hosted by Trinity College Dublin on 1st and 2nd September 2016. This conference provides a forum for all stakeholders interested in exchanging ideas, projects, and best practices on the use of games and game-based approaches to support motivation, learning, and change. Researchers will be able to present and share their latest findings. Students will have an opportunity to present their research or showcase their games, and meet specialists in this field  to obtain constructive feedback. Instructors will have the opportunity to discover new game-based teaching approaches and share new game-based skills that they can integrate in their teaching. Companies will be able to showcase their products and explain how these can be used in the context of learning and motivation. Prospective presenters can now submit their abstract through the online submission system.We welcome abstracts from a wide range of stakeholders, including researchers, instructors, or students, who will have the opportunity to conduct workshops, present research results, or provide insights on how they managed to design or use games for educational or motivational purposes. Important Dates 8th March 2016: Abstract submission deadline. 8th April 2016: Notification of acceptance. 8th April 2016: Successful research-based presentations are invited to submit a paper to be included in the conference proceedings. 19th April 2016: Early-bird registration deadline. 3rd May 2016: Registration deadline. 31st May 2016: Final submission of presentations and research papers.For more information on iGBL2016, please email us at: igblcon...@gmail.com or visit the official website .

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PhD in Education (Learning Sciences) Spring Graduation

Wednesday, 24 February 2016

Congratulations to Dr Mary Higgins who was conferred with her PhD in Education (Learning Sciences) at the Spring Conferring on Wednesday 24th February.   Dr Higgins’ thesis, entitled: “Applied Learning: A Design Model for Further Education in the 21st Century”, developed a bespoke design-based research model, AACES, to support applied and technology-enhanced learning in adult, continuing and further education.  Dr Higgins’ research was supervised by Dr Tony Hall, Lecturer in Educational Technology, School of Education, NUI Galway.

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CoderDojo-Galway Irish Science Teachers Association Event

Tuesday, 16 February 2016

Mr Brendan Smith, Co-Founder of CoderDojo Galway City, recently provided members of the Galway Branch of the Irish Science Teacher's Association (ISTA) with a 2-hour workshop on using Scratch software in an educational context. This CoderDojo event was organised by Dr Veronica McCauley, Science Educator in the School of Education, NUI Galway.  It gave science teachers the opportunity to try out the 'Scratch' coding software in a supportive and fun learning environment.

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PhD Canditate invited to attend prestigious EERA Summer School

Friday, 5 February 2016

School of Education, NUI Galway, PHD Candidate and Galway Doctoral Research Scholar has been invited to attend the European Educational Research Association (EERA) - 7th Histories of Education Summer School at the University of Groningen, Netherlands in June 2016. This is a highly prized conference with only 30 PhD Candidates from across the EU invited to attend. Engaged in design-based research, Paul is exploring the history of education for community formation in undergraduate initial teacher education. For more details contact p.flynn10@nuigalway.ie

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School of Education 'Physics Hooks' launched on YouTube

Friday, 5 February 2016

School of Education, NUI Galway, 'Physics Hooks' launched on YouTube The Physics Video Hooks project, spearheaded by Dr Veronica McCauley, Lecturer in Science Education and designed by Martin McHugh, Doctoral Candidate in Science Education and John Byrne, a Science and Physics teacher in St. Paul’s Secondary School, Oughterard, has been officially launched on YouTube. The Hooks Series offers science educators a collection of videos that capture novel and engaging aspects of Physics. They are short, smart video clips that can be used to draw learners in and engage them in scientific inquiry and discovery. They are based on Junior Science topics, but they can be extended to Senior Cycle also. Previously, the hooks were only available through Apple iBooks and www.sciencehooks.scoilnet.ie. The new YouTube platform allows School of Education designed resources to reach a wider audience of students and educators. The videos are available for free at: http://tinyurl.com/physicshooks For more content, be sure to subscribe to PhysicsHooks!

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Graduation of Second Cohort of Professional Diploma in Mathematics for Teaching

Tuesday, 26 January 2016

The second cohort of Professional Diploma in Mathematics for Teaching (PDMT) / Dioplóma Gairmiúil sa Mhatamaitic don Mhúinteoireacht (DGMM) (240 teachers) were conferred in the University of Limerick last Saturday bringing the number of graduates of the programme to over 525 (i.e. both Cohorts 1 and 2).As for the first PDMT / DGMM conferring in January 2015, we were delighted that the Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O'Sullivan, TD, attended and spoke at the ceremony. We continue to work with Cohorts 3 and 4. Coordinated by EPI*STEM, UL, the PDMT / DGMM is jointly accredited by UL - NUIG under their strategic alliance and delivered nationwide through a consortium of Higher Education institutions. Click on the link to the UL news item re PDMT / DGMM conferring last Saturday: http://www.ul.ie/news-centre/news/secondary-teachers-advance-their-abilities-in-mathematics-at-ul/

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Shakespeare For Schools in the Digital Age

Tuesday, 26 January 2016

Picture (L-R): Dr. Brendan Mac Mahon,  Professor Eero Ropo, School of Education, University of Tampere, Finland (external examiner), Ellen McCabe, Professor Rod Stoneman, Dr. Tony Hall. Congratulations to Ms Ellen McCabe, Huston School of Film and Digital Media and PhD student, Structured PhD Digital Arts and Humanities (DAH), College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, who has successfully defended her thesis, entitled: 'Living the Stories We Create: An Educational Response to Narrative in the Digital Age.' Using Shakespeare's Macbeth as a case-study, Ellen's thesis explored the implications of digital media for learning within the Irish Leaving Certificate English Curriculum, and the potential of new media to support the realignment of formal learning contexts to contemporary perceptions and expectations of narrative. The research was jointly supervised by Professor Rod Stoneman and Dr. Seán Crosson, Huston School of Film and Digital Media, and Dr. Tony Hall, School of Education.  Dr. Brendan Mac Mahon, School of Education, acted as internal examiner.

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School of Education Conference on Mobile Technology in Teacher Education

Monday, 11 January 2016

The School of Education, NUI Galway will host the Second International Conference on Mobile Technology in Teacher Education (MiTE 2016) on 15th and 16th January in the Ardilaun Hotel, Galway. On Friday, 15th January, the conference will provide an academic platform for emerging research, and on Saturday, 16th January, the focus will be on the practitioner application of mobile technology in the classroom, in the form of hands-on workshops and showcases on mobile apps for teaching, learning and assessment. NUI Galway’s School of Education is aware of the potential that mobile technology has for improving the teaching and learning experiences of pupils in the classroom.  This two-day conference will celebrate the possibilities and explore the challenges of integrating mobile technology in teacher education and in the broader field of education in order to promote best practice by teachers, students and schools.  Contributors include experts in the field of mobile technology, including representatives from mainland Europe, the US, Nordic countries and Asia. Seán Ó Grádaigh, NUI Galway’s School of Education, and Co-Chair of the MiTE 2016 Conference, said: “Mobile Technology has the ability to change how we Teach, Learn and Assess.  Students can now learn when, where and how suits them best and Teacher Education can play a central role in the integration of this technology in the classroom.” Keynote Speaker Stephen Heppell is a Professor at Bournemouth University, Chair in New Media Environments, Emeritus Professor Anglia Ruskin University, and Visiting Professor of the University of Wales, Newport.  Professor Heppell is best known for his work at Ultralab, part of Anglia Polytechnic University.  There, he worked on education projects such as ‘Learning in the New Millennium’, ‘Schools OnLine’, development of ‘Think.com’ and ‘Talking Heads’.  In 2003, he left UltraLab and is now CEO of the education consultancy firm, Heppell.net, a global and flourishing policy and learning consultancy, which now has an enviable portfolio of international projects all around the world. Dr Mary Fleming, Head of School of Education at NUI Galway, said: “My colleagues and I are delighted to be involved in this conference again this year.  Mobile Technology is a significant and growing area of educational research and we welcome this opportunity to build on the School of Education’s engagement with new teaching and learning practices and approaches in the classroom.” MiTE 2016 is open to parents, teachers and students who are interested in seeing and hearing how mobile technologies, for example, smartphones/tablets, can contribute positively to the learning processes within our classrooms today.  To find out more see http://www.gratek.ie/mite2016/index.php

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Dariah Teach Open Humanities Workshop, Belgrade

Friday, 8 January 2016

Dr Tony Hall of the School of Education, NUI Galway, was invited to deliver the opening keynote lecture at the #dariahTeach Open Humanities Workshop in Belgrade, which brought together 20 participants from 9 different countries (Germany, Ireland, UK, Greece, Denmark, France, Serbia, Switzerland, Holland) to explore key issues in developing interactive, multimodal, localizable, open-access and open-source teaching materials. #dariahTeach is a European strategic partnership aimed at fostering innovative teaching and learning practices among members of the DARIAH (Digital Research Infrastructure for the Arts and Humanities) network. This Strategic Partnership is under the lead of Maynooth University, Ireland, with six other participating institutions:  Aarhus University, Denmark; Athena Research and Innovation Center in Information Communication & Knowledge Technologies (Greece); Austrian Academy of Sciences; Belgrade Center for Digital Humanities, (Serbia); Erasmus University Rotterdam (The Netherlands); and the University of Lausanne (Switzerland). Tony’s talk on design-based research explored concepts and principles for the design, development and deployment of models of technology-enhanced in educational contexts. The keynote lecture and presentation is available to view at: http://dariah.rs/en/dariahteach-open-humanities-workshop/

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Design With Technology in Education: Irish Computer Society (ICS) Curriculum for ICT in Schools

Tuesday, 1 December 2015

Mr Keith Rowe, a graduate teacher of the School of Education, NUI Galway and ICT and Maths teacher, St Aloysius College, Athlone, presented on teaching the Irish Computer Society (ICS) Curriculum in schools. The presentation to the ICT methodology of the PME, School of Education covered key aspects of the ICS Curriculum, including digital media design and literacy, digital storytelling, programming and coding, and design with micro controller-based kits for cross-curricular, constructionist learning in schools.

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Guest speaker in second language learning and literacy

Friday, 11 December 2015

The School of Education, NUI Galway held a Research Seminar Series (RSS) event, 'Rethinking Instructional Approaches in Second Language Immersion Programmes: Emerging Themes and Controversies' given by guest speaker, Professor Jim Cummins on Thursday, 10 December 2015. Emeritus Professor Jim Cummins, Department of Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto, Canada, is a noted world leader in second language learning and literacy development research.  He holds a Canada Research Chair and has been a recipient of the International Reading Association's Albert J. Harris award. He also received an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from the Bank Street College of Education in New York City. He has led or been involved in many research projects,including, in recent years, a large-scale SSHRC-funded project entitled "From Literacy to Multiliteracies: Designing Learning Environments for Knowledge Generation within the New Economy”, a project to validatethe Ontario Ministry of Education's Steps to English Proficiency assessment tool, and a research review on English Language Learners' academic trajectories. Dr. Cummins has co-authored several books on literacies in education, and has seen his work translated into Japanese and Spanish.

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Guest speaker in second language learning and literacy

Friday, 11 December 2015

The School of Education, NUI Galway held a Research Seminar Series event 'Rethinking Instructional Approaches in Second Language Immersion Programmes: Emerging Themes and Controversies'  given by guest speaker, Emeritus Professor Jim Cummins, Department of Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto, Canada, on Thursday, 10 December 2015Dr. James Cummins is a noted world leader in second language learning and literacy development research.  He holds a Canada Research Chair and has been a recipient of the International Reading Association's Albert J. Harris award. He also received an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from the Bank Street College of Education in New York City. He has led or been involved in many research projects, including, in recent years, a large-scale SSHRC-funded project entitled "From Literacy to Multiliteracies: Designing Learning Environments for Knowledge Generation within the New Economy”, a project to validatethe Ontario Ministry of Education's Steps to English Proficiency assessment tool, and a research review on English Language Learners' academic trajectories. Dr. Cummins has co-authored several books on literacies in education, and has seen his work translated into Japanese and Spanish.

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From Dewey to the Digital: R-NEST: Design-based research for digital reflection in ITE

Monday, 23 November 2015

Drs Bonnie Long and Tony Hall, School of Education, NUI Galway, latest publication on the R-NEST design model for digital storytelling in teacher education features in a special issue of the Australasian Journal of Educational Technology on educational design research, edited by Theodore J. Kopcha, University of Georgia; Matthew M. Schmidt, University of Hawaii and Susan McKenney, University of Twente, Netherlands. Download paper at: http://ajet.org.au/index.php/AJET/article/download/2535/1311

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School of Education PhD Graduates - Winter Conferring 2015

Thursday, 26 November 2015

Pictured at the recent Winter Conferring in NUI Galway, L-R: Dr Veronica McCauley, Dr Diogo Gomes, Dr Eilís Flanagan, Dr Tony Hall, School of Education. Congratulations to Dr Eilís Flanagan and Dr Diogo Gomes who were both awarded their PhDs in Education at the Winter Conferring on Wednesday 25th November.  Dr Gomes’ thesis, entitled: “Dialectical dividends: Fostering hybridity of new pedagogical practices and partnership in science education and outreach”, was supervised by Dr Veronica McCauley, Lecturer in Science Education, School of Education, NUI Galway.  Dr Tony Hall, Lecturer in Educational Technology, School of Education, supervised Dr Flanagan’s thesis, entitled: "Digital ensemble: Exploring the design of technology-enhanced learning to mobilise and augment post-primary students’ engagement with English literature."

>> Read full story about School of Education PhD Graduates - Winter Conferring 2015

Royal Society of Chemistry Showcase Teaching Resources for JC & LC Chemistry

Monday, 9 November 2015

Dr. Veronica McCauley, Lecturer in Science Education, organised a Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) event in the School of Education, NUI Galway to showcase an abundance of online teaching resources for teachers.  Local science teachers from the Galway branch of the Irish Science Teacher's Association (ISTA) network and their Chairperson, Dee King, attended.  Also in attendance were student science teachers from the Professional Masters of Education (PME) programme. Dr. Stephanie Nelson (Queens University Belfast) and John O’Donoghue (Trinity College Dublin), National Education Coordinators for the RSC facilitated this event. The Royal Society of Chemistry provided a wealth of online teaching resources.  The 90 minute workshop provided an oportunity for science teachers to learn how to find the best resourcesin the shortest time.  Time was provided to assess the suitability of these resources, and everyone found something they could use in class the next day.  The newest developments were also showcased.  This workshop was aimed at everyone from trainee to experienced teachers, and was interactive and informal.  Both Junior and Senior Cycle resources were reviewed on the evening and a bundle of freebies were provided to each teacher.

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Creating Scientific Slime!

Friday, 6 November 2015

Dr Veronica McCauley, Science Teaching Lecturer in the School of Education, NUI Galway demonstrates to Professional Masters of Education (PME) Year 2 pre-qualified teachers, how to create non-newtonian fluid, AKA scientific slime!

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3rd International Irish Narrative Inquiry Conference 2016

Thursday, 19 November 2015

3rd International Irish Narrative Inquiry Conference, March 10th and 11th 2016 Call for Abstracts In this conference we seek to explore the doing of narrative inquiry in its many forms and to take seriously the time, place and significance of its doing.

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Staff Presenting at uLead 2016 - the Summit of Educational Leadership!

Thursday, 5 November 2015

Mr Seán Ó Grádaigh, Lecturer on the Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas (MGO) Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme in the School of Education, NUI Galway, will be presenting at 'uLead 2016 - the Summit of Educational Leadership!' Seán is the Co-ordinator of Mobile Technologies in ITE and his vision is to integrate iPads in all aspects of the MGO programme.

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Second Education Staff Member Becomes an Apple Distinguished Educator

Thursday, 5 November 2015

Ms Sinéad Ní Ghuidhir, Lecturer on the Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas programme, becomes the second member of the School of Education, NUI Galway, to become an Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE), 2015.  Sinéad recently attended the Apple Distinguished Educator Institute in The Netherlands.

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Student Teachers Reimagine the Textbook

Wednesday, 1 July 2015

We are delighted to announce that Seán Ó Grádaigh, Léachtóir on the Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas (MGO) programme in the School of Education, NUI Galway, has been featured by Apple Inc. His story is now live in the 'Teaching with iPad' section on Apple’s Education site. It’s a great honour to have an Irish educator showcased on Apple’s site, providing a compelling story of content creation using tools such as iBook Author. The Icing on the cake is that the sample resources and content showcased are in Irish. Take a spin over and view the story and enjoy some beautiful images of Galway Bay here. Well done to Seán and all our MGO team! 

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Dr. Elaine Keane Presents at 11th International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry

Sunday, 31 May 2015

Dr Elaine Keane was invited by Professor Norman Denzin (Distinguished Professor of Communications, College of Communications Scholar, and Research Professor of Communications, Sociology, and Humanities, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, USA) to provide a workshop on Prof. Kathy Charmaz’s constructivist grounded theory at the 11th International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in May 2015. While there, she also ran a symposium on ‘Coding for Interpretation and Performance’ with Professor Johnny Saldana (Professor Emeritus Arizona State University, and author of multiple qualitative textbooks), Professor Paul Mihas (Director of Education and Qualitative Analysis at the Odum Institute for Research in Social Science at the University of North Carolina), and Dr Charles Vanover (University of South Florida St. Petersburg College of Education). Elaine is currently working with Professor Kathy Charmaz (originator of constructivist grounded theory) and Professor Robert Thornberg (Linkoping University, Sweden) as co-author on a chapter on grounded theory for the 5th edition of the Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research (2016).

>> Read full story about Dr. Elaine Keane Presents at 11th International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry

Collaborative research paper presented

Thursday, 22 October 2015

Collaborative research paper presented at American educational research association conference in chicago Dr Brendan Mac Mahon of the School of Education, NUI Galway co-presented a paper entitled 'Multilingualism: Challenges and Opportunities in the Irish Post-Primary Education Sector' along with colleagues Dr Melanie Ní Dhuinn and Dr Ann Devitt, School of Education, TCD at the recent American Educational Research Association (AERA) 2015 conference in Chicago. The paper was selected as part of the Educational Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI) Symposium at the AERA conference.

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Happy 10th birthday to NUI Galway's BA Mathematics and Education programme

Tuesday, 2 April 2019

Happy 10th birthday to NUI Galway's BA Mathematics and Education programme!

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In The News

MSc in Biotechnology. Winner of the 2016 Postgraduate Science Course of the Year Award

Monday, 18 July 2016

Congratulations to the MSc Biotechnology team: Drs Aoife Boyd, Cindy Smith and Mary Ní Fhlathartaigh and to all the teaching staff of the programme. The NUI Galway MSc Biotechnology programme is the longest running course of its kind in Ireland and it continues to be the most up-to-date programme in the country. This was recognised at the Mansion House where this programme was awarded the 2016 Postgraduate Course of the year award -Science category. This postgraduate programme is highly regarded nationally and internationally as a programme through which students develop the skills, knowledge and experience required for a successful career in biotechnology. Graduates of the MSc Biotechnology programme are essential for Ireland’s smart economy that has at its core exemplary research, innovation and commercialisation.

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News

COP28 reflection by Yuhan Zheng, Discipline of Geography, University of Galway

 Yuhan Zheng, Discipline of Geography, University of Galway

Friday, 22 March 2024

A reflection by Yuhan Zheng, Discipline of Geography, University of Galway on COP 28: Far-Reaching Impacts of Climate Change on Well-being, Food Security, Energy Transition, Nature, Diversity and Equality [Read]

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Ireland’s Foreign Policy in a Rapidly Changing World

Ireland’s Foreign Policy in a Rapidly Changing World

Monday, 25 March 2024

On Friday, March 22nd, the university hosted a visit from the Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Joe Hackett. Mr Hackett was welcomed by University President, Prof. Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, and University Vice-President, Prof. Becky Whay, after which he participated in a Q&A event introduced and moderated by Prof. John Morrissey. The Q&A engaged a number of core areas of Ireland’s foreign policy principles, with the Secretary General fielding questions on topics ranging from gender, peace and security to hunger, inequality and human rights, to more specific questions on Irish Aid’s programmes, Gaza, Ukraine and Northern Ireland. The event was attended by a wide range of students from Geography, mirroring our commitment to research and teaching on vital global concerns, from climate change to sustainable development, from migration to human security. Pictured in the photograph are Prof. Becky Whay, VP-International, Joe Hackett, Secretary General of the DFA, Emma Madigan, Director of Policy Planning Unit at the DFA, and Prof. John Morrissey, Geography.

>> Read full story about Ireland’s Foreign Policy in a Rapidly Changing World

MA in International Development Practice

Dr Una Murray, MA in International Development Practice

Monday, 25 March 2024

MA in International Development Practice students have learned a lot from Development Practitioners this semester. Some of the guest speakers and visitors to Geography they engaged with include: UNHCR, the UN International Labour Office (ILO), Irish Aid, GIZ Malawi (German government development agency), World Vision, Trocaire, The Irish League of Credit Unions Foundation, the Global March against Child Labour and Misean Cara.

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Chris Pain from Irish Aid visited the MA in International Development Practice students

Chris Pain from Irish Aid visited the MA in International Development Practice students

Friday, 15 March 2024

Chris Pain from Irish Aid visited the MA in International Development Practice students on Wednesday 13 March 2024 - great discussion on Irish Aid overseas development strategy and programmes. Chris and also discussed the IRC/COALESCE project on migration climate change and social protection with key researchers on the project.

>> Read full story about Chris Pain from Irish Aid visited the MA in International Development Practice students

Horizon 2020 EnergyPROSPECTS project

Dr Michael Lydon, University of Galway

Wednesday, 24 January 2024

Prof Frances Fahy, Dr Benjamin Schmid and Dr Michael Lydon of the University of Ireland Galway, were in Sofia last week to meet with partners of the Horizon 2020 EnergyPROSPECTS project, led by the University of Galway. The partner meeting took place alongside a scenario-building workshop, which was arranged by the Applied Research and Communications Fund. 

>> Read full story about Horizon 2020 EnergyPROSPECTS project

Climate CAMPAIGNers

Dr Natasha Keeneghan, University of Galway

Monday, 29 January 2024

The final conference of Climate CAMPAIGNers will take place in Brussels this March. Prof Frances Fahy, Dr Natasha Keenaghan (GAL) and Dr Kathleen Stokes (DCU) are involved in this multinational collaborative project and helped with the development of an app to facilitate sustainable lifestyles.  The event will showcase the app and present the key project results.   Register for the event HERE. The app can be downloaded HERE. 

>> Read full story about Climate CAMPAIGNers

The right to have a choice to live sustainably with Climate Campaigners Amplifier Cities

The right to have a choice to live sustainably with Climate Campaigners Amplifier Cities

Monday, 5 February 2024

The Climate Campaigners project team are hosting an event aimed at preparing for the European elections in 2024. The primary goal of the event, ‘The right to have a choice to live sustainably with Climate Campaigners Amplifier Cities’, is to spearhead a "Go Vote" campaign advocating for a robust European Green Deal with collective action at its core. Climate Campaigners project aims to be the mechanism for citizen-driven change in a way that is fully immersed in behavioural research and integrated with local, national and EU-level policy goals. Event Details: Date: 20 February 2024 Time: 4-6 PM CET Platform: Zoom (Will be sent upon registration) Register here.

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67th Irish Geoscience Research Meeting (IGRM)

67th Irish Geoscience Research Meeting (IGRM)

Tuesday, 12 March 2024

Last week (1-3 March), Geographers from the Discipline of Geography, University of Galway, Dr Gordon Bromley and Dr Martin Nauton co-hosted with our Earth & Ocean Sciences colleagues the 67th Irish Geoscience Research Meeting (IGRM), an all-island congress for all things geoscience. We had a full house for two days of talks and posters, including keynotes by our colleagues Kathryn Fitzsimmons (U. Tubingen) and John Walsh (UCD) and prizes for best student talks/posters. 

>> Read full story about 67th Irish Geoscience Research Meeting (IGRM)

EnergyPROSPECTS project ‘Energy citizenship in the making’

Paula Angelica da Silva Pel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-angelica-da-silva-pel-0355491b5/).

Monday, 11 March 2024

Prof Frances Fahy, Dr Michael Lydon and Dr Benjamin Schmid took part in the final event of the EnergyPROSPECTS project ‘Energy citizenship in the making’ in Brussels on March 5. The event was organized in collaboration with three other H2020 sister projects (EC² - Clean Energy Transition, DIALOGUES, ProjectENCLUDE), which all address the critical role of energy citizenship in the context of a European Green Deal. A key contribution at the event was the presentation of a Joint Strategy Paper on ‘Ways to support civic engagement in the European energy transition’ (link: https://encludeproject.eu/sites/default/files/2024-03/Joint_Policy_Brief_FINAL_print.pdf). More information about EnergyPROSPECTS can be found here: https://www.energyprospects.eu/”

>> Read full story about EnergyPROSPECTS project ‘Energy citizenship in the making’

Visit of the Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs

Department of Foreign Affairs

Tuesday, 27 February 2024

Ireland’s Foreign Policy in a Rapidly Changing World The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) works on a number of core areas of Ireland’s foreign policy, including: orientating an active and principled membership of the UN, EU and other international fora; delivering a high-quality international development programme; and expanding Ireland’s presence and influence abroad. Joe Hackett, the Secretary General of the DFA, will visit the University of Galway on the 22nd March to meet with students and faculty and discuss ‘Ireland’s Foreign Policy in a Rapidly Changing World’. Mr. Hackett will be welcomed by University President Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, and both will make short initial remarks, with Mr Hackett setting out the current priorities of the DFA’s work, followed by a Q&A moderated by Prof. John Morrissey. The Q&A will give colleagues and students the opportunity to engage on a range of urgent global security and development concerns. O’Donoghue Centre, University of Galway Friday, March 22nd, 12-1pm

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SHARED GREEN DEAL Clean Energy team visits Jaywick, UK to exchange experience on clean energy futures

Dr Emily Gray

Friday, 9 February 2024

As part of SHARED GREEN DEAL (a five-year, European Union Horizon-2020-funded project), members of the Clean Energy experiment team led by University of Galway’s Prof Frances Fahy met in Jaywick, the United Kingdom for a study tour. They exchanged experiences with facilitating community visioning for clean energy futures in different locations and learned about the challenges of future visioning and community energy in Jaywick. Postgraduate researcher Emily Gray represented the University of Galway at the study tour. 

>> Read full story about SHARED GREEN DEAL Clean Energy team visits Jaywick, UK to exchange experience on clean energy futures

Grattan Beach Workshop: Local communities & Galway City Council taking action on Climate

Grattan Beach 2024, Dr Kevin Lynch

Wednesday, 21 February 2024

Hear about the collaborations developed to date, the successes of last year's sand fences, and help plan Grattan Beach 2024. Everyone is invited to come along to this free and exciting event. Galway Business School, An Halla MórTuesday February 27th 7:30pm to 9pm

>> Read full story about Grattan Beach Workshop: Local communities & Galway City Council taking action on Climate

Irelands Climate Change Assessment (ICCA) report

Dr Eugene Farrell

Thursday, 1 February 2024

Dr Eugene Farrell is a contributing author to Irelands Climate Change Assessment report published by the EPA. Dr. Farrell contributed to Volume 3 'Being prepared for Ireland’s future' (290pp) that provides knowledge on (1) research and policy gaps in Ireland, (2) cross-cutting issues framing adaptation in Ireland, and (3)  practical steps required to build community involvement and participation to deliver a more climate resilient Ireland. Access the 4 volumes of the ICCA here. Link: https://www.epa.ie/our-services/monitoring--assessment/climate-change/irelands-climate-change-assessment-icca/

>> Read full story about Irelands Climate Change Assessment (ICCA) report

2023

Prof. John Morrissey publishes new strategy paper for the UN

Professor John Morrissey

Thursday, 11 January 2024

Professor John Morrissey has published a new strategy paper for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The UNDP is currently reforming and extending the interventionary and global governance strategy of the UN and John has been working as a Policy Advisor on Human Security in advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and a more holistic vision of global security. The strategy paper, Envisioning Security for a More-Than-Human World, sets out the cooperative global security vision required in tackling the wide set of human-environmental crises currently unfolding on the planet. It conceptualizes a move away from narrow, prioritised and counter-productive military security concerns to a conjoined sense of human-environmental security to effectively respond to the globe’s multiple overlapping precarities.

>> Read full story about Prof. John Morrissey publishes new strategy paper for the UN

Doing the work: Locating labour in infrastructural geography

Discipline of Geography

Tuesday, 4 July 2023

Geography's Kathleen Sokes recently published the article ‘Doing the work: Locating labour in infrastructural geography’ in Progress in Human Geography with co-author Alejandro De Coss-Corzo (University of Edinburgh), which can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.1177/03091325231174186

>> Read full story about Doing the work: Locating labour in infrastructural geography

UN’s Food and Agriculture

Dr Una Murray

Friday, 26 May 2023

MIDP students Xurxo Alonso Vázquez, Mai Ditie and Evench Gomez received a Certificate from the UN’s Food and Agriculture (FAO) Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Training at UCC in April. Also in the photo is Jannie Armstrong, from FAO's Global Support Unit who conducted the training. Following a study of the IPC technical manual, this training is supporting Xurxo, Evench and Mai to have a food security focus in their Research Projects for their MIDP Dissertations.

>> Read full story about UN’s Food and Agriculture

First ENLIGHT European Dialogue in Uppsala University

Dr Una Murray

Friday, 19 May 2023

A team from Galway attended the First ENLIGHT European Dialogue in Uppsala University May 11th and 12th. The theme was sharing ideas on methodology for collaboration projects between universities and cities. Dr. Mark Justin Rainey, from Geography presented work on Community Conversations on Creative Space with a focus on Nuns Island and Dr. Una Murray attended to meet colleagues on ENLIGHT’s equity workpackage. Presentations from the event are available on the ENLIGHT Youtube channel and slides are published on the ENLIGHT website. 

>> Read full story about First ENLIGHT European Dialogue in Uppsala University

EnergyPROSPECTS, Berlin

Dr Benjamin Schmid

Wednesday, 10 May 2023

Prof Frances Fahy and Dr Benjamin Schmid are in Berlin this week to meet with partners of the Horizon 2020 EnergyPROSPECTS project, led by the University of Galway. The partner meeting kicks off the final year of the project, which is investigating different forms of energy citizenship and the corresponding policy frameworks across Europe.

>> Read full story about EnergyPROSPECTS, Berlin

Planning for change: Coastal management and climate adaptation in Derrynane, Co. Kerry

Dr Eugene Farrell

Monday, 5 June 2023

Dr Eugene Farrell is lead author on a research report 'Planning for change: coastal management abd climate adaptation in Derrynane, Co. Kerry'. The community participation workshop was done in partnership with the MSc Coastal and Marine Environments class, OPW and Vincent Hyland (Wild Derrynane). [Read]

>> Read full story about Planning for change: Coastal management and climate adaptation in Derrynane, Co. Kerry

Royal Irish Academy (RIA) Annual International Affairs Conference

Dr Una Murray

Monday, 8 May 2023

Professor John Morrissey and Dr Una Murray from the Discipline of Geography, University of Galway, at the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) Annual International Affairs Conference on “Human (In)Security in an Unsettled World” on May 2nd. Prof. Morrissey was the conference organiser and one of the speakers. Both university academics are members of the RIA’s Standing Committee for International Affairs. The conference plenary address was given by Pedro Conceição, Director of the Human Development Report Office at the UNDP, who discussed the key global challenges of human security and human development the world faces today. The keynote was given by the Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, who outlined how Ireland is approaching its relations with China.  [Read]

>> Read full story about Royal Irish Academy (RIA) Annual International Affairs Conference

Special issue on ‘Coastal dunes: links between aeolian processes and landform dynamics’ in Earth Surface Processes and L

Dr Eugene Farrell

Monday, 8 May 2023

Dr Eugene Farrell edited a new special issue in the world leading geomorphology journal Earth Surface Processes and Landforms with colleagues from the UK (Prof Irene Delgado-Fernandez; Dr Thomas Smyth), China (Dr Bailiang Li) and USA (Dr Christy Swann). This volume contains 25 manuscripts providing a unique snapshot into the state-of-knowledge of coastal dunes. On the back of this very successful two year long initiative, Dr. Eugene Farrell was invited (and accepted) to be an Associate Editor for the prestigious journal ESPL for the next four years. [Read more here]. 

>> Read full story about Special issue on ‘Coastal dunes: links between aeolian processes and landform dynamics’ in Earth Surface Processes and L

Planning for change: Coastal management and climate adaptation in Derrynane, Co. Kerry

Dr Eugene Farrell

Monday, 5 June 2023

Dr Eugene Farrell is lead author on a research report 'Planning for change: coastal management abd climate adaptation in Derrynane, Co. Kerry'. The community participation workshop was done in partnership with the MSc Coastal and Marine Environments class, OPW and Vincent Hyland (Wild Derrynane). [Read]

>> Read full story about Planning for change: Coastal management and climate adaptation in Derrynane, Co. Kerry

Shared Green Deal Energy Training

Shared Green Deal Energy Training

Friday, 28 April 2023

Prof Frances Fahy and Dr Emily Gray attended the Shared Green Deal Clean Energy Training in Vienna, Austria, 26-27th April 2023.

>> Read full story about Shared Green Deal Energy Training

Bsc Social Science students visit Barcelona

Dr Rachel McArdle

Thursday, 20 April 2023

The Bsc. Social Sciences students recently visited Barcelona on their fieldtrip. Some of the themes we covered included: living cities, creative cities, the right to the city, housing and politics. Dr. Rachel McArdle, Dr. Kathleen Stokes and Dr. Mike Hynes led the fieldtrip.  

>> Read full story about Bsc Social Science students visit Barcelona

The 33rd Irish Environmental Researchers Colloquium (Environ 2023)

Silvia Cascone

Thursday, 20 April 2023

The 33rd Irish Environmental Researchers Colloquium (Environ 2023) was hosted in Letterkenny (Donegal) at the beginning of April. The conference was organised by the Atlantic Technological University (Letterkenny) and the Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland (ESAI). Two PhD students from the Geography Department returned to Galway with different prizes. Silvia Cascone got the prize for the “ESAI Best Overall Poster Presentation” with her poster titled “Coastal Dune Vulnerability Assessment as a Proxy for Nature-based Solution in Ireland” and Elena Aitova got the prize for the “Best Natural History Presentation” with her presentation titled “Carbon Balance of a Restored Irish Raised Bog: Comparing Model to Estimate GHG Emissions”.

>> Read full story about The 33rd Irish Environmental Researchers Colloquium (Environ 2023)

Public urged not to walk on the dunes in Bertra beach this summer

Mid-West Radio

Friday, 7 April 2023

The public are being urged not to walk on the dunes at Bertra beach this summer. The dunes at the popular beach overlooked by Croagh Patrick, located between Westport and Louisburgh, are being eroded for a number of reasons but primarily due to climate change and overuse. [Read]

>> Read full story about Public urged not to walk on the dunes in Bertra beach this summer

Public urged not to walk on the dunes in Bertra beach this summer

Mid-West Radio

Friday, 7 April 2023

The public are being urged not to walk on the dunes at Bertra beach this summer. The dunes at the popular beach overlooked by Croagh Patrick, located between Westport and Louisburgh, are being eroded for a number of reasons but primarily due to climate change and overuse. [Read]

>> Read full story about Public urged not to walk on the dunes in Bertra beach this summer

Coastal communities can't be left to weather climate change alone

Climate Change Advisory Board

Wednesday, 12 April 2023

Members of the Irish Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) Secretariat visited Maharees, Co. Kerry to get a guided tour of work done by a local volunteer group and Dr. Eugene Farrell. The CCAC learned how current government agencies are not set up to nimbly react to needs of coastal communities and how communities can identify their specific needs and articulate their own vision for a sustainable future in their area. The visit was highlighted in an opinion piece in the Sustainability and Climate Change Hub of the Irish Examiner [Read] 

>> Read full story about Coastal communities can't be left to weather climate change alone

Mnágazine- International Voices

Photo: Rachel McArdle

Wednesday, 22 March 2023

A number of BSc Social Sciences students have published in the recent Mnágazine- International Voices on a number of topics including social media, friendship, sport and other topics. This magazine was created as part of the 2023 European Women's Studies class and includes articles, puzzles, poetry and more. This magazine includes many inspirational stories about women from across the world. Happy International Women's Day! 

>> Read full story about Mnágazine- International Voices

What counts as infrastructural labour? Community action as waste work in South Africa

Kathleen Stokes: published a new research article, March 2023" width="169" height="80" class="right" alt="Photo: Kathleen Stokes" />

Thursday, 9 March 2023

Dr Kathleen Stokes, and co-author Dr Mary Lawhon (University of Edinburgh) have recently published a new research article “What counts as infrastructural labour? Community action as waste work in South Africa” in Area Development and Policy.

>> Read full story about What counts as infrastructural labour? Community action as waste work in South Africa

Socio-technical theories and a case study of ST transition dynamics of solar PV in Switzerland

Photo, Dr Frances Fahy

Thursday, 9 March 2023

The Planning and Sustainability research cluster in Geography at University of Galway was delighted to host Leon Hirt, researcher at the Renewable Energy Systems group in the University of Geneva, this week. Leon presented an overview of Socio-technical theories and a case study of ST transition dynamics of solar PV in Switzerland.

>> Read full story about Socio-technical theories and a case study of ST transition dynamics of solar PV in Switzerland

Speak Out sessions

UrbanLab Galway

Friday, 3 March 2023

UrbanLab Galway invites you to our Speak Out sessions where citizens present key issues and concerns about local development and discuss the future of Galway and the wider region. How can we make a better place? Let's hear what you have to say. If you wish to present or share your thoughts contact UrbanLab Galway via email at urbanlab@universityofgalway.ie   Galway Speakout Wednesday 22 March 2023 7.30 - 9.00 pm Upper Floor, Mick Lally Theatre Druid Lane Galway   Gort Speakout Thursday 23 March 2023 7.30 - 9.30 pm WB Yeats Room, Lady Gregory Hotel Ennis Road, Gort County Galway  H91 KN2N  

>> Read full story about Speak Out sessions

European Startup Village Forum

Maura Farrell-European Commission to Brussels on the 28th November 2022" width="169" height="80" class="right" alt="Europen Commission" />

Friday, 3 March 2023

Associate Professor Maura Farrell was invited by the European Commission to Brussels on the 28th November to speak at the European Startup Village Forum. Maura presented on the University of Galway led, FLIARA (Female led Innovation in Agriculture and Rural Areas) project. 

>> Read full story about European Startup Village Forum

RIA International Affairs Annual Conference, 02 May 2023

Royal Irish Academy

Tuesday, 21 February 2023

Human (In)Security in an Unsettled WorldIn our unsettled world of intersecting human and environmental crises, an urgent global governance challenge lies in actioning new visions and strategies of overlapping human and environmental security. This year’s RIA Standing Committee for International Affairs conference takes up the challenge of envisioning a wider discourse of global security, and setting out how to address the planet’s overlapping insecurities more holistically. It aims to attract papers that reflect on the multiple (in)securities of our contemporary moment, how they intersect in complex ways, and how more effective security responses can be achieved. Further details are available here. For additional information, please contact Prof. John Morrissey.Conference Website 

>> Read full story about RIA International Affairs Annual Conference, 02 May 2023

New EPA & Marine Institute research report on coastal and marine resilience

EPA logo

Thursday, 16 February 2023

Dr Eugene Farrell is lead author on a new research report with colleagues from SFI MaREI. The project identified key institutional barriers (governance; legal responsibility; stakeholder forum; tourism) and technical barriers (climate adaptation; funding; environmental designation; lexicon of climate resilience and sustainability; erosion and flooding; seasonal tourism) to coastal communities building resilience to climate change. The results illustrate the importance of empowering and resourcing local authorities and communities to manage their own coastlines and an urgent need to develop a coherent national policy that prioritises erosion and flood risks. [Read]

>> Read full story about New EPA & Marine Institute research report on coastal and marine resilience

'Nature-based Solutions to conserve and restore estuarine, coastal and marine habitats'

Logo Department of House, Local Goverment and Heritage

Monday, 6 February 2023

Dr Eugene Farrell was invited to present his Marine Institute funded project ("Increasing Coastal Resilience Using Terrestrial & Ocean Based Nature Based Solutions"; 2022-2026) to the marine team in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (January 2023).  Ireland has made a commitment under the newly developed Marine Strategy Framework Directive Programme of Measures to ‘Develop Nature based Solutions to conserve and restore estuarine, coastal and marine habitats'. Dr Farrells ongoing and future research programmes with colleagues in Geography, Civil Engineering and Earth & Ocean Sciences in the University of Galway will help deliver a roadmap to identify these solutions.

>> Read full story about 'Nature-based Solutions to conserve and restore estuarine, coastal and marine habitats'

Davos 2023: Three Ways to Build a More Sustainable World

The Conversation

Thursday, 19 January 2023

As Davos 2023 opened this week, Professor John Morrissey published a critique of neoliberalism in The Conversation that makes a plea to leaders to place human and environmental security ahead of endless profit.

>> Read full story about Davos 2023: Three Ways to Build a More Sustainable World

National award from Fáilte Ireland

Professor Frances Fahy & Dr Kathy Reilly, Geography

Monday, 27 November 2023

Professor Frances Fahy and Dr Kathy Reilly have won the ‘Spotlight on Sustainability’ national award from Fáilte Ireland for their work organising EUGEO 2019, an international geography conference that attracted more than 500 delegates from over 25 countries to University of Galway campus. Further details available here. In addition to this national recognition, Professor Fahy and Dr Reilly were honoured as Fáilte Ireland National Conference Ambassadors. The event was held on Wednesday November 22nd at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dublin.

>> Read full story about National award from Fáilte Ireland

IRC Research Ally Award 2023

Professor Frances Fahy, IRC Prize

Tuesday, 21 November 2023

Congratulations to  Prof Frances Fahy, winner of the 2023 IRC Research Ally Prize Award for supervision and mentorship. The awards were announced at the SFI Awards Ceremony in Cork on November 20th 2023.

>> Read full story about IRC Research Ally Award 2023

New Publication

 V'cenza Cirefice

Monday, 20 November 2023

Countermapping the Sperrins by V'cenza Cirefice published in counter/cartographies the 2023 issue of "you are here: a journal of creative geography"  [Read]  

>> Read full story about New Publication

European Marine Board

European Marine Board

Friday, 17 November 2023

Dr Eugene Farrell was invited to present his research on 'coastal community resilience' to the European Marine Board webinar series on November 16, 2023. The presentation is available to view on the EMB youtube channel.  The research highlights the enablers and barriers for coastal communities trying to manage their coastlines and is featured as a case study in the EMB Position Paper 27.

>> Read full story about European Marine Board

European Board Board Position Paper 27 ' Building Coastal Resilience in Europe

European Marine Board

Wednesday, 15 November 2023

University of Galways Geographer Dr Eugene Farrell is co-author on the new European Board Board Position Paper 27 ' Building Coastal Resilience in Europe'. The paper provides an overview of concepts and frameworks for building coastal resilience, a six-step approach for their use in coastal management, and an overview of key pressures facing European coastal social-ecological systems and their impacts.  Read more here:  https://www.marineboard.eu/publications/building-coastal-resilience-europe

>> Read full story about European Board Board Position Paper 27 ' Building Coastal Resilience in Europe

PhD student presents at TerraSAR-X / TanDEM-X Science Team Meeting in German Aerospace Center

Dr Eugene Farrell

Friday, 10 November 2023

Geography PhD student Mr. Daithí Maguire (supervised by Dr Eugene Farrell) presented the final results his research at the TerraSAR-X / TanDEM-X Science Team Meeting at the German Aerospace Center (Oberpfaffenhofen) on the 19th October 2023. His presentation entitled “A Sigma0 Percentile Approach for Monitoring Shoreline Change” detailed a new approach for monitoring coastal erosion using satellite-borne synthetic aperture radar (SAR). 

>> Read full story about PhD student presents at TerraSAR-X / TanDEM-X Science Team Meeting in German Aerospace Center

General Conference of the European Consortium for Political Research ECPR, 4-8 September 2023, Prague

Dr Benjamin Schmidt

Thursday, 9 November 2023

Dr Benjamin Schmid attended the General Conference of the European Consortium for Political Research ECPR in Prague on behalf of the EnergyPROSPECTS project. In a section on Energy Politics, he presented the paper “Qualitative Comparative Analysis of the conditions for energy citizen initiatives to contribute to a more sustainable and democratic energy system”.

>> Read full story about General Conference of the European Consortium for Political Research ECPR, 4-8 September 2023, Prague

Geographers Lead 'Energy Citizenship in Ireland' Policy Event

Prof Frances Fahy

Wednesday, 8 November 2023

Prof Frances Fahy and Dr Ben Schmid (EnergyPROSPECTS European Project) from Geography at University of Galway, in collaboration with colleagues from Maastricht University and the Jacques Delors Institute in Paris hosted a policy-makers workshop on ‘Energy Citizenship in Ireland’ in Dublin, last month. With a group of 14 participants representing communities, local and national authorities and academia, the workshop examined the role that citizens can play in Ireland's energy transition and how the transformative impact of energy citizenship can be enhanced. Key themes that emerged included: ·       Importance of institutional anchoring of energy citizenship in public policy and policy cohesion ·       Risk of energy citizenship and transition becoming exclusively a middle-class concept ·       Need for tailored messaging to different societal groups and avoidance of overly technical language ·       Criticism of offloading too much risks onto citizens and energy communities ·       Potential to improve procedures and costs of grid connection and remuneration for medium-scale renewable energy projects

>> Read full story about Geographers Lead 'Energy Citizenship in Ireland' Policy Event

Dr Karen Taylor awarded an SFI-IRC Pathway research grant

Dr Karen Taylor

Tuesday, 7 November 2023

Dr Karen Taylor has been awarded an SFI-IRC Pathway research grant to establish a long-term record of natural climate variability to inform future climate predictions for Ireland. The CORE project is co-funded by the Environmental Protection Agency and Met Éireann. The four-year project is hosted by the Palaeoenvironmental Research Unit (PRU), School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies, in collaboration with Dr Aaron Potito, Dr Karen Molloy and Jacob Nguyen. In the press release on Friday the 3rd of November 2023, the Director of Met Éireann, Eoin Moran, welcomed the announcement, adding: “Met Éireann is also proud to support talent in partnership with the SFI-IRC Pathway Programme. We are delighted to fund research which will help us ‘make Ireland weather and climate prepared’. As we develop climate services to indeed help the country prepare for resilience in a warming world, we look forward to co-funding the project to better understand our past climate’s variability to inform future climate predictions.” For more details see the press release. [READ]

>> Read full story about Dr Karen Taylor awarded an SFI-IRC Pathway research grant

ENLIGHT Workshop

Dr Rachel McArdle

Tuesday, 24 October 2023

Dr Rachel McArdle represented the University of Galway at the ENLIGHT workshop, ‘A Just Sustainable City’ at the University of Uppsala in October 2023. 

>> Read full story about ENLIGHT Workshop

BASS First year fieldtrip

Dr Rachel McArdle

Tuesday, 24 October 2023

Dr Rachel McArdle and Dr Mike Hynes recently brought the first year BASS students on a fieldtrip to Roundstone, Connemara, stopping at Recess on the way. We had a lovely sunny day and the students enjoyed walking and getting to know each other as well as the landscapes of Co. Galway.  

>> Read full story about BASS First year fieldtrip

China's evolving positioning within the semiconductor global value chair

Professor Seamus Grimes

Monday, 23 October 2023

Professor Seamus Grimes deliveres talk titled 'China's evolving positioning within the semiconductor global value chair' in Shanghai on Thursday 26th October, 2023 

>> Read full story about China's evolving positioning within the semiconductor global value chair

Geography lecturers receive Irish Planning Institute Award

Dr Therese Conway

Wednesday, 4 October 2023

Dr. Marie Mahon and Dr. Therese Conway last week received an Irish Planning Institute Award. This award was for a project delivered in partnership with students from the University of Galway MA Rural Futures Planning and Innovation, Neil Galway, Queen's University Belfast, and students from MSC Planning and Development, Planners in Galway County Council (Brendan Dunne, Brian Corcoran, Liam Ward), their counterparts in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council & Craigavon Borough Council and teachers and students from Presentation College Athenry; Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew; New-Bridge Integrated College, Loughbrickland, Banbridge; Royal School, Armagh. The project was funded by SCoTENs (Standing Committee for Teacher Education North and South).  This project develops empirical and practical applications of geographical knowledge in solving spatial planning problems through a practice-based approach whereby students are co-creators of knowledge with the planning authority. It gives students a sense of ownership of planning strategy and outcomes that have implications for the places that they themselves are from. It allows them to reflect on the contribution of their geographical knowledge and skills to local spatial planning development and problem-solving.  The Award was sponsored by the Office of the Planning Regulator 

>> Read full story about Geography lecturers receive Irish Planning Institute Award

Field trip to the Ploughing Championship 2023

Dr Una Murray

Wednesday, 4 October 2023

MA in Intl Development Practice Students went on a field trip to the Ploughing Championship on 21st of September 2023, and met with NGOs, Irish Aid and others to ask about how they view the SDGs. MIDP students also met the MSc in AgriFood Sustainability & Technology class from the University of Galway

>> Read full story about Field trip to the Ploughing Championship 2023

Conference: Reimagining social protection in a time of global uncertainty

Tomy Ncube

Friday, 15 September 2023

Dr. Una Murray and PhD student Tomy Ncube recently attended a research conference in London, Brighton. Tomy presented a poster titled "Digitalising Social Protection Systems for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: Insights from Zimbabwe". [Further Info]

>> Read full story about Conference: Reimagining social protection in a time of global uncertainty

Geographer Appointed to the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP)

Prof John Morrissey

Monday, 11 September 2023

John Morrissey has been appointed to the IAP Panel on Human Security, which is currently working with the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security and World Academy of Art and Science on a global campaign to promote Human Security For All (HS4A). The InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) is a global organization that produces evidence-based statements and reports examining major priorities for sustainable development, and provides independent and authoritative advice to national governments and international institutions including the UN. It is also an observer organization of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Belmont Forum.

>> Read full story about Geographer Appointed to the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP)

BRICS Youth Energy Summit

Brics Youth Energy Summit

Tuesday, 1 August 2023

Geography PHd student Yuhan Zheng will take part in the coming BRICS youth energy summit. [Further Info]

>> Read full story about BRICS Youth Energy Summit

Conference of Irish Geographers – Wexford, Ireland

Ms Silvia Cascone

Wednesday, 26 July 2023

The 54th Conference of Irish Geographer was hosted in Wexford (Ireland) and the main theme for this year’s conference was ‘Resilience`. PhD student from the Geography Department, Silvia Cascone, presented her recent research findings in the session titled “Climate, Coasts and Communities: Nature-Based Solutions at the Nature-Society Nexus” focusing on the utility of coastal dune vulnerability indices for Nature-based Solutions implementation in Ireland.

>> Read full story about Conference of Irish Geographers – Wexford, Ireland

INQUA Roma 2023

L. Saige Alloway, PhD Researcher in Botany at the University of Galway

Wednesday, 26 July 2023

PhD Researcher Chris Stewart (advised by Dr Gordon Bromley) recently presented a poster on his work at INQUA Roma 2023 (https://inquaroma2023.org/). His research focuses on recreating the deglaciation and environment of western Ireland since the Last Glacial Maximum; this is the first official publication of his PhD work to date.

>> Read full story about INQUA Roma 2023

CIG 2023 - Wexford, Ireland

Trisna Pratiwi

Tuesday, 18 July 2023

PhD Students from School of Geography, Archaeology, & Irish Studies participated the 54th Annual Conference of Irish Geographers held in Wexford from the 16th to the 19th of May 2023 supported by Prof. Frances Fahy. Komang Trisna Pratiwi Arcana, the first year PhD student had the opportunity to speak in front of geographers about her ongoing research project on rural tourism businesses and the future of rural tourism development in the emerging tourism destinations of Bali, Indonesia, supervised by Dr Therese Conway and Dr Maura Farrell.

>> Read full story about CIG 2023 - Wexford, Ireland

54th Conference of Irish Geographers

Janne Hernes

Tuesday, 18 July 2023

PhD student Maeve McGandy recently presented findings from her current research on community led climate adaptation planning at the 54th Conference of Irish Geographers in Wexford. As chair of the Postgraduate and Early Career Network of the Geographical Society of Ireland, Maeve also presented the award for GSI’s annual postgraduate poster competition to Geography’s own Lisa Coleman.

>> Read full story about 54th Conference of Irish Geographers

ENLIGHT summer school

Maeve McGandy

Tuesday, 18 July 2023

Dr Kevin Lynch and Maeve McGandy recently led a one-day field visit for students on the ENLIGHT summer school on Equity in Sustainability Transitions. Visiting students from universities across the ENLIGHT network were introduced to two unique coastal sites, in Galway City and County Mayo, where they analysed, discussed and evaluated two distinct experiences of climate adaptation planning at the community scale.

>> Read full story about ENLIGHT summer school

Research Seminar in Culture and Sustainability

Professor Janet Stephenson

Tuesday, 11 July 2023

Professor Janet Stephenson, Otago University, New Zealand  2pm Wednesday July 12th, AC113 Geography Seminar room      How does culture relate to sustainability? Janet Stephenson draws from her new book Culture and Sustainability to show how cultural analysis can help with sustainability endeavours in research and policy.  She introduces the cultures framework, a well-tested approach for analysing culture at any scale and in any context.  Using examples of its diverse applications around the world, Stephenson illustrates how culture can in some circumstances be highly resistant to change, and in other circumstances can change rapidly. Cultural analysis can assist with policy development and reveal why some policy interventions have unintended consequences. Understanding sustainability problems through a cultural lens can bring new insights into the potential for transformational change. [further info]

>> Read full story about Research Seminar in Culture and Sustainability

New accreditated programme, MA Rural Futures Planning and Innovation

Dr Therese Conway

Thursday, 6 July 2023

University of Galway's Discipline of Geography has announced the successful accreditation of its one-year MA Rural Futures Planning and Innovation by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI). This accreditation will mean students of the programme can become chartered members of the SCSI through their planning and development APC pathway. The SCSI is an affiliate of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) meaning graduates may apply for a globally recognised and respected professional qualification. Currently, in Ireland, there is a lack of planning graduates coming through postgraduate programmes and there is an abundance of surveying and planning vacancies across the country. This programme is now creating professional graduates that can pursue these career opportunities. Graduates of this degree are qualified to work with contractors, sub-contractors, local authorities, government departments or as a consultant in a private practice. The School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies are currently accepting applications for the next programme starting in September. For further information on the MA contact Programme Director Therese Conway on 091 493510 or therese.conway@universityofgalway.ie

>> Read full story about New accreditated programme, MA Rural Futures Planning and Innovation

Field experiments to measure granular electrification in modifying wind-blown sand transport rates

Dr Eugene Farrell

Tuesday, 4 July 2023

In May 2023 Dr Eugene Farrell travelled to the Salton Sea in California to participate in USA NSF funded field experiments led by Prof Douglas Sherman (University of Alabama, USA) to test the potentially paradoxical or enigmatic role of granular electrification in modifying wind-blown sand transport rates from those associated with wind forcing alone. 

>> Read full story about Field experiments to measure granular electrification in modifying wind-blown sand transport rates

Eco-Apps for Change?

Dr Mike Hynes

Tuesday, 4 July 2023

First, Dr Mike Hynes will be presenting a paper entitled ‘Eco-Apps for Change? Evaluating the use of mobile apps to promote and support sustainable lifestyles changes’ at the SCORAI-ERSCP-WUR Conference in Wageningen, Netherlands in early July. This paper stems from research undertaken as part of the Climate CAMPAIGNers EU Horizon 2020 project, and is co-authored with Prof Frances Fahy and Dr Kathleen Stokes. More information is available here: https://www.scp-conference-2023.com/web

>> Read full story about Eco-Apps for Change?

Love Your Beach Week 2023

Dr Eugene Farrell

Tuesday, 4 July 2023

Dr Eugene Farrell and Dr Kevin Lynch delivered two fieldtrips (Grattan Beach; Silverstrand) to celebrate ‘Love Your Beach Week 2023’ - a series of community focused events organised by Galway City Council. They had lively discussions with members of the public on why coasts are valuable and the different options we have to protect our coast.

>> Read full story about Love Your Beach Week 2023

Sustainability Research + Innovation Congress 2023 (Panama City, Panama)

University of West Indies

Tuesday, 4 July 2023

Dr Eugene Farrell has been invited as the international speaker by the University of West Indies to give a seminar on coastal Nature-based Solutions as part of the 'Sustainability Research + Innovation Congress 2023' in Panama City, Panama. Read more here: https://sricongress.org/

>> Read full story about Sustainability Research + Innovation Congress 2023 (Panama City, Panama)

2022

Researchers in Geography contribute to NUIG’s new ranking of 5th in the world for SDG 12 - responsible consumption and p

SDG12

Friday, 29 April 2022

As NUI Galway is named the number one university in Ireland for Sustainable Development in Times Higher Education’s (THE) Impact Rankings 2022, and fifth in the world for Responsible Consumption and Production, we take a look at some of the projects leading the way in sustainably at the university. [Read]

>> Read full story about Researchers in Geography contribute to NUIG’s new ranking of 5th in the world for SDG 12 - responsible consumption and p

Elizabeth Hunt of NUI Galway, named Editor of the Year Award for her work on Ethereal Magazine

Elizabeth Hunt

Friday, 29 April 2022

Congratulations to BASS student Elizabeth Hunt, of NUI Galway, was named Editor of the Year Award for her work on Ethereal Magazine, the first time the award was given to a magazine editor. [Read]

>> Read full story about Elizabeth Hunt of NUI Galway, named Editor of the Year Award for her work on Ethereal Magazine

Ireland is the only island nation with no coastal plan

Dr Eugene Farrell

Tuesday, 26 April 2022

Ireland is the only island nation without an integrated national coastal plan, and this creates barriers on the ground for communities in dealing with climate change, explains Eugene Farrell. [Read]

>> Read full story about Ireland is the only island nation with no coastal plan

HDCA Thematic Group on Human Security Webinar

Dr John Morrissey

Monday, 11 April 2022

The Human Development Report Office of the UNDP published in February this year its Special Report on Human Security: New Threats to Human Security in the Anthropocene (https://hdr.undp.org/en/2022-human-security-report). This major report of 188 pages sets out the intertwined threats of human and environmental security the world is facing. Professor John Morrissey was one of the contributing authors. You can watch a summary of the report here. On 12 April 2022 (2-4pm), the Human Development and Capability Association (HDCA) will hold a webinar on the report, which will feature presentations from the report team leader at the UNDP, Dr Heriberto Tapi, and three of the authors: Andrew Crabtree (Copenhagen Business School) Oscar Gómez (Asia Pacific University) John Morrissey (National University of Ireland, Galway) Webinar registration: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/webinar-on-the-2022-undp-hdro-special-report-on-human-security-tickets-311330336417

>> Read full story about HDCA Thematic Group on Human Security Webinar

Rural Voices Seminar Series Session 3 Recording

You can now watch the 3rd session of NUI Galway's new Rural Voices Seminar Series on the Rural Studi

Monday, 4 April 2022

You can now watch the 3rd session of NUI Galway's new Rural Voices Seminar Series on the Rural Studies Centre YouTube Channel. Please see: https://youtu.be/01Nv0i0tt5c   This session, entitled 'Exploring social enterprises as rural development actors – potential and limits of their engagement with their places', featured Dr Lucas Olmedo from the Department of Food Business and Development, Cork University Business School, University College Cork and Dr Mara van Twuijver from the Utrecht School of Economics, Utrecht University, Netherlands, who highlighted the potential of rural social enterprises as contributors to rural development through their research analysing the engagement of such enterprises within their local contexts and reflecting on the benefits and limitations of rural social enterprises as partners when contributing to sustainable rural development.   Registration details for the next session, taking place on the 27th of April from 3-4pm, will be released soon.

>> Read full story about Rural Voices Seminar Series Session 3 Recording

UN Commission on the Status of Women

Dr Una Murray

Wednesday, 30 March 2022

Participating in a side event panel at the UN Commission on the Status of Women on March 16, Dr. Una Murray spoke about promoting gender-equitable norms to advance women’s empowerment in the context of climate change.  [Further info]The photo includes Minister Roderic O'Gorman, The Irish Ambassador to the UN, Geraldine Byrne Nason, and Marta Lucía Ramirez, Vice President of Colombia and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, with Una in the bottom right of the photo. OECD’s twitter card highlighted the new Masters in International Development Practice available here.

>> Read full story about UN Commission on the Status of Women

Geographer presents to over 5000 school children in Ireland

Dr Eugene Farrell

Tuesday, 29 March 2022

On Friday March 25, Dr Eugene Farrell presented to over 5000 school children aged between 8-12 years in over 250 classrooms around Ireland. The "Meet the Scientist" webinar initiative is part of the START (Schools Teaching Awareness of Randomised Trials) Competition led by Prof Declan Devane and his team in NUI Galway and the Health Research Board-Trials Methodology Research Network. The school children got to learn what geography is, what geographers do and why coastal dunes are important.

>> Read full story about Geographer presents to over 5000 school children in Ireland

Glacial research in Scotland

Dr Gordon Bromley

Friday, 11 March 2022

Dr Gordon Bromley, supported by Dr Liam Carr, returned to An Teallach in the Scottish Highlands, to continue his research recording the retreat of Scotland’s last ice sheet 17-21k years ago. Over the space of 4 days and 50km, rock samples were collected for further lab analysis back in the PRU. 

>> Read full story about Glacial research in Scotland

Irish Country Living Podcast Series

Irish Country Living Podcast Series

Thursday, 10 March 2022

As part of International Women's Day, Dr Una Murray and Dr Maura Farrell were featured in interviews in the Irish Farmers Journal and via a Podcast connected to the Journal's Irish Country Living Podcast Series.  The feature explored the gender aspect of agriculture both in Ireland and from an international development perspective.  The podcast can be accessed via the following link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/irishfarmersjournal/the-good-room-2

>> Read full story about Irish Country Living Podcast Series

Fieldwork on Inis Mór

Helena Tatgenhorst

Thursday, 10 March 2022

Helena Tatgenhorst and Katie McGovern, students in the MSc in Coastal and Marine Environments went to Inis Mór to collect data for Helena's thesis. A gorgeous three days was had on the island.  Quadrats were taken at two intertidal sites that are hand harvested by local seaweed harvesters. Helena will return throughout the semester to collect additional quadrat and drone data.

>> Read full story about Fieldwork on Inis Mór

New research project, SHARED GREEN DEAL, for NUI Galway Geography research team led by Professor Frances Fahy

Shared Green Deal

Tuesday, 8 March 2022

The new five-year Shared Green Deal is funded through the EU’s Horizon2020 scheme with researchers working with families in fuel poverty, schools, housing associations and businesses to cut carbon emissions. The overall project involves 24 separate social experiments - taking place in neighbourhoods across Europe - looking at how organisations and individuals can work together to make daily lives more sustainable. Prof Fahy's team is leading the Clean Energy strand of experiments. The research is intended to assist the EU in reaching the target of carbon neutrality by 2050 and to create change at the local level. [Further info]

>> Read full story about New research project, SHARED GREEN DEAL, for NUI Galway Geography research team led by Professor Frances Fahy

All you need for healthy beaches & dunes: the 3Ss

Dr Kevin Lynch

Thursday, 3 March 2022

Even though we all love our trips to the beach, we seldom give a second thought to how the beach is feeling (stick with me this is going somewhere!). Until that is, we can clearly see the beach or dunes are in a bad state, stressed and battered by winter storms maybe, or just looking a bit dishevelled and in need of some care. While they may not have feelings we can certainly think of them in the sense of being healthy or in bad health. As coastal scientists we try to better understand how they work: what are the factors that support healthy growth, or the causes of deterioration over time. [Read]

>> Read full story about All you need for healthy beaches & dunes: the 3Ss

UN Special Report on Human Security 2022

Dr John Morrissey

Wednesday, 23 February 2022

Professor John Morrissey was one of the contributing authors to the newly published UN strategy report on human security, New Threats to Human Security in the Anthropocene: Demanding Greater Solidarity. The report sets out the intertwined threats of human and environmental security the world is facing, and the urgent need for global solidarity in the Anthropocene. More from UN News, US Homeland Security, NHK World Japan, Saudi Gazette, Zee News India and Modern Diplomacy, or watch a summary on the report here.

>> Read full story about UN Special Report on Human Security 2022

Care Peat Peatland Management and Restoration Conference

Care Peat Conference

Friday, 18 February 2022

NUI Galway Geography is hosting the Care Peat Peatland Management and Restoration Conference on the 28-29th of April. The conference will demonstrate the state of knowledge and science on peatlands from a policy, management, and restoration perspective, and will bring peatland experts from across the EU. Further information can be found HERE with links to register and submit abstracts.

>> Read full story about Care Peat Peatland Management and Restoration Conference

Making evaluation work for the practitioner evaluator: experience from the field of environmental education

Aine Bird

Friday, 18 February 2022

Drawing on work from environmental education, evaluation, and practitioner research, this paper presents a discussion of programme evaluation practices from the practitioner’s perspective. This paper serves as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners as it provides a framework to support future evaluations led by practitioner evaluators. [Read]

>> Read full story about Making evaluation work for the practitioner evaluator: experience from the field of environmental education

2nd Session of NUI Galway's Rural Voices Seminar Series

Dr Shane Conway

Thursday, 10 February 2022

  The next session of NUI Galway's Rural Studies Centre Seminar Series will feature John Daly, Economist at the Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) who will present an overview of NWRA's recent report entitled 'Regional Vacancy and Dereliction Analysis', which has identified just over 44,000 properties that were either vacant or derelict in the Northern and Western Region, accounting for 37% of all empty properties in Ireland.  Date: Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 Time: 15.00-16.00 Please register in advance for this Zoom meeting here: bit.ly/NUIGSeminar

>> Read full story about 2nd Session of NUI Galway's Rural Voices Seminar Series

Franklin Research Grant

Dr Gordon Bromley

Wednesday, 9 February 2022

Gordon Bromley has been awarded a Franklin Research Grant by the Americal Philosophical Society to explore the terrestrial impact of abrupt climate change in Ireland. This project combines cosmogenic geochronology and glacial geomorphology to test how the last glaciers in Kerry (a proxy for temperature) responded to rapid jumps in North Atlantic circulation at the end of the last ice age. 

>> Read full story about Franklin Research Grant

Increasing coastal resilience using terrestrial- and ocean-based Nature-based Solutions (NbS)

Dr Eugene Farrell

Monday, 24 January 2022

Dr. Eugene Farrell (with partners Dr Steven Nash, Civil Engineering and Ms. Sheena Fennell, Earth & Ocean Science) received c.€400,000 funding from the Marine Institute to conduct a four-year investigation of the potential benefits of ocean-based NbS in Ireland on mitigating storm impacts by adapting existing wave-morphological models within the Brandon Bay Research Hub. The project also uses the extensive coastal community network available to the team to co-design low-cost citizen science monitoring programmes to systematically monitor coastal changes (topography; vegetation cover; biodiversity richness) in the vicinity of beach-dune NbS’s. 

>> Read full story about Increasing coastal resilience using terrestrial- and ocean-based Nature-based Solutions (NbS)

Evaluation of UN environmental governance project

Dr Una Murray

Friday, 28 January 2022

Dr. Una Murray, Geography is evaluating a UN environmental governance project in support of the SDGs in 5 South-East European countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia).

>> Read full story about Evaluation of UN environmental governance project

Rural Voices Seminar Series Opening Session Recording

Dr Shane Conway

Friday, 28 January 2022

You can now watch the opening session of NUI Galway's new Rural Voices Seminar Series, launched by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, on the Rural Studies Centre YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/jeUcd8FyyCY President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, delivered the opening address at this event, attended by 94 people, followed by a presentation from Dr Andrew Forde, Head of Rural Strategy and Social Enterprise at the Department of Rural and Community Development. Registration details for the next session, taking place on the 23rd of February from 3-4pm, will be released soon.

>> Read full story about Rural Voices Seminar Series Opening Session Recording

Despite Extractivism Exhibition Launch

Geograhy, NUI Galway

Tuesday, 18 January 2022

Despite Extractivism Exhibition Launch Thursday 20th January. V'cenza Cirefice's visual research on resistance to extractivism is part of this online exhibition and event series exploring the ways in which care, creativity and community persist, exist and resist despite - or because - of extractivism. The Despite Extractivism online exhibition assembles expressions of care, creativity and community from diverse sites of extraction and geographical contexts.   

>> Read full story about Despite Extractivism Exhibition Launch

The Spatial Injustice of Extractivism in the Sacrifce Zones of Ireland

Geography, NUI Galway

Tuesday, 18 January 2022

V'cenza Cirefice and Patrick Bresnihan give the Seminar "The Spatial Injustice of Extractivism in the Sacrifce Zones of Ireland" for the Landscape, Law and Spatial Justice Seminar Series, UCD Sutherland School of Law from 12 noon- 1.30pm on Thursday 27th January. L106 Harty Boardroom. 

>> Read full story about The Spatial Injustice of Extractivism in the Sacrifce Zones of Ireland

NUI Galway Rural Studies Centre Seminar Series 2022

Dr Shane Conway

Friday, 14 January 2022

The opening session of Rural Voices, the Discipline of Geography's Rural Studies Centre Seminar Series 2022, established in conjunction with the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD), will feature Dr Andrew Forde, who leads on the development and oversight of the implementation of Our Rural Future. This session will focus on the national rural development policy context, the relationship between rural development and Ireland’s economic and social recovery, and the critical importance of prioritising a sustainable rural development agenda against a backdrop of mega trends such as climate change.   Date: Wednesday, January 26th, 2022 Time: 15.00-16.00   You can freely register in advance for this Zoom meeting here

>> Read full story about NUI Galway Rural Studies Centre Seminar Series 2022

Frank Mitchell Award 2021

Prof Michael O'Connell

Wednesday, 1 December 2021

Geography is proud to share that our very own Professor Michael O'Connell has been awarded the 2021 Frank Mitchell Award for Distinguished Service to Quaternary Research and Teaching by the Irish Quaternary Association (IQUA). Named for one of the leading figures in Irish Quaternary studies, Michael's award was announced during the IQUA Autumn Symposium (26th November) by his long-time colleague, Walter Doerfler, after which Michael was presented with a magnificent (and heavy!) sculpture of 5000-year old bog yew set upon engraved stone. Congratulations, Michael, and here's to many more years of Quaternary science!

>> Read full story about Frank Mitchell Award 2021

New peatland report by NUI Geography and Insight Data Centre is published

Interreg

Wednesday, 15 December 2021

A new white paper on Carbon Credits and Ecosystem Services has been jointly launched by the EU Carbon-Connects & Care-Peat projects. The analysis found that with the right framework in place it should be possible to finance the restoration of damaged peatlands, implement sustainable/alternative practices on peat soils, significantly reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions and provide a good living for farmers all at the same time. The report includes an analysis of a number of existing Peatland Carbon Credit schemes and accreditation standards and explores the potential of using Carbon Credits and other Ecosystem services to fund Peatland Restoration across Europe on a very large scale. The report also compares incomes from various types of farming common on peatlands across Europe with potential incomes from the sale of Carbon Credits and Ecosystem Services such as water storage and water purification. Download the White Paper Care Peat Website 

>> Read full story about New peatland report by NUI Geography and Insight Data Centre is published

University Sustainability Report

University Sustainability Report

Tuesday, 23 November 2021

Brilliant to see the excellent work of so many of our geographers featured in the University Sustainability Report 

>> Read full story about University Sustainability Report

Best Irish Published Book of the Year 2021

Best Irish Published Book of the Year 2021

Tuesday, 23 November 2021

Congrats to Dr Eugene Farrell and all colleagues involved in the Coastal Atlas of Ireland which has just won theJournal.ie 'Best Irish Published Book of the Year 2021

>> Read full story about Best Irish Published Book of the Year 2021

Miriam Hederman O’Brien Prize, 2020

Miriam Hederman O’Brien Prize for 2020

Thursday, 4 November 2021

Congratulations to Prof Cathal O'Donoghue, jointly awarded awarded the Miriam Hederman O’Brien Prize for 2020 for research on fiscal policy by the Foundation for Fiscal Studies.

>> Read full story about Miriam Hederman O’Brien Prize, 2020

Marine tourism may boost west coast off-season - study

Moses Project

Thursday, 21 October 2021

The Moses research team at NUIG, Desiree Farrell, Dr Liam Carr, Prof Frances Fahy and Prof Stephen Hynes featured on RTE this week for their work on the Wild Atlantic Way [Read]

>> Read full story about Marine tourism may boost west coast off-season - study

RePEAT project

Dr Terry Morley

Thursday, 7 October 2021

Dr. Terry Morley has recently been awarded a joint DAFM and EPA funded project in collaboration with Trinity College Dublin. The project, called RePEAT will digitise and geo-reference Irish peatland maps from the early 1800’s in order to allow for land use change and emission inventories and explore early environmental histories. The project runs for three years and will support one PhD and RA at NUI Galway and one post-doc at TCD. Further information can be found here

>> Read full story about RePEAT project

UN Special Report on Human Security 2022

Dr John Morrissey

Wednesday, 23 February 2022

Professor John Morrissey was one of the contributing authors to the newly published UN strategy report on human security, New Threats to Human Security in the Anthropocene: Demanding Greater Solidarity. The report sets out the intertwined threats of human and environmental security the world is facing, and the urgent need for global solidarity in the Anthropocene. More from UN News, US Homeland Security, NHK World Japan, Saudi Gazette, Zee News India and Modern Diplomacy, or watch a summary on the report here.

>> Read full story about UN Special Report on Human Security 2022

NUIG led Energy PROSPECTS H2020

Dr Frances Fahy

Monday, 6 June 2022

NUIG led Energy PROSPECTS H2020 held it's project meeting and international expert panel workshop on energy citizenship in ULB Brussels from May 29th - June 1st.  Pictured here are NUIG Geographers Prof Frances Fahy and Dr Ben Schmidt

>> Read full story about NUIG led Energy PROSPECTS H2020

NUIG led Energy PROSPECTS H2020

Dr Frances Fahy

Tuesday, 28 June 2022

NUIG led Energy PROSPECTS H2020 held it's project meeting and international expert panel workshop on energy citizenship in ULB Brussels from May 29th - June 1st.  Pictured here are NUIG Geographers Prof Frances Fahy and Dr Ben Schmidt

>> Read full story about NUIG led Energy PROSPECTS H2020

Geography tour for the Climate Change Advisory Council

Dr Eugene Farrell

Wednesday, 7 December 2022

Dr Eugene Farrell and leaders of the local voluntary group (Maharees Conservation Association) hosted the Climate Change Advisory Council secretariat and climate adaptation expert Karen Lavin (manager, New Zealand Climate Change Commission) last week to discuss the challenges of community-led coastal adaptation and climate actions in Ireland. 

>> Read full story about Geography tour for the Climate Change Advisory Council

Coastal processes and risk management' workshop

Dr Eugene Farrell

Wednesday, 7 December 2022

Dr Eugene Farrell delivered a 1-day workshop for Engineers Ireland on 'Coastal processes and risk management'. The workshop focused on coastal protection in Ireland and future options linked to new technologies, new monitoring programmes and Nature-based Solutions.

>> Read full story about Coastal processes and risk management' workshop

Development Studies Association DSA Ireland Conference

Dr Una Murray

Wednesday, 7 December 2022

MA in International Development students attended the Development Studies Association DSA Ireland Conference in the University of Limerick on November 17 which focused on Critical Perspectives on Sustainable Development. In the photo we have Olasunkanmi Akindele (Nigeria) Mai Ditie (Mali) Julieth Kweka  and Jackson Buzingo (Tanzania).

>> Read full story about Development Studies Association DSA Ireland Conference

Bill Watts 14CHRONO Award from IQUA

Chris Stewart

Friday, 2 December 2022

Congratulations to PhD student Chris Stewart who was awarded two 14C dates through the Bill Watts 14CHRONO Award from IQUA. These dates will be used on the lacustrine core retrieved from Glencullin Lough in County Mayo, helping constrain the timeline of sedimentation/environmental change since the Last Glacial Maximum in that locale. More information on IQUA awards can be found here: http://iqua.ie/awards/

>> Read full story about Bill Watts 14CHRONO Award from IQUA

Threesis Grand Finale 2022

Georgia McMillan

Monday, 28 November 2022

After a series of six heats, 12 finalists have been chosen as contestants for the finale on Thurs 1st December at 5pm in the O'Donoghue Theatre. They will share the story of their research using three presentation slides, in three minutes, in front of three judges.  Finalists are from a variety of disciplines.  From Geography, Georgia MacMillan will be taking part and presenting her research on Dark Skies.   Tickets are free via Eventbrite - [more information]

>> Read full story about Threesis Grand Finale 2022

EnergyPROSPECTS, Brussels

Prof Frances Fahy

Friday, 25 November 2022

Prof Frances Fahy, Lead Coordinator of the EnergyPROSPECTS European research project, was in Brussels this week with representatives from the EC to discuss the current status of the policy framework for Energy Citizenship.

>> Read full story about EnergyPROSPECTS, Brussels

Call for Local Experiment Partners

Dr Frances Fahy

Friday, 25 November 2022

Prof Frances Fahy and her SHARED GREEN DEAL team at Geography University of Galway are offering local/regional authorities and not-for-profit organisations the opportunity to partner with us to run social experiments focused on the following six priority Green Deal topics: Clean Energy, Circular Economy, Efficient Renovations, Sustainable Mobility, Sustainable Food, Preserving Biodiversity. SHARED GREEN DEAL will provide financial support of up to EUR 22,000 to run each local social experiment for one year from spring/summer 2023. In total, 24 European locations will be selected to run the social experiments (4 locations per stream).  See project website for more details: https://sharedgreendeal.eu/local-expt-call

>> Read full story about Call for Local Experiment Partners

14th Citizens' Energy Forum,

Dr Benjamin Schmid

Friday, 25 November 2022

“Benjamin Schmid, together with EnergyPROSPECTS partner Karin Thalberg (Jacques Delors Institute), participated in the 14th Citizens' Energy Forum, held in Dublin on 24 November. The Forum engages citizens’ interest groups, wide range of stakeholders including NGOs, businesses, as well as policy makers (ministries and regulators) on energy consumer issues in the context of the current energy crisis.” Link to event: https://ec.europa.eu/info/events/14th-citizens-energy-forum-2022-nov-24_en “

>> Read full story about 14th Citizens' Energy Forum,

Can Knowledge Save Salmon? A Question of Consensus Ethics

Dr Liam Carr

Thursday, 24 November 2022

Dr Liam M. Carr was recently published in Coastal Environments in the West of Ireland: Sea, Land, and Spirit. His chapter, 'Can Knowledge Save Salmon? A Question of Consensus Ethics' examines the cultural and socioeconomic relationships between Atlantic salmon and coastal communities along the west of Ireland as a means of encouraging salmon conservation and restoration. The book is edited by Dr John Roney and Mark Beekey, both of Sacred Heart University. Dr Roney is Director of Sacred Heart's Irish Culture campus in An Daingean.

>> Read full story about Can Knowledge Save Salmon? A Question of Consensus Ethics

Community mapping work with Pavee Point and TravAct Coolock

Dr Rachel McArdle

Monday, 21 November 2022

Dr. Rachel McArdle’s community mapping work with Pavee Point and TravAct Coolock is now published, and details of the launch are available here. 

>> Read full story about Community mapping work with Pavee Point and TravAct Coolock

Experts on light pollution will meet in Brno. Ministry of the Environment raises the topic to the European level as part

Georgia McMillan

Monday, 21 November 2022

PhD student Geoggia McMillan, last month,  presented as part of a panel at the Czech Republic Light Pollution workshop in Brno recently.  As her role is employment based, the main focus was on the work towards light pollution legislation, Georgia also got to include UG on the slides and reference the IRC position.   [Further info]

>> Read full story about Experts on light pollution will meet in Brno. Ministry of the Environment raises the topic to the European level as part

EU CAP Network Rural Gender Equality

Dr Maura Farrell

Friday, 18 November 2022

Associate Professor Maura Farrell provided the Keynote address for the recent EU CAP Network Rural Gender Equality event in Andolsheim, France. The event on the 15th November explored the crucial role of women in the economic and social development of rural areas. 

>> Read full story about EU CAP Network Rural Gender Equality

COP27 Climate Summit in Egypt

Dr Una Murray

Friday, 18 November 2022

Dr. Una Murray attended the COP27 Climate Summit in Egypt as a member of the Irish Government Delegations Party Overflow. Una followed the COP27 Pavilion discussions on migration and displacement and attended Plenaries on Loss and Damage. The importance of keeping global warming within 1.5 degrees high on the Cop27 agenda was reiterated, along with need for a funding mechanism on Loss and Damage for those who already experience displacement due to climate change. Una met with Minister Eamon Ryan as part of the Irish delegation. 

>> Read full story about COP27 Climate Summit in Egypt

Deciphering the spatial and temporal evolution of urban anthropogenic resilience within the Yangtze River Delta urban ag

Yuhan Zheng

Wednesday, 16 November 2022

New publication by Geography PhD student Yuhan Zheng, Deciphering the spatial and temporal evolution of urban anthropogenic resilience within the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration [Read]

>> Read full story about Deciphering the spatial and temporal evolution of urban anthropogenic resilience within the Yangtze River Delta urban ag

Overseas visitor demand for marine and coastal tourism

Prof Mary Cawley

Wednesday, 16 November 2022

A recent tourism publication to which Prof Mary Cawley contributed with colleagues in SEMRU (Socio-Economic Marine Research Unit), in the Whitaker Institute. Deely, John; Hynes, Stephen; Cawley, Mary (2022) Overseas visitor demand for marine and coastal tourism, Marine Policy, 143, 105176[Read]

>> Read full story about Overseas visitor demand for marine and coastal tourism

‘Another Life’ in the Weekend Review of The Irish Times

Prof Michael O'Connell

Friday, 11 November 2022

In his column ‘Another Life’ in the Weekend Review of The Irish Times (Saturday, 5 November 2022), Michael Viney weaves a story around bog-deal (pine) in ancient & recent times in Ireland. The piece includes an iconic painting of pine stumps in west Mayo by Viney. Research carried out on bog-pine and oak in the Palaeoenvironmental Research Unit, University of Galway, is featured as well as related research on bog-oak and tephra (volcanic shards) carried out by palaeoecologists in Queen’s University Belfast and elsewhere in Europe and USA. See: Another Life: Connacht’s bog-deal - a gift of fierce fuel?https://www.irishtimes.com/environment/2022/11/05/another-life-connachts-bog-deal-a-gift-of-fierce-fuel/ The illustration used here shows a pine stump from Derryeighter bog, west of Oughterard, Co. Galway that was sampled for dendrochronology and radiocarbon dating. The ring-width pattern of this long-lived bog-pine, which started life over 5300 years ago and died about 360 years later, is shown (red curve). Further details regarding this and other fossil pine timbers in the region are available in: O’Connell, M., Jennings, E., Molloy, K. 2021. Holocene vegetation dynamics, landscape change and human impact in western Ireland as revealed by multidisciplinary, palaeoecological investigations of peat deposits and bog-pine in lowland Connemara. Geographies, 1 (3), 251–291. https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7086/1/3/15 ‘The Other Clare’ that Viney refers to is the current volume (vol. 46, 2022). The article he refers to is available at: https://aran.library.nuigalway.ie/handle/10379/17199.

>> Read full story about ‘Another Life’ in the Weekend Review of The Irish Times

Kenneth Deery, CEO of Galway Chamber presents to BSC students

Dr Rachel McArdle

Monday, 7 November 2022

On the 21st of October 2022, BSc Social Sciences students were given a talk from Kenneth Deery, CEO of Galway Chamber, and discussions included what the future of Galway will and should look like. 

>> Read full story about Kenneth Deery, CEO of Galway Chamber presents to BSC students

FAO UN Report on the State of Land and Water in the Near East ad North Africa Region

Dr Una Murray

Friday, 28 October 2022

Dr. Una Murray’s work as editor for the FAO UN Report on the State of Land and Water in the Near East ad North Africa Region is published. Link to the Report is [here]

>> Read full story about FAO UN Report on the State of Land and Water in the Near East ad North Africa Region

Committee on World Food Security (CFS) at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FA)

Dr Una Murray

Friday, 28 October 2022

One of the MA in International Development Practice Students, Jackson Buzingo from Tanzania, attended the 50th Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FA) in between 10 to 13 October 2022.

>> Read full story about Committee on World Food Security (CFS) at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FA)

Visitors from Makerere University School of Law, Uganda

Dr Una Murray

Friday, 28 October 2022

Students from the new MA in Geography (International Development Practice) are settling in well to college life and study. Photo shows them at a lecture with visitors from Makerere University School of Law, Uganda, who talked about refugees and trafficking. 

>> Read full story about Visitors from Makerere University School of Law, Uganda

New Report from University of Galway Says Agri Sector needs forestry to reach Carbon Neutrality by 2050

Prof Cathal O'Donoghue

Friday, 28 October 2022

Prof Cathal O’Donoghue published a major Forestry Economics Report during the Summer, which was presented to a cross-party Oireachtas Committee [Read]

>> Read full story about New Report from University of Galway Says Agri Sector needs forestry to reach Carbon Neutrality by 2050

Workshop with our Geography Master’s cohort

Dr Kevin Lynch

Thursday, 27 October 2022

Páraic Mac Donnchadha of Grid International ran a very engaging training workshop with our Geography Master’s cohort – 30 students from all around the world. In a world where multi-disciplinarity demands us to work in ‘Teams’ on a daily basis, Páraic and colleague Marion demonstrated through practical activities the value of utilising all the synergies that are possible when working in teams. The full-day workshop gave students training in teamwork skills where both concern for results and for people go hand in hand to achieve outputs that exceed those achievable by individuals. It was a challenging and rewarding day for us all. 

>> Read full story about Workshop with our Geography Master’s cohort

Geography and Geosystems BSc programm: Field trip to Connemara

Dr Terry Morley

Wednesday, 26 October 2022

On Monday 24th October, students in the Geography and Geosystems BSc programme had a field trip to Connemara in conjunction with local community organisations. The aim was to perform a baseline ecological study of a degraded blanket bog to determine the status and condition for future restoration efforts.

>> Read full story about Geography and Geosystems BSc programm: Field trip to Connemara

A multi-proxy geology approach to resolving critical uncertainties in Irish cosmogenic nuclide geochronology

Dr Gordon Bromley

Wednesday, 26 October 2022

Gordon Bromley is heading a new collaborative project, funded by Geological Survey Ireland (Short Call 2022 programme), entitled ‘A multi-proxy geology approach to resolving critical uncertainties in Irish cosmogenic nuclide geochronology. Involving partners at UCD, University of Maine, and Maynooth University, this Galway-led 14 month-long investigation will combine cosmogenic geochemistry and traditional techniques such as 14C and U-Th dating, along with Quaternary geomorphology, to constrain in detail the demise of the last Irish ice sheet and help calibrate the cosmogenic technique for improved application throughout Ireland.

>> Read full story about A multi-proxy geology approach to resolving critical uncertainties in Irish cosmogenic nuclide geochronology

Royal Irish Academy Appointments for Professor John Morrissey and Dr Una Murray

Royal Irish Academy

Wednesday, 26 October 2022

MA-ESD Programme Director, Prof. John Morrissey, and MIDP Programme Director, Dr Una Murray, have been appointed to the Royal Irish Academy’s Standing Committee for International Affairs for a 4-year term.

>> Read full story about Royal Irish Academy Appointments for Professor John Morrissey and Dr Una Murray

Fieldtrip to the Burren with Burrenbeo

Burrenbeo Fieldtrip

Tuesday, 25 October 2022

On Friday 20th 2022, students from the first year BASS social sciences course had a fieldtrip to the Burren with Burrenbeo, led in part by Áine Bird, Geography PhD student.

>> Read full story about Fieldtrip to the Burren with Burrenbeo

Online conference: Pathways towards Generational Renewal in Farming and Rural Areas

Dr Aisling Murtagh

Monday, 17 October 2022

When: Thursday 27 October 2pm-4pmWhere: Zoom - Register hereUniversity of Galway's Rural Voices Seminar Series is collaborating with the RURALIZATION Horizon 2020 Project to co-host the project’s final national conference in Ireland. This 2-hour online conference, taking place via Zoom, will engage with the issue of farm generational renewal and the wider question of facilitating new generations in rural areas. You can find more information and the draft conference agenda [here]

>> Read full story about Online conference: Pathways towards Generational Renewal in Farming and Rural Areas

Rural Futures: Youth Meet-up

Dr Aisling Murtagh

Wednesday, 19 October 2022

Are you a young person interested in the future that exists for you in a rural area? Then join us for an afternoon of tea and chat exploring different visions for a sustainable rural future.  Date and time: Thursday 22 September 2022, 3-5pmLocation: THB-G011 Seminar Room, Hardiman Research Building, University of Galway This event is targeted at young adults aged approximately 18 to 30. Registration is required – register [here] to save your place.  As part of the RURALIZATION project the Rural Studies Research Cluster explored the visions held by youth for their ideal or ‘dream’ future in a rural area in 2035. During this meet-up we will discuss what the research found and debate the wider challenges to realising these future visions.  You can also find out more [here]

>> Read full story about Rural Futures: Youth Meet-up

Green Deal Arena, Brussels

Prof. Frances Fahy

Wednesday, 19 October 2022

Prof Frances Fahy represented the University of Galway at the Green Deal Arena in Brussels. In the event, which is part of the SharedGreenDeal project, future images and transition paths in the areas of energy, circular economy, renovation, mobility, food and biodiversity are being discussed.”

>> Read full story about Green Deal Arena, Brussels

Welcoming Event for New Postgrads

Prof John Morrissey

Wednesday, 19 October 2022

Prof. Lorraine Elliott (Australian National University), hosted by John Morrissey and the Geopolitics and Justice Cluster, presented a talk on Sept. 7th on ’the centrality of justice in pathways to low carbon economies’, as part of this year’s welcoming event for all new postgraduate students”. [More information]  

>> Read full story about Welcoming Event for New Postgrads

MultiPeat project

Dr Terry Morley

Monday, 22 August 2022

Researchers from NUIG (Dr. Terry Morley, Geography) along with Údarás and the local Arts community are hosting a public event this Saturday (27th August) in Connemara to launch part of the MultiPeat project. This aspect of the project will involve community-led restoration of degraded blanket bog habitat. [Read]

>> Read full story about MultiPeat project

Bog Commissioner’s Maps (1814)

Dr Terry Morley

Monday, 22 August 2022

Dr. Terry Morley’s research project using the Bog Commissioner’s Maps (1814) as proxies for historical peatland extent was highlighted in the Silicon Republic  and Agriland recently.  https://www.siliconrepublic.com/innovation/peatlands-ireland-data-climate-research https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/repeat-project-200-year-old-maps-helping-to-direct-our-climate-change-path/

>> Read full story about Bog Commissioner’s Maps (1814)

UGI—IGU Centennial Congress

Dr Rachel McArdle

Friday, 19 August 2022

Between July 18 and July 22 Geography staff and students participated in the UGI—IGU Centennial Congress, including: Liam Carr, Mary Cawley, Bronagh Dillon, France Fahy, Kate Flood, Rachel McArdle. The congress was a great chance to learn from the organisers before the 35th International Geographical Congress is held in Dublin in 2024 by the Geographical Society of Ireland. Please follow @IGC2024Dub for more updates. 

>> Read full story about UGI—IGU Centennial Congress

PhD Opportunity

Discipline of Geography

Wednesday, 24 August 2022

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a fully-funded (fees and stipend), full-time PhD position at Ollscoil na Gaillimhe - University of Galway. The University of Galway is ranked within the top 1 % of higher education institutions world-wide. The project aims to develop a better understanding of the role of culture and creativity in the development of places (namely cities in the peripheral European context). You will be part of a team tasked with the delivery of UrbanLab Galway's commitments as part of its role in the IN SITU project which brings together leading approaches to investigating economic evolution and diversification in considering the future of place development in the urban context of six partner EU regions.   Funding Agency:  The project is funded by Horizon Europe under its Research and Innovation Actions.   Qualifications / Expertise:  The candidate should have a 1st or 2:1 Bachelor’s degree and/or a Master’s in human geography, sociology, economics or in a related social science area. The ideal candidate should have experience in as many of the following techniques: quantitative research skills; data mapping; data mining; database construction; literature review. The candidate should have excellent communication and organisational skills; be highly motivated and passionate about developing new products; and have strong written, oral and interpersonal skills. The candidate should be able to work independently and as a part of team.   Duties:  The successful candidate will be involved in: the surveying of partner regions and the identification of key challenges in developing urban areas in peripheral regions. This will involve mapping data and collating information of the key socioeconomic characteristics of each region. Key will also be an investigation into the role of the cultural and creative industries in addressing the development challenges faced by each region. Other duties: Conference and Meeting attendance and participation; Report and paper writing; Participation to training courses; Undergraduate teaching and/or laboratory demonstrations; Travel to project partners’ institutes; Other duties relevant to the post.   Start Date:  October 2022.   To Apply:  Applicants should submit a cover letter outlining their suitability to the post, a detailed CV, transcripts and the contact details of three referees. The application pack should be emailed to Dr. Pat Collins (p.collins@nuigalway.ie). Closing date for receipt of applications is 12:00 on Thursday, 15th of September 2022.   Fully funded (fees and stipend), full-time PhD position. The project is funded by Horizon Europe.   Dr. Patrick Collins Lecturer in Economic Geography School of Geography, Archaeology & Irish Studies UrbanLab Galway NUI Galway @galwaylab     Recent article: https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/2022/07/20/galway-is-well-able-to-carry-the-cultural-weight-of-the-nation-both-officially-and-unofficially/

>> Read full story about PhD Opportunity

Irelands first citizen science CoastSnap station

Dr Eugene Farrell

Tuesday, 9 August 2022

Dr Eugene Farrell and Mr Brandon Taylor (2022 MSc Coastal and Marine Environments) successfully deployed Irelands first CoastSnap station in Derrynane, Co. Kerry in partnership with the OPW. The hugely successful worldwide CoastSnap project was designed in Australia. The Derrynane station stemmed from a student-led NUI Galway Explore project with Ms Emily Rick (2019 MSc Coastal and Marine Environments) and Dr. Farrell. [Further Info]

>> Read full story about Irelands first citizen science CoastSnap station

‘Drowning’, Galway International Arts Festival

Prof John Morrissey

Monday, 11 July 2022

Seán Binder is a certified rescue diver who has spent years of his young life rescuing migrants from the sea at Lesbos in Greece. He now faces the threat of 25 years in prison, following charges by the Greek government of people smuggling and espionage. Seán joins John Morrissey in conversation at the O’Donoghue Centre on Saturday July 16th (2pm) for ‘Drowning’, an event that makes a stand for humanitarian, solidarity and human rights in protecting the most vulnerable. [Further info]

>> Read full story about ‘Drowning’, Galway International Arts Festival

Resistance to Extractivism in the Sperrins: A Photovoice Project

V'cenza Cirefice

Monday, 11 July 2022

19-23 July Photovoice Exhibition of V'cenza Cirefice's research project exploring resistance to extractivism in the Sperrins. At the Playhouse Derry, opening night with artist talk on 21st July 7pm. All welcome. [further info]

>> Read full story about Resistance to Extractivism in the Sperrins: A Photovoice Project

Participate in place articulation

Galway Arts Festival 2022

Wednesday, 6 July 2022

Mars is the latest artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram.  Measuring seven metres in diameter, the artwork features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Martian surface. At an approximate scale of 1:1million, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 10 kilometres of the surface of Mars.  Urban Galway together with Galway international arts festival invites you to join us July 14th - 17th on Peresse's plaza Nuns Island.  [further info]

>> Read full story about Participate in place articulation

Tackling Energy Consumption – We Have More Power than We Think

Prof Frances Fahy

Wednesday, 6 July 2022

Geographers Prof Frances Fahy and Dr Gary Goggins discuss tackling energy consumption in the most recent edition of Cois  Coiribe [Read]

>> Read full story about Tackling Energy Consumption – We Have More Power than We Think

Summer School of Political Ecology

Summer School of Political Ecology

Thursday, 30 June 2022

Maeve McGandy, PhD student in Geography, presented her current research at the International Summer School of Political Ecology at the University of Ljubljana this week. The theme of the week was 'new concepts for just transitions'.

>> Read full story about Summer School of Political Ecology

8th Antipode Institute for the Geographies of Justice

Antipode Institute for the Geographies of Justice

Thursday, 30 June 2022

Kathleen Stokes participated the 8th Antipode Institute for the Geographies of Justice in Barcelona this June. Hosted by Antipode Foundation, the UCLA Institute on Inequality and Democracy and La Hidra Cooperativa, the institute brought together movement-based and university-based scholars to consider housing justice, mutual aid and solidarity, and academic power and precarity.

>> Read full story about 8th Antipode Institute for the Geographies of Justice

3rd International Conference on Energy Research & Social Science

Dr Benjamin Schmid

Thursday, 30 June 2022

Representing the NUIG-led Energy PROSPECTS project, Dr Benjamin Schmid spoke on “Energy Citizenship; Ideals, Ideology and Ideal types in the Energy Transition” at the 3rd International Conference on Energy Research & Social Science, held June 20-23 in Manchester [More information]

>> Read full story about 3rd International Conference on Energy Research & Social Science

Global Sea Levels are Rising – Here’s what we can do

Dr Eugene Farrell

Wednesday, 22 June 2022

Dr Eugene Farrell writes about the potential benefits of coastal and marine Nature-based Solutions to build climate resilience and tackle key societal challenges in Ireland. Cois Coiribe is a platform for views and opinions from some of our university’s top academics and researchers, demonstrating impact through powerful stories. [Read]    

>> Read full story about Global Sea Levels are Rising – Here’s what we can do

Hybrid Writing Workshop

Hybrid Writing Workshop

Tuesday, 14 June 2022

Postgraduate researchers from across the School of Geography, Archaeology & Irish Studies enjoyed a hybrid writing workshop led my Dr Irina Ruppo from the Academic Writing Centre at NUIG. Great day working through writing challenges with fellow postgrads.

>> Read full story about Hybrid Writing Workshop

NUIG led Energy PROSPECTS H2020

Dr Frances Fahy

Monday, 6 June 2022

NUIG led Energy PROSPECTS H2020 held it's project meeting and international expert panel workshop on energy citizenship in ULB Brussels from May 29th - June 1st.  Pictured here are NUIG Geographers Prof Frances Fahy and Dr Ben Schmidt

>> Read full story about NUIG led Energy PROSPECTS H2020

EUGreen Week

Dr Gary Goggins

Monday, 6 June 2022

Dr Gary Goggins, Adjunct Lecturer in Geography was an invited speaker at EUGreen Week this May, presenting the Wild Atlantic Nature project.

>> Read full story about EUGreen Week

NUI Galway SDG13 - Climate Action research presented at EuroCoast Zoominar Series

Dr Eugene Farrell

Tuesday, 31 May 2022

Dr Eugene Farrell was invited to present his community-based research on 'SDG13 - Climate Action' to the prestigious EuroCoast Zoominar series on Friday 27th May. The lecture ‘Building coastal resilience: one local community directing national policy’ is based on his ongoing research in Ireland and within the European Marine Board working group on 'Coastal Resilience'.

>> Read full story about NUI Galway SDG13 - Climate Action research presented at EuroCoast Zoominar Series

Congratulations

Dr Rachel McArdle and Kate Flood

Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Congratulations to Dr Rachel McArdle and Kate Flood who both won travel bursaries from the GSI to travel to the IGU in Paris in July 2022

>> Read full story about Congratulations

Congrats to Maeve McGandy

Maeve McGandy

Monday, 23 May 2022

Maeve McGandy was awarded a GSI Postgraduate Fieldwork Travel Award at the 2022 Conference of Irish Geographers. This award will support Maeve’s PhD fieldwork in Mayo this summer.

>> Read full story about Congrats to Maeve McGandy

New Publication: The role of culture in advancing sustainable energy policy and practice

New Publication

Monday, 23 May 2022

Congrats to Dr Gary Goggins (Adjunct Lecturer in Geography), Prof Frances Fahy and their co-authors on their new publication in the international journal Energy Policy (Citescore 10.1, Impact 6.1):  The role of culture in advancing sustainable energy policy and practice. Link to the article is here.

>> Read full story about New Publication: The role of culture in advancing sustainable energy policy and practice

Sea-level rise and ‘storminess’ threaten Ireland’s sandy beaches

Irish Times

Wednesday, 18 May 2022

“We know that Ireland doesn’t have the money to defend the whole coastline and the reality is that the social fabric of rural communities – already tearing at the seams – will break down completely as areas are left to fend for themselves and are eventually abandoned for higher ground,” says Dr Eugene Farrell [Read]

>> Read full story about Sea-level rise and ‘storminess’ threaten Ireland’s sandy beaches

Galway Geographers present at CIG in UL 2022

CIG 2022

Monday, 23 May 2022

Thanks to our colleagues in UL for hosting a great CIG in Limerick last week. Many of our postgrads and post docs presented this year, and for many the event was their first face to face conference in years!

>> Read full story about Galway Geographers present at CIG in UL 2022

NUIG CAMPAIGNers team host workshops in Linz Austria

Dr Frances Fahy

Wednesday, 18 May 2022

Dr Kathleen Stokes, Dr Aurianne Stroude and Prof Frances Fahy - present their research findings and hosted workshops with 13 lighthouse cities from across Europe exploring governance and sustainable lifestyles (15-18th May 2022)

>> Read full story about NUIG CAMPAIGNers team host workshops in Linz Austria

First ENLIGHT European Dialogue in Uppsala University May 11th and 12th

Dr Una Murray

Thursday, 19 May 2022

A team from Galway attended the First ENLIGHT European Dialogue in Uppsala University May 11th and 12th. The theme was sharing ideas on methodology for collaboration projects between universities and cities. Dr. Mark Justin Rainey, from Geography presented work on Community Conversations on Creative Space with a focus on Nuns Island and Dr. Una Murray attended to meet colleagues on ENLIGHT’s equity workpackage. Presentations from the event are available on the ENLIGHT Youtube channel and slides are published on the ENLIGHT website

>> Read full story about First ENLIGHT European Dialogue in Uppsala University May 11th and 12th

Biodiversity Week

Dr Kevin Lynch

Wednesday, 18 May 2022

Dr Kevin Lynch and the Bertra Connected group are busy this week with Biodiversity Week events. The group has secured Heritage Council funding to develop stewardship of this Natura 2000 site. They will be developing a long term vision by collaborating with all stakeholders in the area, as well as those with interest from further afield. Get involved Events running all summer. Instagram, Facebook & Twitter @bertraconnected

>> Read full story about Biodiversity Week

Irish Rural Link 30th Anniversary Conference

Dr Maura Farrell

Tuesday, 10 May 2022

Dr Maura Farrell was one of two Keynote Speakers at the Irish Rural Link 30th Anniversary Conference in Athlone on Friday, 6th May. The conference explored changes in Rural Ireland, past, present, and future and was opened by the Minister Heather Humphreys, Minister for Rural and Community Development. 

>> Read full story about Irish Rural Link 30th Anniversary Conference

MSP Challenge Game with the Offshore Wind Energy Development Team

Dr Liam Carr

Friday, 6 May 2022

Four students (Julia Maine, Ben Ryan, Carlotta Schwoerbel, Brandon Taylor) from MSc Coastal and Marine Environments did a networking event with the Offshore Wind Energy Development Team at Gavin & Doherty Geosolutions at Trinity College on April 21st. As part of the day, the students led a round of the MSP Challenge Game, which invites players to take on various stakeholder roles while working collaboratively to reach important sustainability targets as they plan the future use of their marine and coastal environments. 

>> Read full story about MSP Challenge Game with the Offshore Wind Energy Development Team

2021

Celebrating World Biodiversity Day 2021

World Biodiversity Day, May 2021

Friday, 28 May 2021

The Fenit Town Hall Dunes Action Group (DAG) was delighted to co-host a World Biodiversity Day Event May 22nd 2021 at the Fenit Island Tombolo. The event was in conjunction with Coastwatch Ireland. [Read]

>> Read full story about Celebrating World Biodiversity Day 2021

Publication of Haven: The Mediterranean Crisis and Human Security

Haven (Edward Elgar 2020)

Thursday, 8 October 2020

John Morrissey has published his fifth book, Haven (Edward Elgar 2020). It presents a transformative understanding of security in responding to the Mediterranean refugee crisis by drawing critically on the UN concept of ‘human security’. From a range of Arts, Humanities and Social Science disciplines, and through case studies incorporating key governmental, NGO and refugee perspectives, the book critiques the major geopolitical, economic and social issues of the crisis. It documents the prioritisation of population management techniques that are underpinned by conventional territorial logics of security, before considering the alternative priorities of human security that can facilitate an active human rights framework and a more holistic and humanitarian interventionism. In advancing a human security approach to the crisis, the book interrogates the human consequences of conflict and displacement, challenges the impoverished thinking of statist security agendas that divide the world into zones of sanctuary and abandonment, and reflects critically upon our interconnected global sense of precarity, particularly so in our COVID-19 world.

>> Read full story about Publication of Haven: The Mediterranean Crisis and Human Security

We are all waiting now: the new global sense of precarity

Haven

Wednesday, 1 April 2020

A short peice by Dr. John Morrissey as part of the Haven Project, ‘We are all waiting now: the new global sense of precarity’    [Read] 

>> Read full story about We are all waiting now: the new global sense of precarity

Monitoring coastal erosion and biodiversity conservation using timelapse photography and remotely sensed drone imagery

Dr Eugene Farrell

Friday, 24 September 2021

Dr Eugene Farrell received funding from the Office of Public Works to conduct a 12-month coastal research project within the Derrynane Seashore Nature Trail, Co. Kerry in partnership with the local community. The multi-disciplinary study will measure shoreline change in response to storms and biodiversity conservation response to local management interventions within the dune ecosystem. The project will support student dissertations in the 'Coastal and Marine Environments' MSc programme

>> Read full story about Monitoring coastal erosion and biodiversity conservation using timelapse photography and remotely sensed drone imagery

How to protect YOUR dunes

Dr Kevin Lynch

Monday, 20 September 2021

New blog by Dr Kevin Lynch with videos and links to material to print to help you protect your beach and dunes. [further info]        

>> Read full story about How to protect YOUR dunes

Prof Cathal O’Donoghue appointed to World Health Organisation panel of experts

Prof Cathal ODonoghue

Monday, 20 September 2021

Prof Cathal O’Donoghue of the Discipline of Geography and ILAS  has been appointed to World Health Organisation panel of experts for its Well-being Economy Initiative - Fostering a culture of health for all in government recovery plans – building a healthier and fairer future for all. The expert panel will develop a strategy for the WHO in association with its European member states for a post-COVID world.  [Further info}

>> Read full story about Prof Cathal O’Donoghue appointed to World Health Organisation panel of experts

Congratulations to Prof. Chaosheng Zhang

Prof Chaosheng Zhang

Tuesday, 14 September 2021

Congratulations to Prof. Chaosheng Zhang for the “Distinguished Service Award” from International Medical Geology Association (IMGA) in 2021, for exemplary service to IMGA and to Medical Geology. IMGA aims to provide a network and a forum to bring together the combined expertise of geologists and earth scientists, environmental scientists, toxicologists, epidemiologists and medical specialists, in order to characterise the properties of geological processes and agents, the dispersal of geological material and their effects on human populations.

>> Read full story about Congratulations to Prof. Chaosheng Zhang

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization

Wednesday, 8 September 2021

Dr. Una Murray is currently working with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s (UN FAO) Near East and North Africa (NENA) Office on their first edition of a NENA FAO flagship publication on Land and Water Resources, which covers how climate change coupled with the complexities of an increasing urban population is a particular challenge to agri-food systems.

>> Read full story about United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization

Discipline of Geography Timetable & Handbooks 2021/22

Geography Timetable & Handbooks

Monday, 23 August 2021

View the Discipline of Geography timetable and year handbooks for 2021/22 here.

>> Read full story about Discipline of Geography Timetable & Handbooks 2021/22

Graduation Day for Sociel Science Graduates

BSC Social Sciences

Wednesday, 25 August 2021

Congratulations to our first graduates of the social science programme on their graduation today 24th August, 2021.

>> Read full story about Graduation Day for Sociel Science Graduates

New Vancancy with the H2020 Energy PROSPECTS European project

H2020 Energy PROSPECTS European project

Tuesday, 24 August 2021

We have a new part time vacancy (0.8 FTE, 4 days p/w), an exciting opportunity to work with and international team of leading energy researchers on the H2020 EnergyPROSPECTS European project. If you are a researcher with experience in energy social sciences, energy citizenship, and/ or energy governance, this could be the job for you! This position is funded by the European Commission through the EU’s Horizon 2020 Programme and is available from November 1st 2021 to contract end date of April 30th 2024. Download the full application here. Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm September 8th, 2021. [Further Info]‌

>> Read full story about New Vancancy with the H2020 Energy PROSPECTS European project

Welcome to 2040: how climate change will shape Ireland

Dr Eugene Farrell

Wednesday, 18 August 2021

Dr. Eugene Farrell featured in a Sunday Times article (by Ms. Sadbh Cox and Ms. Valerie Flynn, 15 August) asking experts how climate change will impact Ireland.

>> Read full story about Welcome to 2040: how climate change will shape Ireland

The Coastal Atlas of Ireland

Dr Eugene Farrell

Wednesday, 18 August 2021

Dr. Eugene Farrell has multiple contributions in the 'The Coastal Atlas of Ireland' released this week by Cork University Press, 912 pp (€59). Dr. Farrell wrote on themes such as the impact of tides on Irelands coasts, maërl, catchment science and a case study on coastal management via community-led climate actions (Maharees, Co. Kerry).

>> Read full story about The Coastal Atlas of Ireland

Site visit to the Care-peat restoration works at Cloncrow, 21st August 2021

Dr Terry Morley

Tuesday, 17 August 2021

Dr Terry Morley, Care-Peat Project, NUIG, will lead a site visit to the Care-peat restoration works at Cloncrow, Cloneyheigue and explore the processes involved in Peatland Restoration on a degraded section of raised bog. Saturday 21st August @ 3pm [Further Info}

>> Read full story about Site visit to the Care-peat restoration works at Cloncrow, 21st August 2021

Ethos Heritage Week Event - Cloncrow Bog and Village Trail

Dr Terry Morley

Tuesday, 17 August 2021

Explore the wonders of Cloncrow Bog and Village, a rail led by Nuala Maddigan, Irish Peatland Conservation Council, Wednesdaty 18th August 7.00pm at Tyrrellspass Castle [Further Info]‌

>> Read full story about Ethos Heritage Week Event - Cloncrow Bog and Village Trail

FarmPEAT EIP-AGRI Project Launch

FarmPEAT EIP-AGRI Project Launch

Wednesday, 4 August 2021

Dr Shane Conway, Researcher in the Discipline of Geography’s Rural Studies at NUIG joined Pippa Hackett, Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity, James Claffey, National Rural Network Manager and Eileen Delaney from the EIP-AGRI Division of the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) at the FarmPEAT #EIPAgri Project launch that took place on the 29th of July 2021 at Clara Bog Visitor Centre. This project is developing a locally-led, innovative, results-based farm scheme for farmers who manage farmland surrounding some of Ireland’s finest remaining raised bogs. More info here. 

>> Read full story about FarmPEAT EIP-AGRI Project Launch

Royal Dublin Society Rural Affairs and Community Inclusion Working Group

RDS

Wednesday, 28 July 2021

Dr Maura Farrell was recently invited to join the Royal Dublin Society Rural Affairs and Community Inclusion Working Group.  The goal of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee is to promote best practice and efficiency in farming to ensure farm household profitability and sustainability in Ireland.

>> Read full story about Royal Dublin Society Rural Affairs and Community Inclusion Working Group

How optimistic and pessimistic are Wild Atlantic Way businesses?

Brainstorm

Wednesday, 28 July 2021

Undergraduate Kineshia Nic Eiteagáin has published a portion of her dissertation research in RTÉ Brainstorm. The work examined levels of optimism within the Wild Atlantic Way business community at key points throughout the pandemic. Her work was supervised by Dr Liam Carr. [Read]

>> Read full story about How optimistic and pessimistic are Wild Atlantic Way businesses?

Our Place - A Short Documentary On The Conservation of Maharees

'Our Place'

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Dr Eugene Farrell contributed to a radio documentary 'Our Place - A Short Documentary On The Conservation of Maharees" by Ms Linda Fitzgerald that aired on Radio Kerry on July 17th. [Listen]

>> Read full story about Our Place - A Short Documentary On The Conservation of Maharees

Measuring the Creative Sector in the Galway, Mayo and Roscommon Region a consideration of the impacts of COVID 19

Dr Pat Collins

Monday, 12 July 2021

The Western Development Commission (WDC) have today published summary data from the recent survey of Creative Economy SMEs in the Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon counties. This sector survey was commissioned by the WDC and undertaken by Dr Patrick Collins NUIG (School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies and the Whitaker Institute), under the auspices of the West Regional Enterprise Plan[1]. The survey gathered responses from over 140 Creative Economy businesses and sought to identify and examine the challenges and opportunities they faced during the Pandemic. {Further info}

>> Read full story about Measuring the Creative Sector in the Galway, Mayo and Roscommon Region a consideration of the impacts of COVID 19

New Paper by John Morrissey in Journal of Human Security

Prof John Morrissey

Monday, 12 July 2021

Prof. John Morrissey has published a new paper in the Journal of Human Security that draws upon the work of Judith Butler in conceptualizing the key challenges of global securitization in the aftermath of COVID-19. The paper theorizes a conjoined sense of human-environmental well-being, and sets out the import of tackling the overarching precarities of our ecologies and societies in strategies of securitization.  

>> Read full story about New Paper by John Morrissey in Journal of Human Security

Rapid habitat assessment of lowland hay meadows

Coastal and Marine Environments MSc

Friday, 9 July 2021

Lalrremorii Alloway,Coastal and Marine Environments MSc student, currently in the field conducting a rapid habitat assessment of lowland hay meadows along the Shannon Callows SAC using scorecards with fellow student Chris Stewart as field assistant.

>> Read full story about Rapid habitat assessment of lowland hay meadows

Appointment of Dr Gary Goggins, as an Adjunct Lecturer

Dr Gary Goggins

Friday, 2 July 2021

Geography is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Gary Goggins, Public Awareness Manager, LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature; Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as an Adjunct Lecturer in the School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies for a period of three years, commencing on September 1, 2021 – August 31, 2024.

>> Read full story about Appointment of Dr Gary Goggins, as an Adjunct Lecturer

UNICEF Global Webinar

UNICEF Global Webinar

Monday, 28 June 2021

Dr Una Murray (Geography) recently presented at a UNICEF Global Webinar, the results of a formative evaluation she led for a UNICEF programme on migrating children in the Horn of Africa. More details are available here. The webinar was recorded and is available here.

>> Read full story about UNICEF Global Webinar

Fixed-term lectureship post in NUIG

New Post, Geography NUIG

Thursday, 24 June 2021

Fixed-term lectureship post in NUIG (Social Geography) Closing date: 5pm on Monday 12th July 2020 {Further Info}]

>> Read full story about Fixed-term lectureship post in NUIG

Dr Shane Conway Elected to the International Farm Transition Network’s Board of Directors

IFTN

Monday, 28 June 2021

Dr Shane Conway, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Discipline of Geography’s Rural Studies Unit was recently elected to the International Farm Transition Network’s (IFTN) Board of Directors. Dr Conway is the only member of this board based outside the U.S.A., that includes representatives from the University of Missouri, South Dakota State University, University of Wisconsin–Madison. Founded in 1990, the IFTN is a network of service providers from different professional backgrounds working to assist farm businesses with their successful transition to an identified successor(s). More information can be found here.

>> Read full story about Dr Shane Conway Elected to the International Farm Transition Network’s Board of Directors

PhD scholarship opportunity

PhD opportunity

Thursday, 17 June 2021

A PhD Scholarship is available for four years to further our understanding of how beach-dune systems may be utilised as a nature-based solution for coastal protection.  Closing date for applications: 5pm, Wednesday, 30 June 2021. See full detail here https://mooreinstitute.ie/read/news/.

>> Read full story about PhD scholarship opportunity

Dr Shane Conway Invited to Speak at European Network for Rural Development Workshop

Dr Shane Conway

Thursday, 17 June 2021

The European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) held a workshop entitled ‘LEADER – 30 years and preparing for the future: Delivering LEADER’s unique added value’ on the 3rd of June 2021. Dr Shane Conway was invited to speak at the plenary session of this meeting, where he highlighted the LEADER Programme's leading role in supporting community-led local development & innovative bottom-up actions at local level over the past 30 years, and how lessons learned from this successful Programme can help enhance the viability, sustainability and importantly vibrancy of rural Europe moving forward. More information about this workshop can be found here. 

>> Read full story about Dr Shane Conway Invited to Speak at European Network for Rural Development Workshop

Rural Studies Research Featured as Whitaker Institute Policy Brief

Dr Shane Conway

Thursday, 17 June 2021

The Whitaker Institute at NUI Galway have produced a new policy brief on a recent paper from the Rural Studies Unit published in the Journal of the European Society for Rural Sociology, Sociologia Ruralis, entitled ‘Going Against the Grain: Unravelling the Habitus of Older Farmers to Help Facilitate Generational Renewal in Agriculture'. This policy brief can be viewed/downloaded here.

>> Read full story about Rural Studies Research Featured as Whitaker Institute Policy Brief

Rural Studies Researcher Invited as Keynote Speaker at American Conference

Dr Shane Conway

Thursday, 17 June 2021

The International Farm Transition Network (IFTN) based in the U.S.A. was held their annual conference from the 8th to 10th of June 2021. Dr Shane Conway was invited as a keynote speaker at this event, and presented his research to attendees on the social and emotional issues affecting farmers in later life. The IFTN is a network of service providers from different professional backgrounds across America (e.g., accountants, lawyers, farm managers, ag lenders, extension educators, etc.) working to assist farm businesses with their successful transition to an identified successor(s). More information about this conference can be found here.

>> Read full story about Rural Studies Researcher Invited as Keynote Speaker at American Conference

New Green Deal for Europe H2020 project Awarded to Geography

Prof Frances Fahy

Tuesday, 1 June 2021

Prof Frances Fahy has just been awarded a 5-year H2020 project under the New Green Deal for Europe Call. The Social sciences & Humanities for Achieving a Responsible, Equitable and Desirable GREEN DEAL (SHARED GREEN DEAL) project brings together 22 leading organisations from across the EU including 9 universities, 2 research institutions, 8 network organisations and 2 SMEs. The network partners cover core elements on the European Green Deal cross cutting priorities such as civil society, democracy, gender, energy, environment, circular economy and innovation. NUIG is leading the work programme on 'clean energy' specifically, working with local authorities across Europe to explore and develop community visions of successful and just energy transitions. The project aims to share actions, understandings, evidence, insights, responsibilities and benefits across stakeholders including policymakers and civil society. Issues of inclusivity and diversity are at the heart of the project to particularly account for disadvantaged and vulnerable social groups. This 5 million Euro project is the 4th European project that Frances has been awarded this academic year. 

>> Read full story about New Green Deal for Europe H2020 project Awarded to Geography

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Tuesday, 1 June 2021

Dr. Una Murray has completed an evaluation for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on their institutional response to address the migration, environment and climate change nexus. The IOM is the leading UN organization in the field of migration. Dr. Murray’s review was on how the IOM has impacted on and contributed to global and regional policy development including the UNFCCC, as well as examining organisational and cultural changes within IOM with regard to addressing climate change and migration. 

>> Read full story about International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Mayor Awards 2021

Dr Chaosheng Zhang

Friday, 28 May 2021

Congratulations to Dr Chaosheng Zhang, School of Geography, Archaeology & Celtic Studies, who received Mayor’s Award under the category of “Arts, Culture, Heritage & Cúrsaí Gaeilge”. The award was announced by The Mayor of Galway City, Cllr. Mike Cubbard in a virtual ceremony held in the evening of May 26.  The annual awards formally recognise the outstanding contributions that local volunteers, community groups and voluntary organisations have made in supporting the residents of Galway City during the past year.  This significant recognition is made to Dr. Zhang for his beautiful photography over the past 12 months capturing Galway at its best & for his kind and generous approach to sharing his creative talent for free with the people of Galway.

>> Read full story about Mayor Awards 2021

A Temporary U.S.-China Trade Truce Starts to Look Durable

New York Times

Friday, 28 May 2021

New York Times article, A Temporary U.S.-China Trade Truce Starts to Look Durable. Last year’s deal could set the rules for global commerce for years to come, leaving the door open to lavish Chinese subsidies and unilateral American tariffs. [Read]

>> Read full story about A Temporary U.S.-China Trade Truce Starts to Look Durable

New Publication from the ENERGISE team

ENERGISE

Friday, 21 May 2021

Congratulations to Frances Fahy and the ENERGISE team on their new publication ‘Challenging practices: experiences from community and individual living lab approaches’ based on the final outputs of their H2020 project. Their open access article published in the May 2021 issue of the international journal Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy and is available to read here: https://doi.org/10.1080/15487733.2021.1902062

>> Read full story about New Publication from the ENERGISE team

UN Appointment for Prof. John Morrissey

Professor John Morrissey

Thursday, 20 May 2021

John Morrissey has been appointed International Consultant and Policy Advisor on Human Security in the Human Development Report Office (HDRO) of the United Nations. John will help lead an extension of the UN’s human security strategy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic by linking overlapping environmental and social justice concerns in a new vision for human development and global security.

>> Read full story about UN Appointment for Prof. John Morrissey

Geography hosts European kick-off meeting for new H2020 EnergyPROSPECTS project

Dr Frances Fahy

Monday, 17 May 2021

Frances Fahy of NUI Galway's School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies is leading and coordinating the three-year project, EnergyPROSPECTS, exploring the various and challenging aspects of energy citizenship across Europe. Frances welcomed the 9 European partners to the kick off meeting on Wednesday 12th of May and more information on the project is available here.

>> Read full story about Geography hosts European kick-off meeting for new H2020 EnergyPROSPECTS project

Creating ‘Corridors of Consumption’

Dr Frances Fahy

Monday, 17 May 2021

Prof Frances Fahy and Dr Mary Jo Lavelle have published a Whitaker policy brief arguing that the concept of ‘consumption corridors’ provides a timely lens to initiate discussion and critically consider the potential of ascertaining maximum levels of consumption across Ireland. See full brief here.

>> Read full story about Creating ‘Corridors of Consumption’

Empathy and critique: our students always give us hope

RTE Brainstorm

Monday, 10 May 2021

John Morrissey writes in RTÉ Brainstorm on how the pandemic has highlighted the strengths of our students: “Students have the ability to passionately critique the world. In the throes of COVID-19, that they can do so from virtual portals in their family homes and student accommodations, denied the intellectual and social currents of everyday university life, is inspiring”.

>> Read full story about Empathy and critique: our students always give us hope

Teaching Hero Awards 2020

Teaching Awards 2020

Thursday, 6 May 2021

Congratulations to our colleague Dr Kathy Reilly on her award for the 2020 Teaching Hero Awards. Award winners were announced at the Student Achievement Awards Ireland event on 29 April 2021 [Watch]

>> Read full story about Teaching Hero Awards 2020

OMG not another “Public Consultation”

OMG not another “Public Consultation”

Friday, 30 April 2021

The idea that the public should have a say in large scale projects that involve the environment has been around a while. Since the 70s issues like nuclear energy, large dams, pesticide use (to name but a few) have pushed the demand for more public involvement in decision-making. Yet here we are in 2021 and a disgruntled public are still ‘up in arms’. Blog by Dr Kevin Lynch and Axel Leahy, Geography, NUI Galway.  [Read]

>> Read full story about OMG not another “Public Consultation”

5 tips to ensure your next staycation is a responsible one

RTE Brainstorm

Friday, 30 April 2021

RTE Brainstorm article by Dr Kevin Lynch, Geography, NUI Galway. As the Government recently announced the return of inter-county travel from May 10th and is continuing to advise against international travel, it is inevitable that this summer will see an internal migration en masse to our coasts. It is a good time to think about how we might staycation in a more responsible manner this summer [Read]

>> Read full story about 5 tips to ensure your next staycation is a responsible one

Resolving critical uncertainties in the impact of geomagnetism on in situ cosmogenic nuclide production via long-term ca

Dr Gordon Bromley

Monday, 19 April 2021

Dr Gordon Bromley is leading new collaborative research with Dr. Maggie Jackson (Trinity College Dublin) and Dr. Pierre-Henri Blard (Université de Lorraine) that seeks to quantify the effects of geomagnetic variability on cosmogenic nuclide production. The overarching objective of the project is to refine the cosmogenic surface-exposure dating technique that is employed increasingly in cutting-edge palaeoclimate and geomorphic research. This project has been awarded funding by the European Commission's Europlanet programme.

>> Read full story about Resolving critical uncertainties in the impact of geomagnetism on in situ cosmogenic nuclide production via long-term ca

Hazard, Risk and Disaster (HRD) Research Lecture Series 2020-21

Brandon Bay

Thursday, 15 April 2021

Dr Eugene Farrell presented his research in the Hazard, Risk and Disaster (HRD) Research Lecture Series 2020-21 at Bath Spa University on April 14, 2021. The lecture on "Enablers and barriers to building resilience: a coastal community perspective" is based on Dr Farrell’s experiences working with coastal communities in Ireland and his work within the European Marine Board expert working group tasked with writing a position paper on ’Coastal Resilience’. [Read]

>> Read full story about Hazard, Risk and Disaster (HRD) Research Lecture Series 2020-21

Advances in the study of post-glacial environmental change with particular reference to western Ireland

Uplands in western Ireland — a long-term perspective

Thursday, 15 April 2021

New article by Dr Michael O'Connell 'Advances in the study of post-glacial environmental change with particular reference to western Ireland' [Read]

>> Read full story about Advances in the study of post-glacial environmental change with particular reference to western Ireland

Lá na nGradam / Awards Day

NUIG

Thursday, 8 April 2021

Congratulations to all our students who were recognised with a Lá na nGradam Scholarship for their academic performance. Within our first year BASS programme (46 students) we had 13 awardees (i.e. just over 28%). Congrats to all involved. https://www.nuigalway.ie/conferring/la-na-ngradam/.

>> Read full story about Lá na nGradam / Awards Day

Participants needed for a research on sustainable practices

Participants needed for a research on sustainable practices

Thursday, 8 April 2021

A new research exploring how sustainable practices change the way we relate to the world is being launched by Dr Aurianne Stroude, a postdoctoral researcher at NUI Galway. Participants are asked to do a 4 week journaling (15min each week) & 1 hour interview.  Further info : https://research-relatetotheworld.com/

>> Read full story about Participants needed for a research on sustainable practices

Blue Growth Pathways for Marine and Coastal Tourism Trail Development in the Atlantic Area

Moses Project

Tuesday, 30 March 2021

The NUIG MOSES research team - Liam Carr, Frances Fahy, Desiree Farrell (Geography) Rebecca Corless, Stephen Hynes and Daniel Norton (Economics) - is pleased to announce their latest publication, a Case Study Booklet and Policy Brief - ‘Blue Growth Pathways for Marine and Coastal Tourism Trail Development in the Atlantic Area’, which is available to download from the MOSES website: http://mosesproject.eu/project_outputs/#Reports  

>> Read full story about Blue Growth Pathways for Marine and Coastal Tourism Trail Development in the Atlantic Area

Maintaining a culture of collaboration will help rural tourism businesses recover after Covid 19

Dr Therese Conway

Tuesday, 30 March 2021

"Maintaining a culture of collaboration will help rural tourism businesses recover after Covid 19" Dr Therese Conway recently featured in Agriland, Irelands Largest farming news Portal. [Read]  

>> Read full story about Maintaining a culture of collaboration will help rural tourism businesses recover after Covid 19

Rural Vision Week: Imagining the future of Europe's rural areas

Dr Maura Farrell

Tuesday, 30 March 2021

Dr Maura Farrell, took part in the Final Plenary Session of the European Network for Rural Development’s (ENRD) 'Rural Vision Week: Imagining the future of Europe's rural areas'. This online event, supported by the European Commission (DG AGRI), took place from the 22nd to 26th of March 2021. More information about this event, as well as links its various sessions can be found here.    

>> Read full story about Rural Vision Week: Imagining the future of Europe's rural areas

EU INTERREG Care Peat project recently awarded additional funding

EU INTERREG Care Peat

Monday, 29 March 2021

Dr. Terry Morley (Geography) was recently awarded additional funding for the EU INTERREG Care Peat project as part of a Call For Capitalisation initiative (total ERDF €444,964; Geography: €156,205). The capitalisation project will work toward the development of a unified methodology to assess greenhouse gas emissions from peatlands and engages directly with farmers to develop economically viable rewetting techniques.

>> Read full story about EU INTERREG Care Peat project recently awarded additional funding

Building a sustainable marine tourism trail through community voices: Rathmullen, Co. Donegal

Desiree Farrell

Thursday, 25 March 2021

Desiree Farrell (PhD researcher under advisement of Dr. Liam M. Carr and Prof. Frances Fahy) presented her work at the 2021 Donegal Marine Tourism Conference. For her doctoral research, Desiree has been exploring how the community and cultural identity of Ireland’s west coast is shaped through the lens of tourism. Her work within the community of Rathmullan, Co. Donegal, is part of the Interreg Atlantic Area Project MOSES examining Blue Growth strategies along Europe’s Atlantic Arc. Her presentation can be seen here

>> Read full story about Building a sustainable marine tourism trail through community voices: Rathmullen, Co. Donegal

Presentation of MOSES project results, March 2021

Moses

Monday, 22 March 2021

Frances Fahy is presenting the results of the MOSES European project at the 5th International Symposium on the Oceans in National Income Accounts taking place in NUI Galway this week. As the three-year MOSES INTERRG project is drawing to a close in July 2021, Frances’ presentation will explore ‘Blue Growth Pathways for Marine and Coastal Tourism Trail Development in the Atlantic Area’. Presenting on behalf of the NUIG research team – Frances Fahy, Desiree Farrell, Liam Carr (Geography) Rebecca Corless Stephen Hynes and Danny Norton (Economics), the research draws on the case study of the Wild Atlantic Way and presents a community-generated collaborative framework which can assist overcoming barriers and maximise opportunities in sustainable coastal tourism trail development.

>> Read full story about Presentation of MOSES project results, March 2021

Rural Research featured in the National Farming Media

Shane Conway

Tuesday, 16 March 2021

Dr Shane Conway’s recent Geographical Society of Ireland (GSI) Doctoral Research Award 2020 for his PhD research completed in 2017 that explored the human dynamics affecting intergenerational farm transfer in later life was recently featured in the Irish Farmers Journal and That's Farming.  An NUI Galway press release on this award can also be found [here].

>> Read full story about Rural Research featured in the National Farming Media

Making the Case for ‘Corridors of Consumption’

Making the Case for ‘Corridors of Consumption’

Tuesday, 16 March 2021

Congratulations to Dr Mary Jo Lavelle and Prof Frances Fahy on their recent publication in the international journal, Sustainability, Science and Policy. The paper aims to address the dearth of discussion around the concept of maximum levels of consumption. The article proffers that the concept of ‘consumption corridors’ provides a timely lens to initiate discussion and critically consider the potential of ascertaining maximum levels of consumption across Ireland. Consumption corridors demarcate the space for sustainable consumption by defining minimum and maximum consumption standards that permit individuals to satisfy their needs and to live a life they value without impairing the possibility of a good life for other people. The article is open access: Lavelle, M.J. and Fahy, F. (2021) Creating Context for Corridors of Consumption: A case study from Ireland Sustainability, Science and Policy Vol. 17 (1) 62-76 

>> Read full story about Making the Case for ‘Corridors of Consumption’

3rd European Funding Award for Prof Frances Fahy in 2020/21

EU Commission

Tuesday, 16 March 2021

A new European project exploring sustainable lifestyles across Europe is starting in Geography at NUIG in May 2021. Prof Frances Fahy (Geography, NUI Galway) is the lead Social Scientist on the CAMPAIGNers (Citizens Acting on Mitigation Pathways through Active Implementation of a Goal-setting Network) project which is a new three-year European study which aims to develop a ground breaking new approach that enables citizens to gain real-life experiences with low-carbon behaviours in various domains (e.g. transportation, energy, IT, banking, insurance, food, clothing, etc.). The CAMPAIGNers’ innovative approach will implement a ‘goal-setting network’, where over 100,000 citizens receive and create challenges to try out tailored adaptations to their daily routines. Their responses to these challenges, associated treatments, and short questionnaires will deliver unprecedented data of behavioural processes, (local) barriers to change, and motivators, allowing for empirically-based scientific support of cities in crafting policies to encourage low-carbon lifestyles. Together with local, national and EU policy makers insights are analysed regarding the ‘right-level-to-act’ and policy-ready recommendations are jointly derived. 

>> Read full story about 3rd European Funding Award for Prof Frances Fahy in 2020/21

Two new research posts advertised in Geography at NUIG

EU Commission

Tuesday, 16 March 2021

Geography at NUI Galway is pleased to announce that two new research posts are currently being advertised on two new exciting H2020 European Research projects: EnergyPROSPECTS and CAMPAIGNers, led by Prof Frances Fahy. More information on the posts can be found at:  https://www.nuigalway.ie/about-us/jobs/researchjobs/

>> Read full story about Two new research posts advertised in Geography at NUIG

Mayo Public Participation Network

Mayo PPN goes green

Thursday, 11 March 2021

NUI Galway, Geography climate action project to feature as part of Mayo PPN's going Green for St Patrick's Day. Murrisk local Niall Kelly talks about concerns for Bertra Beach and Dunes. He discusses its erosion due to climate change & storm damage. Niall is part of the local action group Bertra Connected (@bertraconnected) who are working with NUI Galway (@ilikedunes), Mayo Co Co, and the NPWS to find ways we can keep Bertra from disintegrating completely. [Further info]‌

>> Read full story about Mayo Public Participation Network

Webinar Series for Coastal Communities

Coastal Communities

Tuesday, 9 March 2021

A series of webinars providing an introduction to Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for coastal community groups involved in climate adaptation. [Further Info]

>> Read full story about Webinar Series for Coastal Communities

New publication for Dr Chaosheng Zhang

Environment International

Friday, 5 March 2021

Congratulations to Dr. Chaosheng Zhang’s research group for the publication of a paper in a high-impact factor journal Environment International (Impact factor 7.577 in 2019). Title: Discovering hidden spatial patterns and their associations with controlling factors for potentially toxic elements in topsoil using hot spot analysis and K-means clustering analysis. Authors: Haofan Xu, Peter Croot, Chaosheng Zhang.

>> Read full story about New publication for Dr Chaosheng Zhang

Geopolitics and Justice Cluster Talk at the Irish Centre for Human Rights

Craig Jones

Friday, 5 March 2021

The Geopolitics and Justice Cluster in Geography and the Irish Centre for Human Rights are hosting an open access webinar from Dr Craig Jones from the University of Newcastle on Thursday, March 25th. Craig will be presenting a talk based upon his new book, The War Lawyers: The United States, Israel and Juridical Warfare(Oxford University Press).  Join Zoom Meeting: https://nuigalway-ie.zoom.us/j/94467296106?pwd=SU82VDhqUzRsZzRyT0VKSVZUM3dhQT09Meeting ID: 944 6729 6106Passcode: 853601

>> Read full story about Geopolitics and Justice Cluster Talk at the Irish Centre for Human Rights

Presentation to the Leitrim Community Development, Online Community Platform

Dr Maura Farrell

Monday, 1 March 2021

Dr Maura Farrell was an invited speaker at the Leitrim Community Development, Online Community Platform on Wednesday 24th February.  Dr Farrell delivered a presentation related to depopulation issues impacting rural areas.   

>> Read full story about Presentation to the Leitrim Community Development, Online Community Platform

IIEA and Department of Foreign Affairs’ public webinar on “Ireland and the Arctic Council”

Ireland and the Arctic Council

Monday, 22 February 2021

Dr. Audrey Morley will be participating as a panel speaker for the IIEA and Department of Foreign Affairs’ public webinar on “Ireland and the Arctic Council” on Monday, 1st March from 2:00 – 3:30 pm.  Web link to register [here].

>> Read full story about IIEA and Department of Foreign Affairs’ public webinar on “Ireland and the Arctic Council”

New publication: 'Peripheral visions: the film and television industry in Galway, Ireland'

Industry and Innovation

Monday, 22 February 2021

New publication by Dr Pat Collins, Geography NUI Galway and Dr Dominic Power, Stockholm University titled 'Peripheral visions: the film and television industry in Galway, Ireland' [Read]  

>> Read full story about New publication: 'Peripheral visions: the film and television industry in Galway, Ireland'

New Publication on Foucault and the Language of Emergency

Irish Studies in International Affairs

Monday, 22 February 2021

Prof. John Morrissey has published a new paper in Irish Studies in International Affairs that draws upon the work of Michel Foucault on governmentality to critically examine the language of emergency in progressively framing climate security discourse.

>> Read full story about New Publication on Foucault and the Language of Emergency

New Publication

Energy Research & Social Science

Monday, 15 February 2021

Congratulations to Prof Frances Fahy and her colleagues in the University of Helsinki on their new international publication 'The role of practice-based interventions in energy transitions'. The paper outlines a framework for work to scale up practice-based interventions. Published this month in the international journal Energy Research and Social Sciences, the article is available to read here.

>> Read full story about New Publication

Prof Frances Fahy to lead new H2020 Project - EnergyPROSPECTS

H2020 Project - EnergyPROSPECTS

Saturday, 13 February 2021

Geography at NUIG is the home to a new European H2020 project. Commencing on May 1st, Prof Frances Fahy will lead 9 partners across Europe on the 3 million Euro project EnergyPROSPECTS (PROactive Strategies and Policies for Energy Citizenship Transformation). This new 3-year project will work with a critical understanding of energy citizenship that is grounded in state-of-the-art SSH insights.

>> Read full story about Prof Frances Fahy to lead new H2020 Project - EnergyPROSPECTS

New blog by Dr Kevin Lynch

Kevin Lynch Blog

Thursday, 11 February 2021

Dr Kevin Lynch has started a new Blog. In his own words “I am just going to throw out some ideas from my experiences looking at coastal issues and climate action. There’ll be some updates on projects too, including: Bertra Strand, Mayo; Grattan Beach, Galway; Achill Island's beaches”. [Blog]

>> Read full story about New blog by Dr Kevin Lynch

New ENERGISE publication

Energise

Tuesday, 9 February 2021

Congratulations to the ENERGISE research team led by Prof Frances Fahy on another international publication from the H2020 project results. The paper ‘ Alternative energy imaginaries: implications for energy research, policy integration and the transformation of energy systems’ examines the shortcomings in the contribution of qualitative social sciences and humanities research to tackling challenges connected with energy and climate change. It is published in the March 2021 issue of Energy Research and Social Sciences and is available here.

>> Read full story about New ENERGISE publication

New PhD researcher Bronagh Dillon joins Geography

Bronagh Dillon

Tuesday, 9 February 2021

The Discipline of Geography is delighted to welcome Bronagh Dillon to our team. Bronagh is a researcher with the international CCC -Catapult research team investigating educational, worldview and intercultural influences in young people’s climate and environmental literacy. She is undertaking a PhD in Geographies of Education under the supervision of Dr Kathy Reilly and Prof Frances Fahy. Prior to commencing this PhD, Bronagh completed a MSc in Education, Training and Management (Leadership) in 2020 from DCU. The title of her dissertation was Teachers’ Perceptions of Climate Change Education in Irish Primary Schools. Email address: B.Dillon10@nuigalway.ie

>> Read full story about New PhD researcher Bronagh Dillon joins Geography

Lecture: Blinkered Vision: Generational Renewal in Agriculture at the Expense of the Older Farmer?

Lecture Series 2021

Tuesday, 9 February 2021

The second lecture of the Spring Lunchtime Lecture Series 2021 will take place Thursday 11th February, 2021.   The lecture will be delivered by Dr Shane Conway, Discipline of Geography, NUI Galway and titled 'Blinkered Vision: Generational Renewal in Agriculture at the Expense of the Older Farmer?'  To join the lecture on Thursday please click this link:  https://nuigalway-ie.zoom.us/j/95579895418

>> Read full story about Lecture: Blinkered Vision: Generational Renewal in Agriculture at the Expense of the Older Farmer?

Mexico-Ireland St Brigid’s Day event celebrates women as unsung heroes of agriculture

Mexico-Ireland St Brigid’s Day event celebrates women as unsung heroes of agriculture

Tuesday, 9 February 2021

Dr Maura Farrell, recently presented and Chaired, The Embassy of Ireland in Mexico’s ‘St Brigid’s Day: A Celebration of Women in Agriculture in Ireland and Mexico’ webinar. The event took place online to a large audience in both Ireland and Mexico  [further info]

>> Read full story about Mexico-Ireland St Brigid’s Day event celebrates women as unsung heroes of agriculture

Spring Lunchtime Lecture Series 2021

Spring Lunchtime Lecture Series 2021

Monday, 1 February 2021

The first lecture of the Spring Lunchtime Lecture Series 2021 will take place Thursday 4th February, 2021.   The lecture will be delivered by Dr Mark Rainey and Dr Pat Collins, Discipline of Geography, NUI Galway and titled 'Imaging Galway: A Look through its Urban Past' [further info]

>> Read full story about Spring Lunchtime Lecture Series 2021

Dr Maura Farrell featured on RTE’s Eco Eye

Maura Farrell - RTE Ecoeye feature

Friday, 15 January 2021

Dr Maura Farrell featured on RTE’s Eco Eye programme on the 5th of January speaking about the key opportunities and challenges facing rural Ireland.  The programme raised many issues regarding future planning issues relevant to rural Ireland, matters which are key to the MA in Rural Future Planning and Innovation:   [further information on this MA]

>> Read full story about Dr Maura Farrell featured on RTE’s Eco Eye

Will rural businesses survive the pandemic?

Businesses in Rural Ireland

Tuesday, 5 January 2021

The research forms part of the ENNET Project which explores the role of networking and social capital in rural communities.  Following the publication of the article Dr Therese Conway was invited on the Joe Finnigan Show to discuss the impact of Covid 19 on Rural Areas further.  Podcast available here.

>> Read full story about Will rural businesses survive the pandemic?

Wave monitoring buoy to help coastal scientists study storm impacts

Wave Buoy

Tuesday, 5 January 2021

Dr Eugene Farrell and colleagues in NUIG (Ms Sheena Fennell, EOS; Dr Stephen Nash, Civil Engineering) have partnered with the Marine Institute and SEAI to deploy a long term wave monitoring buoy in Brandon Bay, Co. Kerry. Dr Farrell states "We want to improve existing coastal change models by developing better insights into why does change occur and how much change will occur if we dial up climate projections for rising sea levels and storminess. To answer these questions we require process-response coastal models and these are only possible if nearshore observations from wave buoys such as the one in Brandon Bay are deployed over long time periods to capture all the seasons." [further info]  

>> Read full story about Wave monitoring buoy to help coastal scientists study storm impacts

Hazard, Risk and Disaster (HRD) Research Lecture Series 2020-21

Brandon Bay

Thursday, 15 April 2021

Dr Eugene Farrell presented his research in the Hazard, Risk and Disaster (HRD) Research Lecture Series 2020-21 at Bath Spa University on April 14, 2021. The lecture on "Enablers and barriers to building resilience: a coastal community perspective" is based on Dr Farrell’s experiences working with coastal communities in Ireland and his work within the European Marine Board expert working group tasked with writing a position paper on ’Coastal Resilience’. [Read]

>> Read full story about Hazard, Risk and Disaster (HRD) Research Lecture Series 2020-21

Restoring peatlands would improve water quality, report finds

The Irish Times

Thursday, 15 April 2021

A peatland research report commissioned by An Fóram Uisce, was launched last week to provide guidance on how peatland management can be reimagined to optimise water quality improvements while delivering co-benefits for climate, biodiversity, and society. Kate Flood, PhD researcher in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Studies cluster (with supervisors Dr. Marie Mahon and Dr. John McDonagh) contributed to the report highlighting the importance of social and cultural values of peatlands, stakeholder collaboration, and developing mechanisms to support inclusive and collaborative governance of peatlands. [Read]

>> Read full story about Restoring peatlands would improve water quality, report finds

2020

Dr Shane Conway wins GSI Doctoral Research Award 2020

GSI Doctoral Research Award 2020

Friday, 18 December 2020

Congratulations to Dr Shane Conway, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Studies Unit at NUI Galway, who was recently announced as the winner of the Geographical Society of Ireland's Doctoral Research Award 2020 for his widely published research on the human side of farm succession and retirement in later life.

>> Read full story about Dr Shane Conway wins GSI Doctoral Research Award 2020

Dr Shane Conway featured in a new video by the European Commission's EIP-AGRI Service Point

European Commission's EIP-AGRI Service Point

Friday, 11 December 2020

A new video by the European Commission's EIP-AGRI Service Point features Dr Shane Conway, Researcher in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Studies Unit at NUI Galway and the Irish National Rural Network (NRN), speaking about the value of the EIP-AGRI model's multi-actor approach in helping to bring about innovation and sustainability at farm level. This video was released at the 7th Rural Networks Assembly meeting on the 4th of December 2020.  You can view the video here.

>> Read full story about Dr Shane Conway featured in a new video by the European Commission's EIP-AGRI Service Point

Abrupt Climate Change in Ireland: Redefining our climate future through a lens of high-resolution glacial reconstruction

Abrupt Climate Change in Ireland

Tuesday, 8 December 2020

Gordon Bromley is part of a new project led by former NUIG Geography postdoc, Maggie Jackson (TCD), that has been funded by Geological Survey Ireland (Short Call 2020 programme) to establish a high-resolution record of cryospheric change in the Wicklow Mountains during the last glacial-interglacial transition (or ‘termination’). This project, titled ‘Abrupt Climate Change in Ireland: Redefining our climate future through a lens of high-resolution glacial reconstruction’, will employ cosmogenic-nuclide dating of glacial deposits (to be conducted at NUIG and UMaine) and snowline reconstruction to quantify past abrupt climate shifts, providing data that, ultimately, will be used as targets for model simulations of Ireland’s future climate. 

>> Read full story about Abrupt Climate Change in Ireland: Redefining our climate future through a lens of high-resolution glacial reconstruction

MA Environment, Society & Development Graduate Writes from Philadelphia

Matina Granieri

Tuesday, 8 December 2020

MA-ESD Graduate, Matina Granieri, has begun a new role in Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability, leading an innovative environmental and climate justice program for the city. Matina won the Neil Smith Award on the MA-ESD and returned to her home city of Philadelphia in 2019. She recently wrote to MA-ESD Programme Director, John Morrissey, to say a lovely thank you to all colleagues who supported her on her Masters in Galway: “I’m humbled by the opportunity to help shape Philadelphia’s new environmental and climate justice programme. I find myself frequently falling back on what I learned on the MA-ESD program to guide my decisions, and feel well equipped with the critical mindset needed to engage with government systems while attempting to center human well-being. So, I'm sending many thanks for all the foundational materials you shared and the critical thinking you asked of us”.

>> Read full story about MA Environment, Society & Development Graduate Writes from Philadelphia

Quantifying Ireland’s Dust Bowl: An interdisciplinary assessment of potential loess genesis, deposition, and dynamics in

Irelands Dust Bowl

Tuesday, 8 December 2020

Gordon Bromley is heading a new collaborative project, funded by Geological Survey Ireland (Short Call 2020 programme), entitled ‘Quantifying Ireland’s Dust Bowl: An interdisciplinary assessment of potential loess genesis, deposition, and dynamics in the Burren’. Involving partners at Uppsala University, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, and NUIG (Geography and EOS), these 14 month-long investigations will employ geochemistry, geochronology, and geomorphology to explore the origins and climatic significance of wind-blown sedimentary deposits in the Burren, Co. Clare. This is part of a larger ongoing project into the terrestrial manifestation of abrupt climate change in the North Atlantic basin.

>> Read full story about Quantifying Ireland’s Dust Bowl: An interdisciplinary assessment of potential loess genesis, deposition, and dynamics in

‘outdoor classroom’ events on the beaches of Salthill

I Like Beaches

Monday, 7 December 2020

Geography’s I Like Beaches project has been busy during the current COVID-19 restrictions. It has led 12 ‘outdoor classroom’ events on the beaches of Salthill, with nearly 150 students from 4 local schools learning about beach and dune process, and how these may contribute to climate change adaptation. The socially-distanced activities will continue after the Christmas break, drawing in a wider range of interested stakeholders as the year progresses. (Contact: kevin.lynch@nuigalway.ie) 

>> Read full story about ‘outdoor classroom’ events on the beaches of Salthill

Upcoming RURALIZATION Conference - Facilitating our Future Farmers

Ruralization Conference

Thursday, 3 December 2020

On Monday December 14th from 2.00pm to 4.15pm the RURALIZATION conference ‘Facilitating our Future Farmers: National and International Perspectives’ will be held online via Zoom. Among the aims of the four-year RURALIZATION project is to identify and assess innovative ways to facilitate new entrants into farming, succession and access to farmland. Most farmers in the EU are aged over 55 and only a small proportion are below age 35. Supporting generational renewal is one objective of the CAP post 2020. There are however many complex issues impacting generational renewal, such as farm viability, ease of farm transferability, the need for greater succession planning, access to farmland and the human dynamics involved. This conference brings together researchers and practitioners to explore how we can enable our future farmers gain access to farmland and the farming sector.  This online conference is co-hosted by the RURALIZATION project at NUI Galway Rural Studies and the National Rural Network.  The RURALIZATION project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 817642.  Find Our MoreRegister

>> Read full story about Upcoming RURALIZATION Conference - Facilitating our Future Farmers

Geographers at NUI Galway Win International Funding to Explore How Young People Experience the Climate Crisis

Explore How Young People Experience the Climate Crisis

Monday, 30 November 2020

A research team from the Discipline of Geography at NUI Galway is part of a consortium that have won a competitive international research funding award of €1.38 million under the JPI Climate SOLSTICE initiative to explore how young people across Europe experience the climate crisis. [Further Info]

>> Read full story about Geographers at NUI Galway Win International Funding to Explore How Young People Experience the Climate Crisis

Innovative coastal monitoring using low-cost, time lapse photography

GSI Logo

Thursday, 19 November 2020

Eugene Farrell is part of an NUIG team that received €29,909 funding from Geological Survey Ireland (Short Call 2020 programme) for a 14 month project titled “Linking ocean model predictions with coastal impacts using a low cost, time-lapse camera shoreline monitoring system”. Eugene and the team(Dr Stephen Nash, Civil Engineering; Ms Sheena Parsons EOS)  that will test a low-cost shoreline monitoring system using fixed, time-lapse cameras in Brandon Bay, Co. Kerry. Images will be captured at high frequency (every 10 mins) and analysed to determine wave run-up and shoreline elevation changes. The results will be used to validate a coupled tide-wave-morphological modelling system that is under development in a separate project.

>> Read full story about Innovative coastal monitoring using low-cost, time lapse photography

Dr Eugene Farrell invited to European Marine Board (EMB) Working Group

EMB Logo

Thursday, 19 November 2020

Dr Eugene Farrell was recently invited to be part of the European Marine Board (EMB) Working Group on ‘Coastal Resilience’. The EMB is the leading European think tank in marine science policy focussed on advancing marine research and bridging the gap between science and policy. The Working Group is tasked with writing a position paper during 2021 to provide an overview of the current state of the art in methods and tools for coastal resilience and identify knowledge gaps for future challenges. The research will inform EU policy and promote science-based decision making in coastal conservation, restoration, habitat and biodiversity management.

>> Read full story about Dr Eugene Farrell invited to European Marine Board (EMB) Working Group

Coastal Change, Climate Adaptation and Mitigation

Coastal Change, Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Free 3-day webinar on the 17th-19th November   See

Monday, 16 November 2020

Coastal Change, Climate Adaptation and Mitigation, Free 3-day webinar on the 17th-19th November, See here: [Programme] [Registration]  

>> Read full story about Coastal Change, Climate Adaptation and Mitigation

New publication by Prof. John Morrissey in Territory, Politics, Governance

Territory, Politics, Governance

Thursday, 12 November 2020

Dr John Morrissey has published a new paper with Yairen Jerez Columbié in Territory, Politics, Governance on climate resilience and human security in the Caribbean. By analysing the climate security practices of Cuba, and by interrogating the genealogy of the broader Caribbean’s hurricane culture, the paper shows how an effective human security vision for climate justice and resilience can be achieved by recognizing and integrating the valuable forms of locally attuned knowledge that continue to emerge and coalesce in vulnerable geographies.

>> Read full story about New publication by Prof. John Morrissey in Territory, Politics, Governance

Publication: Narrating Childhood with Children and Young People: Diverse Contexts, Methods and Stories of Everyday Life

Narrating Childhood with Children and Young People: Diverse Contexts, Methods and Stories of Everyda

Monday, 9 November 2020

Dr Kathy Reilly has published a new book working with co-editors Dr Lisa Moran (Edgehill University, UK) and Dr Bernadine Brady (School of Political Science and Sociology, NUI Galway). This new volume draws together scholarly contributions from diverse, yet interlinking disciplinary fields, with the aim of critically examining the value of narrative inquiry in understanding the everyday lives of children and young people in diverse spaces and places. Incorporating insights from sociology, geography, education, child and youth studies, social care, and social work, the collection emphasises how narrative research approaches present storytelling as a universally recognizable, valuable and effective methodological approach with children and young people. The chapters point to the diversity of spaces and places encountered by children and young people, considering how young people ‘tell tales’ about their lives, highlighting the multidimensionality of narrative research in capturing everyday lived experiences. [Read]

>> Read full story about Publication: Narrating Childhood with Children and Young People: Diverse Contexts, Methods and Stories of Everyday Life

Moses upcoming webinar

Moses Webnair November 2020

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

The European research project MOSES involving NUIG Geographers Desiree Farrell, Liam Carr and Frances Fahy seeks to understand and quantify the sustainability dimension of Blue Growth with respect to the potential environmental impacts of key strategic marine sectors across the EU Atlantic Arc member states.  The project is now in the final year and as part of the dissemination of results the team has organised an international Webinar series. Each participating country will host a webinar and NUI Galway is hosting the first in the series on Tuesday 17 November at 1pm  via Zoom.   The webinar will include presentations on: An Introduction to the Wild Atlantic Way -Daithí Gallagher, Fáilte Ireland Wild Atlantic Way tourists: A survey of spending, activities and attitudes - Daniel Norton, NUI Galway Building a sustainable marine tourism trail through community voices: Rathmullan, Co. Donegal - Desiree Farrell, NUI Galway  The MOSES Project is funded by the EU INTERREG Atlantic V Programme (2014 to 2020), Priority 4 Enhancing Biodiversity and the Natural and Cultural Assets

>> Read full story about Moses upcoming webinar

To take good photos, you need to learn geography

To take good photos, you need to learn geography

Tuesday, 27 October 2020

Congratulations to Dr. Chaosheng Zhang, who is featured on Galway Advertiser’s ‘Galway Entertainment Guide’ on October 22, 2020. In an interview with Galway Advertiser, Dr. Zhang talked about his experience of linking geography and photography. “To take good photos, you need to learn geography! This is my personal experience,” Dr. Zjhang says. “Geography is about people and space, as well as time. First and most importantly, you need to know where you can find beautiful sceneries,” and then “you need to be at the right place at the right time, and this is really challenging!”  Click here for the link to the full article in Galway Advertiser.

>> Read full story about To take good photos, you need to learn geography

MSC Cruise 2020

MSC Cruise 2020

Tuesday, 27 October 2020

The MSc in Coastal and Marine Environments spent two successful days aboard the RV Celtic Voyager, conducting preliminary research on Galway Bay water quality and searching for microplastics. The annual cruise, now in its 6th year, is supported by the Marine Institute.

>> Read full story about MSC Cruise 2020

Dr Shane Conway Chairs Session at Burren Winterage School 2020

Burren Winterage School 2020

Friday, 23 October 2020

Dr Shane Conway, Researcher in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Studies Unit at NUI Galway chaired a session at this year’s Burren Winterage School AIP-AGRI Symposium on the solutions tested and lessons learned from Ireland's innovative EIP-AGRI projects to date. The use of these EIP-AGRI learnings to inform the new CAP Strategic Plan was also explored at this event, held virtually via Zoom on the 21st of October 2020. More information about the Burren Winterage School can be found here.

>> Read full story about Dr Shane Conway Chairs Session at Burren Winterage School 2020

Congratulations to Dr. Chaosheng Zhang

Dr Chaosheng Zhang, Photo Exhibition

Tuesday, 20 October 2020

Congratulations to Dr. Chaosheng Zhang who is having a photo exhibition in Eyre Square Shopping Centre in Galway City, organized by Galway City Council. This is the first in a series of exhibitions under the Government’s art and culture ‘Getting Through Covid-19 Together’ campaign opens from October 15. Since 2017, Dr. Zhang has been taking photos of the city and around the NUI Galway campus. His photos have been used in various publications at the university and by business groups, and are also widely shared on social media.

>> Read full story about Congratulations to Dr. Chaosheng Zhang

European Week of Regions and Cities

European Week of Regions and Cities

Tuesday, 13 October 2020

Dr Maura Farrell was an invited speaker on the 13th October by the European Commission during the European Week of Regions and Cities to a session on the Long Term Vision of Rural Futures 2040.  Maura presented on Socially Inclusive Rural Futures.  In the afternoon, Maura was invited to take part in an open on-line discussion with EU Vice- President, Dubravka Šuica (Democracy and Demography); Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski (Agriculture and Rural Development) and Commissioner Elisa Ferreira (Cohesion and Reforms).  The sessions were moderated by the European Network for Rural Development. 

>> Read full story about European Week of Regions and Cities

Best Things in Life are Free competition winner Dr Chaosheng Zhang

Best Things in Life are Free

Tuesday, 6 October 2020

Congratulations to Dr. Chaosheng Zhang, who is the winner of the Photography Competition of ‘Best Things in Life are Free’ organised by Galway Advertiser. The competition was launched on World Photography Day, August 19th, and ran until 17th September. There were over 600 competition entries and the stunning photo of the sunrise on the Long Walk from Dr. Zhang is the winning photo. The photo is published on Galway Advertiser of October 1.

>> Read full story about Best Things in Life are Free competition winner Dr Chaosheng Zhang

Long Term Rural Vision 2040

Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas

Tuesday, 29 September 2020

Dr Maura Farrell was recently appointed to the European Network for Rural Development Thematic Group, which will contribute to developing the EU 'Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas' announced by the President of the European Commission

>> Read full story about Long Term Rural Vision 2040

Understanding the past to help predict the future

Marine Institute

Monday, 21 September 2020

Press release recently published by the Marine Institute, that summarizes Dr Audrey Morley's survey in the Nordic Seas on the Celtic Explorer [Read].   Please see here a video compilation of the survey.

>> Read full story about Understanding the past to help predict the future

Rural Studies Researcher Presents at EU Seminar

EIP AGRI Seminar Sept.2020

Monday, 21 September 2020

Dr Shane Conway, Researcher in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Studies Unit at NUI Galway presented how lessons learned from Ireland's existing 23 EIP-AGRI Operational Groups are helping to build future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) interventions in an Irish context on the final day of the EIP-AGRI online seminar on 'CAP Strategic Plans: the key role of Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems in Member States'. EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, also spoke at this seminar that took place from the 16th to 18th of September 2020. The programme for this event can be viewed/downloaded here.

>> Read full story about Rural Studies Researcher Presents at EU Seminar

Deployment of AWAC and ADCP in Brandon Bay Co Kerry

Deployment of AWAC and ADCP in Brandon Bay Co Kerry

Monday, 14 September 2020

Dr Eugene Farrell and Ms Sheena Fennell (Senior Technician, Earth & Ocean Sciences NUIG & Ryan Institute) deployed an AWAC and ADCP in nearshore (15m) Brandon Bay Co Kerry last week as part of the ongoing coastal monitoring programme that focuses on The Maharees. The ocean observations are in partnership with the Marine Institute. The wave and current data will assist in validating a numerical model of the hydrodynamics of the bay which in being developed by Mr Andi Egon (PhD candidate) in Civil Engineering NUIG with Dr Stephen Nash. The model will support coastal erosion management decisions. Sincere thank you to Dr Martin White (EOS)  for loaning the sensors to the project. 

>> Read full story about Deployment of AWAC and ADCP in Brandon Bay Co Kerry

New Publication by Dr Gordon Bromley in The Cryosphere

New Publication by Dr Gordon Bromley in The Cryosphere

Monday, 14 September 2020

This paper presents the longest terrestrial record of ice sheet volume on the Antarctic continent yet constructed. We used multiple cosmogenic nuclides to date relict moraines in the Transantarctic Mountains to show that the massive East Antarctic Ice Sheet has persisted on the landscape in more-or-less its current configuration for at least 15 million years, and may have been thicker than present during periods of relatively warm climate. [Read]  

>> Read full story about New Publication by Dr Gordon Bromley in The Cryosphere

Rural Studies Infographic featured in EU Agrinnovation Magazine

EU Agrinnovation Magazine

Tuesday, 8 September 2020

An infographic of Ireland's 23 EIP-AGRI Operational Group projects, produced by the NRN team at NUI Galway, Dr Shane Conway and Dr Maura Farrell, is featured in the 7th edition of the EIP-AGRI Service Point's Agrinnovation magazine (p.6). This new publication also includes a piece from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) about how these projects are supporting the design of future policy measures. You can view/download this magazine here.

>> Read full story about Rural Studies Infographic featured in EU Agrinnovation Magazine

Photography exhibition during NUI Galway Virtual Summer Festival

Dr Zhang Art Exhibition

Friday, 4 September 2020

Dr. Chaosheng Zhang had an online photography exhibition during NUI Galway Virtual Summer Festival, August 23-26, 2020 (www.nuigalwayevents.ie).  Dr. Zhang’s photography was featured in the newspaper Galway City Tribute dated August 28, 2020.  From 2017, Dr. Zhang has been taking beautiful photos Galway and campus of NUI Galway. His photos have been used in various publications at the University and widely shared on social media. Four calendars have been published based on his photos. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr. Zhang made 10 of his photos publicly available via social media for free downloading.

>> Read full story about Photography exhibition during NUI Galway Virtual Summer Festival

Congratulations to Dr. Chaosheng Zhang

TG4 Images

Friday, 4 September 2020

Congratulations to Dr. Chaosheng Zhang!! Two photos taken by Dr. Zhang were used by Irish television TG4 in the weather forecast program on September 1, 2020. One photo was reflections of sunrise over the Claddagh, Galway, and the other one was Dunquin Pier of Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry. [Photos]

>> Read full story about Congratulations to Dr. Chaosheng Zhang

New Publication

Science Direct

Friday, 4 September 2020

Dr. Chaosheng Zhang and his PhD student Haofan Xu published a paper titled ‘Investigating spatially varying relationships between total organic carbon contents and pH values in European agricultural soil using geographically weighted regression’ in Science of the Total Environment. The journal is an internationally famous journal in environmental sciences. [Read]

>> Read full story about New Publication

Quaternary Association (IQUA) Newsletter

Quaternary Association (IQUA)

Monday, 17 August 2020

Most recent Irish Quaternary Association (IQUA) Newsletter (No. 64: 08/2020) now available here: Included is a list of recent publications relating to the Quaternary in Ireland. Congratulations to Adrienne Foreman who is mentioned as Eileen Reilly IQUA award recipient.

>> Read full story about Quaternary Association (IQUA) Newsletter

Kelp: a nature-based solution for coastal protection?

Kelp

Tuesday, 11 August 2020

Dr Eugene Farrell and Ms Emily Rick (MSc student in Coastal and Marine Environments 2019-2020)  published a review in Ocean Focus (Summer 2020 edition - available via subscription). The article "Kelp: a nature-based solution for coastal protection?" examines if the unique traits of kelp (durability, size, age, resilience and biomass density) make it suitable as a potential long-term coastal protection strategy in Ireland. They also discuss "the driftweed dilemma" which describes ongoing conflicts between beach users of how to manage the large volumes of discarded and living kelp washed onshore during storms. [Read]  

>> Read full story about Kelp: a nature-based solution for coastal protection?

Evolution of Ireland’s Industrial, Science and Technology Policy

The Evolution of Ireland’s Industrial, Science and Technology Policy

Friday, 31 July 2020

Evolution of Ireland’s Industrial, Science and Technology Policy examines the evolution of industrial, science and technology policy from a small country perspective. In particular, the monograph focuses on the evolution of Irish industrial development, the develop of Irish industrial cluster with a distinct focus on the case of the medical technology cluster in the West of Ireland. The monograph reflects on the future industrial, science and technology policy considerations that Ireland as a small open economy needs to focus on in order to evolve, maintain, and grow its international industrial, science, and technology reputation and standing. 

>> Read full story about Evolution of Ireland’s Industrial, Science and Technology Policy

"Extracting Us" is an online exhibition and conversation on the feminist political ecologies of extractivism

Thursday, 30 July 2020

"Extracting Us" is an online exhibition and conversation on the feminist political ecologies of extractivism, going live on the 3rd August.  A launch event takes place on the 13th August.  V'cenza Cirefice, PhD in the geography department, is featured in this exhibition. 

>> Read full story about "Extracting Us" is an online exhibition and conversation on the feminist political ecologies of extractivism

Irish Examiner Special Report: Voluntary groups need State support to turn back tide of coastal erosion

Dr Eugene Farrell

Wednesday, 29 July 2020

Dr Eugene Farrell was part of two special reports in the Irish Examiner as part of Ocean Week 2020. The reports describe the work of coastal communities in Kerry and Cork to combat erosion and the challenges of implementing new climate action policies within existing planning structures. [Read article 1]  [Read article 2]

>> Read full story about Irish Examiner Special Report: Voluntary groups need State support to turn back tide of coastal erosion

Rural Studies Researcher Featured in the Irish Farmers Journal

Irish Farmers Journal

Tuesday, 28 July 2020

Dr Shane Conway, Researcher in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Studies Unit at NUI Galway, was recently featured in the Irish Farmers Journal (23rd of July, 2020) advocating for the social and emotional needs of the older generation of the farming community to be taken into account in light of calls for a new Early Retirement Scheme for farmers. Dr Conway also condemns the previous scheme in 2007 requesting older farmers to ‘cease agricultural activity forever’ in this piece. [Read] 

>> Read full story about Rural Studies Researcher Featured in the Irish Farmers Journal

Congrats to the BASS Teaching Team

BASS Teaching Team

Tuesday, 21 July 2020

The winners of the President’s Awards for Teaching Excellence 2020 were announced last week and our colleagues, Dr Therese Conway, Dr Mike Hynes, and Professor Frances Fahy won the Team Teaching Award. Congratulations to the all the nominees and award winners.

>> Read full story about Congrats to the BASS Teaching Team

LEADER Programme Promotion Week on the NRN's social media channels

NRN Leader Programme Promotion Week

Monday, 13 July 2020

The NRN team at NUI Galway, Dr Shane Conway and Dr Maura Farrell, ran a ‘LEADER Programme Promotion Week’ on the NRN's social media channels from the 29th of June to the 5th of July 2020. This pioneering initiative provided rural communities and entrepreneurs with an in-depth insight into the LEADER Programme 2014-2020, and also helped future applicants conceptualise their ideas and see what is possible through LEADER’s unique ‘bottom up’ community-led approach to rural development, particularly as they prepare to rebuild, redevelop and re-energize as part of Ireland’s Covid-19 crisis recovery response. Please click here for further info.

>> Read full story about LEADER Programme Promotion Week on the NRN's social media channels

Higher education teaching grant by the European Geophysical Union

 European Geosciences Union

Thursday, 9 July 2020

Dr Gordon Bromley and Dr Maggie Jackson have been awarded a higher education teaching grant by the European Geophysical Union for their project 'The Great Irish (Virtual) Glacial Tiki Tour'. This project will deliver a teaching package comprising virtual tours of glacial geomorphological features and the impact of glaciers in Ireland. [Further info]

>> Read full story about Higher education teaching grant by the European Geophysical Union

Lockdown (Dianghlasáil)

'Lockdown'

Thursday, 9 July 2020

'Imposing a Lockdown is much easier than lifting one'    Galway Film Fleadh animated film by Dr Pat Collins, Geography, NUI Galway. [watch]

>> Read full story about Lockdown (Dianghlasáil)

Development Studies Association Publication: Global Governance in our COVID-19 World

UN Flag

Monday, 6 July 2020

Dr John Morrissey, Geography NUI Galway, writes on the global governance challenge of human security in our COVID-19 world. [Read]

>> Read full story about Development Studies Association Publication: Global Governance in our COVID-19 World

New publication 'A Geography of Marine Plastics' in Irish Geography

Marine Plastics

Thursday, 2 July 2020

Jeffrey Black, Dakota Holmes (both 2017-18 MSc graduates) and Dr Liam Carr have published their research, 'A Geography of Marine Plastics' in Irish Geography. The paper reviews the geography of marine plastics research, and the pervasive and persistent effects of plastic on the marine system to aid the discussions of comprehensive mitigation measures. The discussion points raised in this paper highlight the need for a global systems perspective that considers geography, environmental impacts, and sources in order to develop effective mitigation responses to marine litter Dakota is currently a Hardiman Phd Scholar under the advisement of Audrey Morley, while Jeffrey is beginning his doctoral studies at Colorado State University with Dr Rebecca Gruby, focusing on marine conservation and governance in the global tropics.

>> Read full story about New publication 'A Geography of Marine Plastics' in Irish Geography

New Sustainable Consumption Researcher to join Discipline in September 2020

Dr Aurianne Stroude

Friday, 26 June 2020

Geography at NUI Galway is delighted to welcome Dr Aurianne Stroude to the Discipline. Funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, Dr Stroude will be working with Professor Frances Fahy on an 18 month research project focusing on sustainable practices with a view to understanding how they contribute to transforming the relation to the world of the people performing them. According to Aurianne ‘my idea is to analyse the different elements of specific social practices (food consumption, mobility and zero waste living) and to analyse their effects on the way people experience the world (passive relation) and the way they appropriate it or assimilate it (active relation)’. Welcome to Geography at NUI Galway Aurianne!

>> Read full story about New Sustainable Consumption Researcher to join Discipline in September 2020

42% of third year Bachelor of Applied Social Sciences students receive awards for their first class performances

2020 NUI Galway Lá na nGradam (Awards Day)

Friday, 26 June 2020

Congratulations to all of our students who recently received awards in the post from the University, as the 2020 NUI Galway Lá na nGradam(Awards Day) ceremony had to be cancelled this year. 16 of the 38 students about to embark on the 4th year of the new Applied Social Science Degree and 9 of the 41 students about to enter 3rd year BASS were honoured for their first class performances in the previous year of the BASS Programme - a remarkable achievement, congrats to all!

>> Read full story about 42% of third year Bachelor of Applied Social Sciences students receive awards for their first class performances

Political ecology critique of the COVID-19 pandemic

Transforming Society Logo

Monday, 22 June 2020

Dr John Morrissey, Geography, NUI Galway, was commissioned to write a political ecology critique of the COVID-19 pandemic in Transforming Society, one of the UK’s biggest lobby forums endeavouring to bring expertise and ethics to UK government policy. [Read]

>> Read full story about Political ecology critique of the COVID-19 pandemic

Burrenbeo Trust Learning Landscape Symposium

People in the Burren

Monday, 22 June 2020

This year the Burrenbeo Trust Learning Landscape Symposium is going online from 8th - 11th July. Addressing the theme of 'the importance of valuing your local place in a post-Covid world', some of the leading experts who will speak at the event include Richard Louv – journalist and author of Last child in the woods; Katalin Czippán – deputy chair of Commission on Education and Communication (CEC) of the IUCN; David Sobel – author and environmentalist who pioneered the Place-Based Education movement; and, Paddy Madden – educationalist, author and founder member of Engage with Nature.  [Further details]  [Register free]  

>> Read full story about Burrenbeo Trust Learning Landscape Symposium

Who makes the city? The evolution of Galway city

Wednesday, 17 June 2020

New publication by Dr Pat Collins,Geography, NUI Galway in Sciendo [Read]

>> Read full story about Who makes the city? The evolution of Galway city

Research on Rural Impacts of the Wild Atlantic Way Featured on Highland Radio

Wednesday, 17 June 2020

Ongoing research collaboration between Geography at NUI Galway (Dr. Liam Carr and Desiree Farrell) and the community of Rathmullan, Co. Donegal has been featured on Highland Radio. The radio interview represents an example of community stakeholders demonstrating ownership in the research process. The study is nearing its final phase, and has been examining the impacts of the Wild Atlantic Way on the community of Rathmullan. [listen] 

>> Read full story about Research on Rural Impacts of the Wild Atlantic Way Featured on Highland Radio

Looking for new ways to keep the kids occupied during the COVID lockdown?

Tuesday, 16 June 2020

Looking for new ways to keep the kids occupied during the COVID lockdown? Check out the The Ryan Institute Nature at Home series (@NatureAtHomeIE). Learn through simple exercises about about birdsong, pond life & bugs [here], and if you have a beach near by, about beach erosion [here].

>> Read full story about Looking for new ways to keep the kids occupied during the COVID lockdown?

The Rural Studies Cluster is part of the RURALIZATION Horizon 2020 project.

Tuesday, 16 June 2020

The Rural Studies Cluster is part of the RURALIZATION Horizon 2020 project.  RURALIZATION is based around the idea that a process of ‘ruralisation’ can change development patterns in rural areas overcoming population and economic decline and generating new opportunities. To foster the ruralisation process across Europe, we need new policy-relevant knowledge, which the RURALIZATION project will generate. For updates on the project, check out the latest newsletter [here]  

>> Read full story about The Rural Studies Cluster is part of the RURALIZATION Horizon 2020 project.

New Video Blog Series produced by NRN team at NUIG

Tuesday, 16 June 2020

Dr Shane Conway and Dr Maura Farrell in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Studies Unit have produced a new Video Blog (Vlog) series on behalf of the Irish National Rural Network (NRN) featuring farmers who are participating in Ireland's 23 EIP-AGRI projects located throughout the country. You can view the video here.

>> Read full story about New Video Blog Series produced by NRN team at NUIG

4th Annual International SCORAI Conference

Tuesday, 9 June 2020

During this time of disruption, widespread suffering and elevated outrage about the racial and economic injustices of our societies, the SCORAI community will be coming together this week (June 10-12th) for the 4th International SCORAI conference focusing on Sustainable Consumption and Social Justice in an Urbanizing World.  Chaired by Prof Frances Fahy from NUI Galway and Prof Jennie Stephens from Northeastern University Boston, this virtual conference provides us with a valuable opportunity to share ideas and catalyze transformative change:  https://cssh.northeastern.edu/scorai2020/  We have an inspiring program that will engage directly with the transformative moment we are in.  The conference will open on Wednesday June 10th with a keynote reflection by Esteban Kelly, a visionary leader of the solidarity economy and Executive Director of the US Federation of Worker Cooperatives. This will be followed by a keynote presentation by Sherilyn MacGregor from Manchester University on integrating social justice into sustainable consumption work to set the stage for the rest of the conference.  The exciting conference program then has multiple parallel sessions on a wide diversity of issue areas, additional inspiring keynotes, yoga classes for all conference participants each day, and an art exhibit that critically examines issues of consumption.  With over 340 researchers, activists, and practitioners already registered from 33 countries, and 6 continents, the conference has representatives from all the SCORAI hubs across the globe.  More information is available here: https://cssh.northeastern.edu/scorai2020/

>> Read full story about 4th Annual International SCORAI Conference

The COVID-19 Exposure by Dr John Morrissey

Monday, 8 June 2020

Dr John Morrissey’s piece in ZNet, one of the biggest e-magazines on the Left in the US, on the origins of COVID-19, the excesses of late modern capitalism and how we might govern and live differently [Read].

>> Read full story about The COVID-19 Exposure by Dr John Morrissey

Rural Studies Research Features on the International Farm Transition Network Website

Thursday, 4 June 2020

Research by Dr Shane Conway in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Studies Unit on the various emotional and social factors governing the behaviour patterns and attitudes of older farmers facing the ‘twin processes’ of farm succession and retirement has recently been featured on the International Farm Transition Network (IFTN) website based in the U.S.A.  You can read this article here.

>> Read full story about Rural Studies Research Features on the International Farm Transition Network Website

Research from the Discipline of Geography featured on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln website

Wednesday, 20 May 2020

Research carried out on the human side of farm succession and retirement in later life by Dr Shane Conway, Researcher in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Studies Research Cluster at NUI Galway has recently been featured in the Agricultural Economics section of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln website in the U.S.A. Please see: https://agecon.unl.edu/international-perspectives-farm-succession-and-retirement-later-lifeThis research gives voice to the older farmer's position in the Generational Renewal narrative.As demographic trends in many parts of the U.S.A., Europe and beyond reveal an inversion of the age pyramid with those aged 65 years and over constituting the fastest growing sector of the farming workforce, the recommendations set forth in this research from NUI Galway are equally as applicable and relevant in the U.S.A. as they are in an Irish context

>> Read full story about Research from the Discipline of Geography featured on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln website

NUI Galway at our Virtual Open Day

Thursday, 7 May 2020

Join us for NUI Galway's Virtual Open Day today! It is the perfect opportunity to talk us about studying Geography at NUI Galway. Join us live from 12-3pm at www.nuigalway.ie/opendays #NUIGalwayLive

>> Read full story about NUI Galway at our Virtual Open Day

Rural Studies Cluster part of two day online RURALIZATION project meeting

Tuesday, 28 April 2020

Now entering the end of year one, the Horizon 2020 RURALIZATION project General Assembly meeting was held online on April 22nd and 23rd. The Rural Studies Cluster lead work on the project’s research and innovation framework. Dr Aisling Murtagh and Dr Maura Farrell led the session to evaluate current work and future steps related to the research and innovation framework. The meeting also included a dedicated session on the consequences of COVID-19 for the project’s work and future research focus. Find more information here. You can also stay up to date with the project by signing up the newsletter.

>> Read full story about Rural Studies Cluster part of two day online RURALIZATION project meeting

Smart Rural Project Open Call

Monday, 27 April 2020

Dr Shane Conway, Researcher in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Studies Unit has recently been selected as Ireland's National Expert on a new two and a half-year project supported by the European Commission (DG AGRI) entitled 'Smart Rural 21'. This project aims to promote and inspire villages to develop and implement smart village approaches and strategies across Europe, and to draw conclusions and support future CAP interventions on smart villages. 17 villages are selected across Europe to receive guidance and technical support through the project. 5 villages have already been selected in Ireland (Dingle, Co. Kerry), Finland, France, the Czech Republic and Greece, and a further 12 villages will be selected up until the 5th of May 2020.   Rural communities can submit their expression of interest to participate in this project here.

>> Read full story about Smart Rural Project Open Call

The Economic Value of Outdoor Recreation on a Coastal Beach and Dune System in Ireland’s Southwest

Wednesday, 22 April 2020

New Whitaker Policy Brief by Dr Liam Carr & Eoin ÓFátharta. Discipline of Geography, 'The Economic Value of Outdoor Recreation on a Coastal Beach and Dune System in Ireland’s Southwest'  [Read]

>> Read full story about The Economic Value of Outdoor Recreation on a Coastal Beach and Dune System in Ireland’s Southwest

How healthy Kerry sand dunes are worth €9 million a year

Tuesday, 21 April 2020

Brainstorm article from Geography staff and students highlighting the value of the Irish coastal ecosystem & need for a coherent national investment policy for communities along the Wild Atlantic Way. [READ]

>> Read full story about How healthy Kerry sand dunes are worth €9 million a year

Farming for Nature Award Nominees

Thursday, 16 April 2020

Nominees for this year's National Farming for Nature Awards have just been released. This inspiring initiative is now in its third year and aims to source and share stories of farmers across Ireland who are adjudged to be managing their land and livestock in a way that really benefits nature in their area. Dr Shane Conway, Researcher in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Studies Unit is on the judging panel for this award.  You can read a short extract about each of the nominees here

>> Read full story about Farming for Nature Award Nominees

Congratulations to Adrienne Foreman

Monday, 6 April 2020

Congratulations to Galway Doctoral Research Scholar Adrienne Foreman who received the Eileen Reilly research award. The award is for postgraduate members of IQUA in memory of Eileen Reilly, an Irish Quaternary scientist, for training courses, conference attendance, laboratory analysis or fieldwork. Adrienne will be using the award for laboratory analysis (cosmogenic nuclide surface exposure dating)  

>> Read full story about Congratulations to Adrienne Foreman

Moore Institute COVID-19 webinar video

Friday, 3 April 2020

A virtual seminar was held on the coronavirus crisis in the Moore Institute on Thursday 3rd April.  The speakers were Dr John Morrissey (Geography), Dr Nessa Cronin (Irish Studies), Dr Kevin O’Sullivan (History) and Dr Pádraic Moran (Classics). It was streamed live on Facebook [watch]

>> Read full story about Moore Institute COVID-19 webinar video

Position Paper: Preserve peatlands in post-2020 CAP

Thursday, 2 April 2020

A consortium of 23 organisations, led by the Greifswald Mire Centre, National University of Ireland Galway (Dr. Terry Morley and Niall O’Brolchain) and the Wetlands International European Association, call on the preservation of peatlands in the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy. The position paper, part of an INTERREG NWE Project: Care Peat draws on the links between climate change, agriculture and peatland conservation. As agriculture is one of the main causes for peatland drainage, the paper focuses on the potential of the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to reduce this degradation.[further info]

>> Read full story about Position Paper: Preserve peatlands in post-2020 CAP

4th International SCORAI conference is Sustainable Consumption & Social Justice in an Urbanizing World.

Wednesday, 1 April 2020

In June 2020, Prof Frances Fahy will be Co-Chairing the 4th International SCORAI conference on sustainable consumption on behalf of the international Sustainable Consumption Research and Action Initiative (SCORAI) and Northeastern University in Boston. The theme for the 4th International SCORAI conference is Sustainable Consumption & Social Justice in an Urbanizing World. The world has changed dramatically since we began planning this conference many months ago, and we have shifted the conference format to be online only. We are grateful to have the opportunity to transition to a fully digital conference format that will reduce our collective consumption while preserving vitally important sharing of ideas.For more details and to register for this conference please visit our website

>> Read full story about 4th International SCORAI conference is Sustainable Consumption & Social Justice in an Urbanizing World.

New research to focus on sustainable consumption during Covid19

Tuesday, 31 March 2020

Frances Fahy’s research focuses on sustainable consumption and along with 7 of her international colleagues (in Canada, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, the UK, Mexico, Hong Kong and the USA) she has established a new research project - Consumption and wellbeing in the time of Covid: We are living in interesting times. The Coronavirus is changing the way we interact, teach, study, work and consume. In response to this, Frances is working with 1st and 3rd year BASS students, inviting them to reflect on changes that are taking place in their everyday lives. In this process they are bringing together students from around the globe who may be living similar experiences. They hope that through this experience they can learn together how our consumption is changing, how our views of the world are changing, and what this means in relation to our wellbeing.  For more information or to join the study please email frances.fahy@nuigalway.ie

>> Read full story about New research to focus on sustainable consumption during Covid19

Geography Newsletter 23rd March, 2020

Monday, 30 March 2020

Read the Geography Newsletter, 23rd March, 2020

>> Read full story about Geography Newsletter 23rd March, 2020

Congratulations to Dr. Chaosheng Zhang

Thursday, 26 March 2020

Congratulations to Dr. Chaosheng Zhang, who has recently been appointed as an Associate Editor of Journal of Geochemical Exploration. The journal is dedicated to the publication of research studies that cover new developments in the application of analytical geochemistry and geoinformatics. Dr. Zhang already holds three other editorial positions: Section Editor of Data in Brief, Coordinating Editor of Environmental Geochemistry and Health; Editorial Board member of The Science of the Total Environment.

>> Read full story about Congratulations to Dr. Chaosheng Zhang

Congratulations to Dr Natasha Keenaghan

Tuesday, 24 March 2020

Congratulations to Natasha Keenaghan who successfully defended her PhD thesis in February 2020. Drawing from perspectives in geography and media studies Natasha’s thesis examines the role of NGOs in changing public attitudes towards distant humanitarian crises. Natasha’s thesis was examined by Professor Rob Kitchin (Maynooth University) and was supervised by Dr Kathy Reilly (Geography, NUIG)

>> Read full story about Congratulations to Dr Natasha Keenaghan

Masters Students from France Visit the Discipline of Geography

Tuesday, 24 March 2020

Dr Maura Farrell and Dr Shane Conway presented the aims, objectives, practices and progress of Ireland’s 23 locally-led EIP-AGRI Operational Groups to a group of students from the University of Paris Seine and the University of Cergy-Pontoise in France, studying a Master's degree in European and International Studies who recently visited NUI Galway. This is another example of the Rural Studies Unit's continued efforts to increase the impact and international awareness of research projects being carried out in the Discipline of Geography at NUI Galway. 

>> Read full story about Masters Students from France Visit the Discipline of Geography

Nuachtlitir Tíreolaíochta 09 Márta 2020

Monday, 9 March 2020

Read the Geography Newsletter, 9th March, 2020 [download]

>> Read full story about Nuachtlitir Tíreolaíochta 09 Márta 2020

Geography Newsletter, 2nd March, 2020

Tuesday, 3 March 2020

Read the Geography Newsletter, 2nd March, 2020 [download] 

>> Read full story about Geography Newsletter, 2nd March, 2020

Launch of NARI, the Network of Arctic Researchers in Ireland

Monday, 2 March 2020

On Friday, 28th February 2020, Dr Audrey Morley and Dakota  Holmes went to the Iveagh House in Dublin to launch the Network of Arctic Researchers in Ireland (NARI) with the Marine Institute and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. [further info]    

>> Read full story about Launch of NARI, the Network of Arctic Researchers in Ireland

Ireland's Edge Ballina

Thursday, 27 February 2020

This Saturday 29th February,  Dr Pat Collins, Geography, NUI Galway wil take part in Ireland’s Edge which  returns to Ballina bringing together a compelling range of voices that span diverse disciplines, sectors and industries to discuss Ireland; where we’ve been, where we are now, and where we want to go. [Further Info]

>> Read full story about Ireland's Edge Ballina

Geography Newsletter, 24th February, 2020

Thursday, 27 February 2020

Read the Geography Newsletter, 24th February, 2020 [download]

>> Read full story about Geography Newsletter, 24th February, 2020

RURALIZATION Horizon 2020 project newsletter

Monday, 24 February 2020

Learn more about the RURALIZATION Horizon 2020 project in its first newsletter. This includes a special feature on the Rural Studies Cluster who are part of the project.  [Read]

>> Read full story about RURALIZATION Horizon 2020 project newsletter

Geography Newsletter, 17th February, 2020

Tuesday, 18 February 2020

Read the Geography Newsletter, 17th February, 2020 [download]

>> Read full story about Geography Newsletter, 17th February, 2020

Pollen at Ceide Fields proves Irish history is nothing to be sneezed at

Monday, 17 February 2020

Sunday Independent article: "Analysis confirms north Mayo Ceide Fields dates back 6,000 years, making it older than the pyramids" [READ][READ]

>> Read full story about Pollen at Ceide Fields proves Irish history is nothing to be sneezed at

Irlanti elää vaikeinta aikaa 20 vuoteen

Friday, 14 February 2020

Dr Eugene Farrell was interviewed by Finnish journalist Mr Hannu Taavitsainen on coastal research he was conducting in Ireland last summer. Hannu has written a short article for the Finnish Association of Science Editors and Journalists. The finnish journalist was very interested in learning about Dr Farrell’s experience with coastal communities and the search for management solutions (e.g. dune fencing in article picture). Hannu was also very impressed with the CIG 2019 / EUGEO conference organised by staff members Dr Kathy Reilly and Dr Frances Fahy. [Read]

>> Read full story about Irlanti elää vaikeinta aikaa 20 vuoteen

Dr Shane Conway features on RTÉ’s Ear to the Ground

Thursday, 13 February 2020

Dr Shane Conway, Researcher in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Studies Unit featured in a recent episode of RTÉ’s Ear to the Ground, where he discussed the importance of part-time farming, not only to the survival, continuity and future prosperity of the Irish agri-food industry, but also to the broader sustainability, viability and vibrancy of rural society, by incentivizing such farmers and their families to live and work in their local community.  You can view a clip of Shane discussing the intrinsic link between farming and rural sustainability here.  The full version of this particular episode of Ear to the Ground can be found on the  RTÉ Player (Season 27, Episode 11).

>> Read full story about Dr Shane Conway features on RTÉ’s Ear to the Ground

Rural Studies Research Featured in ARC2020 Publication

Thursday, 13 February 2020

Intergenerational Considerations for Generational Renewal Policy Strategies' research by Dr Shane Conway Dr John McDonagh and Dr Maura Farrell in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Studies Research Unit at NUI Galway is featured in a recent ARC 2020 (Agricultural and Rural Convention) Rural Dialogues publication (p.38-40). [Read]

>> Read full story about Rural Studies Research Featured in ARC2020 Publication

Céide Fields — how old are the pre-bog, stone-wall fields at Céide Fields, north Mayo?

Thursday, 13 February 2020

Publicationby Porf. Michael O'Connell, Dr Karen Molloy and Dr Eneda Jennings, Palaeoenvironmental Research Unit, School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies, NUI Galway on the stone-wall fields at Céide Fields, Co. Mayo. [download]

>> Read full story about Céide Fields — how old are the pre-bog, stone-wall fields at Céide Fields, north Mayo?

Sustainability at NUIG

Tuesday, 11 February 2020

NUI Galway is making great strides in the area of sustainability and has plans for further work as outlined in this new article published in Ireland’s Yearbook of Education co-authored by Prof Frances Fahy.  [Read]

>> Read full story about Sustainability at NUIG

Steering demand? Exploring the intersection of policy, practice and lives in energy systems change in Ireland

Tuesday, 11 February 2020

Steering Demand? New energy geographies publication by Dr Mary Greene and Prof Frances Fahy examines the intersections of policy, practice and lives in energy-systems-change. [Read]

>> Read full story about Steering demand? Exploring the intersection of policy, practice and lives in energy systems change in Ireland

Geography Newsletter, 10th February, 2020

Monday, 10 February 2020

Read the Geography Newsletter, 4th February, 2020. [download]

>> Read full story about Geography Newsletter, 10th February, 2020

New Whitaker Institute Policy Brief

Monday, 10 February 2020

Dr Pat Collins recently published a Whitaker Institute Policy Brief titled Planning for a better Ireland: Trusting in the wisdom of crowds. The policy brief can be read in full here.

>> Read full story about New Whitaker Institute Policy Brief

A day in the life of a Palaeoclimatologist

Friday, 7 February 2020

Adrienne Foreman, PhD student at the  Discipline of Geography, NUI Galway,  takes us through a typical day and what it’s like to be a Palaeoclimatologist.[download]

>> Read full story about A day in the life of a Palaeoclimatologist

A day in the life of an Urban Geographer

Thursday, 6 February 2020

Professor Ulf Strohmayer, (Geography, NUI Galway) takes us through a typical day and what it’s like to be a Urban Geography  [download]

>> Read full story about A day in the life of an Urban Geographer

Geography Newsletter 4th February 2020

Thursday, 6 February 2020

  Read the Geography Newsletter, 4th February, 2020.

>> Read full story about Geography Newsletter 4th February 2020

Éigse na Bríde 2020

Monday, 3 February 2020

Labhair an Dr. Eugene Farrell ag féile Éigse na Bríde 2020 i gCiarraí Theas. Chuir an Dr. Farrell fadhbanna agus réitigh ar athrú aeráide ar fáil do phobail chósta in Éirinn.

>> Read full story about Éigse na Bríde 2020

Are you a woman in the natural/geosciences

Friday, 31 January 2020

Are you a woman in the natural/geosciences in Ireland?  If so, we want to know whether you think academic lifestyles are attractive. If you have a PhD and are interested in participating please register for: February, 18th, UCD Dublin February, 19th, NUI Galway  

>> Read full story about Are you a woman in the natural/geosciences

Congratulations to Professor Frances Fahy

Thursday, 19 December 2019

Congratulations to Professor Frances Fahy  on her recent appointment as Personal Professor at NUI Galway.  Wishing you continued sucess Frances.

>> Read full story about Congratulations to Professor Frances Fahy

Geography Newsletter, 20th January, 2020

Monday, 20 January 2020

Read the Geography Newsletter, 20th January 2020.

>> Read full story about Geography Newsletter, 20th January, 2020

Workshop to examine the rich heritage of Abbeyleix Bog

Tuesday, 21 January 2020

Stories exploring the past, present and future of Abbeyleix Bog will be shared at a community mapping workshop in the town on Saturday 25 January.  For further information please see here

>> Read full story about Workshop to examine the rich heritage of Abbeyleix Bog

Geological Remote Sensing Group's 30th Anniversary AGM

Friday, 17 January 2020

Daithí Maguire presenting his PhD research while attending the Geological Remote Sensing Group's 30th Anniversary AGM at the European Space Agency's Centre for Earth Observation in Frascati in December. Funding for his trip was provided by the Marine Institute

>> Read full story about Geological Remote Sensing Group's 30th Anniversary AGM

Geography Newsletter, January 2020

Monday, 20 January 2020

[READ] Geography Newsletter, January 2020.

>> Read full story about Geography Newsletter, January 2020

A day in the life of a Palaeoecologist

Friday, 17 January 2020

Dr Aaron Potito (Geography, NUI Galway) takes us through a typical day and what it’s like to be a Palaeoecologist. [download]

>> Read full story about A day in the life of a Palaeoecologist

2019

The Mary Robinson climate conference, 6-7 July 2023

Dr Audrey Morley

Thursday, 15 December 2022

The Mary Robinson climate conference will take place 6-7th July 2023 in Ballina.  For further info please see QR Code

>> Read full story about The Mary Robinson climate conference, 6-7 July 2023

Geography Newsletter, 30th March, 2020

Tuesday, 31 March 2020

Read the Geography Newsletter, 30th March, 2020

>> Read full story about Geography Newsletter, 30th March, 2020

Congratulations to Sara Hannafin

Friday, 11 January 2019

Sara Hannafin (PhD student in Irish Studies and Geography) passed her viva on Friday, 7 December 2018.  Sara received the very rare recommendation of no corrections being required to her thesis. The examiners were Professor Mary J Hickman, London Metropolitan University and Dr Valerie Ledwith, NUI Galway.  Sara's thesis is entitled: Coming 'home': place, belonging and second-generation return migration from England to Ireland'. Her supervisors were Dr Nessa Cronin and Professor Mary Cawley.

>> Read full story about Congratulations to Sara Hannafin

Climate Resilience Workshop

Friday, 18 January 2019

Drs Liam Carr, Frances Fahy, Eugene Farrell, and Mary Greene participated in a Climate Action Workshop at the Environmental Research Institute, UCC on Thursday, 18 January 2019. The trans-disciplinary workshop, part of the EPA Ireland-funded Imagining 2050 Project, brought together academics from across Ireland and tasked them with the challenge of how to best partner with stakeholders to pursue a climate-resilient future for Ireland. 

>> Read full story about Climate Resilience Workshop

Dr Shane Conway speaks at EIP-AGRI Seminar on Digitising Agriculture and Rural Areas

Wednesday, 23 January 2019

A European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural productivity and Sustainability (EIP-AGRI) seminar entitled ‘Multi-level strategies for digitising agriculture and rural areas’ took place from the 12th to 13th of December 2018 in Antwerp, Belgium. The main purpose of this workshop was to highlight the importance of strategic planning to steer the digitisation of agriculture and rural areas, combining European, national, regional and local levels. Dr Shane Conway, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Discipline of Geography at NUI Galway and with the Irish National Rural Network (NRN), spoke at this event on the importance of implementing a multi-method communication approach to engage, inform and educate farmers and rural communities throughout EU member states of national and EU-wide digital initiatives and inspiring examples. EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan, delivered the closing speech at this seminar via video link.   More information about this seminar can be found here.

>> Read full story about Dr Shane Conway speaks at EIP-AGRI Seminar on Digitising Agriculture and Rural Areas

New EU INTERREG NWE project, ‘Care-Peat’

Monday, 4 February 2019

Congratulation to Geography staff members Terry Morley and Eugene Farrell  who are part of a successful EU INTERREG NWE project, ‘Care-Peat’, to develop new policies and methods for managing and monitoring carbon reduction from peatlands. The €6.23 million project involves partners from Ireland, the UK, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. The award will fund local peatland restoration and monitoring as well as the development of innovative policies based on the data collected from restoration works. Dr. Morley is the Irish lead investigator based on his research an industry experience in wetland ecology. Dr. Farrell will use state-of-the-art drone technology to collect passive optical imagery to classify peatlands. The partnership also includes Niall Ó Brolcháin from the eGov Centre at the Insight Centre for Data Analytics and experts from the NPWS, IPCC, UCD, private consultants, Bord na Mona, An Taisce, and the Community Wetlands Forum.

>> Read full story about New EU INTERREG NWE project, ‘Care-Peat’

Congratulations to Brian Leonard (PhD candidate in Geography)

Wednesday, 6 February 2019

Congratulations to Brian Leonard (PhD candidate in Geography) on passing his viva yesterday, 05 February 2019.  His examiners were Prof Matt Lobley, University of Exeter and Dr Therese Conway, NUI Galway.  Brian's thesis is entitled: Irish farm succession and inheritance: an examination of farmers’ economic decision-making strategies as socially-constructed risk assessment. Brian completed his PhD through publications, one of which may be accessed here Policy drivers of farm succession and inheritance (published in Land Use Policy). Kudos too, to his supervisors Dr Maura Farrell and Dr Marie Mahon, Professor Cathal O Donoghue and Dr Anne Kinsella (Teagasc). 

>> Read full story about Congratulations to Brian Leonard (PhD candidate in Geography)

Learning from Living Labs: Experiences from the field

Friday, 8 February 2019

Whitaker Ideas Forum upcoming talk about 'Learning from Living Labs: Experiences from the field' by Dr Eimear Heaslip, Discipline of Geography on February 13th at 1pm in CA110 (SAC Room), St. Anthony’s, JE Cairnes Building. [further details]

>> Read full story about Learning from Living Labs: Experiences from the field

Exploring complex social drivers of (un)sustainable consumption

Friday, 8 February 2019

Whitaker Institute Policy Brief Series from Dr Mary Greene, Discipline of Geography,  titled 'Exploring complex social drivers of (un)sustainable consumption' [READ]

>> Read full story about Exploring complex social drivers of (un)sustainable consumption

End-of-life considerations for onshore wind in Ireland

Friday, 8 February 2019

Whitaker policy brief from Rebecca Windemer and  Dr Frances Fahy’s on ‘End-of-life considerations for onshore wind in Ireland' [READ]

>> Read full story about End-of-life considerations for onshore wind in Ireland

Nitrate Loading in Galway Canals: Challenges in Meeting Water Framework Directive Standards

Friday, 8 February 2019

Whitaker Institute Policy Brief by Dr Liam Carr, Discipline of Geography titled 'Nitrate Loading in Galway Canals: Challenges in Meeting Water Framework Directive Standards' [READ]

>> Read full story about Nitrate Loading in Galway Canals: Challenges in Meeting Water Framework Directive Standards

Dr Eugene Farrell speaks at TEDX Galway on climate change impacts on coastal communities

Friday, 8 February 2019

Dr Eugene Farrell was invited to present his research ideas at TEDX Galway on 07 February 2019. Dr Farrell presented two solutions that can support coastal communities and coastal ecosystems build capacity and resilience in the face of pressures from storms and human activities. The solutions included: (1) monetization of our coastal ecosystems in order to acquire large capital funds to support coastal conservation projects and (2) prioritize the role of coastal communities in decision making: local solutions for local problems.

>> Read full story about Dr Eugene Farrell speaks at TEDX Galway on climate change impacts on coastal communities

Dr Eugene Farrell appears on RTÉ Eco Eye episode ‘The Living Beach’

Wednesday, 13 February 2019

In this episode (Eco Eye Series 17 ‘The Living Beach’; 12 February 2019) Anja Murray and Dr Lara Dungan examined the future of Ireland’s beaches with the rise of sea waters and associated effects of climate change and human activity, such as erosion. Coastal scientist Dr. Farrell set out the issues in the Maharees Heritage and Conservation project, whose volunteers have tried to help reverse these effects by planting dune grass, among other endeavours, to help push back the encroaching tide. But is it be enough to save this precious ecosystem?

>> Read full story about Dr Eugene Farrell appears on RTÉ Eco Eye episode ‘The Living Beach’

Soap Box Science Galway 2019

Monday, 18 February 2019

Join top female scientists as they take to the streets !!!!   June 29th, Spanish Arch Galway. [more info]

>> Read full story about Soap Box Science Galway 2019

Two Researchers awarded MSCA Individual Fellowships

Monday, 18 February 2019

Geography at NUI Galway is delighted to announce a double success at the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme. Our own Dr. Audrey Morley, Lecturer in Physical Geography, has been awarded an MSCA Individual Fellowship and Dr. Gordon Bromleywill host incoming MSCA Fellow Dr. Maggie Jackson from the United States.  Both projects are funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme. [Further Info]

>> Read full story about Two Researchers awarded MSCA Individual Fellowships

Geography departments express 'deep concern' over removal of core Junior Cert subject

Monday, 25 February 2019

In a letter published in the Sunday Independent and the Irish Times, the heads of six university geography departments expressed deep concern at the removal of geography as a core subject in the Junior Cert.

>> Read full story about Geography departments express 'deep concern' over removal of core Junior Cert subject

How much is enough?

Tuesday, 5 March 2019

Dr Gary Goggins last week published a letter in the Irish Times reflecting on our consumerist society, and asking the question "How much is enough?" Gary is currently working on the H2020 ENERGISE project, which explores social and cultural influences on household energy use, and engages participants across Europe in real-world experiments that challenge social norms around household consumption.

>> Read full story about How much is enough?

Geography Newsletter, 4th March 2019

Tuesday, 5 March 2019

[download] Geography Newsletter, March 2019.

>> Read full story about Geography Newsletter, 4th March 2019

St Flannan’s open day in Ennis

Tuesday, 5 March 2019

Dr Frances Fahy at St Flannan’s open day in Ennis this sunny morning in County Clare

>> Read full story about St Flannan’s open day in Ennis

Geography as a key to solving global problems such as climate change and poverty

Friday, 8 March 2019

Professor Gerry Kearns, Head of Geography, Maynooth and Gary Granville, Emeritus Professor, School of Education NCAD joined Pat Kenny on Newstalk for a debate: geography as a key to solving global problems such as climate change and poverty, and in proposing solutions to issues such as the housing crisis.   Listen to podcast here.

>> Read full story about Geography as a key to solving global problems such as climate change and poverty

Geography Newsletter, 11th March, 2019

Wednesday, 13 March 2019

[download] Geography Newsletter, 11th March 2019.

>> Read full story about Geography Newsletter, 11th March, 2019

Dr John Morrissey visits Oxford University

Wednesday, 13 March 2019

Dr John Morrissey was recently invited to Oxford to outline his IRC project, Haven, to the British International Studies Association. John spent a few days as a visiting scholar at St Antony’s College, where he presented a paper on EU securitization discourse and responses to the Mediterranean refugee crisis.

>> Read full story about Dr John Morrissey visits Oxford University

Creative Economies of Peripheral Regions

Wednesday, 13 March 2019

Dr Patrick Collins was  invited to give a keynote talk by the Cork University Business School (UCC) on the Creative Economies of Peripheral Regions on Friday 8th March. The event was attended by a mix of policy makers, practitioners and academics.

>> Read full story about Creative Economies of Peripheral Regions

What do you do when nobody listens to your concerns?

Friday, 15 March 2019

What do you do when nobody listens to your concerns? Take action. Ireland’s school children have taken to the streets today in protest at what they say is Government inaction on climate change. Read more:  Irish Times, RTE News, Galway Advertiser 

>> Read full story about What do you do when nobody listens to your concerns?

Dr Greene participates as key panelist at Galway Energy Summit

Tuesday, 19 March 2019

Dr Mary Greene participated as a key panelist at the main panel discussion 'Changing for our Climate' at the Galway Energy Summit held in NUI Galway on 12th March. The panel discussion, moderated by RTE's George Lee, stimulated a lively discussion, with Dr. Greene raising themes relating to the often neglected social and human dimensions of the energy transition (Picture attached).

>> Read full story about Dr Greene participates as key panelist at Galway Energy Summit

Dr Greene leads community engagement workshop at BurrenBeo Symposium

Tuesday, 19 March 2019

Dr Mary Greene participated as a workshop leader at the recent BurrenBeo Learning Landscape Symposium held in Kinvara (8th -10th March). Her workshop focused on innovative methods for engaging communities in societal transitions towards sustainability. More information on the symposium can be found here 

>> Read full story about Dr Greene leads community engagement workshop at BurrenBeo Symposium

Governmental Day Workshop held in Amsterdam

Tuesday, 19 March 2019

Dr Shane Conway participated in a 'Governmental Day Workshop' on behalf of National Rural Network at the FTTH (Fibre to the Home) 2019 conference held in the RAI Amsterdam on the 12th of March. The latest information on broadband and digitalisation policy developments in the wew discussed at this event, with a particular focus on tackling and addressing the challenges faced by public local and regional authorities in relation to fibre broadband deployment in rural areas throughout Europe.  More info here & here

>> Read full story about Governmental Day Workshop held in Amsterdam

Geography Newsletter, 19th March 2019

Tuesday, 19 March 2019

[download] Geography Newsletter, 19th March 2019.

>> Read full story about Geography Newsletter, 19th March 2019

Geography Research Featured in Sunday Business Post

Wednesday, 20 March 2019

An interesting and insightful piece on the 'Family Farm Model' in Ireland, written by renowned farming journalist and reporter Ella McSweeney in today's Sunday Business Post, features research on generational renewal in agriculture carried out by Dr Shane Conway, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Studies Research Cluster at NUI Galway, and the National Rural Network. In this article, Dr Conway highlights the crucial importance of family farming to the sustainability and future survival of rural Ireland. More info here.

>> Read full story about Geography Research Featured in Sunday Business Post

Heritage Ireland 2030

Wednesday, 20 March 2019

On March 13th NUI Galway hosted a Heritage Ireland 2030 consultation workshop with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Kevin Lynch contributed a short piece on climate change and community resilience. Joe Fenwick has made an individual contribution to the consultation which he has agreed to share [download]

>> Read full story about Heritage Ireland 2030

Geography Newsletter, 25th March 2019

Monday, 25 March 2019

[download] Geography Newsletter, 25th March 2019.

>> Read full story about Geography Newsletter, 25th March 2019

IODP Bremen Core Repository Scanning/Sampling Visit

Wednesday, 27 March 2019

Two of Dr. Audrey Morley’s PhD students from the Palaeoenvironmental Research Unit (PRU), Megan Murphy O’ Connor and Dakota Holmes visited the IODP Bremen Core Repository at MARUM located within the University of Bremen from the 4th-15th March 2019.  [Read More]

>> Read full story about IODP Bremen Core Repository Scanning/Sampling Visit

Examining Hungary’s Denial of Human Security for Migrants, Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Friday, 29 March 2019

Dr Valerie Ledwith gave a presentation at the Whitaker Ideas Forum on 'Examining Hungary’s Denial of Human Security for Migrants, Asylum Seekers and Refugees' , [Read More]

>> Read full story about Examining Hungary’s Denial of Human Security for Migrants, Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Geography Podcast, by Dr Richard Scriven

Tuesday, 2 April 2019

One of our Human Geographers Dr Richard Scriven has recorded a geography podcast series exploring different themes using a geographical lens. In one episode, Richard talks with Dr Gordon Bromley about his experiences of working in Antarctica and explains how he studies historical climate change using glaciers and rocks.  [listen]

>> Read full story about Geography Podcast, by Dr Richard Scriven

Marine Protected Area Management and Monitoring project

Tuesday, 2 April 2019

Dr Patricia Breen travelled to Belfast last week to attend a workshop for the MarPAMM (Marine Protected Area Management and Monitoring) project. Patricia presented work from her previous postdoc in University College Cork on modelling species distributions of cetaceans, seabirds and fish. She also spoke about her current work in NUIG on risk assessment within fisheries for the SEERAC (Spatially explicit ecological risk assessment framework for conservation planning of coastal waters) project.

>> Read full story about Marine Protected Area Management and Monitoring project

Minister Creed launches new €10 million Pearl Mussel Project

Tuesday, 2 April 2019

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, T.D., launched the new Pearl Mussel Project at the beautiful Glenbeg Lake near Ardgroom, Co. Cork on Friday the 29th of March 2019. This EIP-AGRI Operational Group, awarded €10 million under the RDP 2014-2020, aims to design and implement a voluntary results-based agri-environmental scheme with farmers that will help protect the endangered freshwater pearl mussel, as well as benefiting the wider environment. It is 1 of 23 EIP-AGRI Projects in Ireland. Pictured here at the launch of this project is Dr Shane Conway, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Studies Research Cluster and the National Rural Network, with Minister Creed and Brendan Gleeson, Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine.

>> Read full story about Minister Creed launches new €10 million Pearl Mussel Project

ENERGISE research team news 2019

Tuesday, 2 April 2019

Congrats to the ENERGISE research team, all members of Geography’s Planning and Sustainability Research Group on submitting their forthcoming book ‘Energy demand challenges in Europe: implications for policy, planning and practice’ to Palgrave Publishers in the UK  [Read More]

>> Read full story about ENERGISE research team news 2019

Geography Newsletter, 1st April, 2019

Tuesday, 2 April 2019

[download] Geography Newsletter, 1st April, 2019.

>> Read full story about Geography Newsletter, 1st April, 2019

Visit by Mr Danijel Pavicic, University of Zadar

Tuesday, 2 April 2019

Geography is delighted to host Mr Danijel Pavicic this week. Danijel is visiting from the beautiful city of Zadar on the west coast of Croatia and is completing a one week Erasmus + staff mobility training activity in Geography. The overall objective of Danijel’s training is to develop further cooperation between the Department of Ethnology and Anthropology at the University of Zadar with both the School of Political Science and Sociology and School of Geography and Archaeology in NUI Galway specifically in relation to the undergraduate programme: BSc (Applied Social Sciences).

>> Read full story about Visit by Mr Danijel Pavicic, University of Zadar

Prehistoric Landscapes of North Mayo

Tuesday, 2 April 2019

Professor Michael O’Connell (with Dr Karen Molloy) gave a presentation entitled “Prehistoric Landscapes of North Mayo” at the International Open Workshop: Socio-Environmental Dynamics over the Last 15,000 Years (11–16 March 2019) in Kiel University, Germany

>> Read full story about Prehistoric Landscapes of North Mayo

Here are 9 reasons why geography matters

Thursday, 4 April 2019

RTE Brainstorming,  Opinion: the decision to make geography an optional Junior Cycle subject risks impoverishing Ireland's future, By Anna Davies, Irish Research Council and Frances Fahy, NUI Galway

>> Read full story about Here are 9 reasons why geography matters

Researching the Rural: Going Global and Staying Local

Monday, 8 April 2019

Dr Maura Farrell, Discipline of Geography will give a talk on 'Researching the Rural: Going Global and Staying Local', Tuesday May 7th at 1pm,  GO10, Moore Institute. [Read More]

>> Read full story about Researching the Rural: Going Global and Staying Local

Applied Social Science field trip to Barcelona

Wednesday, 10 April 2019

Our  Applied Social Science  2nd years students are exploring  Barcelona urban Geography with Professor Ulf Strohmayer, Fieldbased learning !!!

>> Read full story about Applied Social Science field trip to Barcelona

Soap Box Science 2019

Wednesday, 10 April 2019

Congratulations to PhD student Michele Curran for being selected to talk at this years #soapboxScienceGalway, come see female scientists talk at Spanish Arch on 29 June! #STEM#Climate@GeogNUIG

>> Read full story about Soap Box Science 2019

Communities at “war” against climate change

Wednesday, 10 April 2019

Dr Eugene Farrell looks at how communities tackle coastal and marine management in Ireland. He argues that we need to work in the knowledge that our ‘natural’ geomorphic systems will no longer be fully natural; they will be impacted by our actions; they will be host a myriad of stakeholder interests that are often conflicting; and that many of our natural geomorphic systems are being ‘squeezed’ out of existence from natural and human pressures [Watch]

>> Read full story about Communities at “war” against climate change

The Climate Reanalyzer

Wednesday, 10 April 2019

Dr Gordon Bromley  used this amazing tool 'The Climate Reanalyzer' today with Merlin College transition year geography students. Reproducing the climatic phenomena we've experienced recently & comparing them to long-term means is invaluable

>> Read full story about The Climate Reanalyzer

Hands-on work on how best to plan & use our coasts & oceans

Thursday, 11 April 2019

What a great experience, an evening at Galway Aquarium with marine spatial planning experts organised by Dr Liam Carr, Discipline of Geography, NUI Galway.  Hands-on work on how best to plan & use our coasts & oceans. 

>> Read full story about Hands-on work on how best to plan & use our coasts & oceans

Dr Eugene Farrell keynote presentation on Sustainability Transitions in the Coastal Zone

Tuesday, 16 April 2019

Dr Eugene Farrell was the invited keynote presenter on April 15th in Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick for the Regional Studies Association (RSA) workshop on Sustainability Transitions in the Coastal Zone. The RSA research network aims to bring together scholars focused on the dynamics of coastal zones as economic spaces in order to catalyse a discourse on new coastal economies, addressing problems of lock-in and system inertia in the current regime and exploring means to foster radical innovation for sustainable and resilience based coastal development all while making sure the spatial dimension and the regional context are fully conceptualized

>> Read full story about Dr Eugene Farrell keynote presentation on Sustainability Transitions in the Coastal Zone

Marine planners take on Board Game Challenge for ICES Working Group

Tuesday, 23 April 2019

The Marine Institute recently welcomed an international group of experts to Galway to discuss how marine spatial planning is used to balance the different demands for using our ocean.  Read full article here

>> Read full story about Marine planners take on Board Game Challenge for ICES Working Group

BASS Field trip to Barcelona 2019

Tuesday, 23 April 2019

The BASS students on their field trip to Barcelona

>> Read full story about BASS Field trip to Barcelona 2019

MA ESD field trip to Sarajevo

Friday, 26 April 2019

This coming Monday the MA Environmental, Society and Development class are embarking on a week field trip to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here they will visit development agencies, such as the UNDP, and engage in field-based exploration of post-conflict development processes.

>> Read full story about MA ESD field trip to Sarajevo

Launch of the Climate Action Regional Office for the Atlantic Seaboard North in Aras an Chontae

Friday, 26 April 2019

Maria O’Connell (MSc Coastal and Marine Environments & Climate Action Regional Office) hosted Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton, as he officially launched the Climate Action Regional Office for the Atlantic Seaboard North in Aras an Chontae, Castlebar, on Friday April 5th 2019. Read full article here.

>> Read full story about Launch of the Climate Action Regional Office for the Atlantic Seaboard North in Aras an Chontae

NUIG Researcher Speaks at ‘networX - Inspiring Rural Europe’ Event in Brussels

Wednesday, 1 May 2019

Dr Shane Conway, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Discipline of Geography at NUI Galway and with the National Rural Network (NRN) spoke about the impact & success of the NRN' interactive EIP-AGRI Operational Group Storyboard database as a good practice dissemination model to communicate the success of the objectives set out in Ireland’s Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 to attendees at the ‘Networking for Innovation’ session at the  European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) ‘networX - Inspiring Rural Europe’ event held in Brussels, Belgium from the 11th to 12th of April 2019. Dr Conway is pictured here at this event with EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan.  More information about this event can be found here

>> Read full story about NUIG Researcher Speaks at ‘networX - Inspiring Rural Europe’ Event in Brussels

Minister Creed Launches new EIP-AGRI Booklet

Friday, 3 May 2019

A new booklet on Ireland's locally-led EIP-AGRI Operational Group Projects was launched by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, T.D. on the 17th of April, 2019 in the Agriculture House, Dublin. This publication was designed and produced by the National Rural Network team at NUI Galway, Dr Shane Conway, Dr Maura Farrell and Dr Aisling Murtagh, to highlight and promote the 23 Irish EIP-AGRI Operational Groups nationally and internationally. A budget of €59m is set aside for these projects. You can download this freely available booklet here.

>> Read full story about Minister Creed Launches new EIP-AGRI Booklet

EIP-AGRI Public Exhibition at Agriculture House, Dublin

Friday, 3 May 2019

A public exhibition of Ireland’s 23 locally-led EIP-AGRI Operational Group projects took place from the 17th to 23rd of April 2019 in Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin.  This EIP-AGRI exhibition, aimed at inspiring people in the farming community and rural areas to maximize the success of the objectives set out in the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014 – 2020, displayed booklets, posters, infographics and interactive content detailing the main aims, objectives, activates and background of each of the successful EIP-AGRI projects. This content was created by the National Rural Network team at NUI Galway, Dr Shane Conway, Dr Maura Farrell and Dr Aisling Murtagh, on behalf of the DAFM.  Please see here for more info.

>> Read full story about EIP-AGRI Public Exhibition at Agriculture House, Dublin

Galway's Hidden Gems Talk

Wednesday, 8 May 2019

Rory O’Callaghan of Seasearch Ireland will present a talk on the unique challenges of recording in marine inshore waters, the work of Seasearch Ireland and some of the amazing life lying just below the surface of Galway’s marine waters, including photographs and videos of these unique habitats.  Galway's Hidden Gems Talk, 9th May, 7:00 PM.

>> Read full story about Galway's Hidden Gems Talk

Congratulations to Dr Liam Carr

Tuesday, 14 May 2019

Congratulations to Dr Liam Carr who was recently elected as Secretary for the Irish Fulbright Alumni Association at their AGM I’m Boston College on May 3rd

>> Read full story about Congratulations to Dr Liam Carr

Conference of Irish Geographers 2019 and the EUGEO Congress 2019

Tuesday, 14 May 2019

The School of Geography and Archaeology at NUI Galway is proud to jointly host the 51st Conference of Irish Geographers 2019 and the EUGEO Congress 2019. The conference one of the largest European gatherings of geographers, will take place over four days (May 15th – 18th 2019)

>> Read full story about Conference of Irish Geographers 2019 and the EUGEO Congress 2019

Welcome to almost 500 delegates from 37 countries to the EUGEO 2019 Congress

Wednesday, 15 May 2019

Delighted to welcome almost 500 delegates from 37 countries to the EUGEO 2019 Congress which commences today in Bailey Allen Hall on NUIG campus. Dr Kathy Reilly EUGEO Co-Chair, Prof Lokesh Joshi (NUIG VP for Research) and Prof Zoltan Kovacs will officially launch the Congress at the Welcome reception at 5.30pm on Wednesday 15th of May in Bailey Allen Hall. 

>> Read full story about Welcome to almost 500 delegates from 37 countries to the EUGEO 2019 Congress

Opening Keynote address this evening by Dr. Michele Lancione

Wednesday, 15 May 2019

Looking forward to our opening Keynote address this evening by Dr. Michele Lancione (Senior Research Fellow and Director of ECR Development in Sheffield University).  Michele is an urban ethnographer and activist and his Keynote lecture will focus on the theme of Homelessness and governmentality.

>> Read full story about Opening Keynote address this evening by Dr. Michele Lancione

EUGEO 2019, delegates from over 35 countries

Thursday, 16 May 2019

The  EUGEO 2019 has delegates from over 35 countries attending..... Talk about international collaboration  !!!

>> Read full story about EUGEO 2019, delegates from over 35 countries

NUI Galway to Host 500 Delegates at the 7th EUGEO Congress

Friday, 17 May 2019

NUI Galway will host the 7th EUGEO (Association of Geographical Societies in Europe) Congress in conjunction with the 51st Conference of Irish Geographers from 15-18 May. The theme for this year’s event is ‘Re-imagining Europe’s Future Society and Landscapes’. [full article]

>> Read full story about NUI Galway to Host 500 Delegates at the 7th EUGEO Congress

Keynote presentation by Dr. Larissa Naylor

Friday, 17 May 2019

Delighted to welcome Dr. Larissa Naylor (Reader for Physical Geography at the University of Glasgow) for our Keynote lecture this evening. Larissa is an international expert in climate change adaptation, rock coast morphodynamics, ecological enhancement and greening of hard infrastructure and navigating the science-policy-practice interface. Larissa helped establish the UK’s Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership, and has reviewed the coastal chapter for the IPCC.

>> Read full story about Keynote presentation by Dr. Larissa Naylor

Dr Gordon Bromley interviewed by RTE Radio 1

Friday, 17 May 2019

Dr Gordon Bromley, School of Geography and Archaeology, NUI Galway speaks to RTE Radio 1 on climate and biodiversity emergencyand  global warming [listen]

>> Read full story about Dr Gordon Bromley interviewed by RTE Radio 1

Congratulations to Michelle Curran

Monday, 20 May 2019

Congratulations to Geography PhD student Michelle Curran on winning the Postgraduate & Early Career Network (PECN) of the Geographical Society of Ireland (GSI)  poster contest at EUGEO2019

>> Read full story about Congratulations to Michelle Curran

RURALIZATION project kick-off meeting held in Barcelona

Monday, 27 May 2019

The Rural Research Cluster at the Discipline of Geography are delighted to be part the new 4 year RURALIZATION project. The research team are Dr. Maura Farrell (Principal Investigator), Dr. Aisling Murtagh (Post-Doctoral Researcher), Dr. Marie Mahon, Dr. Therese Conway, Dr. John McDonagh and Dr. Shane Conway.   The project started on May 1st and the kick-off meeting was held on May 15th and 16th in Barcelona. The project develops knowledge and supports policy making focused on access to land, youth visions for rural futures, newcomers to rural areas and new entrants to farming.   Follow RURALIZATION on Twitter @Ruralization_EU and more information is available via the CORDIS Fact Sheet

>> Read full story about RURALIZATION project kick-off meeting held in Barcelona

Dr Shane Conway Speaks at EIP-AGRI Booklet Launch

Friday, 31 May 2019

A new booklet on Ireland's locally-led EIP-AGRI Operational Group Projects, produced by the National Rural Network team at NUI Galway, Dr Shane Conway and Dr Maura Farrell in the Discipline of Geography’s Rural Studies Research Cluster, was launched by Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture, Andrew Doyle TD, in the Department of Agriculture and Food, and the Marine offices at Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford on the 16th of May 2019. Shane also spoke at this launch about the NRN’s role in inspiring people in the farming community and rural areas to maximize the success of the objectives set out in Ireland’s Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020.  You can find and download this freely available booklet on the NRN website.

>> Read full story about Dr Shane Conway Speaks at EIP-AGRI Booklet Launch

Drivetime on RTÉ Radio 1 Interview with Dr Shane Conway

Friday, 31 May 2019

The role of EIP-AGRI Operational Groups in protecting biodiversity and tackling climate change was discussed on RTE Radio One’s Drivetime Programme on Wednesday the 29th of May 2019. Dr Shane Conway, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Discipline of Geography’s Rural Studies Research Cluster at NUI Galway and the National Rural Network was interviewed at the Irish Rural Link annual conference in Athlone on the 27th of May 2019 about this initiative along with EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan. The segment runs from 2:18:25 to 2:24:15 and you can listen back here.  

>> Read full story about Drivetime on RTÉ Radio 1 Interview with Dr Shane Conway

Ryan Institute Research Day 2019

Wednesday, 5 June 2019

A very successful and enjoyable day was had by members of the Geography Department at the Ryan Institute Research Day 2019 on Friday 31st of May.  The discipline had great representation at the lunch-time poster session, and even won some prizes with Marta Cabello taking first prize for the Energy and Climate Change research theme and Megan Murphy O’ Connor winning second prize in the Marine and Coastal research group. Congratulations!

>> Read full story about Ryan Institute Research Day 2019

Energy Demand Challenges in Europe: Implication for policy, planning & practice

Tuesday, 11 June 2019

A new book 'Energy Demand Challenges in Europe: Implication for policy, planning and practice', co-edited by Dr Frances Fahy and Dr Gary Goggins, has just been published by Palgrave MacMillan as part of the Palgrave Pivot series. This open access book examines the role of citizens in sustainable energy transitions across Europe. It explores energy problem framing, policy approaches and practical responses to the challenge of securing clean, affordable and sustainable energy for all citizens, focusing on households as the main unit of analysis. The book revolves around ten contributions that each summarise national trends, socio-material characteristics, and policy responses to contemporary energy issues affecting householders in different countries, and provides good practice examples for designing and implementing sustainable energy initiatives. Overall, the book is a valuable resource for researchers, policy-makers, practitioners and others interested in sustainable energy perspectives. The book is a key output from the H2020 ENERGISE project (GA number 727642) and is free to download.

>> Read full story about Energy Demand Challenges in Europe: Implication for policy, planning & practice

Congratulations to Dr Brian Leonard

Wednesday, 12 June 2019

Congratulations to Dr Brian Leonard (PhD) on graduating with his PhD in NUI Galway on Tuesday 11th June.  Brian's thesis is entitled: Irish farm succession and inheritance: an examination of farmers’ economic decision-making strategies as socially-constructed risk assessment.  Well done also to his supervisors in Geography, Dr Maura Farrell and Dr Marie Mahon, and the Dean of Arts, Professor Cathal O' Donoghue and Anne Kinsella (Teagasc). 

>> Read full story about Congratulations to Dr Brian Leonard

Congratulations to Dr Sara Hannafin

Wednesday, 12 June 2019

Dr Sara Hannafin was conferred with her PhD on 11th June 2019 at NUI Galway. Seen above with her supervisors Dr Nessa Cronin, Centre for Irish Studies and Professor Mary Cawley, Geography and the Whitaker Institute. Congratulations, Sara! Sara’s thesis is entitled  Coming ‘home’: place, belonging and the return migration of the second-generation Irish from Britain

>> Read full story about Congratulations to Dr Sara Hannafin

Axel Leahy presents to Joint Oireachtas Committee

Thursday, 20 June 2019

On May 09th 2019 Axel Leahy presented his views on policy challenges facing the European Union in relation to “Climate Action and Sustainable Development” to five Joint Oireachtas Committees - see video clip here (1hr 58mins into the May 9th recording).  The Ceann Comhairle organised the special joint sitting of five Joint Oireachtas Committees, the Joint Committee on Climate Action included. The session engaged with younger citizens in relation to key policy issues facing the European Union.  It is highly likely that the views aired on the day contributed in some way to the Government’s new climate action plan, with Tánaiste Simon Coveney saying a permanent Oireachtas committee dedicated to climate change is to be set up under the plan. 

>> Read full story about Axel Leahy presents to Joint Oireachtas Committee

Visitor Surveys in the Maharees

Monday, 24 June 2019

MSc student Eoin ÓFátharta is in the Maharees this week, conducting visitor surveys as part of his dissertation research on recreational values of dune systems. His work is supporting ongoing local efforts led by the Maharees Conservation Association, and is being assisted by Jack Workman, Daithí Maguire, Drs Eugene Farrell and Liam Carr.

>> Read full story about Visitor Surveys in the Maharees

Can the citizen and the planner ever be friends?

Monday, 1 July 2019

Article by Professor Ulf Strohmayer, Discipline of Geography, NUIG for RTE News Brainstorm [READ]

>> Read full story about Can the citizen and the planner ever be friends?

Adopting sustainable coastal management plans in Dublin

Tuesday, 2 July 2019

Dr Eugene Farrell recently worked with Fingal County Council, An Taisce, and local coastal communities to identify the need for a  ‘best practice’ guide for beach cleaning in County Dublin. Public concerns of the dumping of the cleaned beach litter back on the dunes (containing plastics, wipes, faeces, etc.) need to be addressed with short- and long-term solutions. Dr Farrell’s role was to provide a scientific basis for beach-dune management and encourage local communities and local authorities to work together to adopt management plans that are sustainable and strike a proper balance between conservation and use of the beach and dune systems during the busy summer bathing months.

>> Read full story about Adopting sustainable coastal management plans in Dublin

Using multispectral images and vegetation indices to map dune habitats using UAV (drone) technology

Thursday, 4 July 2019

MSc student Jack Workman is working with Dr Eugene Farrell to test the application of multispectral (MicaSense RedEdge) and RGB images to map dune vegetation and habitats (e.g., the rare Natterjack toad) in The Maharees using UAV technology. Their research is illustrating the great potential of high-resolution UAV data and photogrammetric techniques in coastal science and related disciplines. UAV mapping represents a faster, more reliable, and cost-effective approach in landscape assessment for scientists and managers.

>> Read full story about Using multispectral images and vegetation indices to map dune habitats using UAV (drone) technology

Henry Russell Shaw Purposeful Travel Fellowship

Thursday, 4 July 2019

Dr Therese Conway, Discipline of Geography, is hosting Trevor Noon a student from Harvard travelling through Ireland in July.  Trevor is travelling to Ireland through the Henry Russell Shaw Purposeful Travel Fellowship. During his time in Ireland Trevor will be interviewing Therese for a documentary that seeks to explore the relationship between rural and urban populations

>> Read full story about Henry Russell Shaw Purposeful Travel Fellowship

New publication by Dr Shane Conway

Thursday, 4 July 2019

Research carried out by Dr Shane Conway, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Discipline of Geography’s Rural Studies Research Cluster on the topic of ‘Generational Renewal in Agriculture’, specifically as it relates to the senior generation of the farming community has recently been published in the International Journal of Agricultural Management (please see: https://bit.ly/2x5OfPz). Globally the policy mantra about the survival, continuity and future prosperity of the agricultural sector, traditional family farm model and broader sustainability of rural society seems ultimately to depend on an age-diverse farming population.

>> Read full story about New publication by Dr Shane Conway

Dr Maura Farrell featured on the Irish Farmers Journal

Friday, 5 July 2019

An update on the current LEADER budget allocated to Ireland, funded through the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 (RDP), was featured recently in the Irish Farmers Journal. This article featured insights from Dr Maura Farrell, Lecturer in the Discipline of Geography at NUI Galway and Lead Researcher with the National Rural Network, Over 2000 projects, valued at €69 million have been approved for LEADER funding so far under the current programme.

>> Read full story about Dr Maura Farrell featured on the Irish Farmers Journal

Article by the NRN team at NUIG featured in ENRD Publication

Friday, 5 July 2019

An article about the impact and success of the Irish NRN' interactive LEADER and EIP-AGRI Project Storyboard databases  as a good practice dissemination model to communicate the success of the objectives set out in Ireland’s Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) is featured in the Spring/Summer 2019 edition of the European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) Rural Connections magazine (p.36-37). This article was produced by the NRN team at NUIG, Dr Maura Farrell, Dr Shane Conway and Dr Aisling Murtagh. Please see here.  

>> Read full story about Article by the NRN team at NUIG featured in ENRD Publication

Recognition in Sunday Business Post

Thursday, 25 July 2019

Galway Convention Bureau is looking for champions in Galway to attract further conference investment in our city. In their recent communication Dr Frances Fahy and Dr Kathy Reilly’s hard work on the very successful EUGEO recently held in NUIG (attracting 450 delegates from 37 countries) was recognized in the Sunday Business Post last week.

>> Read full story about Recognition in Sunday Business Post

Visiting researchers from Massey University New Zealand

Thursday, 25 July 2019

Geography is delighted to welcome Dr Aisling Gallagher and Dr Russell Prince, visiting researchers from Massey University New Zealand who will be hosted by Dr Frances Fahy and Dr Kathy Reilly this July and August - we are really looking forward to the summer collaboration.

>> Read full story about Visiting researchers from Massey University New Zealand

Study by the Rural Studies Research Cluster featured in the Connacht Tribune

Friday, 26 July 2019

Recommendations set forth in a recent study published in the International Journal of Agricultural Management by Dr Shane Conway, Dr John McDonagh and Dr Maura Farrell in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Studies Research Cluster at NUI Galway have been featured the Connacht Tribune (cover page & p.68-69). These policy recommendations are aimed at allowing older farmers to maintain and sustain existing activities and daily routines on their farms in later life, whilst also ‘releasing the reins’ to allow for the necessary delegation of managerial responsibilities and ownership of the family farm to their successors, in order for generational renewal in agriculture to occur. [READ]

>> Read full story about Study by the Rural Studies Research Cluster featured in the Connacht Tribune

Dr Shane Conway's research highlighted in the Irish Farmers Journal

Friday, 26 July 2019

Research carried out by Dr Shane Conway, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Discipline of Geography’s Rural Studies Research Cluster on the topic of ‘Generational Renewal in Agriculture’, calling for farm transfer policy makers to understand the 'language of farming', and also to value the older generation of the farming community's 'way of life' on their farms when devising future policy was recently highlighted in the Irish Farmers Journal. [READ]

>> Read full story about Dr Shane Conway's research highlighted in the Irish Farmers Journal

National 'Smart Villages and Rural Towns' Seminar organised by the NRN team at NUIG

Friday, 26 July 2019

The National Rural Network (NRN) team at NUI Galway, Dr Maura Farrell and Dr Shane Conway, recently organised a national seminar on the EU Action for Smart Villages Initiative in Ireland, entitled ‘Smart Villages and Rural Towns in Ireland: Revitalising Rural Areas through Community-Led Innovation’ on behalf of the NRN and the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD). This event took place in the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone, on July 4th, 2019. This seminar was structured to build a greater knowledge base around the EU Action for Smart Villages initiative, and demonstrate how it can be planned, implemented and realized in an Irish context, particularly in the context of the design of the LEADER Programme post 2020. Dr Farrell also presented at this event on the topic of 'Rural Ireland: Embracing a ‘Smart’ Concept', while Dr Conway chaired proceedings. [READ]

>> Read full story about National 'Smart Villages and Rural Towns' Seminar organised by the NRN team at NUIG

Fashion in a spin: Are we washing our clothes all wrong?

Tuesday, 13 August 2019

Geography PhD student Helen Maguire speaks to the Irish Independent after comments by Stella Mc Cartney regarding laundry, see article here

>> Read full story about Fashion in a spin: Are we washing our clothes all wrong?

Farmers are fighting a losing battle against the impact of coastal erosion

Tuesday, 13 August 2019

Farmers in the south-east are fighting a losing battle against the impact of coastal erosion. Dr Eugene Farrell featured in an article in the Independent Farming feels that farmers will find it hard to "fight the economics of coastal erosion". It's very expensive to protect farmland from coastal erosion, especially if it will have to be replaced every few years. Authorities have to make decisions about who to protect. He explains that a number of farmers also feel very threatened by the loss of their land and that it is also impacting them emotionally. 

>> Read full story about Farmers are fighting a losing battle against the impact of coastal erosion

Boulder ridge storm deposit of Aran Islands

Friday, 16 August 2019

Dr Eugene Farrell participated in a field excursion to Inis Mór (Inishmore) Aran Islands to examine large boulder deposits that have been moved by storm waves. Previously it was thought that only tsunamis had the power to move these giant boulders - the largest recorded to have moved exceeds 600 tonnes! The decade long research is being conducted by Prof Ronadh Cox (Williams College, Massachusetts, USA)  who visited NUIG Geography in Spring 2019. The fieldtrip – led by Prof Cox -  was attended by geographers, geomorphologists, oceanographers, geologists, and geophysicists. [More Info]

>> Read full story about Boulder ridge storm deposit of Aran Islands

RTE Brainstorm 'Reclaiming the streets from the car'

Friday, 16 August 2019

Professor Ulf Strohmayer spoke to RTE1 Drivetime this week on 'Reclaiming the streets from the car' [Listen] 

>> Read full story about RTE Brainstorm 'Reclaiming the streets from the car'

Best wishes to Dr Mary Greene

Friday, 16 August 2019

Congrats to our former PhD Graduate and Colleague Dr Mary Greene on her recent appointment as Assistant Professor at the Environmental Policy Unit at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. Best wishes in the new post Mary!

>> Read full story about Best wishes to Dr Mary Greene

Another great publication from the Energise research team

Friday, 16 August 2019

Another great publication from the Energise research team: Dr Gary Goggins and Dr Frances Fahy have published a new paper exploring the Characteristics and governance of urban-based energy initiatives across Europe in the top ranked Journal of Cleaner Production. You can read the open access article here.

>> Read full story about Another great publication from the Energise research team

Visiting researcher Dr Russell Prince

Friday, 16 August 2019

Visiting researcher Dr Russell Prince from Massey University in New Zealand is enjoying his time working in Geography at NUI Galway and explains the purpose of his research stay:    ‘I'm a political and economic geographer with particular interests in policy mobility, which refers to the movement of policy from one place to another, and the geographies of market and economy-making. My current research is trying to combine these trajectories with a historical study of New Zealand's adoption of statistical methods in the middle decades of the twentieth century and the related invention of the New Zealand economy as an idea in itself. While I'm visiting here at Galway I'm spending my time taking advantage of the broadband to trawl through the many historical documents from the period that the New Zealand national library has made available through their digitisation project.’

>> Read full story about Visiting researcher Dr Russell Prince

RTÉ Brainstorm Podcast on the Future of Farming

Tuesday, 20 August 2019

Dr Shane Conway, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Studies Research Cluster at NUI Galway, spoke to Ella McSweeney on RTÉ Radio One's Drivetime show last week.  You can listen to this RTÉ Brainstorm Podcast piece here (@10.20):

>> Read full story about RTÉ Brainstorm Podcast on the Future of Farming

Chaosheng Zhang gave keynote talks at 3 international conferences

Tuesday, 10 September 2019

During August, Dr. Chaosheng Zhang gave keynote talks at 3 international conferences: ICEPH 2019 The 5th International Conference on Environmental Pollution and Health held in Harbin during August 4-6, 2019; ISEG 2019 The 11th International Symposium on Environmental Geochemistry held in Beijing during Aug. 7-10, 2019; MEDGEO 2019 The 8th International Conference on Medical Geology of International Medical Geology Association (IMGA) held in Guiyang during Aug. 11-15, 2019. Dr. Zhang also acted as one of the workshop leaders for Medical Geology Short Course on provided on Aug. 11 during MEDGEO 2019.

>> Read full story about Chaosheng Zhang gave keynote talks at 3 international conferences

NUI Galway recognized as one of the co-organisers in two international conferences

Tuesday, 10 September 2019

NUI Galway was recognised as one of the co-organisers in two international conferences: ISEG 2019 The 11th International Symposium on Environmental Geochemistry held in Beijing during Aug. 7-10, 2019; MEDGEO 2019 The 8th International Conference on Medical Geology of International Medical Geology Association (IMGA) held in Guiyang during Aug. 11-15, 2019. Dr. Chaosheng Zhang served as co-chair for these two international conferences. 

>> Read full story about NUI Galway recognized as one of the co-organisers in two international conferences

Job Advertisement: Postdoctoral Researcher/Research Associate

Monday, 23 September 2019

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a fixed-term position as a Postdoctoral Researcher with the Department of Geography at the National University of Ireland, Galway. This position is available from November 1, 2019 for 12 months.  [Further Info]

>> Read full story about Job Advertisement: Postdoctoral Researcher/Research Associate

International workshop on coastal resilience and adaptation

Friday, 27 September 2019

Dr Eugene Farrell was an invited speaker to Edge Hill University Liverpool for the International Workshop on Coastal Resilience and Adaptation. The two day event included a field visit to Sefton Dunes and Formby where scientists met with managers from The National Trust and English Nature to discuss short and long term management practices and challenges. The team included members from the NERC funded Thai Coast Project. Items discussed included blowout mobilization to increase biodiversity; impacts of invasive species on habitats of natterjack toad and sand lizards; impacts of humans (visitors; pine plantations; Industry pollution); and community engagement.

>> Read full story about International workshop on coastal resilience and adaptation

Brainstorming Bertra: International experts coming to share ideas

Monday, 30 September 2019

Bertra Strand and its dunes are in a precarious state. It has been pounded by series of storms in the past decade with dire consequences.  An integrated vision is needed for the future welfare of the whole coastal landscape, where the natural environment is inextricably linked to that of the local communities of Murrisk, Lecanvy and Belclare. To kickstart local climate action an event is being run by the EU Aelclic Project.  The event on Tuesday Oct 1st at 7pm in The Tavern, Murrisk, Co Mayo, will hear of international experiences from Prof Enzo Pranzini (University of Florence), Prof Bas Pedroli (Wageningen University) and Dr Maura Farrell (NUI Galway).  Hearing of good practices from Ireland and abroad will demonstrate that solutions do exist that can be beneficial to the communities and the natural environment at the same time. The outcomes of the event are expected to be, a greater awareness of possible solutions and a solid commitment from those interested to work together to take action. [Further Info]

>> Read full story about Brainstorming Bertra: International experts coming to share ideas

New peer-reviewed article (Open Access) from ENERGISE

Monday, 7 October 2019

The latest peer-reviewed article from the H2020-funded ENERGISE project has just been published in the prestigious journal Energy Policy. The paper examines the importance of how energy demand problems are understood and framed, and what this means for the type of solutions that are proposed. The work is a joint publication between researchers at NUIG (Gary Goggins and Frances Fahy) together with their colleagues from Aalborg University. The Open Access article is available to download in full here.

>> Read full story about New peer-reviewed article (Open Access) from ENERGISE

New Whitaker Institute Policy Brief

Monday, 7 October 2019

Dr Gary Goggins recently published a Whitaker Institute Policy Brief which looks how we can best design and implement initiatives aimed at sustainable transformation of household energy use. The policy brief can be read in full here.

>> Read full story about New Whitaker Institute Policy Brief

Dr Kathy Reilly has been invited to join Focus Ireland’s Research Committee

Tuesday, 8 October 2019

Dr Kathy Reilly has been invited to join Focus Ireland’s Research Committee. Focus Ireland works with people who are homeless or who are at risk of losing their homes across Ireland. The central function of the Research Committee is to provide guidance and advice in the planning and delivery of the organisation’s research and evaluation programme, within the context of Focus Ireland’s organisational strategic plan. This invitation is based on Dr Reilly’s current work exploring homeless experiences in Ireland, funded by the Irish Research Council’s Research for Policy and Society Scheme.

>> Read full story about Dr Kathy Reilly has been invited to join Focus Ireland’s Research Committee

Three days on Inis Mór for the 2019/2020 MSc class in Coastal and Marine Environments

Friday, 11 October 2019

The 2019-20 MSc class in Coastal and Marine Environments spent three days on Inis Mór learning about life and livelihoods in the Aran Islands. As part of their visit, the students spent an afternoon with David OHalloran of Bláth na Mara (Flower of the Sea), learning about traditional seaweed harvesting techniques and how Bláth na Mara is establishing new markets for four different types of seaweed that grow locally. Learn more of their story at blathnamara.ie

>> Read full story about Three days on Inis Mór for the 2019/2020 MSc class in Coastal and Marine Environments

Research by the Rural Studies Research Cluster featured in Teagasc Publication

Friday, 11 October 2019

Teagasc's 'TResearch Autumn 2019' quarterly magazine features research published in the International Journal of Agricultural Management on the topic of ‘Generational Renewal in Agriculture’ by Dr Shane Conway, Dr John McDonagh and Dr Maura Farrell in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Studies Research Unit at NUI Galway calling for policy makers to understand the 'language of farming', and also to value the older generation of the farming community's 'way of life' on their farms in later life when devising future farm transfer strategies (p.32-33). A piece by Dr Brian Leonard and colleagues at NUI Galway and Teagasc exploring farmer perceptions of risk in farm succession is also featured in this edition (p.34-35).

>> Read full story about Research by the Rural Studies Research Cluster featured in Teagasc Publication

Gortsceala 2019

Friday, 11 October 2019

The School of Geography & Archaeology is a wonderfully vibrant and inspiring place to work and study, and this edition of Gortsceala captures some of our core passions: fieldwork, public scholarship and making critical knowledge count. 

>> Read full story about Gortsceala 2019

Open Care-Peat meeting in Ireland

Tuesday, 8 October 2019

Open Care_Peat Meeting Ireland, 27th September, 2019.  Two days of interesting speakers, discussions, workshops and site visits, together with the partners and other peatland organisations. For further info: @INTERREG_NWE

>> Read full story about Open Care-Peat meeting in Ireland

How do we make Galway City climate resilient?

Friday, 11 October 2019

Dr Eugene Farrell held fieldtrips this week at Grattan Beach in Galway City with second year students registered in the Earth Surface Processes and Landforms module. Students assessed if Grattan Beach fulfilled all the criteria for a  Blue Flag designation. These criteria include: Environmental Education & Information, Water Quality, Environmental Management, and Safety and Services. The students also investigated for visible pressures (climate and human) on the coastline. Each team of students had to design long term coastal management strategies for the area spanning the spectrum of resistance to adaptation. The fieldtrips were supported by Geography staff and postgraduate students.

>> Read full story about How do we make Galway City climate resilient?

Book Launch: 'Energy Demand Challenges in Europe'

Tuesday, 22 October 2019

A new book co-edited by Frances Fahy, Gary Goggins (NUIG) and Charlotte Jensen (Aalborg University) was officially launched last week in Barcelona at the European Roundtable for Sustainable Consumption and Production (ERSCP) Conference by Dr Sylvia Lorek, Sustainable Europe Research Institute, Germany. The book, 'Energy Demand Challenges in Europe', examines the role of citizens in sustainable energy transitions across Europe. The book was published by Palgrave MacMillan as part of the Palgrave Pivot series and is free to download.

>> Read full story about Book Launch: 'Energy Demand Challenges in Europe'

3rd Year Fieldtrip to Athenry

Tuesday, 22 October 2019

3rd year Geography students visited Athenry  as part of their Field Based Learning, module. They visited @teagasc and @galwayruraldev where they heard about agri sustainability and rural development measures. The students are currently undertaking a SWOT analysis of of Athenry.

>> Read full story about 3rd Year Fieldtrip to Athenry

Galway Geological Association lecture series

Thursday, 24 October 2019

Dr Eugene Farrell was invited to give a public lecture to the Galway Geological Association on the 22nd of October. The lecture focussed on the environmental monitoring programmes conducted by Dr Farrell in partnership with staff and students in NUIG. Observations collected during field experiments are critical to understanding how coastal system behave today but also how they will respond to changing boundary conditions such as rising sea levels and extreme water levels. Contemporary process-response models are an important part of the long term trajectory of mapping geomorphic systems evolution.

>> Read full story about Galway Geological Association lecture series

Irish Translation of EIP-AGRI Booklet Launch

Thursday, 31 October 2019

The NRN team at NUI Galway, Dr Shane Conway and Dr Maura Farrell, we have designed and produced an Irish language version of a booklet highlighting and promoting Ireland’s 23 EIP-AGRI Operational Group projects funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020. This publication was officially launched by Dr Conway at an EIP-AGRI workshop at this year’s Burren Winterage School on the 24th of October 2019 in Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare. A piece about this launch and a link to the booklet can be found on the NRN website, please see here. 

>> Read full story about Irish Translation of EIP-AGRI Booklet Launch

Rural Geography Research featured on ARC 2020 Platform

Friday, 1 November 2019

Research by Dr Shane Conway, Dr Maura Farrell and Dr John McDonagh in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Studies Research Unit at NUI Galway, focusing on 'Intergenerational Considerations for Generational Renewal in Agriculture Policy Strategies' has recently been featured on the ARC 2020 (Agricultural and Rural Convention) platform. ARC 2020 is a multi-stakeholder European Union wide platform that involves over 150 civil society networks and organisations (from 22 EU Member States) all working on issues affected by the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).  Please see here.  

>> Read full story about Rural Geography Research featured on ARC 2020 Platform

BuSK award

Friday, 1 November 2019

The Third Arctic Award – an award which highlights successful and impactful development projects from Arctic areas - was granted to the BuSK project (Building shared knowledge capital to support natural resource governance in the northern periphery), coordinated by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) with NUI Galway as a research partner. [Read More]

>> Read full story about BuSK award

Involving everyday people in energy change: ENERGISE project summary video and final press release available

Monday, 4 November 2019

As the ENERGISE project is soon to be concluded, the project team is happy to share a project summary video on the ENERGISE website and youtube about the project methodology, implementation process and outcomes.  The main project results were also shared with policy-makers, businesses, NGOs, academics and others at a final conference held in Barcelona on October 15th, and with a more general audience through a press release that you can read online, with links to more ENERGISE materials, including detailed research findings.   More information on ENERGISE is available on the project website, and you can join us on Twitter and Facebook as well.You can also contact the project coordinators:  frances.fahy@nuigalway.ie or gary.goggins@nuigalway.ie

>> Read full story about Involving everyday people in energy change: ENERGISE project summary video and final press release available

Will Ireland Survive 2050?

Friday, 8 November 2019

Our MSc graduate Dearbhla Jordan (now of the Climate Action Regional Office) will appear on The RTE Documentary ‘Will Ireland Survive 2050?’ Article link, RTE, Monday 11th Nov @ 9.30pm.   Meteorologist Gerald Fleming and climate activist Dr. Cara Augustenborg examine the disturbing consequences of extreme global weather, with the programme featuring the plight of Bertra Strand, Co Mayo, where staff and students of Geography’s MSc have been working for a number of years.

>> Read full story about Will Ireland Survive 2050?

Whitaker Ideas Forum

Monday, 11 November 2019

Professor Mary Cawley of the Population and Migration research cluster, will be presenting on Diasporic links and on-going transnational relationships in migration and return, on Wednesday 13th November at 1pm.   All are welcome to attend. For more information click here.

>> Read full story about Whitaker Ideas Forum

Save Geography initiative

Thursday, 21 November 2019

Letter to the irish times on "Restoring geography as a compulsory school subject" [READ]

>> Read full story about Save Geography initiative

Geography colleagues chosen on the Oireachtas Science Pairing Scheme

Thursday, 21 November 2019

The Royal Irish Academy Oireachtas Science Pairing Scheme was officially launched on Monday, November 18th, by Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, at Academy House in Dublin: https://www.ria.ie/oireachtas-science-pairing-scheme. The scheme is a collaborative project between the RIA and the Houses of the Oireachtas to enable expert research on a range of AHSS and STEM themes to positively impact in the political sphere. Three colleagues from Geography have been chosen for the scheme: Dr Marie Mahon and Dr Maura Farrell will be working with Deputy Declan Breathnach and Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin on the topic of rural sustainability; and Dr John Morrissey will be working with Senator Ivana Bacik on human security and Ireland’s international development policy.

>> Read full story about Geography colleagues chosen on the Oireachtas Science Pairing Scheme

Prof. Seamus Grimes invited as guest lecturer at the East China Normal University Humanities and Social Sciences

Thursday, 21 November 2019

Prof. Seamus Grimes was a guest lecturer at the East China Normal University Humanities and Social Sciences, Huashi city on November 13th, 2019, hosted by the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences of East China Normal University, the 146th "Educational Lectures on Humanities and Social Sciences of East China Normal University" hosted by the School of Urban and Regional Sciences The 539 meeting room of the school's Zihuan Building was held as scheduled. [further info]

>> Read full story about Prof. Seamus Grimes invited as guest lecturer at the East China Normal University Humanities and Social Sciences

Dr Maura Farrell Appointed Judge for Volunteer in Sport Awards

Thursday, 28 November 2019

Dr Maura Farrell attended the Volunteer in Sport Awards ceremony in Farmleigh House, Dublin on the 12th November as a member of the judging panel appointed by the Sports Council of Ireland.  Other members of the judging panel present: Paraic Duffy, Trevor Ringland, Maura Farrell, Joanne O'Riordan, Keith Kelly, Mary Knowlan Hickey, Shane O'Connor, Benny Cullen, Michelle Dwyer, Des Fitzgerald, Jimmy Deenihan and Nina Arwitz

>> Read full story about Dr Maura Farrell Appointed Judge for Volunteer in Sport Awards

ARC 2019 Asia Resilience Centre Conference at Korea University

Thursday, 28 November 2019

Dr. Chaosheng Zhang attended ARC 2019 Asia Resilience Centre Conference at Korea University in Seoul during November 10-13, 2019 as an invited speaker, with the flight and local costs covered by the local organiser. Dr. Zhang made a presentation titled “Exploration of spatially varying relationships in environmental geochemistry in the big data era”.

>> Read full story about ARC 2019 Asia Resilience Centre Conference at Korea University

NARI, the Network of Arctic Researchers in Ireland

Monday, 2 December 2019

Together with the Marine Institute and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the launch of the NARI, the Network of Arctic Researchers in Ireland

>> Read full story about NARI, the Network of Arctic Researchers in Ireland

One Earth on how we can transform society's food choices

Monday, 2 December 2019

Dr Gary Goggins was recently invited to write a contribution for the journal One Earth on how we can transform society's food choices. This short reflection piece focused on the role of large organizations in the food system. To read this and other contributions to the debate, click here.

>> Read full story about One Earth on how we can transform society's food choices

2018

Visiting Moore Institute Fellow: Prof Monica Mulrennan,

Thursday, 8 March 2018

Throughout February 2018 Geography was pleased to host Prof Monica Mulrennan,  Visiting Moore Institute Fellow,  from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. Monica's research focuses on local knowledge, resource use and management practices, tenure arrangements, and attachments to the coast, particularly as these relate to indigenous communities in coastal settings. Monica is working with Dr Liam Carr and Dr Frances Fahy examining seaweed harvesting practices on the Irish coast. 

>> Read full story about Visiting Moore Institute Fellow: Prof Monica Mulrennan,

Getting it over the line': writing research proposals workshop

Thursday, 8 March 2018

Congratulations to Dr Stephen Hynes and all in the Whitaker Research Institute for their successful 'Getting it over the line': writing research proposals workshop for early career researchers, which took place on Monday the 26th of February 2018. Stephen Hynes, Kieran Conboy, Frances Fahy and Aine Ryan all shared hints and tips on research proposal writing.

>> Read full story about Getting it over the line': writing research proposals workshop

Presentation to Greenleaf EU delegation

Thursday, 22 February 2018

Frances Fahy and Michelle O Dowd Lohan presented the NUI Galway Sustainability Strategy to the Greenleaf EU delegation in Galway City Hall on Wednesday 21st of February

>> Read full story about Presentation to Greenleaf EU delegation

Whitaker Ideas Forum: Margaret Brehony, Deconstructing Homelessness:Individual Pathologies versus Austerity and Structu

Wednesday, 14 March 2018

Whitaker Ideas Forum: Margaret Brehony, Deconstructing Homelessness: Individual Pathologies versus Austerity and Structural Exclusion Date:  March 14 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pmLocation: CA110 (SAC Room), Cairnes Building, NUI Galway, IrelandSpeaker(s): Margaret BrehonyAffiliation: Population and Migration The Irish government’s response to homelessness, set out in an ambitious housing policy Rebuilding Ireland (Department of Housing, 2016), has failed to stem the rising numbers of people becoming homeless. Now a major social problem, the number of people who are counted as homeless in the state has risen steadily since 2014..... [Read More]

>> Read full story about Whitaker Ideas Forum: Margaret Brehony, Deconstructing Homelessness:Individual Pathologies versus Austerity and Structu

Donegal Marine Tourism Conference: Connecting Our Coastline

Friday, 16 March 2018

Dr. Liam Carr, along with postgraduate students Desiree Farrell and Atalya Peritz, attended the Donegal Marine Tourism Conference: Connecting Our Coastline, in Portnablagh on March 8, 2018 to spread the word about tourism research coming from the Geography department and to speak with stakeholders. They also briefly met with BBC’s Monty Halls, who shared his passion on the transformative benefits of tourism experiences.

>> Read full story about Donegal Marine Tourism Conference: Connecting Our Coastline

10 Reasons Why Geomorphology Is Important

Friday, 23 March 2018

Dr Eugene Farrell of MSc staff has been awarded a €1000 grant from the National University Ireland to publish a new version of the work '10 Reasons Why Geomorphology Is Important'. This new version targets case studies on the Irish landscape so that Irish readers will be able to identify and learn about some of our unique landscapes (Burren, Clew Bay, Killary fjord, Conor Pass Dingle, Maharees tombolo, Giants Causeway, Croagh Patrick, etc. This new academic science book will be in two languages (Irish and English) and will be used by third and second level lecturers/teachers and students. It will be available for free online to everyone. [download]

>> Read full story about 10 Reasons Why Geomorphology Is Important

€600,000 allocated for flood defence works in Kerry

Friday, 23 March 2018

Minister Kevin Boxer Moran announced that the OPW is funding a Coastal Erosion Risk Management Study for the Maharees, Co Kerry [costing €150,000]. This is the first major step in coming up with a fit-for-purpose solution to protect the Maharees from long term climate change impacts. Well done to Dr Eugene JC Farrell and Dr Kevin Lynch of the MSc Coastal and Marine Environments for their ongoing involvement and using their coastal research to support these rural coastal  communities. [full article]  

>> Read full story about €600,000 allocated for flood defence works in Kerry

‘Generational Renewal in Agriculture’ National Rural Network Case Study featured on Agriland, Ireland's Largest Farming

Tuesday, 27 March 2018

A case study carried out by Dr Shane Conway, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Research Cluster at NUI Galway and the National Rural Network, aimed at promoting and inspiring generational renewal in agriculture was recently featured on the Agriland website and social media pages.  Agriland is Ireland's largest news portal for farmers and the agricultural sector.

>> Read full story about ‘Generational Renewal in Agriculture’ National Rural Network Case Study featured on Agriland, Ireland's Largest Farming

Dr Maura Farrell Received Dean’s Award for Research

Wednesday, 28 March 2018

Dr Maura Farrell was recently awarded the Dean’s Award for research undertaken during the Academic Year 2017-2018.  Her award is in recognition of her significant research achievements and societal impact in the area of rural development policies and strategies.  Maura is currently Principal Investigator and lead Researcher with the National Rural Network Project funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

>> Read full story about Dr Maura Farrell Received Dean’s Award for Research

“China and Global Value Chains” by Yutao Sun and Seamus Grimes

Thursday, 29 March 2018

First review of newly published book on China by John West, Adjunct Professor at Sophia University, Tokyo. 

>> Read full story about “China and Global Value Chains” by Yutao Sun and Seamus Grimes

Presidents award in Teaching Excellence

Thursday, 29 March 2018

Dr Terry Morley has been short-listed for a Presidents award in Teaching Excellence, recognising  his energy, engagement and dedication to teaching and learning at both undergraduate and graduate level.  Both students and colleagues have benefitted from his enthusiasm and expert incorporation of innovative and effective learning methods since he joined the Geography.

>> Read full story about Presidents award in Teaching Excellence

Expert evidence to the Oireachtas Joint Committee

Thursday, 29 March 2018

Four recent graduates from Geography’s MSc Programme in Marine and Coastal Environments had their work presented as expert evidence to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Planning & Local Government on the ‘Prohibition of Micro-Plastics Bill 2016’.  Dr Audrey Morley and Dr Kevin Lynch supervised the graduate projects over the last three years. The Oireachtas Committee was very appreciative for the presentation, which highlighted the presence of micro-plastics in shellfish, nephrops and marine sediments on Ireland’s west coast. In conjunction with work frim GMIT it forms an important body of work in an Irish and European context.  See part of the recording here.

>> Read full story about Expert evidence to the Oireachtas Joint Committee

Daithi Maguire, presentation prize winner at Environ 2018

Thursday, 29 March 2018

Congratulation to Daithi Maguire  on winning the Best Climate Change Presentation sponsored by Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment  at the 28th Irish Environmental Researchers Colloquium (ENVIRON 2018), Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland (ESAI), 26th – 28th March 2018, Cork Institute of Technology.  The title of his presentation was "The application of satellite-borne remote sensors for monitoring coastal erosion and ecosystems in Ireland"

>> Read full story about Daithi Maguire, presentation prize winner at Environ 2018

Galway Doctoral Scholarship Scheme 2018/19

Tuesday, 3 April 2018

The College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies offers postgraduate scholarships to support full-time PhD research within the Structured PhD programmes of the College. The 2018-19 scheme is now open. Applications will be accepted until 5.00 p.m. on Monday 16th April, 2018. The application form and supporting documentation are now available, from http://www.nuigalway.ie/colleges-and-schools/arts-social-sciences-and-celtic-studies/phd-research-degrees/scholarships/.

>> Read full story about Galway Doctoral Scholarship Scheme 2018/19

Dr Frances Fahy visited Lisbon as an Advisory Panel member

Wednesday, 11 April 2018

Dr Frances Fahy visited Lisbon as an Advisory Panel member for new #PROSEU#H2020 project - learning how we can all become pros at energy consumption! #energyefficiency@H2020EE

>> Read full story about Dr Frances Fahy visited Lisbon as an Advisory Panel member

Developing sustainable healthy food policies in universities, hospitals and the workplace

Wednesday, 11 April 2018

Every day, at every meal, people across Ireland are reliant on a global network of actors to produce, process and distribute the food that they consume. But the dominant system of industrialized food provisioning is unsustainable both from a socio-economic and an environmental perspective. The additional demands that will be made on the food system over the next 30 years and beyond will place additional pressures on an already fragile system. A necessary transformation of the food system requires action from all levels of society, including organizations and institutions that provide food. Organizations such as hospitals, workplaces and educational institutions shape the meal choices of thousands of people every day and have a significant impact on the food system through their procurement and provisioning activities. These activities have a direct impact on people’s health, the economy, social wellbeing and the environment. [download full policy]

>> Read full story about Developing sustainable healthy food policies in universities, hospitals and the workplace

Ethnography in Global South

Wednesday, 11 April 2018

Dr Anne Schiffer, The Leeds School of Art, Architecture & Design at Leeds Beckett University visited The Discipline of Geography to speak with the  MA Environment, Society and Development students on ethnography in global South. @ShapeEnergyEU leading to further collaboration! #ethnography#energy

>> Read full story about Ethnography in Global South

Humanising the Economy - Political Economy for People & Planet

Saturday, 10 March 2018

The Geopolitics and Justice Research Cluster together with the School of Geography & Archaeology welcomed John Restakis, Execurive Director, Community Evolution Foundsation, Canada to give a seminar titled 'Humanising the Economy - Political Economy for People & Planet', Thursday 15th March @ 4pm, Seminar Room 113, Discipline of Geography. [download]

>> Read full story about Humanising the Economy - Political Economy for People & Planet

The Irish Fulbright Alumni Association as alums descended upon NUI Galway

Wednesday, 11 April 2018

Dr Frances Fahy attending a fantastic weekend for The Irish Fulbright Alumni Association  as  alums descended upon NUI Galway for some art and culture. 

>> Read full story about The Irish Fulbright Alumni Association as alums descended upon NUI Galway

Nostalgia, Otherness and Beyond: Changing Ruralities in Icelandic Cinema

Thursday, 12 April 2018

Discipline of Geography, Rural Studies Cluster Research Seminar: Research seminar by visiting speaker Professor Thoraddur Bjarnason, Professor of Sociology, University of Akureyri, Northern Iceland Title:      Nostalgia, Otherness and Beyond: Changing Ruralities in Icelandic CinemaDate:     Monday 16th April @ 4pmVenue:   Seminar Room 113, Discipline of Geography [download]

>> Read full story about Nostalgia, Otherness and Beyond: Changing Ruralities in Icelandic Cinema

Networking & Travel Award

Monday, 16 April 2018

Congratulations to Michelle Curran and Daithí Maguire who both received a Networking & Travel Award from the Marine Institute to attend and present at the European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2018, Vienna, Austria. Presentation titles: A possible analogue for future Ocean-Atmosphere climate Dynamics? (Michelle Curran, Audrey Morley, James Wright, and Yair Rosenthal), Wednesday 11th April The application of satellite-borne remote sensors for monitoring coastal erosion and ecosystems in Ireland (Daithí Maguire, Eugene Farrell), Thursday 12th April Michelle and Daithi gratefully recognise the support of the Marine Institute under the Marine Research Programme with the support of the Irish Government.

>> Read full story about Networking & Travel Award

AAG in New Orleans

Friday, 20 April 2018

ENERGISE researchers Frances Fahy and Gary Goggins were in the US at the AAG in New Orleans in April and organised three sessions exploring social and cultural influences on domestic energy use in international contexts.

>> Read full story about AAG in New Orleans

Nomination for Best Article Award

Friday, 27 April 2018

An recent article co-authored by Dr Gary Goggins and Dr Frances Fahy has been nominated for the International Sustainable Development Research Society (ISDRS) “Best Sustainable Development Research Article Award”. You can have a look at the selection of the top-10 nominated articles, download, read them, and you can vote for your favourite. The winner will be honoured during the 2018 ISDRS Conference in Italy. Links to the shortlisted articles, and voting procedure, can be found here: http://isdrs.org/journals/best-article-2017/

>> Read full story about Nomination for Best Article Award

Planners find a lot to learn in Maharees

Monday, 30 April 2018

On April 19 Dr Eugene Farrell (Geography, NUIG) hosted 50 planners from the Irish Planning Institute at his field site in The Maharees, Co. Kerry to discuss the challenges of (1) the local coastal community faces from human/natural pressures and (2) the planners face in the implementation of new climate legislation, such as the National Adaptation Framework, and the changes that are occurring in Local Authorities for the transition to a climate resilient Ireland. [Read Full Article]

>> Read full story about Planners find a lot to learn in Maharees

Save the Date - EUGEO 2019

Tuesday, 21 August 2018

7th EUGEO congress on the geography of europe May 15th - 18th, Galway Ireland, [further info]

>> Read full story about Save the Date - EUGEO 2019

'Abrupt' climate change to bring icy winters, scorching summers

Monday, 30 April 2018

Scientists fear that global warming and melting of the Greenland ice sheet will weaken or shut off these warm ocean currents, which could result in much colder temperatures across Ireland, Britain and Europe. [Read Full Article]

>> Read full story about 'Abrupt' climate change to bring icy winters, scorching summers

Interview with Yutao Sun and Seamus Grimes on their recently published book 'China and Global Value Chains'

Monday, 30 April 2018

Interview with Yutao Sun and Seamus Grimes on their recently published book 'China and Global Value Chains' [Listen]

>> Read full story about Interview with Yutao Sun and Seamus Grimes on their recently published book 'China and Global Value Chains'

We're at a critical juncture for coastal management in Ireland"

Thursday, 23 August 2018

Dr Eugene Farrell wrote a critical review in RTÉ Brainstorm of the urgent need for better infrastructure for Ireland's coastline communities and the need for immediate funding to develop and support sustainable tourism. [READ]

>> Read full story about We're at a critical juncture for coastal management in Ireland"

President’s Award for Societal Impact

Wednesday, 9 May 2018

On May 2nd 2018, Dr Frances Fahy was the recipient of NUIG's inaugural President’s Award for Societal Impact. This is a new award in recognition of the valuable contribution staff members make to society and the broader community, above and beyond routine support and academic activities, on behalf of the University. The aim of the President’s Awards for Societal Impact is to award the outstanding contributions of staff across the whole University who seek to use their skills and knowledge to improve the University’s contribution to society and our various communities, to stimulate excellence and help improve the visibility of the University’s impact on society. Frances was nominated for this Award by the Deputy Director of the EPA for her immense impact on the development of environmental policy, shaping how environmental research is funded on the island of Ireland and for successfully applying her research to influence change beyond the academic sphere. Frances was also nominated by the GSI on the basis of her active service to the Society in a number of committee roles for over a decade and her outstanding contributions to promotion of Geography as a subject across the Island of Ireland.

>> Read full story about President’s Award for Societal Impact

Modelling maerl habitat dynamics in response to increased storminess

Thursday, 23 August 2018

As part of the “Modelling maerl habitat dynamics in response to increased storminess” project funded by Geological Survey Ireland, Dr Siddhi Joshi and Dr Eugene Farrell carried out fieldwork last week on Trá an Doilín maerl beach in Carraroe, County Galway. They monitored the morphodynamic change in the very dynamic intertidal swash zone using 7 ultrasonic downward-facing distance sensors mounted on a large frame. A Go Pro camera was attached to the frame and high resolution cross shore beach profiles were collected using GPS and UAV. The offshore wave climate in Greatmans Bay was measured using a Nortec AWAC sensor. Results will be combined with coupled models of the maerl beach (XBEACH) and with a nested regional hydrodynamic model of Galway Bay developed by the team. They would like to thank the great support from colleagues in NUIG Geography for their laboratory and field support during the project (Daithi Maguire, Kevin Lynch, Liam Carr, Siobhan Comer and Terry Morley) as well as the support from members of the local community. The results will be presented to the local community during a public talk upon completion of the project.

>> Read full story about Modelling maerl habitat dynamics in response to increased storminess

Royal Geographical Society

Wednesday, 12 September 2018

Congratulations to Dr Richard Scriven who was elected Secretary of the  Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)'s Social and Cultural Geography Research Group at the AGM last week in Cardiff. The group embraces researchers and activists in the UK, Ireland, and beyond interested in the way the world works to produce social and cultural difference, engaging with key social science debates concerning identity, subjectivity, citizenship and belonging.

>> Read full story about Royal Geographical Society

On the Road

Monday, 23 April 2018

Dr Richard Scriven's article on contemporary Pilgrimage featured in RTÉ's Brainstorm platform  [Full Article]

>> Read full story about On the Road

Holding on to history – and geography

Thursday, 10 May 2018

Sir, – Your Editorial (“A senseless downgrading”, May 7th) rightly highlights President Michael D Higgins’s concern regarding the removal of history as a core Junior Cert subject. [Read full article]

>> Read full story about Holding on to history – and geography

H2020 Shape Energy

Wednesday, 12 September 2018

Dr Frances Fahy and Dr Gary Goggins, together with colleagues working on the Horizon 2020 project ENERGISE, have recently published a chapter in a new book that seeks to advance energy policy through greater integration of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) research.  The book, emerging from the H2020 SHAPE ENERGY project, includes interdisciplinary contributions on a range of issues relating to a sustainable energy transition including energy poverty, justice, political ecology, governance and imaginaries. The book will be officially launched at an event in King’s College Cambridge on September 24.The contribution from ENERGISE, which examines alternative imaginaries for energy policy integration of SSH, is available to download here.

>> Read full story about H2020 Shape Energy

NUI Galway Sustainability Showcase event

Monday, 17 September 2018

Our Sustainability Journey, an event that will showcase NUI Galway Sustainability, will be held in O’Donoghue Theatre on Wednesday 26th September from 9.30am to 1.30pm. It is being organised by the Community and University Sustainability Project Team (CUSP) as part of the ‘Loving Galway’ festival and will feature a number of Ryan Institute researchers.   Loving Galway is a sustainability festival that will run from the 20-30th of September 2018 in celebration of the ‘Green and Blue’ spaces in Galway City. Loving Galway is a collaboration between Galway City Council, NUI Galway, and a number of community and environmental groups across the city.  CUSP is leading the roll-out of the NUI Galway Sustainability Strategy 2017-2020.  The vision of the strategy is to establish NUI Galway as a top class green smart and healthy campus.  The CUSP team is composed of more than 30 students and staff, from across the campus community.  The event will feature stories, music, comedy and coffee.  This is a free, public event, but due to space restrictions, registration is required.    We very much hope you will be able to join us on Wednesday morning September 26th.    Please book your ticket here.

>> Read full story about NUI Galway Sustainability Showcase event

Dr Maura Farrell Leads NUI Galway Rural Volunteerism Research

Thursday, 31 May 2018

New research exploring the impacts of volunteerism on the development and sustainability of rural communities was launched in NUI Galway on 16th May in the Institute of Lifecourse and Society.  Further details can be found at: https://bit.ly/2IoT4vy

>> Read full story about Dr Maura Farrell Leads NUI Galway Rural Volunteerism Research

Ireland could face ‘far colder winters and warmer summers’

Thursday, 31 May 2018

Climate change scientists base findings on what happened to Scotland’s last glaciers.  Read full article [here]

>> Read full story about Ireland could face ‘far colder winters and warmer summers’

Women in Coastal Geoscience and Engineering

Monday, 24 September 2018

A group of international female geoscientists from universities all over the world including NUI Galway, have taken a close look at their profession and discovered the barriers to success, while also pinpointing the sometimes simple changes that can be made to attract more women into innovative industries. The revealing results are published in Nature Publishing Group’s social sciences journal, Palgrave Communications.  To read the full study in Palgrave Communications, visit:  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-018-0154-0

>> Read full story about Women in Coastal Geoscience and Engineering

Appointment to Adjunct Professor of Chengdu Technological University

Thursday, 31 May 2018

Congratulations to Dr Chaosheng Zhang who has been appointed as the Adjunct Professor of Chengdu Technological University

>> Read full story about Appointment to Adjunct Professor of Chengdu Technological University

Presentation on Wetland Assessment and Monitoring Tool for New Zealand: testate amoebae as palaeoindicators

Wednesday, 26 September 2018

On Thursday 27th September, Geography's Palaeoenvironmental Research Unit will be hosting a guest lecture by former postgraduate student, Dr Michelle McKeown. Michelle will be presenting her new research on assessing the integrity of New Zealand's wetlands using testate amoebae at 12.30 PM in Room 113, Discipline of Geography, Arts/Science Building, NUI Galway. [Further Info]

>> Read full story about Presentation on Wetland Assessment and Monitoring Tool for New Zealand: testate amoebae as palaeoindicators

Conference of Irish Geographers 2018

Thursday, 31 May 2018

The Geographical Society of Ireland and Department of Geography, Maynooth University hosted the 50th Conference of Irish Geographers which took place from Thursday 10th of May to Saturday 12th of May 2018.  There were 18 representatives from the Discipline of Geography, NUIG in attendance.

>> Read full story about Conference of Irish Geographers 2018

10 Leading Chinese Talents on Science and Technology in Europe 2018

Monday, 1 October 2018

Dr. Chaosheng Zhang was granted the title of “10 Leading Chinese Talents on Science and Technology in Europe 2018” during the 10th European Forum of the Federation of Chinese Professional Association in Europe (FCPAE) held in Helsinki on September 26, 2018, in recognition of Dr. Zhang’s outstanding research work on spatial analysis in environmental sciences.

>> Read full story about 10 Leading Chinese Talents on Science and Technology in Europe 2018

Youth Works Ireland climate meeting in Galway

Wednesday, 3 October 2018

Dr. Gordon Bromley, NUIG addressing young people today at the 2nd Youth Summit on Climate Change#lovinggalway #youthworkirelandgalway#climatechange

>> Read full story about Youth Works Ireland climate meeting in Galway

GSI Postgraduate Fieldwork Award

Friday, 1 June 2018

Congratulations to Michelle Curran on receiving the 'GSI Postgraduate Fieldwork Award'.  The Geographical Society of Ireland Travel Fund Award part-funded Michelle's attendance at the European Geosciences Union in Vienna, where she presented her research, “The Holocene Thermal Maximum: A possible analogue for future Ocean-Atmosphere climate Dynamics?” to the international scientific community. 

>> Read full story about GSI Postgraduate Fieldwork Award

Pint of Science 2018

Tuesday, 5 June 2018

Dr Karen Molloy, Discipline of Geography, NUIG presenting at the ‘Pint of Science’ which took place from the 12th – 14th May, Karen was part of the session ‘Innovating women in geoscience’ which took place in the Roisin Dubh.

>> Read full story about Pint of Science 2018

MSc in Coastal and Marine Environments fieldtrip

Thursday, 4 October 2018

MSC in Coastal and Marine Environments students at work aboard the Celtic Voyager @SeaShoreNUIG

>> Read full story about MSc in Coastal and Marine Environments fieldtrip

Dr. Mary Greene is awarded Doctoral Research Award 2018 by the Geographical Society of Ireland

Tuesday, 5 June 2018

Dr. Mary Greene was awarded the Geographical Society of Ireland Doctoral Research Award for her critical geographical research on consumption biographies. GSI president Dr. Niamh Cherry Moore presented Mary with her prize and certificate at the Conference dinner held in the historic Pugin Hall on the evening of May 11th.  Pictured with Mary is her PhD supervisor Dr Frances Fahy.

>> Read full story about Dr. Mary Greene is awarded Doctoral Research Award 2018 by the Geographical Society of Ireland

Day two of the MSC fieldwork

Friday, 5 October 2018

Day two of MSC fieldwork aboard the Celtic Voyager as it heads off around Inismor, @SeaShoreNUIG

>> Read full story about Day two of the MSC fieldwork

GSI Postgraduate/Early Career Network (PECN) poster prize

Wednesday, 6 June 2018

Dr Shane Conway, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Studies Research Cluster was awarded the Geographical Society of Ireland (GSI) Postgraduate/Early Career Network (PECN) poster prize at the 50th Conference of Irish Geographers recently held at Maynooth University. The poster was titled 'Till death do us part: Exploring the Irish farmer-farm relationship in later life through the lens of ‘Insideness’. 

>> Read full story about GSI Postgraduate/Early Career Network (PECN) poster prize

MSc students assessing machair on Inismor

Friday, 5 October 2018

Meanwhile back on Inismor our MSc students are assessing machair (an Annex I habitat), an important grassland for both grazing and native plants and animals, @SeaShoreNUIG

>> Read full story about MSc students assessing machair on Inismor

Day two aboard the Celtic Voyager

Monday, 8 October 2018

Day two aboard the Celtic Voyager 

>> Read full story about Day two aboard the Celtic Voyager

Teaching Galway Educate Together about Plastics in the Ocean and Microplastics.

Friday, 8 June 2018

Dr Kevin Lynch and Dr Audrey Morley talked to 6th class and Junior Infants from Galway Educate Together about Plastics in the Ocean and microplastics [Read More]

>> Read full story about Teaching Galway Educate Together about Plastics in the Ocean and Microplastics.

China's Drive for Technology Autonomy

Thursday, 18 October 2018

Since its opening up 40 years ago, China has benefitted hugely from its integration into the global economy and particularly since WTO accession in 2001, it has become one of the most significant manufacturing and assembly locations for technology global value chains. [full article]

>> Read full story about China's Drive for Technology Autonomy

Dr Fahy in Brussels to speak at EUSEW and launch ENERGISE online interactive dataset of sustainable energy initiative

Monday, 11 June 2018

Dr Frances Fahy travelled to Brussels this week where she presented insights from the H2020 ENERGISE project at the European Union Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW). EU Sustainable Energy Week is the annual flagship event uniting policy makers, authorities, industry, stakeholders, NGOs, researchers and academia in the European sustainable energy sector. At the event, Dr Fahy launched the ENERGISE online database which maps over 1000 sustainable energy initiatives across Europe. You can browse the Open Access Dataset at: http://energise-project.eu/projects

>> Read full story about Dr Fahy in Brussels to speak at EUSEW and launch ENERGISE online interactive dataset of sustainable energy initiative

Dr Eugene Farrell received the 2018 President’s Award for Societal Impact

Friday, 19 October 2018

Dr Eugene Farrell received the 2018 President’s Award for Societal Impact from NUIG President Prof Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh. This award stems from his work with local communities in The Maharees (Co. Kerry) to find solutions to coastal pressures from storms and human activities that have led to the chronic destabilization of the fragile dune ecosystems and increased erosion and flooding risks.

>> Read full story about Dr Eugene Farrell received the 2018 President’s Award for Societal Impact

Irish Fulbright Alumni Association, 23rd IFAA Scholars Dinner

Monday, 11 June 2018

Dr Frances Fahy at Dublin Castle on Friday the 9th of June, as Treasurer of the Irish Fulbright Alumni Association, opened the 23rd IFAA  Scholars Dinner with a welcoming address for the incoming 2018/19 Fulbright Scholars.  The Fulbright Irish Awards provide grants for Irish citizens, and E.U. citizens who have been resident in the Republic of Ireland for three or more years, to research, study, or lecture in the U.S. on an annual basis. Frances was a 2013/14 Fulbright Scholar at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MA, USA, researching the experiences of academics involved in policy-relevant research in the field of sustainability.

>> Read full story about Irish Fulbright Alumni Association, 23rd IFAA Scholars Dinner

Chaosheng Zhang gave a plenary talk at UNESCO ICGG conference

Monday, 22 October 2018

Invited by UNESCO International Centre on Global-Scale Geochemistry (ICGG), Dr. Chaosheng Zhang gave a plenary talk at the Seminar on the International Scientific Cooperation Program – “Mapping Chemical Earth” held in Langfang, China during October 15-17, 2018 with about 150 delegates. The presentation title was “Towards machine learning for identification of hidden spatial patterns and relationships in big data of environmental geochemistry”. The “Mapping Chemical Earth” program aims to produce maps for chemical components on the earth surface by collecting catchment sediment samples from all over the world.

>> Read full story about Chaosheng Zhang gave a plenary talk at UNESCO ICGG conference

Visiting researcher to Geography: CONSENSUS Crossing the Atlantic

Tuesday, 3 July 2018

Geography is delighted to host Prof Erika Wolters (Oregon State Uni) and Prof Donna Lybecker (Idaho State University) this July. Erika is a Moore Institute Visiting Fellow and Director of Oregan State University’s Policy Analysis Laboratory. Donna is Professor of International Relations, Environmental Politics, Comparative Politics and Chair of the Political Science Department in Idaho State University. She is currently a Visiting Researcher with the Planning and Sustainability Cluster in Geography at NUIG. Both colleagues are working with Dr Frances Fahy this summer to develop a cross cultural analysis of the CONSENSUS data (@consensusIre @EPAIreland) that has been gathered by her CONSENSUS research team in NUI Galway and in Oregon State University.

>> Read full story about Visiting researcher to Geography: CONSENSUS Crossing the Atlantic

Dr John Morrissey receives the 2018 President’s Award for Teaching Excellence

Tuesday, 30 October 2018

Dr John Morrissey has won the President’s Award for Teaching Excellence for a second time. Programme Director of the MA in Environment, Society and Development and Lecturer in Geopolitics and International Development, John previously won the award in 2011. He is pictured here receiving his award from NUIG President Prof. Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh at the recent College of Arts conferring in the Bailey Allen Hall.

>> Read full story about Dr John Morrissey receives the 2018 President’s Award for Teaching Excellence

When Ideology Trumps Science

Tuesday, 3 July 2018

Congrats to Prof Erika Wolters (NUIG Moore Visiting Researcher) on the recent publication of When Ideology Trumps Science: Why We Question the Experts on Everything from Climate Change to Vaccinations. The book examines how proponents of scientific findings and the scientists responsible for conducting and communicating the applicable research to decision makers are encountering direct challenges to scientific consensus. Using examples from high-stakes policy debates centered on hot-button controversies such as climate change, GMO foods, immunization, stem cell research, abstinence-only education, and birth control, authors Wolters and Steel document how the contested nature of contemporary perspectives on science leads to the possibility that policymakers will not take science into account when making decisions that affect the general population. In addition, the book identifies ways in which liberals and conservatives have both contested issues of science when consensus diverges from their ideological positions and values. It is a compelling must-read for public policy students and practitioners.

>> Read full story about When Ideology Trumps Science

Art on the Edge - Glimpses of a Changing World

Wednesday, 31 October 2018

'The Business End of Climate Change' with Dr. Gordon Bromley, School of Geography & Archaeology, NUI Galway.The evening will include lab tours, the display of archival materials such as meteorological data and scientific materials and the launch of an exciting new art exhibition -'Art of the Edge - Glimpses of a Changing World', which runs in the Hardiman Building from 1st -30th November 2018 . [further info]          Date: Thursday, November 1st         Time: 5.30pm         Place: G010, Moore Institute, Hardiman Building, NUI Galway

>> Read full story about Art on the Edge - Glimpses of a Changing World

The latest publication from the ENERGISE project

Thursday, 5 July 2018

The latest publication from the ENERGISE project (coordinated by NUIG) seeks to broaden our understanding of how sustainable change can come about in the residential energy sector. The paper focuses on the complex interactions of everyday life that underpin our energy use. It thereby goes beyond dominant individualistic approaches that are primarily grounded in narrow behavioural economic theory. The paper is co-authored by Dr Gary Goggins  and Dr Frances Fahy from the Department of Geography and Ryan Institute. Access the full publication here

>> Read full story about The latest publication from the ENERGISE project

GeoWeek 2018 - 19-25th November

Wednesday, 7 November 2018

This year our annual GeoWeek (Geography Awareness Week) will focus on the role and potential of geography and geographers, academic and in practice,  in delivering on the SDG's. We will highlight the geographic research already being done in relation to the 17 goals and the potential for geographers and those interested in geography in contributing in the future   [further info]

>> Read full story about GeoWeek 2018 - 19-25th November

H2020 Co-ordinator Proposal Preparation Support Scheme

Thursday, 5 July 2018

Dr Eugene Farrell successfully applied to Enterprise Ireland for the H2020 Co-ordinator Proposal Preparation Support Scheme. The scheme facilitates preparation and submission of competitive proposals to the European Research Council Starting Grant. Dr Farrell is building on his current Earth Observation research funded by Geological Survey Ireland. The title of his project is ‘The Coastal Data Cube: frontier research to transition to climate resilience’. High resolution EO (satellite) and Unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) mapping are both ground breaking but we are only just beginning to establish how these technologies can supplement and/or replace conventional ground-based and aerial survey techniques. To date, there has been very limited effort to fuse all these approaches to combine the strengths and negate the limitations inherent to each. The Coastal Data Cube is designed to generate validated OBTE boundary conditions (Oceanography, Bathymetry, Topography, Ecology) at temporal and spatial scales not previously possible.

>> Read full story about H2020 Co-ordinator Proposal Preparation Support Scheme

Galway Science Festival

Wednesday, 14 November 2018

In collaboration with researchers in NUIG Geography, Dr Elly Walsh is delivering energy workshops in secondary schools as part of Galway Science Festival. Dr Walsh is pictured here delivering a workshop in Calasanctius College, Oranmore in November 2018. 

>> Read full story about Galway Science Festival

Female Scientists Taking to the Streets for Soapbox Science Galway 2018

Friday, 6 July 2018

Twelve female scientists will take to their soap boxes and bring science to the streets of Galway as part of NUI Galway’s second annual, Soapbox Science Galway. The event will take place from 11am-2pm at the Spanish Arch, Galway on Saturday, 7 July and is free and open to the public. More Info

>> Read full story about Female Scientists Taking to the Streets for Soapbox Science Galway 2018

Gortscéala Newsletter, September 2018

Saturday, 29 September 2018

Welcome to the first issue of our new School Newsletter, Gortscéala! The School of Geography & Archaeology is a wonderfully vibrant and inspiring place to work and study, and this new newsletter captures some of our core passions: fieldwork, public scholarship and making critical knowledge count. [Newletter]

>> Read full story about Gortscéala Newsletter, September 2018

Interview with Connemara Community Radio

Friday, 6 July 2018

Dr Shane Conway, Postdoc Researcher in the Discipline of Geography's, Rural Research Cluster was recently interviewed on Connemara Community Radio about generational renewal in agri, women in farming and the work carried out by the NRN on Ireland's RDP 2014-2020 [Listen]   

>> Read full story about Interview with Connemara Community Radio

Visit to Europe’s largest dune (Dune de Pilat) during ICAR X

Monday, 9 July 2018

Dr Eugene Farrell recently participated in the 10th International Conference of Aeolian Research (ICAR X), Bordeaux, France 25-28 June. Eugene and his colleagues from Canada and USA presented research on ‘Temporal patterns of aeolian saltation from field deployment of a vertical array of high frequency laser particle counters’. This small-scale sediment dynamics work is based on field research conducted in Jericoacoara, Brazil. During the conference there was a delegate fieldtrip to the largest coastal dune in Europe called Dune du Pilat located in Arcachon Bay 60 km from Bordeaux. The dune is around 500 m wide, 2.7 km in length, and up to 130 m above sea level. The dune is a famous tourist destination with more than one million visitors per year. Eugene reports that they seem to provide the appropriate amount of facilities and services to accommodate this volume of visitors through very strategic management practices. He hopes that Ireland can learn from these types of case studies to develop sustainable tourism economies that can support rural communities and provide impetus for the young people to stay at home.

>> Read full story about Visit to Europe’s largest dune (Dune de Pilat) during ICAR X

Geopolitics & Justice Cluster Seminar

Tuesday, 20 November 2018

Seminar by Dorothy Estrada-Tanck, University of Murcia, Spain will give a lecture titled:  Human Security and International Human Rights Law in the Mediterranean Crisis, the seminar will takep place Thursday November 22nd at 4pm in Room 113, Discipline of Geography, Arts/Science Building, NUI Galway. [Further Info]

>> Read full story about Geopolitics & Justice Cluster Seminar

Transition Year Work Placement Training, 2017-18

Monday, 9 July 2018

The School of Geography and Archaeology hosted over 150 Transition Year students from seven schools in Co. Galway for work placement training on the data rescue portion of a collaborative project between Met Éireann and NUI Galway. [Read More]

>> Read full story about Transition Year Work Placement Training, 2017-18

GEO Week Talk: Sustainability with Duncan Stewart

Tuesday, 20 November 2018

Geo Week Talk by Duncan Stewart on Sustainability, Wednesday 21st November 2018 at 6pm, AC216, Arts/Science Building, NUI Galway.

>> Read full story about GEO Week Talk: Sustainability with Duncan Stewart

GRSG Student Award 2018

Tuesday, 10 July 2018

Congratulations to Daithi Maguire on receiving the Geological Remote Sensing Group (GRSG) annual student award, Daithi will receive £1,000 to support his studies and research work and an invitation to the 2018 Annual Conference in London to present his winning paper. [Further Info]

>> Read full story about GRSG Student Award 2018

NRN Case Study Featured in European Landowners' Organization Magazine

Thursday, 22 November 2018

A 'Generational Renewal in Agriculture' case study carried out by the NRN team at NUI Galway, Dr Shane Conway and Dr Maura Farrell, is featured in the September-October 2018 edition of the European Landowners' Organization (ELO) CountrySide Bimonthly Magazine (p.14-15).Created in 1972, the ELO, is a unique federation of national associations from the EU28 based in Brussels, which represents the interests of the landowners, land managers, rural entrepreneurs and family businesses at the European political level. The organization contributes to close cooperation between rural communities, and in doing so aims to counter the challenges of rural depopulation brought about by urbanization and globalisation. 

>> Read full story about NRN Case Study Featured in European Landowners' Organization Magazine

MA Environment, Society, Development 2017/18, Graduation

Thursday, 29 November 2018

Congratulations to our MA Environment, Society, Development 2017/18 cohort who received their masters degrees last week, pictured here with MA Coorindator Dr. Mary Greene. Wishing you all the best of your next chapter!

>> Read full story about MA Environment, Society, Development 2017/18, Graduation

Chaosheng Zhang elected as co-Chair of IMGA (2018-2021)

Thursday, 12 July 2018

Dr. Chaosheng Zhang, School of Geography and Archaeology, was recently elected as co-Chair of International Medical Geology Association, for the service term 2018-2021. Dr. Zhang served as a councillor of IMGA for two terms during 2013-2015 and 2015-2017. The purpose of IMGA shall be to facilitate and promote co-operation between geoscientists, biomedical researchers, decision-makers and professionals to address human and animal health problems caused by geologic materials or processes.

>> Read full story about Chaosheng Zhang elected as co-Chair of IMGA (2018-2021)

Chaosheng Zhang attended SEGH 2018 conference in Livingstone, Zambia

Thursday, 12 July 2018

SEGH 2018, the 34th Conference of the Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health on Sustainable Geochemistry was successfully held at Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Zambia during 2-7th July 2018. Dr. Chaosheng Zhang attended the conference, assessed presentations for student prizes, and made an oral presentation on use of hot spot analysis to reveal spatial patterns and hidden information in environmental geochemistry. Dr. Zhang is the immediate past President of SEGH (2015-2017).

>> Read full story about Chaosheng Zhang attended SEGH 2018 conference in Livingstone, Zambia

Dr. Mary Greene attends ERASMUS PLUS transnational meeting in Rome

Thursday, 6 December 2018

Dr Mary Greene, NUI Galway coordinator of the ERASMUS PLUS Decoding the Disciplines research project, attended the Decoding Education transnational meeting in Roma Tre University last week. This project provides a forum for interdisciplinary learning for progressing pedagogical innovations in teaching complex socio-environmental issues at higher education across European Universities. Dr. Greene presented work relating to her application of the decoding methodology to teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels in the Discipline of Geography.

>> Read full story about Dr. Mary Greene attends ERASMUS PLUS transnational meeting in Rome

INQUA Congress 2019

Tuesday, 11 December 2018

INQUA Congress 2019 (theme: Life on the Edge) takes place in Dublin during the final week of July 2019. Various deadlines are fast approaching including that for submission of abstracts (9/01/2019). In addition to the Congress lecture programme (there are sessions devoted to most aspects of the Quaternary), several interesting excursions in Ireland and Britain are also on offer. These excursions take place before, during (mid-Congress) and after the main Congress.  For full details, including financial support available to students, check the Congress web site, http://www.inqua2019.org/.

>> Read full story about INQUA Congress 2019

Dr Maura Farrell Speaks at Project Ireland 2040 Event

Friday, 20 July 2018

Dr Maura Farrell, Lecturer in Rural Geography at NUI Galway, and Lead Researcher with the NRN, was an invited guest speaker at the Government of Ireland's Project Ireland 2040 'Creating Stronger Rural Economies and Communities' event held in Westport, Co. Mayo. on Friday the 13th of July 2018. Dr Farrell was included in the ‘How do we create stronger rural communities?’ session at this event and spoke in detail about the potential of family farm diversification in leading rural Ireland forward over the next 20 years. The full text of An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's inspiring speech at this event, co-hosted by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Agriculture, can be found here. Source: NRNImage Credit: NRN

>> Read full story about Dr Maura Farrell Speaks at Project Ireland 2040 Event

Databases for palaeo-data: NUIG contribution to a global resource

Tuesday, 11 December 2018

This Newsletter gives a good overview of open-data resources that provide the foundation for the reconstruction of various aspects of environmental change involving climate, human impact, sea-level change, pollution studies, etc., and the possibilities afforded by such resources.  [READ]

>> Read full story about Databases for palaeo-data: NUIG contribution to a global resource

NRN Farm Viability Case Studies Included in Project Ireland 2040 Report

Friday, 20 July 2018

Three ‘Farm Viability and Competitiveness’ case studies carried out by the NRN team at NUI Galway, Dr Maura Farrell and Dr Shane Conway have been included in the Government of Ireland's Project Ireland 2040 report entitled ‘Strengthening Rural Economies and Communities’. The NRN case studies included within this report detail a young trained farmer named Leo Morrissey’s successful farm transfer experience with his parents and older brother in Co. Galway, another about farm diversification on the Mulhall’s Coolanowle Country House and Organic Farm, situated along the Carlow and Laois border, and finally a case study on Glen Keen Farm and Visitor Centre in Co. Mayo. This publication, prepared by the DAFM and DRCD, was launched at the Government of Ireland's 'Creating Stronger Rural Economies and Communities' Project Ireland 2040 event held in Westport, Co. Mayo on the 13th of July 2018. Source: National Rural Network

>> Read full story about NRN Farm Viability Case Studies Included in Project Ireland 2040 Report

ISEH 2018, the 4th International Symposium on Environment and Health

Tuesday, 11 December 2018

ISEH 2018, the 4th International Symposium on Environment and Health was held in Shanghai during December 4-6, 2018, where NUI Galway was recognised as a co-organiser and Dr. Chaosheng Zhang was a co-Chair. The ISEH conference series was initiated by Dr. Chaosheng Zhang, School of Geography and Archaeology, NUI Galway in 2012 where the SESEH (Sino-European Symposium on Environment and Health) conference was held in Galway as the 1st one of this conference series. ISEH 2020 will be held in Dublin during August 2-8, 2020, to be organised by NUI Galway.

>> Read full story about ISEH 2018, the 4th International Symposium on Environment and Health

Rebecca Windemer to visit Discipline of Geography NUI Galway

Friday, 27 July 2018

Rebecca Windemer, PhD researcher at the School of Geography and Planning at Cardiff University, has been awarded Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Overseas Institutional Visit funding to spend time as a visiting researcher in Geography at NUI Galway from November to December 2018. Rebecca’s research is exploring end-of-life decision making (repowering, life extension and decommissioning) for onshore wind and solar farms. Her research aims to understand how the temporary nature of planning consents and the duration of the impacts of the infrastructure influences decision making. During her visit Rebecca will be working alongside Dr Frances Fahy and the ENERGISE team to discuss her research findings and explore the planning policy, temporality and end-of-life options for windfarms in Ireland. 

>> Read full story about Rebecca Windemer to visit Discipline of Geography NUI Galway

Earth Observation Resources for Ireland

Tuesday, 11 December 2018

Geography PhD candidate Mr Daithi Maguire presented his recently accepted research manuscript in Irish Geography at the Irish Earth Observation Symposium 2018 (An Teagasc, Dublin, December 06). Congratulations to Daithi for winning “Best student paper” for his oral presentation (“A Comprehensive Roadmap to 50 Years of (Satellite) Earth Observation Resources for the Island of Ireland (1972 – 2023)”) at the 6th Irish Geomorphology Scientific Workshop (University Ulster, Coleraine, December 07).

>> Read full story about Earth Observation Resources for Ireland

Latest publication by the ENERGISE geographers

Friday, 27 July 2018

Latest publication by the ENERGISE geographers! Congrats to Dr Eimear Heaslip and Dr Frances Fahy on their latest article, Developing Transdisciplinary Approaches to Community Energy Transitions: An Island Case Study. Focusing on Eimear's PhD field site location of Inis Oirr, the smallest of the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland, the paper discusses the design, development and implementation of a transdisciplinary methodological framework for community energy planning which combines conventional energy engineering techniques with in-depth qualitative approaches.

>> Read full story about Latest publication by the ENERGISE geographers

Drone research in dunes

Tuesday, 11 December 2018

Dr. Eugene Farrell presented research with MSc students Ms. Hatty Dundon (“An Investigation of Digital Surface Model accuracy from UAVs within coastal environments”) and Ms. Niamh Connolly (“Historic and contemporary dune inventories to assess dune vulnerability to climate change impacts”) at the 6th Irish Geomorphology Scientific Workshop (University Ulster, Coleraine, December 07).

>> Read full story about Drone research in dunes

Outlining the continuing social and cultural role of the annual Reek Sunday pilgrimage

Friday, 27 July 2018

Dr Richard Scriven wrote a blogpost for the Geographical Society of Ireland outlining the continuing social and cultural role of the annual Reek Sunday pilgrimage. He demonstrated how geographical themes can help provide new insight into this tradition. [Read]

>> Read full story about Outlining the continuing social and cultural role of the annual Reek Sunday pilgrimage

The vulnerability of Irish landscape systems to climate change and human activity

Tuesday, 11 December 2018

Dr Eugene Farrell (guest editor) launched the special issue of Irish Geography  “The vulnerability of Irish landscape systems to climate change and human activity” at the 6th Irish Geomorphology Scientific Workshop held in University Ulster Coleraine 06-07 December. The special issue contains 14 research manuscripts focussed on Irish case studies from 33 authors located in 13 different institutes in Ireland, UK, Spain, Portugal, and South Africa. 

>> Read full story about The vulnerability of Irish landscape systems to climate change and human activity

Til death do us part

Friday, 27 July 2018

Dr Shane Conway, Dr John McDonagh and Dr Maura Farrell in the Discipline of Geography’s Rural Studies Research Cluster at NUI Galway, have recently published a paper in the International Journal of Agricultural Management entitled ‘Till death do us part: Exploring the Irish farmer-farm relationship in later life through the lens of Insideness’.   Applying Rowles’ concept of ‘insideness’ as a theoretical framework, this paper brings into focus the suitability and appropriateness of previous and existing farm transfer policy strategies, by presenting an insightful, nuanced analysis of the deeply embedded attachment older farmers have with their farms, and how such a bond can stifle the necessary hand over of the farm business to the next generation [READ]

>> Read full story about Til death do us part

MSC in Coastal and Marine Environments ship time secured for 2019

Tuesday, 11 December 2018

The MSc in Coastal and Marine Environments has secured four days of ship-time aboard the R/V Celtic Voyager from 10-13 October 2019. The research cruise, led by Geography's Drs Liam Carr and Audrey Morley with research support from the Ryan Institute's Dr Rachel Cave and Clynton Gregory, is the fifth consecutive year where the MSc cohort will design and conduct at-sea research in the waters off the west coast of County Galway. The 2019 cruise will provide important updates for Galway Bay's benthic community dataset while also collecting baseline data on the amount and distribution of microplastics in the water column. The 2019 research cruise will again be based out of Cill Rónáin, Inis Mór, and is made possible through funding from the Marine Institute.

>> Read full story about MSC in Coastal and Marine Environments ship time secured for 2019

Rural Ireland's biggest advantage? It's not like urban Ireland

Tuesday, 11 December 2018

RTE Brainstorm by Dr Pat Collins, Discipline of Geography, NUI Galway [READ]

>> Read full story about Rural Ireland's biggest advantage? It's not like urban Ireland

EPA funding for field project to build coastal resilience

Wednesday, 12 December 2018

Dr Eugene Farrell received grant funding from EPA Ireland and the Marine Institute to conduct a 2 year research project entitled "Achieving Resilience in the Marine and Coastal Environment of Ireland" (Ref: 2018-CCRP-MS.59; EPA Research Programme 2014-2020). Dr Farrell will work with colleagues based in UCC and the MaREI Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy, Cork.

>> Read full story about EPA funding for field project to build coastal resilience

Dr Mary Greene presents at GSI PCEN Communicating Research event

Thursday, 20 December 2018

Dr. Mary Greene participated as a panel discussant at the recent Geographical Society of Ireland Postgraduate and Early Career Research Network event on socially engaged scholarship. The event was held at Trinity College Dublin on December 7th and was well attended by early career Geographers from throughout the country. 

>> Read full story about Dr Mary Greene presents at GSI PCEN Communicating Research event

Dr Chaosheng Zhang receives Fáilte Ireland National Conference Ambassador Award

Thursday, 20 December 2018

Congratulations to Dr. Chaosheng Zhang  who received the Fáilte Ireland National Conference Ambassador Award on November 23 at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. Dr. Zhang successfully organised three major international conferences in the area of Environment and Health on campus of NUI Galway: ISEH 2010, SESEH 2012, and ISEH 2016. A forthcoming conference ISEH 2020 organized by Dr. Zhang will be held in Dublin during August 2-8, 2020.

>> Read full story about Dr Chaosheng Zhang receives Fáilte Ireland National Conference Ambassador Award

IFAA Board for 2018/19

Monday, 11 June 2018

Congratulations to Dr Liam Carr and Dr Frances Fahy, members of the new IFAA Board for 2018/19. Members of the new Executive Board are pictured at Dublin Castle in June 2018 with Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, Reece Smyth and Dr Dara FitzGerald, Executive Director of the Irish Fulbright Commission.

>> Read full story about IFAA Board for 2018/19

Growth and Change Review

Monday, 11 June 2018

Book review of Dr Seamus Grimes book 'China and Global Value Chains' [Read Reviw]

>> Read full story about Growth and Change Review

New Appointment for Dr Chaosheng Zhang, Discipline of Geography

Monday, 18 June 2018

Dr. Chaosheng Zhang has been appointed as an Adjunct Professor in Chengdu and Honorary Director of Centre of Big Data for Smart Environmental Protection. Pictured: Dr. Chaosheng Zhang (left) receiving certificate of Adjunct Professor from President Yusong Yan (right) of Chengdu Technological University

>> Read full story about New Appointment for Dr Chaosheng Zhang, Discipline of Geography

Climate Action for Achill Island - A meeting about the effect of growing storm activities on Achill Island’s Communities

Monday, 18 June 2018

An up-coming event on Wed June 20th (7pm, The Strand Hotel, Dugort, Achill) will shed some light on how Achill’s coastal communities respond to storms and provide some initial ideas around solutions to potential future weather risks for the island. [Read More]

>> Read full story about Climate Action for Achill Island - A meeting about the effect of growing storm activities on Achill Island’s Communities

Living Labs at Body and Soul Music Festival

Thursday, 28 June 2018

It’s been a busy June for Dr Frances Fahy who was presenting at venues ranging from the European Parliament in Brussels, Dublin Castle, Aalborg University, Copenhagen Business School to the fields of Mullingar! Frances was performing at the Living Labs at Body and Soul Music Festival which took place last weekend June 22nd and 23rd in Westmeath. On the festivals new ‘green stage’ Frances was debunking some myths about sustainability and presented on her pan-European research on sustainable energy (www.energise-project.eu) as well as NUI Galway’s new plans for sustainability.

>> Read full story about Living Labs at Body and Soul Music Festival

Whitaker Institute Policy Brief

Monday, 18 June 2018

The latest Whitaker Institute Policy Brief entitled 'The Farmer-Farm Relationship Impact on Generational Renewal' was written by Dr Shane Conway Postdoctoral Researcher in the Rural Studies Research Cluster at the Discipline of Geography.  You can read this brief here  

>> Read full story about Whitaker Institute Policy Brief

Rural Volunteerism: Impacting Development and Sustainability

Friday, 15 June 2018

Really interesting findings from Dr Maura Farrell,  Rural Volunteerism study from NUI Galway, conducted with Volunteer Ireland,  Etownz and Galway Volunteer Centre. You can read the report here 

>> Read full story about Rural Volunteerism: Impacting Development and Sustainability

Understanding the farmer-farm relationship in later life

Wednesday, 6 June 2018

An thought-provoking article on the topic of ‘Generational Renewal in Agriculture’, specifically as it relates to older farmers, written by Dr Shane Conway at NUI Galway, is featured in Teagasc's Summer 2018 TResearch Magazine [Read] 

>> Read full story about Understanding the farmer-farm relationship in later life

Emotional ties to the land the 'hard issue' for older generation

Monday, 2 July 2018

Recommendations set forth in a paper published in the International Journal of Agricultural Management by Dr Shane Conway, Dr John McDonagh and Dr Maura Farrell in the Discipline of Geography’s Rural Studies Research Cluster at NUI Galway, in collaboration with Anne Kinsella, Senior Research Officer with Teagasc, calling for the establishment of a Macra-style organisation geared specifically towards the needs of the older generation of the farming community, were featured Farming Independent. [READ]

>> Read full story about Emotional ties to the land the 'hard issue' for older generation

Til death do us part

Monday, 2 July 2018

Recent research carried out on the ‘Farmer-Farm Relationship in Later Life’ by Dr Shane Conway, Dr John McDonagh and Dr Maura Farrell in the Discipline of Geography’s Rural Studies Research Cluster at NUI Galway, in collaboration with Anne Kinsella, Senior Research Officer with Teagasc, was recently featured in the Connacht Tribune. ‌[READ]

>> Read full story about Til death do us part

Neil Smith Award Winner, 2017

Monday, 12 February 2018

Maeve McGandy, winner of the Neil Smith Graduate Research Award 2017, pictured at Lá na nGradam with NUIG President, Prof. Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, and Programme Director of the MA in Environment, Society and Development, Dr John Morrissey. Maeve is currently working for UN-Habitat for the Asia-Pacific Region in Japan.

>> Read full story about Neil Smith Award Winner, 2017

Life's a (maerl) beach

Monday, 12 February 2018

Great article in RTE Brainstorm today by @GeogNUIG & @RyanInstitute post doc Dr Siddhi Joshi who is co-PI with Dr Eugene Farrell on a @GeolSurvIE funded field #experiment to study maerl beaches @EOS_NUIG @SeaShoreNUIG [read article]

>> Read full story about Life's a (maerl) beach

A ‘Young Trained Farmer’ case study carried out by Dr. Shane Conway

Tuesday, 13 February 2018

A ‘Young Trained Farmer’ case study carried out by Dr. Shane Conway, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Discipline of Geography's Rural Research Cluster at NUI Galway and the National Rural Network, was featured in last week's edition of the Galway Advertiser, Tuam Herald and Roscommon Herald. This educational and enlightening case study aims to inspire young farmers throughout the country to actively engage with, and avail of the various schemes and supports available to them under Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and has now been featured in 7 leading local and regional Irish newspapers over the past 3 weeks. The case study has also recently been added on the Farm Viability section of the National Rural Network website: http://www.nationalruralnetwork.ie/young-trained-farmer www.nationalruralnetwork.ie

>> Read full story about A ‘Young Trained Farmer’ case study carried out by Dr. Shane Conway

Launch of the new MOSES project - Maritime, Ocean Sector and Ecosystem Sustainability

Friday, 16 February 2018

Congratulations to Dr Liam Carr and Dr Frances Fahy (NUI Galway) on the launch of the new MOSES project - Maritime, Ocean Sector and Ecosystem Sustainability. MOSES a 2.2 million Euro, three year INTERREG Atlantic Area Programme led by NUI Galway (PI Stephen Hynes). Liam, Frances and PhD candidate Desiree Farrell will be examining the Wild Atlantic Way in the context of the European Blue Growth Agenda and Dr Carr leads a large Work Package developing the MOSES Marine Sustainability Assessment Toolkit. The project runs until 2021.

>> Read full story about Launch of the new MOSES project - Maritime, Ocean Sector and Ecosystem Sustainability

Measuring the true impact of research

Tuesday, 20 February 2018

Dr Frances Fahy and Dr Gary Goggins (Discipline of Geography, NUI Galway), with their colleague Dr Henrike Rau (LMU Munich), were invited to write a contribution for the London School of Economics Impact Blog about their recent publication on measuring the impact of research. The LSE Impact Blog is a widely read resource for researchers, students, think tanks, government, and anyone else interested in maximising the impact of academic work in the social sciences and other disciplines. The blog is based on the article “From invisibility to impact: Recognising the scientific and societal relevance of interdisciplinary sustainability research” published in Research Policy.You can read the blog here.

>> Read full story about Measuring the true impact of research

Preventing Homelessness in Galway

Wednesday, 28 February 2018

From Immediate Need to Sustainable Solutions: Preventing Homelessness in Galway City A solutions-focused event bringing together the Community & Voluntary sectors with key statutory agencies and the Local Authority to explore innovative solutions to the prevention of homelessness in Galway City, now and into the future.   The Harbour Hotel, Monday 26th February, 9.30am – 4pm. Further information:  info@galwaycitycommunitynetwork.ie

>> Read full story about Preventing Homelessness in Galway

Green Your Gathering

Thursday, 8 March 2018

Sustainability in Festivals, Meetings and Events Featuring: Chris Johnson, Kambe Events/Shambala Festival Ben Twist, Creative Carbon Scotland Rob Rankin, Vagabond Tours Dr Frances Fahy, NUI Galway Karen Foley, Clare County Council Andrew Mullen Radisson Blu Cork Mary Walsh, Cork City Council Samantha Harding, Elevate Clare Who should attend:  anyone involved in event/conference/festival/meeting management and organisation; arts/music organisations, hotels, venues, local authorities:  Further information  

>> Read full story about Green Your Gathering

From Immediate Need to Sustainable Solutions: Preventing Homelessness in Galway City

Thursday, 8 March 2018

On Monday February 26th 2018 Dr Kathy Reilly presented an overview of her on-going research project entitled ‘Deconstructing Homelessness: Finding a Place for Geography’ at an event organised by collaborating community, voluntary and statutory groups working in Galway City. The solutions focused event brought together key agencies and Local Authority representatives to explore innovative and sustainable solutions to the prevention of homelessness in Galway City. Dr Reilly’s work is funded by an Irish Research Council Policy and Society Award. Further information on the event can be found at: http://galwaycitycommunitynetwork.ie/from-immediate-need-to-sustainable-solutions-preventing-homelessness-in-galway/

>> Read full story about From Immediate Need to Sustainable Solutions: Preventing Homelessness in Galway City

Finding Your Way to Education

Wednesday, 28 February 2018

Finding Your Way to Education On Friday February 23rd 2018 Dr Kathy Reilly provided a keynote address at an event held at GMIT’s Castlebar campus entitled ‘Finding your Way to Education’. The event included academics, community stakeholders and representatives from migrant communities across the West of Ireland and particularly included information for refugees and asylum seekers who are looking to access third-level education. Drawing on research completed with Dr Valerie Ledwith (also Geography, NUI Galway), Dr Reilly presented findings on migrant educational experiences in Galway City and urban-fringe, focusing specifically on issues of educational access, achievement and aspiration. Further details of the event can be found at: http://www.gmit.ie/news/open-event-finding-your-way-education-migrants-fri-23-feb-2-pm

>> Read full story about Finding Your Way to Education

Dr Mary Greene is awarded RIA Charlemont Scholar

Wednesday, 28 February 2018

Dr Mary Greene is awarded RIA Charlemont Scholar Dr Mary Greene was awarded the 2018 Charlemont scholarship award. Attending the Royal Irish Academy Charlemont Ceremony in Academy House, she was joined by a cohort of fellow scholars who had travelled from various universities in Ireland to receive their Award from RIA President, Prof Michael Kennedy. Awardees spanned a wide diversity of disciplines in the social, natural and engineering sciences. Recognising the importance of travel and cross-pollination of ideas, the Charlemont scholarship scheme awards high impact travel grants to early career postdoctoral researchers. Dr Greene will use this grant to travel to New Zealand during the 2018 summer period to expand the geographical range of her research. There she will conduct novel research to further explore the intersections of social change and daily consumption and facilitate cross cultural comparisons to be drawn between Ireland, The Gambia and New Zealand. More information can be read here: https://marygreene.blog/2018/02/28/becoming-a-charlemont-scholar/

>> Read full story about Dr Mary Greene is awarded RIA Charlemont Scholar

Winter holiday to document the plastic load present on the island of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

Tuesday, 30 January 2018

Dr Liam Carr and Geography MSc student Jeff Black used their winter holiday to document the plastic load present on the island of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Over a 10 days and nearly 4km of beachfront, they collected nearly 1,500 items of litter, most of which plastic, from nine beaches within St. Croix’s East End Marine Park. They also sieved 135 litres of sand for microplastic fragments. This research is part of a larger project funded by St. Croix Science and Conservation, which focuses on educating local residents on how they can help reduce local contributions of coastal and marine plastic pollution.

>> Read full story about Winter holiday to document the plastic load present on the island of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

Sustainable Transport for Galway- Professor Ulf Strohmayer

Thursday, 22 February 2018

Professor Ulf Strohmayer, Discipline of Geography, NUI Galway gave a lecture titled 'Sustainable Transport for Galway'.  February 5th, The Studio, Town Hall Theatre, Woodquay, Galway.  [see lecture here]

>> Read full story about Sustainable Transport for Galway- Professor Ulf Strohmayer

Closing conference for a creative momentum project, April 12th, 2018

Wednesday, 7 February 2018

The closing conference for a creative momentum project is on April 12th from12-2pm, Electric Galway, 36 Upper Abbeygate Street, Galway.  This free event will be an opportunity to network, explore the outcomes of project activities and resources developed.  [Further info and to register for the event]

>> Read full story about Closing conference for a creative momentum project, April 12th, 2018

Young Trained Farmer

Wednesday, 7 February 2018

A ‘Young Trained Farmer’ case study carried out by Dr Shane Conway in the Discipline of Geography, NUI Galway for the National Rural Network has been featured in last week's edition of the Connacht Tribune, Leitrim Observer, Clare Champion [NEWS]

>> Read full story about Young Trained Farmer

Irish Farmers Journal Podcast: Mairead Lavery, Editor of Irish Country Living speaking to Dr Maura Farrell

Wednesday, 7 February 2018

A recent Irish Farmers Journal Podcast (episode 150) with Mairead Lavery, Editor of Irish Country Living speaking to Dr Maura Farrell (Discipline of Geography, NUI Galway and the National Rural Network) can be found here: [listen to podcast]

>> Read full story about Irish Farmers Journal Podcast: Mairead Lavery, Editor of Irish Country Living speaking to Dr Maura Farrell

Tommy Marren from Midwest Radio interviewed Dr Shane Conway

Wednesday, 7 February 2018

Tommy Marren from Midwest Radio interviewed Dr Shane Conway (Discipline of Geography, NUI Galway and the National Rural Network) live on air on Tuesday the 30th of January. You can listen to this interview here: [listen here] 

>> Read full story about Tommy Marren from Midwest Radio interviewed Dr Shane Conway

West Women in Farming Ireland (WWFI) Farm Diversification & Enterprise Event

Wednesday, 7 February 2018

A piece about a presentation given by Dr. Maura Farrell (Discipline of Geography, NUI Galway and the National Rural Network), at the recent West Women in Farming Ireland (WWFI) Farm Diversification & Enterprise Event is featured on page 3 of last week's Farming Independent (30/01/18). [NEWS]

>> Read full story about West Women in Farming Ireland (WWFI) Farm Diversification & Enterprise Event

West Women in Farming

Wednesday, 7 February 2018

Dr Maura Farrell and Dr Shane Conway (Discipline of Geography, NUI Galway and the National Rural Network) are pictured at the recent West Women in Farming 'Farm Diversification & Enterprise' event on page 9 of Irish Country Living in last week's Irish Farmers Journal (03/02/2018). [Irish Country Living Article]

>> Read full story about West Women in Farming

New Publication: Demanding Energy, Space, Time and Change

Monday, 12 February 2018

Dr Mary Greene has published a new chapter on the dynamics of energy demand over the lifecourse in the exciting new book ‘Demanding Energy:  Space, Time and Change’ (edited by Dr. Alison Hui, Dr. Roise Day and Prof. Gordon Walker’). As outlined on the books website “Demanding Energy: Space, Time and Change" critically engages with an important but rarely-asked question: what is energy for? This starting point foregrounds the diverse social processes implicated in the making of energy demand and how these change over time to shape the past patterns, present dynamics and future trajectories of energy use.” Dr Greene's chapter in the book explores the value of a biographical scale of analysis for revealing insights into complex experiences and processes of change. In treating individuals’ energy practice as dynamically evolving through the lifecourse within the context of a changing socio-technical landscape, she discusses innovative approaches for improving understanding of the ways in which lives, practices and contexts intersect in energy systems change.

>> Read full story about New Publication: Demanding Energy, Space, Time and Change

Dr Frances Fahy presenting at the Planning and Environment Reserach Group of the RGS

Friday, 19 January 2018

Dr Frances Fahy presenting at the Planning and Environment Reserach Group of the RGS, New Researchers Event held in Exeter Community Centre in January 11th and 12th, 2018

>> Read full story about Dr Frances Fahy presenting at the Planning and Environment Reserach Group of the RGS

Dr Frances Fahy, Appointment to ERSCP17

Tuesday, 5 December 2017

Comhghairdeas to Dr Frances Fahy on her appointment to the Board of the European Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption & Production #ERSCP17 General Assembly / https://t.co/CVikQJ70Mj

>> Read full story about Dr Frances Fahy, Appointment to ERSCP17

Spring Lunchtime Lecture Series 2018

Tuesday, 9 January 2018

The School of Geography and Archaeology is running another Spring Lunchtime Lecture Series this year, with the first lecture starting on Monday, January 15th.  The lectures this year will take place in the Town Hall Theatre, Woodquay, Galway.  Please note, while the event is free it is advisable to come early to ensure a seat as pre-booking is not available.  Download full programme here:  Spring Lunchtime Lecture Series (PDF)

>> Read full story about Spring Lunchtime Lecture Series 2018

Hosted talk by Geography’s Dr Kevin Lynch, Ossietzky Universität in Oldenburg

Wednesday, 10 January 2018

The Carl von Ossietzky Universität in Oldenburg, Germany hosted a talk by Geography’s Dr Kevin Lynch in December 2017. The talk outlined challenges faced by Ireland in planning for climate change. The seminar series being run by Prof. Dr. Ingo Mose is funded through the EU’s Erasmus programme and has proved to be an excellent platform for international exchange of good practices. Recent developments in Ireland as outlined at a recent EPA event were also discussed during Dr Lynch’s talk. 

>> Read full story about Hosted talk by Geography’s Dr Kevin Lynch, Ossietzky Universität in Oldenburg

Dr Eimear Heaslip receiving her PhD award from GMIT in November 2017

Thursday, 11 January 2018

Dr Eimear Heaslip receiving her PhD award from GMIT in November 2017. Her research supervised by Dr Frances Fahy and Dr Gabriel Costello, employed A Transdisciplinary Approach to explore Low Carbon Energy Transitions in Irish Islands

>> Read full story about Dr Eimear Heaslip receiving her PhD award from GMIT in November 2017

NUI Galway's Sustainability Strategy Launch

Thursday, 11 January 2018

Pictured at the launch of NUI Galway’s Sustainability Strategy are l-r: Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, Registrar and Deputy President, NUI Galway, Dr Frances Fahy, School of Geography and Archaeology, NUI Galway, Senator Alice-Mary Higgins, Seanad Éireann and Professor Colin Brown, Ryan Institute, NUI Galway. Photo: Paul Fennell

>> Read full story about NUI Galway's Sustainability Strategy Launch

MSC Cruise 2018

Tuesday, 16 January 2018

The cruise aboard the #CelticVoyager for the incoming MSc class of 2018/19 has been scheduled for October 4th to 7th 2018

>> Read full story about MSC Cruise 2018

Presidents Award for Research Excellence 2017

Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Congratulation to Dr Frances Fahy pictured here receiving her Presidents Award for Research Excellence 2017 from the President, Dr Jim Brown

>> Read full story about Presidents Award for Research Excellence 2017

Dr. Mary Greene expands her research to explore the lived experience of energy transitions in Global South context

Thursday, 18 January 2018

Dr. Mary Greene expands her research to explore the lived experience of energy transitions in Global South contexts As a successful applicant of the H2020 SHAPE ENERGY Research Design Challenge, Dr. Mary Greene, collaborating with Dr. Anne Schiffer (Leeds Beckett University), travelled to Africa over the Christmas break to conduct novel ethnographic research on past and ongoing energy transitions in The Gambia ....... [Read More]

>> Read full story about Dr. Mary Greene expands her research to explore the lived experience of energy transitions in Global South context

BT Young Scientist Award

Monday, 22 January 2018

First year students from Coláiste Iognáid in Galway win two BT Young Scientist awards for their project, ‘Think Before You Drink: Microplastics’  Three young Scientists Aoibhe Briscoe, Ellie Concannon, and Kate Owens, first year students at Coláiste Iognáid in Galway, competed for this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Awards in the Category Biological and Ecological Sciences with their project ‘Think Before You Drink: Microplastics’. Mentored by NUI Galway, the students won first place in their category and a special award issued by the Environmental Protection Agency for Best Environmental Project presented at the BT Young Scientist 2018....[Read More]

>> Read full story about BT Young Scientist Award

Dr. Patrick Collins receives Aarhus University Visiting Fellowship

Tuesday, 16 January 2018

In 2017 Dr. Patrick Collins received and Aarhus University Visiting Fellowship. The Fellowship supported a four month research visit to Aarhus, Denmark where Patrick worked with colleagues in the Department of Culture and Communications. Patrick also worked closely with the team tasked with the monitoring and evaluation of Aarhus 2017 European Capital of Culture.During his sabbatical Patrick also spent a short research visit in Hull, the 2017 UK City of Culture.In December 2017, Patrick launched his new book “Creative Economies in Peripheral Regions” the first book to explore the nature and extent of creative economic activity in Europe’s northerwestern periphery,. Detail: http://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783319521640

>> Read full story about Dr. Patrick Collins receives Aarhus University Visiting Fellowship

2017

Daithi Maguire, winner of the Richard Fitzgerald Poster Prize for Best Aquatic Environment Presentation, ENVIRON 2017

Friday, 28 April 2017

Congratulations to Geography PhD student Daithi Maguire on winning the Richard Fitzgerald Poster Prize for Best Aquatic Environment Presentation, (prize sponsored by AquaTT) at the  ENVIRON 2017, 27th Irish Environmental Researchers Colloquium, Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland conference held at the Athlone Institute of Technology, 10-12th April 2017. The title of his poster was “The Application of Copernicus Satellite-Borne Remote Sensors for Monitoring Coastal Erosion and Ecosystems in Ireland“

>> Read full story about Daithi Maguire, winner of the Richard Fitzgerald Poster Prize for Best Aquatic Environment Presentation, ENVIRON 2017

Three NUI Galway Staff Members Appointed as Advisors to the State Council of China

Monday, 13 November 2017

During 21-23 August, 2017, the Overseas Chinese Affairs of the State Council of China established a new Advisory Committee as a think-tank of Chinese government for the development of China in the areas of culture, policy, and science & technology. This committee comprises about 300 experts in various fields from all over the world, with nearly 200 of them in the Science & Technology sector. The inauguration ceremony was held in the People’s Congress Hall in Beijing. Three NUI Galway staff members, Sanbing Shen (Regenerative Medicine Institute), Xinmin Zhan (Civil Engineering) and Chaosheng Zhang (Geography) have been appointed as members of the committee. Afterwards, the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Xiaoyong Yue welcomed the members from Ireland at the Chinese Embassy in Dublin.

>> Read full story about Three NUI Galway Staff Members Appointed as Advisors to the State Council of China

Book Launch

Monday, 13 November 2017

John Morrissey, Senior Lecturer in Geography and Associate Director of the Moore Institute, has published a new book critically telling the story of repeated US military interventions in the Middle East and Central Asia over the last 30 years. Entitled The Long War, the book focuses on the archives of US Central Command, and engages a wide range of scholarship on imperialism, geopolitics and neoliberalism, in critiquing the US military’s role in enacting US foreign policy in the most energy-rich region on earth, and in documenting the profound human consequences of military violence.

>> Read full story about Book Launch

Geography Awareness Week 2017

Monday, 13 November 2017

This year’s celebration of Geography Awareness Week is upon us. It runs from 12-18 November 2017. It promotes what geography is, why it is important, and the relevance of a geographic education in preparing citizens to understand and debate pressing social and environmental issues and problems. A list of events that are taking place across Galway and the country can be seen on the GSI website:   http://www.geographicalsocietyireland.ie/geoweek-2017.html

>> Read full story about Geography Awareness Week 2017

MSc in Coastal and Marine Environments

Monday, 13 November 2017

Staff members of NUI Galway’s Discipline of Geography have been shortlisted in the ‘Excellence in Marine Education and Training Award’ category for their MSc in Coastal and Marine Environments course.  Best of luck to the team: Dr Eugene Farrell and Dr Kevin Lynch, and Drs Frances Fahy, Aaron Potito, Audrey Morley, Terry Morley and Chaosheng Zhang.   Full Article: [HERE]

>> Read full story about MSc in Coastal and Marine Environments

Series Exploring Holy Wells with Primary Schools and Heritage Groups

Wednesday, 15 November 2017

Richard Scriven, lecturer in Geography, is leading a project with artist Vicky Lanagan involving a series creative workshop series exploring holy wells with primary schools and heritage groups. It is being funded by the Creative Ireland County Cork Grant Scheme under the community participation strand of the Creative Ireland Programme 2017-2022.

>> Read full story about Series Exploring Holy Wells with Primary Schools and Heritage Groups

Graduating with First Class Honours

Thursday, 30 November 2017

Vittoria Semplici graduating with First Class Honours on the MA in Environment, Society and Development. Pictured with Programme Director, John Morrissey, and NUIG President, Jim Browne. Vittoria now works for the UN in Bonn.

>> Read full story about Graduating with First Class Honours

Geographical Society of Ireland Lifetime Contribution Award, 2017

Thursday, 30 November 2017

Professor Niamh Moore-Cherry, President of the GSI, presenting the Award to Professor Mary Cawley, Adjunct-Professor of Migration and Rural Societal Change in the Whitaker Institute and SoGA, at NUI Galway, on the 3rd November

>> Read full story about Geographical Society of Ireland Lifetime Contribution Award, 2017

New Particle Size Analyser

Tuesday, 5 December 2017

Congrats to Dr Audrey Morley (+ MSc staff) on receiving a Marine Institute award to purchase specialist research equipment. We welcome a Particle Size Analyser (with all the bells and whistles) to our research inventory in 2018.      Download Article:  https://www.marine.ie/Home/site-area/news-events/press-releases/minister-creed-announces-marine-institute-funding-grants

>> Read full story about New Particle Size Analyser

Publication - Scientific Reports

Tuesday, 5 December 2017

Congratulation to MSc graduate Jake Martin and Dr Audrey Morley on publishing their research in Scientific Reports (an online open access scientific journal published by the world’s leading scientific journal - Nature).  Jake Martin, Amy Lusher, Richard C. Thompson & Audrey Morley.The Deposition and Accumulation of Microplastics in Marine Sediments and Bottom Water from the Irish Continental Shelf

>> Read full story about Publication - Scientific Reports

Scientists uncover important habitat of elusive beaked whales

Tuesday, 5 December 2017

A team of scientists on board the RV Celtic Voyager during a recent survey to understand the habitat use of elusive beaked whales, got more than they bargained for when they encountered four separate groups of breaching whales within a couple of hours survey effort near the Rockall Trough.  Congratulations to Dr Patricia Breen, Discipline of Geography, NUI Galway, Chief Scientist on the survey.Media Articles: https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2017/1204/924923-rare-whales-spotted-off-irish-coast/ https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/scientists-find-home-of-elusive-whale-36379888.html https://www.marine.ie/Home/site-area/news-events/news/scientists-uncover-important-habitat-elusive-beaked-whales-0    

>> Read full story about Scientists uncover important habitat of elusive beaked whales

NUI Galway to host EUGEO 2019

Tuesday, 5 December 2017

NUI Galway was confirmed as the host for the EUGEO 2019 conference at the recent EUGEO conference held in Brussels in September 2017. The conference theme for the 2019 EUGEO conference is "Re Imagining Europe's Future Society and Landscapes" The theme focuses on the centrality of the concepts of society and landscape within the Discipline of Geography and will be CoChaired by Dr Kathy Reilly and Dr Frances Fahy.

>> Read full story about NUI Galway to host EUGEO 2019

2017 EU Youth Seminar on Environmental Sustainability at the EU Parliament in Brussels, Belgium

Friday, 8 December 2017

Eight Geography Postgraduate students, representing the MSc – Coastal and Marine Environments, MA – Environment, Sustainability and Development, and Geography Doctoral Programme, were selected to attend the 2017 EU Youth Seminar on Environmental Sustainability at the EU Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. The Delegation, comprised of 100 students from Ireland, Czechia, and the Netherlands, interacted with Members of the EU Parliament, presenting their ideas on how best to address pressing issues surrounding EU fisheries, urban renewal, and climate action.

>> Read full story about 2017 EU Youth Seminar on Environmental Sustainability at the EU Parliament in Brussels, Belgium

2016

Field Class China

Thursday, 21 July 2016

Dr Aaron Potito and three Geography undergraduates just returned from a 10-day field class in Chengdu, China, with Sichuan University’s University Immersion Program. The field course in Environmental Change and Sustainability included students and teachers from China, Italy, Australia, United States and Ireland.

>> Read full story about Field Class China

Spatial Justice and the Irish Crisis Shortlisted for GSI Book of the Year Award

Tuesday, 3 May 2016

Spatial Justice and the Irish Crisis, co-edited by Gerry Kearns, David Meredith and John Morrissey, and published by the Royal Irish Academy, has been shortlisted for the GSI Book of the Year Award. (http://www.geographicalsocietyireland.ie/awards.html). Book reviews of Spatial Justice and the Irish Crisis: "To counteract global capitalism’s tendency to run roughshod over the planet - uprooting communities and destroying environments - it is vital that we construct an embedded understanding of place as well as a concept of justice that defends the earth as our only home. This book and the idea of ‘spatial justice’ is a triumphant step toward that goal" - Dr David Nally, University of Cambridge"Spatial Justice and the Irish Crisis is more of a complete project than just a book, with excellent essays from noted scholars in Irish Geography and Irish Studies. It includes an essay by Danny Dorling, one of the best known geographers of his generation, and the triumph of the interview with David Harvey, the best known urban and geographical scholar of the generation" - Prof. Stephen Royle, Queen's University Belfast"This book bravely provokes debates on the questions and issues it is addressing concerning the Irish financial crisis. It is an admirable attempt to speak truth to power in regards to the Republic’s need to focus on social and environmental justice, health care, education and the marginalized" - Dr Charles Travis, Trinity College Dublin  For details on the book, please see the RIA website here (https://www.ria.ie/publications/books/spatial-justice-and-irish-crisis).

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Rural Policy Studies Scholarship Fund

Wednesday, 23 March 2016

Aoife Ní Fhlatharta, PhD Geography candidate and recipient of the Dr Patrick Commins Rural Research Award was recently awarded the Rural Policy Studies Scholarship Fund to attend the 13th International Comparative Rural Policy Studies (ICRPS) Summer Institute, which is being hosted by the University of Alaska Fairbanks from the 14-26th July 2016. The funding which is supported by The Rural Policy Learning Commons project will cover the institute fee of $2000. The ICRPS Summer Institute provides a unique opportunity for students from a range of OECD countries to meet and work together on comparative rural policy issues. Participants of the Summer Institute will be exposed to the challenges of the rural North, and will have the opportunity to experience Alaska’s diverse interior. 

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IRC Research Funding Programme to Support NGOs in Policy Making for Global Development

Thursday, 21 April 2016

The humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean, gender-based violence in Malawi, and the role of music in the lives of children in direct provision are amongst the research topics being funded by the Irish Research Council this year under its New Foundations programme. Details of the programme – which supports research on civic society and public policy issues – were announced today (23.03.16). In total, the Irish Research Council is providing €1 million to researchers across Ireland, on a range of projects involving collaboration between higher education researchers and NGOs. One of the projects is being led at NUI Galway by Dr John Morrissey, Senior Lecturer in Geography and Associate Director of the Moore Institute for Humanities. John’s project was initially developed during a recent research fellowship at the University of Cambridge. Entitled ‘Haven’, it is focused on the biggest humanitarian crisis in Europe since the Second World War, the Mediterranean refugee crisis, and has two core aims: to develop a collaborative body of research that addresses the root causes of the crisis and progressively offers an alternative envisioning of Western interventionism via the UN concept of ‘human security’; and  to initiate a series of public events where these vital perspectives can be constructively disseminated to key stakeholders, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Irish Naval Services and Irish Aid.For further information, please see the Haven Project’s website:https://havenprojectblog.wordpress.com

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Explore Awards

Wednesday, 18 November 2015

Geography staff and students at the end of year EXPLORE awards lunch. EXPLORE is where NUI Galway students and staff partner up and deliver their innovative ideas.  It is a proven model for co-creation, co-design and co-delivering - both on and off campus. The Discipline of Geography hosted 3 of the 19 University awards for the 2014/15 academic year. The 3 projects were: The Aether Drone Project (Dr Eugene Farrell), Geo-Bogs: Conserving Ireland’s Natural Heritage (Dr Terry Morley and Dr Audrey Morley) and YOLO (YOung peoples’ Life Opportunities) (Dr. Kathy Reilly). The EXPLORE programme also got coverage in the local newspaper The Galway Independent 

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Events

Doctoral Fellowship in Irish Music Studies

Tuesday, 24 November 2015

The Centre for Irish Studies is delighted to announce a new New Doctoral Fellowship in Irish Music Studiesto be awarded for September 2016.

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New Sean-nós Dancer in Residence 2016

Friday, 22 January 2016

The Centre for Irish Studies at NUI Galway is delighted to announce the appointment of Páraic Ó hOibicín as Sean-nós Dancer in Residence for 2016. A native of Lettermuckoo, Connemara, Páraic Ó hOibicín is one of a generation of dancers who led the revival of sean-nós dance in the late twentieth century.  Key to Páraic’s style of dancing, is a faithful nod to older dancers and the tradition that he saw in his youth. He credits Máirtín Beag Ó Gríofa as the most important influence in his development as a sean-nós dancer. Páraic’s style is highly individual, with a lightness and individuality of step recognisable the world over.  Like many of his generation, Páraic was resident for a number of years in the UK, but returned to Lettermuckoo in 1984, and quickly reconnected with the dancing community of his youth through sean-nós and set dancing. A winner of the Oireachtas competition in 2004, Páraic is a sought after performer and teacher, and has been invited to give work-shops and master-classes of sean-nós dance nationally throughout Ireland, and indeed internationally, in Zurich and this year in America.  Among his many dance students over the years are two of his own children Patrick and Soina, who have both been successful in Oireachtas competitions, continuing the family tradition. During his residency, Páraic will participate in a series of performances and workshops at the Centre for Irish Studies and other venues in Galway.  A selection of his repertoire will also be recorded to deposit in the Sean-Nós Archive at the Centre for Irish Studies. A series of five sean-nós dance workshops will take place in An Taibhdhearc and commence on the 10 February 2016 and are free and open to all. This project is funded by Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta and An Chomhairle Ealaíon in association with the Centre for Irish Studies at NUI, Galway. Here is a clip of Páraic in Ballydehob a number of years ago:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzVmrBj1SY

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An Irish Republic? Public interview series

Friday, 15 April 2016

‌An Irish Republic?  What is a republic? Is Ireland a republic? Is the Republic of Ireland the kind of republic imagined by those involved in the Irish revolution and proclaimed in 1916? What is the role of religion, art, literature, and politics in creating an Irish civic society of the kind envisaged in that proclamation? These are just some of the questions to be addressed in a series of public interviews convened by the Centre for Irish Studies at NUI Galway which will explore the contemporary relevance of the ideas and ideals that led to the formation of the Irish state. The interviews will be conducted by playwright Vincent Woods, presenter of Arts Tonight on RTÉ radio and will feature public figures who have committed their working lives to realising their own vision of an Irish republic. The first interview will be with socialist and republican activist and community worker Bernadette McAliskey, the youngest woman ever in the British House of Commons on her election in 1969. The full programme of Public Interviews is as follows:           Wed 6 April Bernadette McAliskey          Wed13 April Thomas Kilroy          Wed 20 April Fr Peter McVerry          Wed 27 April Robert Ballagh All of these events are open to the public and free of charge. AM 250 Ó hEocha Theatre, Arts Millennium Building, NUI Galway 6.30-8.00pm

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Sean-nós Dance Workshops

Monday, 8 February 2016

Páraic Ó hOibicín, the newly appointed Sean-nós Dancer in Residence at the Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway, will offer a series of five sean-nós dance workshops this Spring which will take place in An Taibhdhearc and commence at 7pm, on 10 February 2016.  A native of Lettermuckoo, Connemara, Páraic Ó hOibicín is one of a generation of dancers who led the revival of sean-nós dance in the late twentieth century.  Key to Páraic’s style of dancing, is a faithful nod to older dancers and the tradition that he saw in his youth. The workshops are free and open to all. This project is funded by Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta and An Chomhairle Ealaíon in association with the Centre for Irish Studies at NUI, Galway.    

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MA scholarships in Irish Studies

Tuesday, 3 May 2016

MA Scholarships now available for Irish Studies applicants at NUI Galway If you'd like to find out more and are interested in our MA in Irish Studies programmes please contact Dr Nessa Cronin at nessa.cronin@nuigalway.ie and click here http://www.nuigalway.ie/postgrad/scholarships/

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Sean-nós Dance Workshops

Monday, 12 September 2016

Páraic Ó hOibicín, Sean-nós Dancer in Residence at the Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway in 2016, will offer a series of five sean-nós dance workshops this Autumn which will take place in An Taibhdhearc and commence at 7pm, on 21 September 2016.  A native of Lettermuckoo, Connemara, Páraic Ó hOibicín is one of a generation of dancers who led the revival of sean-nós dance in the late twentieth century.  Key to Páraic’s style of dancing, is a faithful nod to older dancers and the tradition that he saw in his youth. The workshops are free and open to all. This project is funded by Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta and An Chomhairle Ealaíon in association with the Centre for Irish Studies at NUI, Galway.    

>> Read full story about Sean-nós Dance Workshops

Sean-nós Singer in Residence 2017

Monday, 6 February 2017

Sarah Ghriallais appointed as Sean-Nós Singer in Residence at NUI GalwayThe Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway, is delighted to announce Sarah Ghriallas as Sean-nós Singer in Residence for 2017. Originally from Muiceanach, Sarah Ghriallais has long been acknowledged as a sean-nós singer of exceptional talent, winning the coveted Corn Uí Riada award at the Oireachtas for the first time in 1984. That same prize has also been taken home by her son Michael, her sisters Nóra and Nan, and her niece Celia Ní Fhátharta. Sarah’s was a household full of singing and music-making and she credits her parents, Pádraig and Máire, and her wider family with instilling her first love of singing.  Sarah particularly remembers her teacher, Treasa Bn. Uí Chartúir as being important in her development. Some of the songs which are most associated with Sarah include ‘Sagart na Cúile Báine’, Condae Mhaigh Eo’, ‘Táilliúir an Mhagaidh’ agus ‘Eileanóir na Rún’. To begin her residency, Sarah will give a series of five sean-nós singing workshops at the Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway, beginning on Wednesday, 8 February at 7pm. Workshops are free and open to all. This scheme is run with the generous support of Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta, An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway.

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Éamonn Costello

Wednesday, 15 February 2017

Comhrá Ceoil and the Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway, are delighted to announce details of the first talk in this year’s Martin Reilly Lecture Series, which will be given by Dr Éamonn Costello at 6.30pm on Tuesday, 28 February 2017, at Galway City Library. ‘Muintir Chonamara agus Oireachtas na Gaeilge: The role of the Conamara Gaeltacht community in shaping Ireland’s oldest festival’ examines the engagement of the Gaeltacht community of Connemara with Oireachtas na Gaeilge throughout its history. Established in 1897, by members of the Gaelic League, the Oireachtas is Ireland’s oldest arts festival and is primarily concerned with promoting and celebrating the Irish language. However, for much of its history the native Irish speaking community, an Ghaeltacht, had little impact or input into the festival’s programme of events. This all changed in the early 1970s when the Conamara based civil rights movement, Gluaiseacht Cearta Siabhialta na Gaeltachta, turned the Irish language issue from being primarily a national/nationalist cause to one which was primarily concerned with minority rights. The actions of the Gaeltacht civil rights movement inspired the Conamara Gaeltacht community to appropriate/colonise the Oireachtas for a period in the 1970-1980s. This period of appropriation and the events leading up to it will be the focus of the talk. Éamonn Costello is originally from An Cheathrú Rua, in the Conamara Gaeltacht. An Irish traditional musician, he holds an MA and PhD in ethnomusicology, as well as a BA in Irish Music and Dance. Éamonn currently teaches Irish in the Irish language department of the School of Culture and Communication, at the University of Limerick; is secretary of the International Council for Traditional Music Ireland (ICTMIre); and is a founding member of TradSong, a research cluster based at UL. This series of talks is dedicated to Martin Reilly, the celebrated Galway uilleann piper, and gives an opportunity to researcher-practitioners in Irish traditional music and dance to present their work in a public forum.  The success of the series thus far confirms the interest in research of this kind in Galway, where traditional music and dance are part of the cultural fabric of the city. Free admission to all talks. 

>> Read full story about Éamonn Costello

Regenerative Body Architecture Workshops with Maureen Fleming

Monday, 27 February 2017

‘Between dance and sculpture’: Regenerative body architecture workshops with Maureen FlemingNUI Galway is delighted to announce a series of movement and dance workshops led by acclaimed New York City choreographer and performance artist Maureen Fleming. The world renowned artist was granted a Fulbright Scholar’s Award to spend a semester at the Centre for Irish Studies where she is studying the sean-nós traditions of song and dance and developing new work which will incorporate aspects of Irish mythology and folklore.In an ecstatic review of her extraordinary performance in B. Madonna, The New York Times said she ‘seemed to transcend the material world and enter the world of pure spirit’. The New York Theater Review  was equally impressed, suggesting that Fleming ‘continually transcends theatrical expectations and constructs a state of perpetual presence … not unlike the effect of viewing the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls’. In addition to her work as a dancer and choreographer, Fleming has developed new techniques of regenerative work for anyone interested in developing movement through workshops that improve strength, flexibility and balance. The Centre for Irish Studies, in association with the O’Donoghue Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance, will host a series of six workshops with Maureen Fleming. Beginning on Wednesday 8 March, the workshops will run from 7.00 to 9.00pm on Wednesdays and Thursday evenings for three weeks and are open to everyone. No previous experience is required, but places are strictly limited. The video below provides a demonstration of the original exercises Fleming has designed to develop efficient movement and increased flexibility/https://vimeo.com/user5682310/review/180757153/e858611478 For further information and to book a place on the workshop, contact Samantha Williams at 091 492051 or email Samantha.williams@nuigalway.ie

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Landscape Values: Place and Praxis from 29 June– 2 July 2016

Friday, 17 June 2016

‌This month the Centre for Landscape Studies, NUI Galway, will host the UNISCAPE General Assembly and International Conference, Landscape Values: Place and Praxis from 29 June– 2 July 2016. The conference takes place on the first anniversary of the publication of Government of Ireland’s National Landscape Strategy 2015-2025, issued as part of its commitments under the European Landscape Convention which Ireland ratified in 2002. Working in association with the Heritage Council of Ireland and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the conference aims to reflect on how values attached to landscape get expressed at local and community level which in turn can be mobilised to shape national and European policy in the future. With 95 papers from 130 international experts, including colleague s from the North America, Japan, China and Australia, the conference will explore innovative ways in which values associated with place are shaped and made. Papers range from landscapes of wellbeing, the material culture of the Galway Hooker, to sustainable food tourism, and there promises to be something of interest to all. Sessions on policy and governance will also highlight new models of spatial planning and decision-making that honour the full suite of values associated with places in which communities live across Europe today. Delegates will also participate in 4 full-day site visits to community-led projects in the west of Ireland, across counties Galway, Mayo, Clare and Offaly as part of the conference programme. UNISCAPE is the European network of universities especially dedicated to the implementation of the European Landscape Convention (Council of Europe, Florence 2000). The aim of its 53 constituent institutions is to support and reinforce interdisciplinary co-operation within and among European universities regarding landscape issues, especially in the areas of research and education. On the importance of hosting the UNISCAPE General Assembly in Ireland, Chairman of the Heritage Council of Ireland, Conor Newman said that: “The presence here of UNISCAPE sends out a strong signal about the role that universities across Europe are playing in the delivery of the European Landscape Convention. UNISCAPE is a key partner of the Council of Europe’s Committee for Culture, Heritage and Landscape. This committee met in Strasbourg last week to sign off on the European Cultural Heritage Strategy for the 21st century, foregrounding the connection between the Landscape Convention and the Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society. This conference is an opportunity to tune in to this wider, international dialogue, to learn from the experience of others, and to showcase the Irish situation.” Responding to the invitation to host the General Assembly and Conference in Ireland this year, Director of UNISCAPE, Professor Bas Pedroli said that ‘We are really looking forward to meeting our international delegates of various disciplinary backgrounds in Galway this summer. The engagement of the Centre for Landscape Studies of the National University of Ireland in Galway promises an excellent working atmosphere both in the university and out on site with the field-visits to community projects in the region. This will certainly enhance a better understanding of the Irish landscape within its own particular parameters while also discussing broader European contexts as well.’ Other events associated with the conference include, a screening of Fís na Fuiseoige, a documentary film exploring the connection between people and place which won Best Cinematography at the San Francisco Earth Day Film Festival and the launch of Gearóid Ó hAllmhúráin’s new work in Irish Music Studies, Flowing Tides: History and Memory in an Irish Soundscape, published by Oxford University Press. The opening night of the conference will also see the launch of Iarsma: Fragments from an Archive, the Artist-in-the-Archive Project at the Tim Robinson Archive now housed in the James Hardiman Library, NUI Galway. Devised by Dr Nessa Cronin at the Centre for Irish Studies, Iarsma is the culmination of the collaborative work of visual artist Deirdre O’Mahony, choreographer Ríonach Ní Néill, and composer Tim Collins. All are welcome to attend the performance at 8pm Wednesday 30 June in the Institute for Lifecourse and Society, NUI Galway. For further information see http://www.conference.ie/Conferences/index.asp?Conference=448 or contact placeandpraxis@gmail.com Conference Booklet Landscape Values - Field excursions‌‌  

>> Read full story about Landscape Values: Place and Praxis from 29 June– 2 July 2016

‘WILDFLOWERS Encounter (Casadh)'

Friday, 16 June 2017

    ‘WILDFLOWERS Encounter (Casadh)’, by internationally acclaimed choreographer and dance artist Maureen Fleming, will be presented at 8:00 PM on 30 June 2017 at the O’Donoghue Centre, NUI Galway. Featuring original music by composer and musician Colm Mac Con Iomaire, this presentation is the first ‘encounter’ (work in progress) between these groundbreaking artists and is the culmination of Fleming’s Fulbright in Ireland. Louis de Paor, Director of the Centre for Irish Studies, will conduct an interview with the artists following the ‘Encounter (Casadh) presentation.   In lyrical, sculptural transcendence, Maureen Fleming invents surreal movement poetry that changes how we think of the human body. Fleming’s new monomyth: ‘WILDFLOWERS’ is a series of vision poems inspired by the mythology surrounding the eternal, otherworld feminine of Ireland. The completed work will premiere at La MaMa’s Ellen Stewart Theatre in New York City in Fall 2018 and the O’ Shaughnessy in the Twin Cities in Spring 2019.   Fleming has spent a semester at the Centre for Irish Studies and at Drama and Theater Studies, NUI Galway where she taught her original dance form and studied sean-nós traditions of song and dance, developing new work incorporating aspects of Irish mythology and folklore.   Fleming's ‘WILDFLOWERS’ is a three-stage international collaborative project between choreographer and dance artist Maureen Fleming and composer and musician Colm Mac Con Iomaire. Research and development will begin with support from the Irish Arts Council Traditional Music Commission and the Fulbright Commission in Summer 2017 and will develop through an ‘Encounter (Casadh)’ process where elements of set, light, music and choreography are staged and open to the public at various times and venues.   The first 'Encounter (Casadh)' in Ireland will be presented at the O’Donoghue Centre, NUI Galway by producer Marianne Ní Chinnéide with direction, choreography & performance by Maureen Fleming, music composition and performance by Colm Mac Con Iomaire, videography by Colm Hogan, light & visual design by Christopher Odo. This ‘Encounter (Casadh)’ is made possible with support from the Irish Arts Council Traditional Music Commission; Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs through the Fulbright Commission; Centre for Irish Studies NUI Galway; Drama and Theatre Studies NUI Galway; Arts in Action; and the Galway City Council.   Reservations can be made via Eventbrite. Seating is limited and reservations are required.   https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wildflowers-encounter-casadh-tickets-35233134253   For additional information on Maureen Fleming: www.maureenfleming.com

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Sean-nós Singing workshops

Wednesday, 20 September 2017

The Centre for Irish Studies at NUI Galway will host a series of sean-nós singing workshops starting Wednesday, 27 September.  The workshops will be taught by Sarah Ghriallais, the recently appointed Sean-nós Singer in Residence at NUI Galway for 2017. Sarah who is originally from Muiceanach, Camus, is a renowned sean-nós singer with exceptional talent, a previous winner of the prestigious Corn Uí Riada, the premier sean-nós singing competition at the Oireachtas. Sarah’s singing has also featured on stage, in documentaries and in films. Sarah will give a series of five sean-nós singing workshops at the Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway. The first workshop in this series will take place on Wednesday, 27 September at 7pm. Workshops are free and open to all. This project is funded by Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta, An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Centre for Irish Studies at NUI Galway. 

>> Read full story about Sean-nós Singing workshops

Sean-nós Singer in Residence 2018

Thursday, 19 April 2018

The Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway, has announced the appointment of Tomás Ó Neachtain as Sean-Nós Singer-in-Residence in 2018. Born and raised in Coilleach, An Spidéal, Tomás is part of a family which has a long and rich tradition of sean-nós singing. It is from his father, Tomás, that he heard and learned most of his singing, and indeed his father had learned from his father before him. Though he briefly spent time in England as a young married man, it is in Coilleach that Tomás and his wife Nancy have reared their own family. His son Seosamh, a renowned sean-nós dancer and musician, was appointed as the first Sean-nós Dancer in Residence at the Centre for Irish Studies in 2009. Tomás’s distinct, clear, sweet vocal style echoes the singing he heard in his youth. His repertoire is wide and varied, but he particularly favours big songs such as ‘An Droighneán Donn’, ‘Tomás Bán Mac Aogáin’ and ‘An Chaora Ghlas’. Tomás gives singing workshops and is two-time winner of Corn Uí Riada in 1980 and 1981. During his time as artist-in-residence, Tomás will deliver a series of workshops at NUI Galway and will contribute to the expanding Sean-Nós Archive Collection. The workshops are free and open to the public and take place in the autumn and spring of 2018-19. This project is funded by Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta and An Chomhairle Ealaíon in association with the Centre for Irish Studies at NUI Galway. Tomás Ó Neachtain Ceaptha mar Amhránaí Cónaitheach ag OÉ Gaillimh Tá sé fógartha ag Ionad an Léinn Éireannaigh, OÉ Gaillimh, go bhfuil Tomás Ó Neachtain ceaptha mar Amhránaí Cónaitheach Sean-nóis i mbliana. Rugadh agus tógadh Tomás i gCoilleach, sa Spidéal. Chaith sé seal i Sasana mar fhear óg, ach is sa Choilleach a thóg sé féin is a bhean chéile Nancy a gclann: Tomás, Eoghan, Máire, Seán agus Seosamh, an rinceoir. Bhí an teach inar tógadh Tomás lán d’amhránaíocht agus thug sé leis go leor amhrán óna athair, Tomás, a shealbhaigh an traidisiún áirithe sin óna athair féin. Tá cúigear deirfiúir ag Tomás, ach is eisean an t-aon duine amháin den gclann a chuaigh leis na hamhráin. Dar ndóigh, ceapadh a mhac Seosamh mar Rinceoir Cónaitheach Sean-nóis in Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh sa bhliain 2009, an chéad duine riamh ar bronnadh an gradam sin air. Nuair a chasann Tomás amhrán, cloistear guth ard binn glan agus stíl a athar ann. Is breá le Tomás na hamhráin throma a chanadh: ‘An Droighneán Donn’, ‘Tomás Bán Mac Aogáin’ agus ‘An Chaora Ghlas’, amhráin a tháinig anuas ó ghlúin go glúin ag muintir  Neachtain. Tugann Tomás ceardlann ó am go ham, agus bhuaigh sé Corn Uí Riada dhá uair, i 1980 agus 1981. Beidh sraith ceardlann á múineadh ag Tomás san Ollscoil sa bhFómhar agus arís san Earrach agus beidh a chuid amhrán á dtaifeadadh aige don gcartlann sean-nóis atá á bailiú ag Ionad an Léinn Éireannaigh. Is iad Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta, An Chomhairle Ealaíon agus Ionad an Léinn Éireannaigh, OÉ Gaillimh, a mhaoiníonn an tionscnamh seo.    

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News

SHARED GREEN DEAL Clean Energy team visits Jaywick, UK to exchange experience on clean energy futures

Dr Emily Gray

Monday, 12 February 2024

As part of SHARED GREEN DEAL (a five-year, European Union Horizon-2020-funded project), members of the Clean Energy experiment team led by University of Galway’s Prof Frances Fahy met in Jaywick, the United Kingdom for a study tour. They exchanged experiences with facilitating community visioning for clean energy futures in different locations and learned about the challenges of future visioning and community energy in Jaywick. Postgraduate researcher Emily Gray represented the University of Galway at the study tour.    

>> Read full story about SHARED GREEN DEAL Clean Energy team visits Jaywick, UK to exchange experience on clean energy futures

The right to have a choice to live sustainably with Climate Campaigners Amplifier Cities

Dr Frances Fahy, Climate Campaigners

Tuesday, 6 February 2024

The Climate Campaigners project team are hosting an event aimed at preparing for the European elections in 2024. The primary goal of the event, ‘The right to have a choice to live sustainably with Climate Campaigners Amplifier Cities’, is to spearhead a "Go Vote" campaign advocating for a robust European Green Deal with collective action at its core. Climate Campaigners project aims to be the mechanism for citizen-driven change in a way that is fully immersed in behavioural research and integrated with local, national and EU-level policy goals. Event Details: Date: 20 February 2024 Time: 4-6 PM CET Platform: Zoom (Will be sent upon registration) Register here.

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Field Class in China

Friday, 15 July 2016

Dr Aaron Potito and three Geography undergraduates just returned from a 10-day field class in Chengdu, China, with Sichuan University’s University Immersion Program. The field course in Environmental Change and Sustainability included students and teachers from China, Italy, Australia, United States and Ireland.

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Spring Lunchtime Lecture Series 2016

Friday, 5 February 2016

Natural and Human Heritages

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Dr John Morrissey receives the 2018 President’s Award for Teaching Excellence

Wednesday, 31 October 2018

Dr John Morrissey has won the President’s Award for Teaching Excellence for a second time. Programme Director of the MA in Environment, Society and Development and Lecturer in Geopolitics and International Development, John previously won the award in 2011. He is pictured here receiving his award from NUIG President Prof. Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh at the recent College of Arts conferring in the Bailey Allen Hall.

>> Read full story about Dr John Morrissey receives the 2018 President’s Award for Teaching Excellence

Dr Eugene Farrell receives the 2018 President’s Award for Societal Impact

Wednesday, 31 October 2018

Dr Eugene Farrell received the 2018 President’s Award for Societal Impact from NUIG President Prof Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh. This award stems from his work with local communities in The Maharees (Co. Kerry) to find solutions to coastal pressures from storms and human activities that have led to the chronic destabilization of the fragile dune ecosystems and increased erosion and flooding risks.

>> Read full story about Dr Eugene Farrell receives the 2018 President’s Award for Societal Impact

Spring Lunchtime Lecture Series

Wednesday, 10 January 2018

The School of Geography and Archaeology is running another Spring Lunchtime Lecture Series this year, with the first lecture starting on Monday, January 15th.  The lectures will take place in the Town Hall Theatre, Woodquay, Galway.  Please note, while the event is free it is advisable to come early to ensure a seat as pre-booking is not available. Download full programme here:  Spring Lecture Series 2018

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Book Launch

Friday, 10 November 2017

John Morrissey, Senior Lecturer in Geography and Associate Director of the Moore Institute, has published a new book critically telling the story of repeated US military interventions in the Middle East and Central Asia over the last 30 years. Entitled The Long War, the book focuses on the archives of US Central Command, and engages a wide range of scholarship on imperialism, geopolitics and neoliberalism, in critiquing the US military’s role in enacting US foreign policy in the most energy-rich region on earth, and in documenting the profound human consequences of military violence.

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News

Military Heritage of Ireland Trust Annual Essay Prize

Tuesday, 31 July 2018

Congratulations to Mark Scannell who was presented with the Military Heritage of Ireland Trust annual essay prize by Brigadier-General Paul Pakenham (retd.) at Collins Barracks Dublin on 29 May 2018. Mark is completing a Ph.D in history under the supervision of Dr Pádraig Lenihan on Irish Catholic officers in the British army 1840-1912. 

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2018 International Dublin Literary Award

Friday, 15 June 2018

Congratulations to  Mike McCormack, Director of  BA with Creative Writing in the Department of English, who has won the 2018 International Dublin Literary Award (formerly the IMPAC). This is an illustrious further recognition of his novel Solar Bones which has previously won a series of awards and plaudits. For the International Dublin Literary Award ‘Books are nominated by invited public libraries in cities throughout the world – making the Award unique in its coverage of international fiction. Titles are nominated on the basis of “high literary merit” as determined by the nominating library.’   https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/mike-mccormack-a-lot-of-people-had-faith-to-stick-by-me-in-the-difficult-years-1.3529080 https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jun/13/mike-mccormack-wins-100000-international-dublin-literary-award-with-one-sentence-novel

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2018 2018 Computus Conference

Tuesday, 5 June 2018

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Exhibition Launch and Symposium

Thursday, 31 May 2018

Hunger, History and Memory The Great Famines of Ireland and Finland Compared                                                              ‌ Exhibition Launch and Symposium Speakers: Cormac Ó Grada (UCD) Breandán Mac Suibhne (Centenary University) Lindsay Janssen (UCD) Andrew Newby (Aarhus University) Chair: Anne Karhio (NUIG) Thursday 21 June 2018, 1:30 pm – 4.30 pm G011 Moore Institute, NUIG ALL WELCOME More details see www.mooreinstitute.ie or email roisin.healy@nuigalway.ie

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PhD Symposium 2018

Tuesday, 29 May 2018

Huston School of Film & Digital Media, NUI Galway PhD Research Symposium 2018 Huston Main Room Tuesday 29th May 12.30               Martin Jones, ‘Genres, Paratexts and Small National Cinemas’ 13.00               Trine Riel, Tracing Nietzsche: How to make philosophy visible? 13.30               Lunch 14.30               Temmuz Gúrbúz, ‘The Possible Intersection of Queer Methodologies and Punk Productions’ 15.00               Ben Gwalchmai, 'Electrified Phenomenology? Bridging network cultures to the dominant approach to digital texts' 15.30               Dr Barry Monahan, "Hands, Cinema and Lenny Abrahamson's Garage" Wednesday 30th May 10.00               Noel Hendrick, ‘Leviathan (2013): A Phenomenology of dread’ 10.30               Cormac McGarry, ‘Playing with the Picture Plane: Examining theContributions of Depth and Perspective to Comics’ Reading/Watching Dialectic’ 11.00               Mairead Casey, ‘“Where is Regan?”: Reframing Demonic Possession in The Exorcist (2016) Television Serial’ 11.30               Dan Dwyer, ‘‘Feel the build-up, feel connected’. Mediated sport and the Irish audience in Britain’  

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Spring Update from Philosopy

Friday, 25 May 2018

The Annual International Graduate Conference in Philosophy, NUI, Galway took place on 25th April 2018 in the River Room at the Moore Institute. ‌ The event was organised by the Student Philosophy Society and graduate students on the MA in Philosophy (Values and Knowledge programme) with Dr. Tsarina Doyle and PhD students in Philosophy and the Keynote speaker was Professor Andrew Haas (National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow) .  Twelve keynote peer-reviewed talks were given by graduate students from NUI, Galway, St. Andrew's University, Oxford University, Università di Verona / Durham University, L’Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori di Pavia, University of Warwick and University College Dublin. The event was followed by the launch of Tsarina Doyle's book, Nietzsche's Metaphysics of the Will to Power: The Possibility of Value (Cambridge University Press, 2018):   https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/nietzsches-metaphysics-of-the-will-to-power/00456388778CD14380989DB824093872#fndtn-information

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IDEALS AND REALITIES IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

Tuesday, 22 May 2018

  RURAL IRELAND:  IDEALS AND REALITIES IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY ‌   Programme information available here.  

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Launch

Wednesday, 23 May 2018

The Cambridge History of Ireland Launched by President Higgins NUI Galway academics contribute to a landmark survey of Irish history in the newly launched book ‘The Cambridge History of Ireland’ from circa 600 to the present day   Tuesday May 15 2018: President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins officially launched the book, The Cambridge History of Ireland in Dublin Castle recently. Written by a team of more than 100 leading historians from around the world, it includes contributions from Drs Sarah-Anne Buckley, Caitriona Clear and Pádraig Lenihan, and retired professors Nicholas Canny and Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh from the Department of History at NUI Galway, and from Dr Lesa Ní Mhunghaile from Roinn na Gaeilge. The general editor, Professor Thomas Bartlett, retired from Aberdeen, lectured in UCG/NUIG History department from 1976 to 1995. The work benefits from a strong political narrative framework, and includes essays that address the full range of social, economic, religious, linguistic, military, cultural, artistic and gender history. The arrangement of the volumes challenges traditional chronological boundaries in a manner that offers new perspectives and insights. Additional information available at this link:  Cambridge HoIre

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Publication News May

Wednesday, 23 May 2018

  Professor Enrico Dal Lago has been interviewed on his new book Civil War and Agrarian Unrest: The Confederate South and Southern Italy (Cambridge University Press, 2018) in “The Author’s Corner”, an academic U.S.-based blog that publishes written interviews with all the authors of important recent works on American History. Link to the interview: Professor Enrico Dal Lago has been interviewed by the History channel of the Italian national TV (RAI Storia) on the American Civil War and slave emancipation, the subject of his latest book. Interview available here : Biblical Readings and Literary Writings in Early Modern England, 1558-1625 written by Dr Victoria Brownlee was published this month by Oxford University Press. ‌‌   O'Donoghue Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance staff member, Dr Miriam Haughtons'  monograph Staging Trauma: Bodies in Shadow (Palgrave 2018) recently came into print. https://www.palgrave.com/gp/book/9781137536624 

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News

Sport and Film

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Monday, 26 September 2022

Tuesday 27 September 12 noon, The Bridge Room (TH1001), The Moore Institute, The Hardiman Building, University of Galway This lecture will examine the relationship between sport and film internationally, with a particular focus on the American experience. It will draw on the extensive research undertaken by Dr. Seán Crosson (author of Sport and Film (Routledge, 2013))  on the subject, and will chart the history of sport cinema, analysing the important role the genre has played in the United States above all in popularising and affirming a key ideology in American life: the American Dream. SpeakerDr. Seán Crosson, Senior Lecturer in Film in the Huston School of Film & Digital Media, Leader of the Sport & Exercise Research Group within the Moore Institute for Research in the Humanities and Social Studies, and Co-Director of the BA Performance and Screen Studies programme.

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Creative Writing Successes

Creative Writers Success

Wednesday, 21 September 2022

Graduates John Patrick McHugh (BA with Creative Writing) and Alice Kinsella (MA Writing) have both received Arts Council Next Generation Awards.  Congratulations on winning these prestigious awards. Arts Council Next Generation Award Recipients  The movie of Camille de Angelis's novel 'Bones and All' debuted at the Venice International Film Festival in September.  Camille is a graduate of our MA Writing programme.  Congratulations! Bones and All debut    

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Dr Sean Crosson (Huston School of Film & Digital Media

Sport and Film

Monday, 6 September 2021

In the first lecture of this year's Sport & Exercise Research Group seminar series, Dr. Seán Crosson will chart the history of sport cinema internationally and examine the important role the genre has played in the United States in popularising and affirming a key ideology in American life, the American Dream. Dr. Seán Crosson is Senior Lecturer in Film in the Huston School of Film & Digital Media, Leader of the Sport & Exercise Research Group within the Moore Institute for Research in the Humanities and Social Studies, and Co-Director of the MA Sports Journalism and Communication programme. His main research interest is the representation of sport in film, the subject of his monographs, Sport and Film (Routledge, 2013) and Gaelic Games on Film: From silent films to Hollywood hurling, horror and the emergence of Irish cinema (Cork University Press, 2019).

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Computational Literary Studies - New Partnership

Computational Literary Studies Project

Monday, 19 April 2021

NUI Galway’s Moore Institute has joined forces with 12 other institutions across Europe for a research project that aims to aid new approaches to the study of literature in the digital age. Computational Literary Studies Infrastructure (CLS INFRA) is a four-year partnership to build a shared resource of high-quality data, tools and knowledge needed for literary studies using artificial intelligence and other computational methods. The project is being supported with €5 million funding from the European Commission. Dr Justin Tonra, Lecturer in English at NUI Galway, whose work in the project will focus on bridging the gap between computational and traditional literary studies, said: “When studying literature we often focus on a small number of books by a small number of authors. With the aid of computers, we can ‘read’ literature at a scale that opens windows onto topics like gender, language and colonialism, and how they are represented in our shared and varied European cultural heritage.” The overall aim of CLS INFRA is to open up the best data mining resources Europe has to offer in the growing field of Computational Literary Studies, which enables a big-data approach to the study of culture. For instance, it can help scholars to detect patterns which show what literary genres were prevalent at certain times; if and how gender manifests in the language of writers; whether the movement of literary style can be mapped across time and space. The CLS INFRA project will identify and map the specific requirements of researchers who wish to study literature using technology and AI. Partners in the 13 institutions will bring together existing resources as well as develop new tools, services and literary collections. A further aim of the project is to open up Computational Literary Studies to more researchers and enable investigation into Europe’s multi-lingual and interconnected literary heritage and cultural diversity. Support services and training will be provided to researchers who are new to the use of computers and AI for literary study. Scholars from under-represented regions and languages, as well as independent and citizen scholars, will also be supported. Dr Maciej Eder, Director of the Institute of Polish Language at the Polish Academy of Sciences and Principal Investigator of CLS INFRA, said: “This is a very exciting project which promises to make great advances in how we use computers to study literature. “One of the great challenges to Computational Literary Studies is that the landscape of digital literary sources is very fragmented, as scholars and readers struggle to find texts that are made accessible and reusable in standardised ways. CLS INFRA will address this deficit in a way that will allow the field to flourish.” Dr Tonra added: “The partnership of 13 European institutes will also foster systematic and meaningful cooperation across national borders and linguistic boundaries, as well as disciplines of study. “Human beings are storytellers. Nowhere do we see the expression of human ambitions, values, norms and desires more clearly than in the collected literary works that have been created over centuries of human creativity. “The emergence of information and communications technologies has given us an unprecedented opportunity to share, compare and understand this legacy across national borders and linguistic boundaries.”

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All Ireland Scholarships Alumni Creative Writing Award

Alice Kinsella

Tuesday, 9 March 2021

Graduate of our MA Creative Writing Programme, Alice Kinsella has won the inaugural All Ireland Scholarships Alumni Creative Writing Competition.  Congratulations Alice! https://www.writing.ie/news/alice-kinsellas-window-wins-the-inaugural-all-ireland-scholarships-alumni-creative-writing-competition/?fbclid=IwAR2QwRnJQ_r3PTQsV80WddJRfI8VcvA0Iee7KN7uK9-a-_YR8T6seXm3vB4

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PhD Student Liz Quirke interviews poet Victoria Kennefick

Poet on Poet

Monday, 8 March 2021

English PhD Student Liz Quirke has published an article, interviewing poet Victoria Kennefick in the 'poet-on-poet' series.https://booksirelandmagazine.com/poet-on-poet-liz-quirke-and-victoria-kennefick-on-eat-or-we-both-starve/

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Diversity in the Performing Arts for Young People

Baboro

Monday, 22 February 2021

Today, 22 February 3.30pm, Baboro will hold a follow on conversation about diversity in the performing arts for young audiences sector that will allow for direct audience participation.  This is a follow on from a conversation that took place in autumn 2020, chaired by Dr Charlotte McIvor with international participants.     You'd be very welcome and see full information below following the link:    https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/diversifying-the-performing-arts-for-young-audiences-tickets-141700356581   You are invited to join us to continue the conversation which began at an industry discussion during Baboró festival in October 2020.

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Launch of 'Start Here' Active Consent

Start Here Smart Consent

Monday, 22 February 2021

You are cordially invited to the launch of “Start Here,” an 8-week social media campaign presented by NUI Galway’s Active* Consent, USI and Galway Rape Crisis Centre (GRCC).  This campaign empowers college students and staff with basic information to respond to disclosures of sexual violence and harassment.  1 March 202111AMOnlineRSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/active-consent-usi-and-grcc-launch-of-start-here-social-media-campaign-tickets-142128328657 Featuring speakers including: NUI Galway President Ciarán Ó hÓgartaighRepresentatives from Active* Consent, USI and GRCC Join us to celebrate the launch of this partnership initiative and learn how to get involved and amplify our “Start Here” message individually and at your institution. We welcome all learning, working and leading in the higher education sector and our colleagues in the NGO, sexual violence and rape crisis sectors to join and get involved in “Start Here”!  About “Start Here”: This campaign builds on NUI Galway’s Active* Consent and USI’s 2020 Sexual Experiences Survey data by offering concrete tools and support directly to students and staff in partnership with Galway Rape Crisis Centre. “Start Here” offers:  Basic dos and don’ts of receiving a disclosure Key information on what support services exist and how to access them nationally Real-time research statistics on college student’s experiences of sexual misconduct Opportunity for individuals to take Active* Consent’s self-guided 45-minute eLearning module, Sexual Violence and Harassment:  Opportunity to access online student-tailored disclosure training by Galway Rape Crisis Centre Ongoing interactive content diving deeper into all this information in detail through quizzes, stories and other forms of direct engagement To learn more about Active* Consent, USI and GRCC’s work in this area, visit: www.nuigalway.ie/activeconsent https://usi.iehttps://www.galwayrcc.org For more information about the “Start Here” Campaign or how to work directly with Active* Consent, email activeconsent@nuigalway.ie.    

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Book Launch and Conference

Gate Theatre Research Network

Tuesday, 26 January 2021

Cultural ConvergenceThe Dublin Gate Theatre, 1928-1960Edited by Ondrej Pilny, Ruud van den Beuken, Ian R. Walsh Speakers: Ian R. Walsh, Charlotte Purkis, Erin Grogan, Ruud Van den Beuken, Yvonne Ivory, Elaine Sisson, Ondrej Pilny 17.00-18.00 (Irish Time) January 29, 2021.  This launch is part of Gate Theatre Research Network (GTRN) Conference 2021:  Theatre Languages / Languages of the Stage: Marginality, Culture and Performance in Contemporary Europe Register free to the conference for further details and links.  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gtrn-2021-theatre-languages-languages-of-the-stage-tickets-132282708141  This book is Open Access so you can read it for free: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-3-030-57562-5

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As You Were longlisted for Rathbones Folio Prize

Novel - As You Were - Elaine Feeney

Monday, 25 January 2021

Elaine Feeney (Creative Writing) has been longlisted for the Rathbones Folio Prize for her novel As You Were.   The prize is open to all works of literature written in English and published in the UK. All genres and all forms of literature are eligible, except work written primarily for children. https://www.writing.ie/news/elaine-feeney-longlisted-for-the-rathbones-folio-prize/

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Theatre Languages / Languages of the Stage

O Donghue Centre for Drama Theatre and Performance, NUIG

Tuesday, 12 January 2021

Thursday 28 and Friday 29 January Online Conference: Theatre Languages / Languages of the Stage: Marginality, Culture and Performance in Contemporary Europe: Gate Theatre Research Network (GTRN) Conference  Hosted by Drama and Theatre Studies, NUI Galway, Ireland  Tickets from https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gtrn-2021-theatre-languages-languages-of-the-stage-tickets-132282708141 The conference was originally scheduled for June 2020, but has been postponed to January 2021 as a result of the COVID19 pandemic.  The GTRN aims to contextualise the history and impact of Ireland’s Gate Theatre by exploring how theatre speaks differently to audiences within and across diverse cultures in contemporary Europe. Upon its foundation, the Gate Theatre saw itself as Ireland’s second national theatre: it fulfilled its national remit by staging European plays, by touring Irish work to mainland Europe, and by integrating European performance practices into the Irish tradition. It therefore can be seen as an exemplary case study of how theatre can speak to both the national and the international, to unity and diversity, to the mainstream and the marginal, especially in European contexts. This conference will directly address the history of the Gate and will focus on other theatres in order to draw out potential comparative aspects from across Europe, perhaps with a view to developing collaborative research projects in the future.

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Dr Justin Tonra - Article on Thomas Moore

Dr Justin Tonra

Thursday, 12 November 2020

HE WAS Ireland’s first literary celebrity; he moved in exciting political and artistic circles; he was a best selling writer; a political satirist; a biographer, and above all a celebrated lyricist, admired by Hector Berlioz. Full article in Galway Advertiser

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The U.S. Election: Perspectives and Prospects

US

Wednesday, 4 November 2020

Thursday November 05th 4pm This online panel discussion will review the outcome of the US election, the major issues that have faced the electorate in 2020, the campaign, and ways forward for the country. The event is a collaboration between the Moore Institute and the Society of Fellows and Heyman Center for the Humanities, Columbia University.  Panellists Prof. Eileen Gillooly (Director, Society of Fellows and Heyman Center for the Humanities, Columbia University) Prof. Stephanie McCurry (Professor of History, Columbia University) Dr. Charlotte McIvor (Senior Lecturer in Drama, NUI Galway) Prof. Josef Sorett (Professor of Religion and African American and African Diaspora Studies, Columbia University) Chair: Prof. Daniel Carey (Director of the Moore Institute, NUI Galway) To attend, please sign up via: https://us02web.zoom.us/s/86841991293?pwd=eFU0SFhTME9GTHBTbkJxSktxQ00xdz09  

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SECA Research Seminar Series

Dr Charlotte McIvor and Dr Padraig McNeela

Friday, 30 October 2020

Towards Efficacy and Beyond:  Understanding the Impact of the Active* Consent Programme’s The Kinds of Sex You Might Have At College NOVEMBER 10TH  1 - 2PM:  Dr Charlotte McIvor (Drama, Theatre and Performance) Click on this link on the day to gain access to this talk: Meeting ID: 919 9076 5725Passcode: 515225Please mute your microphone on entering the meeting. We look forward to seeing you there. Abstract:This presentation engages the Active Consent programme team’s inaugural Irish national university theatre tour of their original play, The Kinds of Sex You Might Have in College, co-created with college students and in development since 2014.  The Active Consent Programme works with young people to shine light on grey areas regarding sexual consent and provide practical skills through interactive workshops, engagement with multimedia materials, and ongoing research into sexual attitudes and behaviours across Ireland. The Kinds of Sex You Might Have At College turns the Active Consent Programme’s core messages into a live theatrical event aimed at college-age audiences and toured throughout Ireland in 2019-2020.  It is a play about what you want, how you want it, if you want it and what happens when you don’t. Performed by an energetic ensemble of actors who play multiple roles, this theatrical performance brings audiences through a range of sketches that dramatize sexual scenarios and viewpoints that individuals may encounter during college life. Tackling experiences from across all genders, all relationships and all sexualities (or as many of them as we could fit into one hour), The Kinds of Sex You Might Have At College combines humour, satire and drama to share diverse experiences.  The Active Consent Programme’s use of live theatre as one of project’s key interventions tests the efficacy of performance in expanding and changing audiences’ sexual attitudes and reported behaviour.  This presentation will reflect on the learning and data collated from the 2019-2020, drawing on audience feedback forms and the acting company and creative team’s experiences on the road.  Can a single artistic intervention exert enough force to contribute meaningfully to cultural attitude changes around consent, sexual assault and rape across all genders, all sexualities and all relationship?  What analytical tools do we need to develop to answer that question, or are we missing the point?  

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Sport, Film and National Culture

Sport Film and National Culture

Wednesday, 4 November 2020

Thursday November 19th, 4pm Zoom; register to attend at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_K9QVeuSYTIOH2SkE3kWfAA. NUI Galway’s Moore Institute will host a webinar on Sport, Film and National Culture on Thursday, 19 November, at 4pm to mark the launch of a major new volume on this theme edited by Dr Seán Crosson of the University’s Huston School of Film & Digital Media and leader of the Sport and Exercise Research Group in the Moore Institute. Sport and film have historically been key components of national cultures and societies. The Irish experience is particularly instructive in this respect, evident in the close and enduring association between Gaelic games and Irish identity, and its popular depiction in cinema. As we approach the centenary of Bloody Sunday, Irish cinema has provided one of the most memorable and unsettling depictions – in Neil Jordan’sMichael Collins(1996) – of the horrific events of that day when British forces fired upon players and supporters at a Gaelic football match. This webinar will provide a global focus on this topic, examining the critical role film has played in affirming the relationship between sport and national cultures internationally. Covering films of all types, from Hollywood blockbusters to regional documentaries and newsreels, Dr Crosson’s new book Sport, Film and National Culture considers how filmic depictions of sport have configured and informed a wide range of distinctive national cultures, societies and identities. Featuring case studies from eleven national contexts across six continents – including North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania – it reveals the common and contrasting approaches that have emerged within sport cinema in differing national contexts. The webinar brings together a broad range of contributors to this book, who are leading authorities on sport and film, to explore the intersection of these prominent cultural forces internationally. Chaired by Dr Crosson, contributors to the webinar will include: Dr Michael W. Thomas, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Ethiopian Screen Worlds, University of London Dr Grant Wiedenfeld, Assistant Professor of Media and Culture in the Department of Mass Communication at Sam Houston State University Dr Manuel Garin, Senior Lecturer in Film and Media Studies at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona Dr Stephen Glynn, Associate Research Fellow at De Montfort University, Leicester Dr Jesse Schlotterbeck, Associate Professor of Cinema at Denison University, Granville, Ohio Dr Ellen Wright, Senior Lecturer in Cinema and Television History, De Montfort University, Leicester Dr Francesco Buscemi, Lecturer in History of Radio and TV, Catholic University of Milan Pauline Peixoto Iglesias Vargas, PhD candidate in Physical Education, Federal University of Paraná, Brazil. Dr Gina Daddario, Lin Rong San Professor of Communication at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia. Attendance The session will take place on Zoom; register to attend at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_K9QVeuSYTIOH2SkE3kWfAA. The session will also be streamed live on the Moore Institute’s Facebook page. Further information is available at: https://mooreinstitute.ie/event/sport-film-and-national-culture/

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Africa and Blackness in the Irish Imagination

seca

Wednesday, 1 July 2020

Dr Fiona Bateman writes about Ireland and Racism.  "Here in Ireland  the issue of racism is also being discussed. A large part of the debate has centred on the treatment of asylum seekers in Direct Provision centres, but we have also seen an outpouring of stories of personal experiences from Black and mixed-race people of all ages, indicating that Ireland is not immune to racism."

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Put down The Plague, a novel by De Maistre is more hopeful

Tuesday, 21 April 2020

Dr Justin Tonra (English) wrote an article on isolation literature for the Irish Times.  

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Community Media in the Post-Pandemic World

Global Dialogue Community Media

Monday, 29 June 2020

Dr Andrew O'Baoill (English) will be moderating an online panel, run by the UNESCO Chair on Community Media at the University of Hyderabad, this Friday 03rd July, with colleague Salvatore Scifo. The topic of the Global Dialogue is: Community media in the post-pandemic world: Beyond the noise in the UK and Ireland.   People can join the discussion on Facebook:   fb.me/UNESCOChairOnCommunityMedia   or on Zoom: meeting ID 916 7694 0270

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How will the US bring about real change against racism?

 Photograph: Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images

Tuesday, 23 June 2020

Professor Dan Carey (Moore Institute) writes - "Institutions and not just attitudes need to be challenged for there to be meaningful reform".Read full article in the Irish Times.

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Sport and Covid 19

Sport and Covid 19

Tuesday, 23 June 2020

The advent of the Covid-19 crisis has brought unprecedented challenges to all areas of social, cultural, and economic life. As one of the most popular cultural practices, sport has been particularly impacted with the cancellation since mid-March of most sporting events in countries across the world. Sport has nonetheless continued to occupy an important place in people’s lives and in the contemporary media landscape. This webinar brings together a range of speakers engaging with sport from a variety of perspectives, including sports history, sports governance and policy, sports practitioners and representative organisations, sport and the media, and gender and sport, to consider the impact of the pandemic on sport in Ireland and internationally. Participants Professor Paul Rouse, UCD, one of the leading experts on the history of Irish sport Dr Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, and All-Ireland winning player and All-Star with Cork in camogie and Gaelic football Dr Niamh Kitching, Mary Immaculate College, whose work focuses on gender equality and sport, including female athletes and coaches Dr Marcus Free, Mary Immaculate College, who specialises on media and sport Dr Borja García, Loughborough University, an authority on sports policy and governance and member of the European Commission’s expert group on sport policy The webinar will be chaired by Dr Seán Crosson of the Huston School of Film and Digital Media at NUI Galway, and leader of the Sport and Exercise Research Group in the Moore Institute Registration You can register to join via Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_V16dtmjsRZqClBp51kVmzQ. The session will also be broadcast live on our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/mooreinstitute/live. About the series This webinar is part of a series developed through the Moore Institute’s COVID-19 Response Group. Video and audio recordings of the previous sessions are available on the group’s webpage.

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Bloomsday Alone from Joyce to Soyinka

Monday, 15 June 2020

Isolation in the work of James Joyce and Wole Soyinka 12 noon Bloomsday  Tuesday 16 June 2020  – via Zoom While imprisoned for political activities, Wole Soyinka, the Nigerian author and future Nobel Prize winner for Literature, turned to the writings of James Joyce. Soyinka’s poem ‘Ulysses: Notes from here to my Joyce class’ (from The Shuttle in the Crypt, 1972) considers time, space, and the self in isolation. Starting with this poem, our speakers consider the notion of isolation through the poetry and prose of both Joyce and Soyinka, followed by moderated discussion. with Aduke Gomez: ModeratorAduke Gomez is a writer, event organiser, and the founder of Yxora Resources. Her recent book, Lost And Found In Lagos, was a featured book at the 2019 Lagos Book and Art Festival. Currently she is Chairman of the Art4Life Steering Committee of the Lagos State Ministry of Health. Adrian Paterson: SpeakerAdrian Paterson is Lecturer in English at the National University of Ireland, Galway with an interest in modernism and Irish literature. Co-editor of the forthcoming The Edinburgh Companion to Yeats and the Arts, some of his writings on Joyce are included in The Poetry of James Joyce Reconsidered, ed. Marc C. Conner (Florida 2015). Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún: SpeakerKọ́lá Túbọ̀sún is a Nigerian writer and linguist. His debut collection of poetry Edwardsville by Heart was published 2018 and he is currently a Chevening Research Fellow at the British Library in London. He is currently editing an anthology of poems about lockdown. 12 noon Bloomsday Tuesday 16 June 2020 via Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89068332483 Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, conference, huddle, and training rooms, as well as executive offices and classrooms. Founded in 2011, Zoom helps businesses and organizations bring their teams together in a frictionless environment to get more done. Zoom is a publicly traded company headquartered in San Jose, CA. us02web.zoom.us  Event organized by the Embassy of Ireland, Nigeria.

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America's Historical Problem with Racism

Monday, 15 June 2020

George Floyd's death led to a remarkable wave of protests, but will this moment succeed in transforming America?  Professor Dan Carey writes an opnion piece for RTE Brainstorm.

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Arts and Digital Technology in a Time of Crisis

Tuesday, 2 June 2020

Wednesday 3 June @ 4pm   The current public health restrictions implemented in many regions around the world, such as social distancing, have led to increased reliance on digital technologies. Creative work is no exception. In this panel, artistic practitioners and scholars discuss how the current crisis informs engagement with digital technology along with the possibilities and limitations of creative practice that arise at this time.   Participants: Dr. Leonie Bradbury (Emerson College) Prof. Noel Fitzpatrick (TU Dublin/Gradcam) Dr. Conor McGarrigle (TU Dublin) Dr. Máiréad Ní Chróinín (NUI Galway) Chair: Dr EL Putnam (NUI Galway)   To register, please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85711327188?pwd=TTJleUFFVkdNcms2eGpKeTdDSDZXdz09

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The Work of Metaphor in the Coronavirus Pandemic

Wednesday, 27 May 2020

Professor Daniel Carey, Director of the Moore Institute discusses the language used in defining our relationship to the tragic realities of the pandemic.

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Today May 07th - NUI Galway Virtual Open Day

Thursday, 7 May 2020

Looking forward to participating in NUI Galway's Virtual Open Day today! It is the perfect opportunity to talk us about studying subjects in the School of English and Creative Arts at NUI Galway. EnglishCreative WritingDrama Theatre and PerformanceMusicFilm and Digital MediaFilm StudiesDigital Arts and Technology   Join us live from 12-3pm at www.nuigalway.ie/opendays #NUIGalwayLive

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Dr Justin Tonra awarded Irish Research Council New Foundations Grant

Thursday, 7 May 2020

Dr Justin Tonra (English) has been awarded a Irish Research Council New Foundations grant for his project Poetry Machines: Technologies of Poetic Composition. New Foundations supports researchers to pursue research, networking and dissemination activities within and between all disciplines. It provides seed funding for small-scale research actions; the development of networks, consortia and workshops; and creative approaches to the communication of scientific concepts or complex societal challenges for a lay audience. Dr Tonra’s awarded was one of thirteen funded under the STEAM strand, which aims to bring science and art, design and the humanities together to work on new ways of communicating scientific concepts and complex societal challenges for a lay audience. Project summary: Poetry has a long and fascinating relationship with technology that bridges the apparent gap between the humanities and sciences. The printing press, the typewriter, and the tape recorder have each offered radical new formal possibilities to poets, while the digital age has yielded computational methods for generating verse that challenge our basic understandings of the creative process. Poetry Machines is a project which will survey the long history of poetry machines, and communicate the neglected story of how the precepts of science, engineering, and mathematics, have been used to make and shape poetry.  Link: http://research.ie/what-we-do/loveirishresearch/blog/irish-research-council-announces-100-new-awards-to-support-research-collaboration-and-dissemination/  

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Writing during the Covid-19 crisis: three Irish writers discuss the pandemic and its impact on their work

Friday, 1 May 2020

Monday 04th May - 8 to 9pm Three contemporary Irish authors – Sinéad Gleeson, Mike McCormack, and Mark O’Connell – discuss the challenges, dislocations and opportunities of writing during the Covid-19 crisis. What new questions has the crisis posed and how has it affected their work and lives? Panelists Sinéad Gleeson is an essayist and short story writer. Her debut essay collection, Constellations: Reflections from Life, won Non-Fiction Book of the Year at 2019 Irish Book Awards. Mike McCormack is the author of two collections of short stories Getting it in the Head and Forensic Songs, and three novels Crowe’s Requiem, Notes from a Coma and Solar Bones, winner of the 2016 Goldsmiths Prize and the 2018 International Dublin Literary Award. Mark O’Connell is the author of Notes from an Apocalypse, and To Be a Machine, which received the 2018 Wellcome Book Prize and the 2019 Rooney Prize for Irish Literature. The session will be chaired by Daniel Carey, Director of the Moore Institute. Attendance To register in advance for this webinar follow this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1DerSFs3QHOZUN_432Rgyg. As capacity on Zoom is limited, the session will also be broadcast live on the Moore Institute Facebook page.

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Education during Covid-19: precarity, privilege, purpose

Monday, 27 April 2020

Thursday 30th April - 4pm The Covid-19 crisis has led to the mass closure of educational institutions and an ensuing scramble to provide schooling at home. Aspects of the education system normally taken for granted have come into relief in the midst of a new sense of precarity. This seminar looks at pressing concerns emerging from current research on education provision, such as the exacerbation of existing educational inequities and the pivot to technology. We also consider longer-term implications and ask whether this could be an opportunity to reimagine education and schooling.  Participants (all NUI Galway):  Dr Manuela Heinz (chair)Dr Cornelia Connolly Dr Tony Hall Dr Ian Munday Dr Clíona Murray For the Zoom link, https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_q2fOTnv6QiKzLBAV6aLqfA

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Data Ethics and the Covid-19 Crisis

Friday, 17 April 2020

Welcome to our second Webinar - Thursday 23 April 4pm   Panelists: Mathieu d'Aquin (Director of Insight and the Data Science Institute, NUI Galway) Heike Felzmann (Philosophy, NUI Galway) Rob Kitchin (Geography, Maynooth University) Karlin Lillington (Irish Times) Linnet Taylor (Law, Tilburg University)   The seminar will explore questions of surveillance and social benefit in the midst of the corona virus pandemic, including data gathering and contact tracing apps, and the advantages, risks, and ethical challenges.   Please click this URL to join: https://zoom.us/j/91276031179?pwd=MFNqY2NuSDdtTWZKVksvRTBNRXN4Zz09Password: 946660   There is a limit of 100 attendees on Zoom. We will also live stream the event on the Moore Institute Facebook page.  

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Drama PhD student Ella Daly wins Irish Times Theatre award

Tuesday, 7 April 2020

Congratulations to Ella producer of Bread not Profits and all involved in this achievement!  The show won the Audience Choice Vote at the awards on Satuday night, 04 April. https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/stage/free-is-insulting-theatre-awards-winners-vent-on-funding-proposals-1.4221213

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Webinar

Wednesday, 1 April 2020

Panelists are:  Dr Nessa Cronin, Dr Padraic Moran, Dr John Morrissey, Dr Kevin O'Sullivan You are invited to a Zoom webinar. When: Apr 2, 2020 04:00 PM Dublin Topic: Moore Institute Covid-19 seminar Register in advance for this webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Z-4DLWT-S3-olgr0SoKfrA

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Careers in the Creative Industries

Tuesday, 3 March 2020

Institute of Guidance Counsellors - Saturday 07th March 2020 - O'Donoghue Centre Ian Brathwaite from Romero Games, Sarah Lynch from Rentherunway, Will Collins, Oscar and a Daytime Emmy nominated screenwriter, and Charlotte McIvor, Lecturer in Drama and Theatre Studies, will be participating on the panels. The panel will take place twice on the Saturday; first at 9.00am and repeated at 2.30pm. Tom Felle, Head of Journalism, will chair the panel discussions.

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International Womens Day - Exhibition Guided Tour

Wednesday, 26 February 2020

What impact did women writers make in history? When is a female author (not) a female author? Join us as we explore these questions in a guided tour of the ‘Readers & Reputations’ exhibition, to celebrate International Women’s Day, on Saturday 7 March 2020.The exhibition, sponsored by the Irish Research Council, showcases the work of the RECIRC project on early modern women’s writing, funded by the European Research Council (ERC) – the first literature project in Ireland to be awarded ERC funding. The project’s leader, Prof. Marie-Louise Coolahan, and two researchers, Dr. Felicity Maxwell and Dr. Bronagh McShane, will discuss the ways women gained controversial and exemplary reputations and invite visitors to explore the interactive exhibits.  Tours will meet inside the entrance to the Hardiman Research Building (next to the library), NUI Galway, at 11am and 1pm, Saturday 7 March. For further information, contact marielouise.coolahan@nuigalway.ie.

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Readers and Reputations: The Reception and Circulation of Early Modern Women’s Writing, 1550-1700

Thursday, 20 February 2020

Readers and Reputations: The Reception and Circulation of Early Modern Women’s Writing, 1550-1700 is a landmark exhibition that showcases the findings of a major research project, ‘RECIRC: The Reception and Circulation of Early Modern Women’s Writing, 1550-1700’. The project, which is led by Professor Marie-Louise Coolahan, Professor of English at NUI Galway, began in July 2014 and formally concludes in January 2020.   

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Consent needs to be an everyday conversation

Thursday, 12 September 2019

Dr Charlotte McIvor and the SMART Consent team at NUI, Galway are getting the message out there that consent should always be ongoing, mutual and freely given (OMFG).   

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Galway Doctoral Scholarship Scheme 2019-20

Monday, 27 May 2019

The application process for the Galway Doctoral Scholarship Scheme has opened on our website today. The Scholarships are valued at €16,250 per annum, comprised of fees of €5,250 and a stipend of €11,000. The timelines for the application process are as follow:     Tuesday 21th May 2019 Open for Applications Monday 10th June 2019 Closing Date for Applications. Friday 21st June 2019 Submission of Applications to Schools for Assessment. Monday 8th July 2019 Completion of Assessment Process by Schools. Monday 22nd July 2019 First Round Offers. Details of the application process are available at the following link: http://www.nuigalway.ie/colleges-and-schools/arts-social-sciences-and-celtic-studies/phd-research-degrees/scholarships/index.html  Details in relation to the Active Consent Programme Scholarship are also available on this page and the details of the application process for the following Scholarships will be made available over the next few days: The Galway 2020 Scholarship. The DAH Scholarship.

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News & Events

Guest Session Zoom

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Wednesday, 11 November 2020

                               Huston School of Film & Digital Media and The Moore Institute                                  Present Q & A with Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn                                Directors of IFTA Best Film 2020 Ordinary Love Tuesday 17th November at 11am            The session will take place live on Zoom – please register to attend at: https://tinyurl.com/y55we38l.                                       It will also be broadcast live on the Moore Institute’s Facebook page.

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Sport Film and National Culture

Crosson

Tuesday, 10 November 2020

NUI Galway’s Moore Institute will host a webinar on Sport, Film and National Culture on Thursday, 19 November, at 4pm to mark the launch of a major new volume on this theme edited by Dr Seán Crosson of the University’s Huston School of Film & Digital Media and leader of the Sport and Exercise Research Group in the Moore Institute. Sport and film have historically been key components of national cultures and societies. The Irish experience is particularly instructive in this respect, evident in the close and enduring association between Gaelic games and Irish identity, and its popular depiction in cinema. As we approach the centenary of Bloody Sunday, Irish cinema has provided one of the most memorable and unsettling depictions – in Neil Jordan’s Michael Collins (1996) – of the horrific events of that day when British forces fired upon players and supporters at a Gaelic football match. This webinar will provide a global focus on this topic, examining the critical role film has played in affirming the relationship between sport and national cultures internationally. Covering films of all types, from Hollywood blockbusters to regional documentaries and newsreels, Dr Crosson’s new book Sport, Film and National Culture considers how filmic depictions of sport have configured and informed a wide range of distinctive national cultures, societies and identities. Featuring case studies from eleven national contexts across six continents – including North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania – it reveals the common and contrasting approaches that have emerged within sport cinema in differing national contexts. The webinar brings together a broad range of contributors to this book, who are leading authorities on sport and film, to explore the intersection of these prominent cultural forces internationally. Chaired by Dr Crosson, contributors to the webinar will include: Dr Michael W. Thomas, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Ethiopian Screen Worlds, University of London Dr Grant Wiedenfeld, Assistant Professor of Media and Culture in the Department of Mass Communication at Sam Houston State University Dr Manuel Garin, Senior Lecturer in Film and Media Studies at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona Dr Stephen Glynn, Associate Research Fellow at De Montfort University, Leicester Dr Jesse Schlotterbeck, Associate Professor of Cinema at Denison University, Granville, Ohio Dr Ellen Wright, Senior Lecturer in Cinema and Television History, De Montfort University, Leicester Dr Francesco Buscemi, Lecturer in History of Radio and TV, Catholic University of Milan Pauline Peixoto Iglesias Vargas, PhD candidate in Physical Education, Federal University of Paraná, Brazil. Dr Gina Daddario, Lin Rong San Professor of Communication at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia. Attendance The session will take place on Zoom; register to attend at:  https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_K9QVeuSYTIOH2SkE3kWfAA.  The session will also be streamed live on the Moore Institute’s Facebook page. Further information is available at: https://mooreinstitute.ie/event/sport-film-and-national-culture/ Further information on the collection available at:  https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9780429327018

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Important Notice for Incoming EU and International Students

Covid Update

Monday, 17 August 2020

Please find in the link below the latest communication that has been issued to incoming visiting Students (EU and International)  by the International Affairs Office regarding supports and requirements for travelling to and arriving in Ireland to commence their studies. http://www.nuigalway.ie/international-students/covid-19/incomingstudents/  

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NUI Galway Virtual Summer Festival August 26th - 29th

Summer Fest

Monday, 17 August 2020

To celebrate Galway’s wealth of artistic and creative talent both within the University and in the wider Galway Community, the NUIG Societies Office is partnering with local artists and creators for the first NUI Galway Virtual Summer Festival. The festival will feature Theatre, Visual Art, Music, Film, Gaming and Social events, for all age groups and interests. According to Festival Director and NUI Galway Societies Officer Ríona Hughes “After the success of our Summer Drama Festival last year and in response to the Covid-19 lockdown we wanted to explore what was possible virtually, we invited creative people within and outside the university to work with us in creating this exciting programme, We hope you will join us." The festival runs from August 26th -29th. Full Details on www.nuigalwayevents.ie ‌

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Find Your Masters Webinar

FYM

Thursday, 9 July 2020

Thinking about postgraduate study? Join us on Wednesday July 15 at 3pm for a webinar to learn more about Huston School of Film & Digital Media (NUI Galway) postgraduate programmes, including our MA in Film Studies: Theory and Practice Visit , MA in Public Advocacy and Activism , and MA in Digital Media Visit https://www.nuigalway.ie/findyourmastersweek/ to find out more and register for the event.

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COVID Update June 2020

Friday, 12 June 2020

Our university is working to ensure that our students’ experience will be the best that we can deliver in September 2021, whether they are starting a new course this September or returning for another year of study.At all times we will prioritise our university community’s health, safety and wellbeing as we structure the learning experience around the realities of a changed environment and will therefore at all times make decisions that adhere to public health advice. For the vast majority of students, including First Years, the semester will begin on 28 September. For First Years this is predicated on the Leaving Certificate results being released on or near the usual mid-August release date. Full dates can be found here: www.nuigalway.ie/media/Semester-Dates-2020-21-rev-Jun-2020.pdf .  Undergraduate orientation will take place in the week commencing 21 September and comprise a mix of online and on-campus activities to help First Year students familiarise themselves with the university, understand the structures and demands of student life, learn about the supports available to them and get to know their fellow classmates who will in time become lifelong friends. Course Delivery All taught programmes will be delivered in a blend of online and on-campus classes. Irrespective of the size of the class, we will have on-campus learning built into the student experience, typically through on-campus tutorials, seminars, distanced meet-ups and/or laboratories according to the needs of various courses. At all times capacity in rooms will conform to public health advice. We will work to accommodate the small number of students who cannot come to campus for health, access or other reasons, so as not to disadvantage their academic journey. We are working hard to ensure that all learning will be made available online, or accessible through some alternative means, to allow for students who may face delays in arriving in Ireland, allow for limits to student numbers in teaching spaces, accommodate those who cannot attend for health reasons, and to provide a backup in case of a rise in COVID-19 transmissions.  A final decision on the structure of Semester 2 will follow later when the COVID-19 scenario is clearer. Further Information Available http://www.nuigalway.ie/alert/ 

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Nov 21st Guest Emmet Sheerin

Friday, 8 November 2019

Huston Main Room , Thursday Nov 21st 3pm DEFEND THE DEFENDERS: A SHORT DOCUMENTARY Emmet Sheerin, Trócaire Campaigns Outreach Officer, will speak about his journey in writing and directing this documentary, as well as the communities affected by big business, and Trócaire’s campaign on Business and Human Rights. Emmet is a graduate of the MA in Public Advocacy and Activism Some private companies are responsible for serious human rights violations, including threats and violent attacks on communities and individuals, known as human rights defenders. This short documentary by Trócaire examines such realities in Guatemala, one of the world’s most dangerous countries for human rights defenders. The film is linked to Trócaire’s campaign calling for an international treaty on Business and Human Rights.           Consuelo, Honduras, is refusing to back down against logging and mining companies that are exploiting her land.

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Guest Nov 7th Grainne Humphreys

Wednesday, 30 October 2019

GRAINNE HUMPHREYS - NOVEMBER 7TH  3pm Huston Main Room Grainne is festival director of the Audi Dublin International Film Festival. She was previously Assistant Director in the Irish Film Institute, where she was Director of both Stranger Than Fiction Documentary Festival and the Dublin French Film Festival from 2002- 2007. She is a board member of the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris and has served as a jury member on several international film festivals and has coordinated a number of film programmes at numerous international events. During her visit to Huston she will speak about her long and varied experience of festivals and offer advice for film makers. She will also speak of the forthcoming student day at ADIFF and a special film competition aimed at third level students.  

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Book Launch:Gaelic Games on Film

Friday, 3 May 2019

Gaelic Games on Film: From silent films to Hollywood hurling, horror and the emergence of Irish cinema  by Seán Crosson Irish Screen Studies Seminar, Huston School of Film & Digital Media, NUI Galway Thursday 9 May @ 5.30pm Introduced by Professor Philip Dine All welcome! Gaelic games have repeatedly provided filmmakers with a resonant motif to represent perceived aspects of Irish identity, perceived as these representations have been neither straightforward nor unproblematic. In international productions in particular, Gaelic games have been employed on occasion as a short hand for regressive stereotypes associated with Irish people, including their alleged propensity for violence. For indigenous producers, on the other hand, Gaelic games afforded distinctive Irish cultural practices and as such were employed to promote and affirm the Irish nation, particularly as an indigenous film culture began to develop in the aftermath of World War II. From the late 1960s onwards, a critical turn became evident in these indigenous productions though contemporary depictions of Gaelic games still occasionally reveal the more problematic stereotypes associated with Ireland and Irish identity. This study provides the first major monograph examination of filmic representations of Gaelic games, charting these representations from the earliest years of the twentieth century, including silent films such as Knocknagow (1918) to more recent productions Michael Collins (1996) and The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006). Among the areas examined are newsreel depictions of Gaelic games; Hollywood’s fascination with hurling in the mid-20th century (including in the work of Oscar-winning director John Ford), which led to a range of productions featuring the sport culminating with the Oscar-nominated short Three Kisses (Paramount, 1955); the importance of the depictions of Gaelic games to the emergence of a distinctive Irish film culture post WWII; and the role of Gaelic games in contemporary cinema. Seán Crosson is Co-Director of the MA Sports Journalism and Communication and Director of Graduate Research in the Huston School of Film & Digital Media, National University of Ireland Galway. His previous publications include Sport and Film (Routledge, 2013) and (as co-editor) Sport, Representation and Evolving Identities in Europe (Peter Lang, 2010). Further book information available at: https://www.corkuniversitypress.com/Gaelic-Games-on-Film-p/9781782052470.htm

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Prof.Laura Mulvey Public Lecture

Monday, 29 April 2019

Renowned film theorist Professor Laura Mulvey, Senior Professor of Film Studies at Birkbeck College, University of London, will give a public talk at the Huston School of Film & Digital Media at 2pm on Friday 10th May as part of the 15th Irish Screen Studies Seminar, to be held at  the Huston on the 9th and 10th of May 2019. This lecture will take place in the Huston Main Room.   Professor Mulvey’s talk will explore her use of digital technology to remix Hollywood films of the 1950s and will be followed by a screening of her avant-garde classic Riddles of The Sphinx, which she co-directed with Peter Wollen in 1977. Laura Mulvey is responsible for some of the most influential publications in the field of film studies over the past forty-five years, including her 1975 article “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema,” which remains a foundational text for feminist film theory, and her 2006 book Death 24x a Second, which explored the role new media technologies play in our experience of film.  To confirm attendance email hustonfilmschool@nuigalway.ie  

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March 14th Guest: Conor McGarrigle

Friday, 1 March 2019

Thursday Mar 14th 2019 :  Huston Main Room   3pm Conor McGarrigle on Data Art   We are, according to Shoshana Zuboff, in the age of Surveillance Capitalism – "a new economic order that claims human experience as free raw material for hidden commercial practices of extraction, prediction and sales"  Today almost every aspect of everyday life produces data in unimaginable quantities to be captured and processed by neural networks to power ever-more sophisticated and totalising models of human behaviour. As the complexity of these systems grows the ability to understand and critique their workings diminishes, even as it becomes more urgent and necessary. Against this backdrop, this talk will discuss critical data art. How can artists engage with big data and artificial intelligence to provide a critical voice to current debates on surveillance capitalism. Conor McGarrigle is an artist, researcher and lecturer in Fine Art New Media. His practice is characterised by urban interventions mediated through digital technologies, and data-driven explorations of networked social practices. Projects include durational walking performances, large scale outdoor projections, smartphone apps and generative video installations. 

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Guest Session: Pierce Ryan

Monday, 18 February 2019

February 21st 3pm in Huston Main Room : Pierce Ryan: Screenwriter Black '47 (2018) and Standby (2014) - followed by screening of Black ’47 ‌ Screenwriter Pierce Ryan will speak in the Huston School of Film & Digital Media this Thursday, 21 February at 3pm, followed by a screening of Black ’47. Ryan is a three time IFTA nominated writer; his credits including  Black ’47 (2018), Standby (2014) and the IFTA nominated short An Ranger (2008) upon which Black ’47 was based. He will discuss his work in film, the Irish film funding landscape, and how to build a career in screenwriting. 

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January Guest: Sir Christopher Frayling

Monday, 7 January 2019

Sir Christopher Frayling is Rector of the Royal College of Art and Professor of Cultural History. He was until recently Chairman of Arts Council England and former Chairman of the Design Council. He is well-known as an historian, critic and an award-winning broadcaster. His many books include: Vampyres: Lord Byron to Count Dracula (1992); The Yellow Peril – Dr Fu Manchu and the Rise of Chinophobia (2014); Inside the Bloody Chamber: on Angela Carter, the Gothic and other weird tales (2015); Sergio Leone: Once Upon a Time in Italy (2005) Wednesday January 16th, 6pm (Huston School) Frankenstein - The first two hundred years (lecture - followed by screening of “Bride of Frankenstein”) Thursday January 17th,  3pm (Huston School) Once Upon a Time in the West: Shooting a Masterpiece   (lecture followed by screening “Once Upon a Time in the West”) _________________________________________________________________________ FRANKENSTEIN - the first two hundred years. Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' was first published on New Year's Day 1818. This illustrated lecture will celebrate the novel's 200th birthday by exploring its difficult journey into print, and its colourful afterlife on stage, in films, and within everyday culture. In the era of artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, IVF treatments, robotics, three-parent families and animal-human interfaces, the lecture will argue that the modern creation myth of 'Frankenstein' - the one where it is the scientist who does the creating - has never been more relevant. 'Frankenstein' is one of the most-filmed stories of all time - up there with Sherlock Holmes and Dracula. This lecture will discuss some of the reasons why... _______________________________________________________________ ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST - SHOOTING A MASTERPIECE Sergio Leone's film 'Once Upon a Time in the West' set out to be the ultimate Western - a celebration of the power of classic Hollywood cinema, a meditation on the making of America, and a lament for the decline of one of the most cherished of film genres in the form of a "dance of death". The original Italian title 'C'era una volta il West ' translates as "Once Upon a Time There Was the West". With this film, Sergio Leone said a fond farewell to the noisy and flamboyant world of the Italian Western, which he had created with 'A Fistful of Dollars' and sequels (1964-6), and aimed for something much more ambitious - an exploration of the relationship between myth ('Once Upon a Time...'), history ('...in the West') and his own autobiography as an avid film-goer.

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News and Events

Composer Laura Heneghan wins Seán Ó Riada Composition Competition

Laura Heneghan, Winner of Seán Ó Riada Composition Competition

Wednesday, 8 March 2023

Congratulations to Laura Heneghan, University of Galway BA Music Graduate, winner of the Seán Ó Riada Composition Competition. Read more here

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Gendered Experiences of the Irish Music Industry: Report Launch

Dr Ann-Marie Hanlon

Thursday, 23 February 2023

A new report has been launched which looks at how a musician's gender can impact their career and experiences within the Irish music industry. Also featured on RTÉ Brainstorm, the author of the report is Dr Ann-Marie Hanlon, a Lecturer of Music at the School of English & Creative Arts at the University of Galway. Read full story here.

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Emily Anderson Concert

Emily Anderson Concert

Thursday, 20 October 2022

Pictured at the Emily Anderson Concert, Thursday 20th October, presented by Music for Galway and the University of Galway are Finghin Collins, Artistic Director with Music for Galway,  Ellison Hassel-Cramer, Laura Heneghan and Katie Feeney (three recent graduates of the BA in Music) The evening included three Beethoven Sonatas for piano and violin.  The graduates had been commissioned to write three further pieces for this concert. Dutch star violinist Rosanne Philippens with her duo partner Hungarian concert pianist Zoltan Fejervari also gave the world premiere of these works to an enthusiastic audience on the night. 

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Music Graduates 2022

Music Graduates 2022

Monday, 29 August 2022

Graduates from the BA Arts (Music) Degree were conferred at a ceremony at NUI Galway on Monday, 29th August 2022. This cohort of graduates were the first ever music students to graduate from a Music Degree at NUI Galway. Congratulations to all!

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Music Practice Recitals

Muisc Practice Recitals

Thursday, 7 April 2022

Music was delighted to hold its very first final year Music Practice Recitals in the Emily Anderson Concert Hall on Thursday, 7th April 2022.  Through instruments of piano, voice, violin and percussion, students performed a short recital programme before an invited audience. Pictured with the final year students are Mr Mark Duley, Module Convenor and Dr Aidan Thomson, Head of Music at NUI Galway.   Photo: Mr Mark Duley, Niamh Connor, Christopher Callinan, Katie Feeney, Casey Cowan, Sinead StJohn, Kimberley, O'Hehir, Dr Aidan Thomson

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Irish Traditional Music Performance

Irish Traditional Music Performance

Monday, 22 November 2021

Music at NUI Galway was delighted to hold the first final year performance exams.  Through instruments of voice, piano, guitar and concertina, the group of final year music students performed in front of an invited audience in the Emily Anderson Concert Hall at NUI Galway. Pictured: Dr Aidan Thomson, Head of Music at NUI Galway, Rachel Reed, Laura Heneghan, Eimear Cowman, Roisin Seoighe, David Love (all Final Year Music Students) and Dr Deirdre Ní Chonghaile, Module Convenor (Irish Traditional Music Performance)

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Curriculum and Canon

Curriculum and Canon

Friday, 26 March 2021

This is the recording of the seventh webinar for the “Re-Imagining the Creative Arts Curriculum and the Creative Arts Canon" webinar series hosted by the School of English and Creative Arts at NUI Galway and supported by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. This webinar took place on Friday March 26th 3-4.30pm (Irish Time) The webinar Irish Classical Music and the Canon featured speakers: Dr Laura Watson (MU), Dr John O’Flynn (DCU), Elaine Agnew (Composer), and Maeve Bryan (Galway Music Residency) and was chaired by Dr Aidan Thomson. Timestamps: Dr Laura Watson (04:13​) Dr John O’Flynn (15:35​) Elaine Agnew (29:04​) Maeve Bryan (43:03​) Q&A (52:30​) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnfvkeN7Yu4

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Curriculum & Canon Webinar 'Engaged Assessment in the Creative Arts'

Curriculum and Cannon

Friday, 19 March 2021

This is a recording of the sixth webinar for the “Re-Imagining the Creative Arts Curriculum and the Creative Arts Canon" webinar series hosted by the School of English and Creative Arts at NUI Galway and supported by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. This webinar took place on Friday March 19th from 3-4.30pm (Irish Time) The webinar 'Engaged Assessment in the Creative Arts' featured students from the School of English and Creative Arts at NUI Galway in a roundtable discussion with the panel chair Dr Frances McCormack (NUI Galway). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2SiS_BmpZg  

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Launch of Arts in Action 2021

Sharon Shannon

Thursday, 11 February 2021

Distinguished accordion player, and honorary doctorate holder, Dr Sharon Shannon along with guitarist Jim Murray, will open the University's 2021 Arts in Action Programme with a free concert online on Wednesday, 17th February at 1pm to launch her new partnership with NUI Galway's Music degree and you are all invited to join in.  To register for this event and all events, please click here at www.nuigalway.ie/artsinaction/events/   See the full programme here at www.nuigalway.ie/artsinaction

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Sharon Shannon Masterclass for Music Students

Sharon Shannon

Friday, 16 October 2020

On Monday, 16th November 2020, Sharon Shannon and Win Horan had their introductory masterclass with the 1st Year Music Students, via Zoom, as part of their Irish Traditional Music module with Dr Verena Commins. Sharon and Win who are experienced Irish traditional musicians in their own right, performed live and spoke about the new partnership with NUI Galway and the forthcoming collaboration with Music. Both students and staff truly enjoyed the wonderful live performance which we had craved for so long! We very much look forward to working with Sharon in what will be a very exciting time for the BA in Music!

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HAMISH HENDERSON CENTENARY

Prof Fred Freeman

Thursday, 10 October 2019

The Department of Music at NUI Galway welcomes Fred Freeman, Professor of Traditional Music at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, who will play tribute to Hamish Henderson with a lecture in this, the centenary of his birth. Drawing song and verse examples from his CD tribute album, Fred considers one of the outstanding figures of the 20th-century: a man who accepted the surrender of Italy during WW II; won the Somerset Maugham Prize for his war elegies (which bear comparison with Siegfried Sassoon or Wilfred Owen); was a prime mover for the founding The School of Scottish Studies; influenced, quite directly, the course of 20th-century history. His songs (like BALLAD OF THE D-DAY DODGERS, BANKS OF SICILY, RIVONIA & THE FREEDOM COME ALL YE) were sung by British soldiers and Italian partisans in the field of battle during WW II and by the freedom fighters of S. Africa throughout the 1960s. Moreover, his theories of art and the artist (which can be seen as an extension of the ideas of Antonio Gramsci) make him somewhat unique in the history of 20th-century literature in Britain. His achievement has been fully acknowledged by Nelson Mandela, Montale, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, E. P. Thomson and others. Currently, Professor of Scottish Music at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Fred Freeman is a graduate of Aberdeen and Edinburgh universities and was Senior Associate Member of St Antony’s College, University of Oxford for two years. He is author of numerous books and articles on Scottish literature, Scots language, folk music and history; was formally recognised by the ASLS with a lifetime Honorary Fellowship in 2014. Over the past decade, he has drawn upon his extensive musical background, producing over 47 (internationally acclaimed) CDs, including the only ever recorded “COMPLETE SONGS OF ROBERT BURNS” (Linn Records) and a Hamish Henderson tribute album, “A’ the bairns o Adam”.

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NUI Galway Introduce Music into the Bachelor of Arts Degree

Dr Aidan Thomson, newly appointed Head of Music

Tuesday, 15 May 2018

From September 2018, students at NUI Galway will be able to take a Bachelor of Arts honours degree in Music. This is an exciting development for music making and music education in the west of Ireland, and builds on the University’s established reputation for excellence in creative arts subjects. The University has also announced the appointment of new Head of Music, Dr Aidan Thomson. Dr Thomson has taught at the University of Oxford, the University of Leeds and, for the last fourteen years, Queen’s University Belfast, principally in music history, theory and analysis, but also in performance. A feature of the four-year BA degree is that all students will have the opportunity in their third year to undertake a music-related placement. Students will also be able to work with top musical professionals throughout their degree, notably the current Galway Musicians in Residence, the ConTempo String Quartet. The core of the degree is a thorough grounding in musicianship - theory, harmony, keyboard harmony and critical listening - and training in the repertory and culture of western classical and Irish traditional music. Students will also take core modules in performance, composition and sound technology over the course of their first two years. The degree is thus aligned with the requirements of the Irish Teaching Council, meaning that graduates would be equipped to take postgraduate teaching qualifications in Music at primary and secondary level. Students will be able to learn from leading professional musicians during their degree through masterclasses and concerts. The university is developing strategic partnerships with the Galway Music Residency and Music for Galway, and is building on existing expertise in Music in different disciplines within the institution. The degree complements many other disciplines within the College of Arts: English, Irish Studies, modern languages, and, most significantly, Drama and Film Studies. Students will have the chance to take modules that look at the relationship between music and theatre, and music and words, both academically and practically. In their final year, they will also take a module in writing about music and performance criticism, which is a feature of all creative arts subjects at NUI Galway. Dr Aidan Thomson, newly appointed Senior Lecturer in Music at NUI Galway, said: “The timing of this new degree could not be better. Introducing music has the potential to make NUI Galway an important hub for musical performance, creation and thought. It builds on Galway’s reputation as a centre for artistic excellence, as recognized in its City of Culture status in 2020. The flexibility of the Music degree will equip students to embark on a wide variety of careers. They will be ideally equipped to build on the creative energy that will be Galway 2020’s legacy, be it as performers, composers, teachers, journalists, arts administrators or broadcasters, among others. But even before that, our students will be at the heart of the creative life of the university, the city and beyond.”

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News

Classics launches six books

Thursday, 27 February 2020

On 31 January 2020, Classics at NUI Galway held a special event to mark an extraordinarily productive year. The four members of our team launched no less than six books. We were delighted to welcome Prof. John Carey of University College, Cork to speak on the occasion of the launch. Left to right: Kate Quinn (Head of School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures), Michael Clarke, Jacopo Bisagni, Edward Herring, Pádraic Moran, John Carey (UCC). The six books are: Jacopo Bisagni, Amrae Coluimb Chille: a Critical Edition (Dublin: Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 2019) Michael Clarke, Achilles Beside Gilgamesh: Mortality and Wisdom in Early Epic Poetry (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2019) Edward Herring, Patterns in the Production of Apulian Red-Figure Pottery (Newcastle-upon-Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2018) Edward Herring & Eóin O'Donoghue (eds.), The Archaeology of Death. Proceedings of the Seventh Conference of Italian Archaeology (Oxford: Archaeopress Archaeology, 2018) Pádraic Moran, De Origine Scoticae Linguae (O’Mulconry’s Glossary): An early Irish linguistic tract, edited with a related glossary, Irsan (Turnhout: Brepols, 2019) Chris Stray, Michael Clarke & Joshua Katz (eds.), Liddell and Scott: The History, Methodology and Languages of the World’s Leading Lexicon of Ancient Greek (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2019) These six books mark the coming together of the various research strands led by the four members of our Classics team: Jacopo Bisagni, Michael Clarke, Edward Herring, and Pádraic Moran. Beyond the happy chance that these works all came into the light of day around the same time, in combination they represent the shared research agenda that marks out Galway Classics among its national and international peers.  It is still too common for academics and their readers to think of the ancient and medieval world as a series of separate and competing cultures or civilisations, each with its own centre and its own language, traditions and world-view. Our preference is to model the ancient past in terms of connection, interaction and fluidity. Civilisation thrives on cross-influence and merger, despite the fact that individual peoples and empires tended (and still tend) to assert themselves by claims to uniqueness and to absolute contrast with each other. These themes run in different ways through all six books: Clarke argues that the foundational ancient Greek epic, the Iliad, emerges from and forms part of the multi-lingual poetry and wisdom literature of the ancient Near East, especially the Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh. Herring explores the development in ancient Italy of artistic styles ultimately derived from Greece but infused with themes and aesthetics that look to those of the indigenous traditions of Italy itself. Bisagni edits and interprets the canonical expression of Irish Early Christian poetics, Amrae Choluimb Cille, showing that it is steeped in Biblical and Graeco-Roman modes of expression fused with those of its Celtic surface language. Moran gives us the first modern edition of one of the key works of medieval linguistic science, in which Irish monastic scholars explored the relationship between their own language and the three sacred languages of their world – Greek, Latin and Hebrew. Together with two edited volumes of essays, these monographs are milestones in our ongoing project of exploring the cultural past in terms of collision and cross-fertilisation: as a historian in a neighbouring field has put it, the challenge is “to restore a sense of messiness to the past”. Out of that awareness, we develop new understandings of the monuments of creativity that make the discipline of Classics worthwhile.

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Western Classics, issue 2

Wednesday, 27 March 2019

The second issue of Western Classics, a newsletter from staff and students in Classics at NUI Galway, is now available to download on our Newsletter page.

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Edward Herring book launches

Friday, 12 October 2018

We were proud to celebrate the launch on 8 Oct 2018 of two books by Edward Herring: a monograph Patterns in the Production of Apulian Red-Figure Pottery and a volume of papers from the Seventh Conference of Italian Archaeology (co-edited with Eóin O'Donoghue). Special guest at the event was Prof. Mike Edwards (Roehampton). See photos on Facebook.

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Five new PhD students in Classics

Wednesday, 26 September 2018

We are delighted to welcome five new PhD students to Classics at NUI Galway this year: Paula Harrison, Maria Chiara Marzolla, Elena Nordio, Mary Sweeney and Harry Tanner. See details of their projects here: http://www.nuigalway.ie/classics/postgrad/students/

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Congratulations to Eóin O'Donoghue

Monday, 3 September 2018

Congratulations to Eóin O'Donoghue, a PhD graduate of NUIG Classics and former lecturer here, who is to take up a new post as lecturer in Classics at King's College, London. Best of luck Eóin!

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Launch of Classics newsletter

Wednesday, 7 March 2018

We are pleased to announce the launch of Western Classics, a newsletter from staff and students in Classics at NUI Galway. You can download the inaugural issue on our Newsletter page.

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Classics trip to UCD

Tuesday, 13 February 2018

NUIG Classics students took a field trip to the UCD Classical Museum on 7 Feb 2018. Many thanks to Kaylin Bednarz and Stephen O'Brien for facilitating a very stimulating and enjoyable experience! See some photos here:https://www.facebook.com/ClassicsNuiGalway/posts/648016205322633

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Margaret Heavey Memorial Lecture 2018

Friday, 9 February 2018

Announcing the Margaret Heavey Memorial Lecture 2018: Prof. Eleanor Dickey (Reading), "Ancient Latin Textbooks Rediscovered". Tuesday 6 March 2018, 7pm, McMunn Theatre (Concourse). All welcome!  

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Brian Arkins book launch

Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Brian Arkins' new book Death and Marriage: Greek and Roman Drama on 12 Jan 2018. In attendance were their excellencies Katia Georgiou, Ambassador of Greece, and Costas A. Papademus, Ambassador of Cyrpus.    (Thanks to Michael O'Connell for the image.)

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New PhD students in Classics

Friday, 15 September 2017

We are delighted to welcome three new PhD students to Classics, Grace Atwood, Noémi Farkas and Erin McKinney, working on aspects of Hiberno-Latin and Old Irish/Latin code-switching.

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New PhD graduations

Monday, 21 August 2017

Congratulation to Sarah Corrigan and Jason O'Rorke for successfully passing their PhD viva exams at the start of this summer.  (See our PhD students page for details on their work.)

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2017 Margaret Heavey Memorial Lecture

Thursday, 2 March 2017

2017 Margaret Heavey Memorial Lecture‘“Does the inner self exist?” ancient insights from Greece and India’  by Prof. Richard Seaford, University of Exeter  Time: Tuesday, 14th March,  6.15pm  Venue: Siobhan McKenna Theatre (Arts Millennium Building), NUI Galway.   All welcome.  Reception to follow.  This event is generously supported by the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies

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Classics Society Lecture: Brian Arkins

Tuesday, 21 February 2017

‌The Classics Society would like to announce a lecture by Prof. Brian Arkins, entitled ‘The Modern Reception of Thucydides’.  The lecture will be on Wednesday the 22nd February 2017 at 6pm in the Siobhan McKenna Theatre in the Arts Millennium Building.

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Classics Society Lecture: Edith Hall

Thursday, 12 January 2017

‌The Classics Society is hosting  Prof. Edith Hall, of King's College, London, who will give a lecture entitled ‘Hephaestus, Clubfoot and the Early History of Greek Comedy’.  The lecture will be at 6.30pm on 18 January 2017 in the Siobhan McKenna Theatre in the Arts Millennium Building.

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Classics Society Lecture: Joanna Day

Monday, 7 November 2016

Dr Joanna Day will give a lecture entitled ‘Entertaining the senses in Ancient Rome’ at 7pm on November 10th 2016 in the Siobhan McKenna Theatre in the Arts Millennium Building.

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Classics Society Lecture: Douglas Cairns

Wednesday, 12 October 2016

Prof. Douglas Cairns from University of Edinburgh on Wednesday, 12th October 2016 gives his paper entitled 'Word and Deed: Brendan Kennelly's Antigone'.  At 6pm in the Siobhan McKenna Theatre in the Arts Millenium Building.  

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2016 Margaret Heavey Memorial Lecture

Tuesday, 23 February 2016

2016 Margaret Heavey Memorial Lecture‘The Enigmatic Aspects of the Hisperica Famina’Prof. Andy Orchard (Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon, Pembroke College, Oxford)Time: Thursday 3 March, 5pmVenue: Charles McMunn Theatre (Arts/Science Concourse), NUI Galway. All welcome.

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Undergraduate Awards winner

Tuesday, 23 February 2016

Classics graduate Jonathan O'Rourke has distinguished himself by being an overall winner in the Undergraduate Awards in the category Classical Studies & Archaeology. Well done Jonathan!  (23 Sep 2015)

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Glossing event at University of Paris VII

Friday, 18 December 2015

Pádraic Moran (Classics) participated in a special seminar on glossing in early medieval manuscripts organised at the Laboratoire HTL (Histoire des théories linguistiques) at the Université Paris Diderot (Paris VII) on 12 December 2015. The seminar brought together experts in European and Asian glossing as part of a continuing collaborative research venture. One outcome from the event was the creation of a new Network for the Study of Glossing. [Pictured: Franck Cinato (Paris), Matthew Zisk (Yamagata, Japan), Alderik Blom (Oxford), Pádraic Moran.]

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Completed PhD: Xenophon and the ancient Greek cavalry horse

Wednesday, 25 November 2015

Congratuations to Adelia Greer for passing her PhD viva examination on her thesis 'Xenophon and the ancient Greek cavalry horse: an equestrian perspective'. Adelia was supervised by Dr Edward Herring, Dean of the College.

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News

Reading by German Author Torsten Schulz

Scene from the film

Wednesday, 20 March 2024

German author and screenwriter Professor Torsten Schulz came to visit the University of Galway today and gave a talk on his novel "Boxhagener Platz" which is set in East Berlin in 1968 and its transformation into the film (2010) "Boxhagener Platz". Final Year German students studied the novel and the film as part of their literature module and got the chance to speak to the author, scriptwriter and co-producer of "Boxhagener Platz" themselves today. Prof. Schulz is pictured here in the Arts Millenium Building answering students' questions. Some reviews here: BERLIN — Based on a popular German novel set in East Berlin in 1968, “Boxhagener Platz” is filled with gentle humor as the folks in a busy neighborhood deal with the every day realities of Soviet rule. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/boxhagener-platz-film-review-29309/ An evocative meditation on history, Boxhagener Platz moves at an effecting pace through a Brechtian degree of character study towards the resolution of the 'who-dunnit' that drives the plot forward. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1266025/ As a film, several elements come together to manifest the film's focus which is preoccupied with the nature of History. The high standards of recreation of 1960s inner city East Berlin with an exemplary attention to detail contrasts with the constant call and recall the characters make to the recent Nazi past and it's ghostly spirit uncannily pervades the very air these people breath. The conflict and all defining issue of Ideology which defined the fate of the German people living in those decades is brought into high profile. The mostly wordless observations of the child protagonist acts to show the confusion of messages and cognitive processes required to adapt to that time and place.Despite being an adaptation of a novel, the film is very evocative of Brechtian theatre in the pacing of itself primarily through intense character study. This aspect acts as the bind which synthesises the real and ghostly echoes of the Communist and Nazi reality whose spirited co- existence defines how the film presents History as it's main subject. https://mubi.com/en/ie/films/boxhagener-platz

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Bi-Lingual Science Workshop

Bilingual Science Workshop

Tuesday, 19 March 2024

Almost 40 students from the Archbishop McHale College in Tuam visited the University of Galway today to take part in a hands-on bilingual Science workshop facilitated by DAAD lecturer Antonia Musolff and students of Science with German who had translated the Cell explorer workshop content into German for secondary school student. Course Coordinator for Biotechnology, Dr. Andrew Flaus, gave an introduction to the study of Biotechnology with German. The workshop was co-funded by Languages Connect and the student got to enjoy a campus tour of the university with a free lunch included. Thank you to the teachers, Danni Barrett and Áine Lynch, who organized the University Campus Day for their students. It was a very enjoyable event for everyone involved. Here are some pictures:

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The Opening Night of the German Play was sold out!

The German Drama Group 2024

Wednesday, 13 March 2024

  Mr Robert Henneberg, Cultural Attaché of the German Embassy in Ireland, is pictured here with the German Drama Group at the University of Galway. The German Embassy greatly supported the German Play which is being performed again tonight after a sold-out Opening Night yesterday. This year's modern play has been received extraordinarily well so far. The conception and stage direction of this year's play by DAAD lecturer Antonia Musolff with DAAD language assistant Julia Weiss as Co-director came into full fruition last night showcasing the talent of students who form this year's German Drama Group as part of their German studies. Our colleague Vincent O'Connell as always featuring brilliantly and assisting in the realisation of the play. Toi, toi, toi for the next two performances!    

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The Man who brough LIDL to Ireland - Talk on Business with German

CAO LIDL Ireland visiting University of Galway

Tuesday, 12 March 2024

Mr. Kurt Rosen gave a very interesting talk to Commerce students with German in The Hardiman Building today. This event was organized and facilitated by Dr. Thomas Wilks, Course Coordinator for Commerce with German. Mr Rosen integrated an international exchange year into his studies before this practice became widespread in Europe, before developing his career during six years with the Lidl Group in Germany, the UK, Austria and Switzerland. Students got to learn how he became involved in establishing Lidl in Ireland, serving as Chief Administration Officer and Board Executive Director from 1999 to 2019. More recently, he has been the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Save-A-Lot, USA; and Chief Financial Officer and Executive Board Director of Takko Fashion, Germany. 

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Fantasy and Science-Fiction Author Judith C. Vogt came to visit the University on the 5th of March 2024

Reading and Role-play-workshop Judith Vogt

Tuesday, 5 March 2024

Fantasy and Science-Fiction Author Judith C. Vogt (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_C._Vogt) came to visit the University of Galway on Tuesday, 5th March 2024 to give a lecture about her work as an author followed by a roleplay workshop in the evening.The event was funded by the DAAD (The German Academic Exchange Service) and organized by our DAAD lecturer Antonia Musolff. Here are some pictures from the event which the students in the discipline of German greatly enjoyed.

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Coming: THE GERMAN PLAY - 12th,13th and 14th of March 2024

Poster of this year's German Play

Wednesday, 28 February 2024

The German Discipline has the pleasure to announce that this year's German Play will take place on the evenings of  Tuesday, the 12th March from 8-10pm (Opening night) Wednesday, the 13th March from 8-10pm Thursday, the 14th March from 8-10 pm This year's play is  by modern playwright Wolfgang Herrndorf  https://ueberwolfgang.de/ and is funded by the German Embassy in Dublin, the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures and the German Discipline at the University of Galway. Director of the Play is DAAD lecturer Antonia Musolff who is collaborating with German lecturer Vincent O'Connell and DAAD assistant Julia Weiss to facilitate this year's theatre production. We are looking forward to seeing you all there. Vorhang auf und Bühne frei!

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Theatre Pedagogue - EVA ZITTA visited the University last week!

Final Year German students and their lecturers with theatre pedagogue Eva Zitta

Tuesday, 27 February 2024

Our Final Year German Arts students had the pleasure of being coached by Eva Zitta last week. https://evazitta.de/ Eva works as an independent theatre pedagogue in Germany and could be invited and funded through the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) and the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures. Our DAAD lecturer Antonia Musolff organized the visit and the workshops in collaboration with DAAD assistant Julia Weiss and language lecturer Vincent O'Connell. It was an enriching and valuable experience to have Eva over and it greatly enhanced the rehearsals and approaches taken in this year's German Play coming up on the 12th March 2024! Here is a group photograph taken on the last day of Eva Zitta's visit.   

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Gut vorbereitet auf den Valentinstag

Studierende im ersten Jahr mit ihren deutschsprachigen Valentinstag-Grüßen

Friday, 9 February 2024

Manche unserer StudentInnen haben uns heute verraten, dass sie seit der Grundschule keine Valentinskarte mehr fabriziert haben und noch nie im Leben eine deutschsprachige! Der Valentinstag war ursprünglich der Gedenktag für den Bischof Valentin von Terni. Um diesen Heiligen ranken sich viele Legenden. Zum Beispiel soll er Soldaten verheiratet haben, obwohl dies verboten war. Eine andere Geschichte besagt, er habe Verliebten Blumen aus seinem Garten geschenkt. In Deutschland wurde der Valentinstag erst nach dem 2. Weltkrieg (wieder) populär. In Irland wurde der heilige Valentin schon im Mittelalter verehrt und dass man für jemanden, den man sehr mag, eine Valentinskarte macht oder kauft, um sie am 14. Februar dieser Person zu schenken, hat hierzulande schon lange Tradition. Im Vordergrung die Dozentinnen, Julia Weiss (DAAD-Sprachassistentin) und Dr. Jeannine Jud, mit ihren "First Years", die heute trotz des trüben Wetters eine sprachliche Übung mit einer "herzlichen" Übung verbinden konnten.

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Presentation on Podcasting in Legal German

First Slide of the Presenation at Trinity College Dublin

Wednesday, 10 January 2024

Dr. Deirdre Byrnes was invited to present a paper on the use of podcasting in her Legal German course at the annual AGS (Association of German Studies) conference which was hosted by TCD on 29-31 August 2023. Deirdre's paper formed part of the panel "Artistic Research and Creative Assessment in German Studies". 

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Second Year Legal German Student Ruth McCarthy wins GILBA Award

Ruth McCarthy pictured here in Berlin

Tuesday, 12 December 2023

Congratulations to Ruth McCarthy (BCL) who was the recipient of a German-Irish Lawyers and Business Association (GILBA) Student Award on December 9th, 2023. This prize is awarded to the student who achieves the highest marks in Second Year Legal German. Ruth is currently on her Erasmus Year at the University of Würzburg.    

>> Read full story about Second Year Legal German Student Ruth McCarthy wins GILBA Award

German Studies Association of Ireland

Dr. Thomas Wilks presenting at Trinity College

Monday, 11 December 2023

Dr Thomas Wilks from the German Discipline at the School of Languages, University of Galway presenting on  "Thomas Bernhard and Wilhelm Genazino: Distraction in Sickness and in Health" on Saturday the 9th December 2023 at Trinity College, Dublin. https://germaninireland.wordpress.com/ The annual conference of Irish Germanists this year was hosted by the Department of Germanic Studies in Trinity College and focused on Medical Humanities. https://www.tcd.ie/news_events/events/event/annual-conference-of-the-german-studies-association-of-ireland-gsai.php Dr. Jeannine Jud, Julia Weiss (DAAD-Sprachassistentin), Dr. Tom Wilks, Antonia Musolff (DAAD-Lektorin) and Dr. Deirdre Byrnes all from the University of Galway attended the GSAI Conference in Trinity College on Friday the 8th and on Saturday the 9th December 2023.

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Images from our #ThinkLanguages Day

German Language Theatre Workshop

Monday, 4 December 2023

Here are some images of our very enjoyable #ThinkLanguages Day held on the 1st December 2023. We've had engaging language workshops running in German, Spanish, Italian and French, quizzes, campus tours and a bite to eat in An Bialann, our University canteen. Thanks to all the secondary schools for participating and for making the trip. Thanks to all colleagues involved in the organization and running of this event at the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies - especially our HEI Outreach Officer, Dr. Francesca Nicora. Antonia Musolff, DAAD-Lektorin, Lecturer of the German Academic Exchange Service, and Julia Weiss, DAAD-Sprachassistentin, Foreign Language Assistant of the German Academic Exchange Service at the University of Galway organized and facilitated the "German Improv Theatre Workshop" for the German Discipline. Luke Butterfield, one of our Final Year BA students from Belfast, assisted the workshop as on of our University Student Ambassadors. ‌

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Weihnachtsfeier am 23. November 2023

Weihnachtsfeier 2023

Friday, 24 November 2023

Students and staff of the German Discipline and other Languages came together yesterday evening to sing Christmas carols from the German-speaking regions of the world and to enjoy some "Lebkuchen" with some alcohol-free "Glühwein". There was also a quiz in relation to German Christmas terminology held, for example the term "das Krippenspiel". Last but not least "der Heilige Nikolaus" paid us a visit with some goodies. All in all a beautiful event creating a warm feeling of togetherness much needed in the cold season ahead.  

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#ThinkLanguages Day on 1st December 2023

#ThinkLanguages Day on the 1st of December

Thursday, 23 November 2023

Over 160 secondary school students will be coming to the University of Galway to take part in language workshops (Italian, Spanish, German and French). They will have the opportunity to taste languages through playful activities, to meet student ambassadors and to explore the benefits of choosing a university pathway with a language. TY students will be able to take part in a language workshop and enjoy the experience of being a student at the University of Galway. At the end of the day they will receive a certificate of attendance, complete a quiz, win prizes and eat some pizza! :-) The event was organized by Dr. Francesca Nicora, Lecturer in Italian, HEI Outreach Officer and Liaison Officer with Languages Connect on behalf of the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies of the University of Galway in conjunction with other language lecturers. The event is fully funded by Languages Connect https://languagesconnect.ie/ - Ireland's strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017 - 2026 https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/52f94d-framework-for-consultation-on-a-foreign-languages-in-education-strat/#   ‌  ‌  

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German Poetry Slammer visits University of Galway on 20th November 2023

Samuel Kramer - Poster

Tuesday, 14 November 2023

German Spoken Word Poet Samuel Kramer visited the University of Galway on Monday, 20th November 2023.  Samuel gave a fantastic performance in one of our lecture halls which was well attended and conductd inspiring "Spoken Word" workshops later on in the day. ‌   The event is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and is organized by our DAAD Lecturer Antonia Musolff.  Here is a taste of Samuel's performance art https://events.arte.de/der-arte-poetry-slam-samuel-kramer/   

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ENLIGHT CONFERENCE

Antonia Musolff presenting at the ENLIGHT conference

Friday, 20 October 2023

Antonia Musolff representing the German Discipline of the University of Galway with a presentation on "Empowering Students through Post-Migrant German Podcasts and Podcast Making" at the annual ENLIGHT Teaching and Learning Conference in Bordeaux from the 11th to the 13th October 2023. ENLIGHT is a European University Network promoting equitable quality of life, sustainability and global engagement through higher education https://www.universityofgalway.ie/enlight/

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German-Irish Lawyers and Business Association (GILBA) Student Award

German-Irish Lawyers and Business Association (GILBA) Student Award

Wednesday, 11 October 2023

‌Congratulations to Valerie Hayes (3rd Law and Business) who was the recipient of a German-Irish Lawyers and Business Association (GILBA) Student Award in December 2022. This award is given to the student who achieves the highest marks in Second Year Legal German across our law programmes. Valerie spent her Erasmus year at the University of Würzburg, Germany. ‌

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First prize in the Modern Languages EUROPA2073 Art/Creative Writing Competition

First prize in the Modern Languages EUROPA2073 Art/Creative Writing Competition

Tuesday, 10 October 2023

Legal German student Aishling Cunniffe was awarded first prize in the Modern Languages category of the EUROPA2073 Art/Creative Writing Competition for Third-Level students. Students were asked to imagine Europe fifty years from now.  Hosted by Prof Joachim Fischer, Jean Monnet Chair in European Cultural Studies, and Dr Sorcha de Brún, Course Director, BA European Studies, the prize was awarded on 17 April 2023 at an event to mark 50 years of European Studies at the University of Limerick. The photo shows from left to right: Professor Joachim Fischer, Aishling Cunniffe, and Dr. Sorcha de Brún, course director of the BA European Studies at the University of Limerick.  

>> Read full story about First prize in the Modern Languages EUROPA2073 Art/Creative Writing Competition

News

Flirt FM CÉIM Takeover

https://www.mixcloud.com/FlirtFM_Archive/flirt-fm-1800-community-takeover-c%C3%A9im-takeover-20-01-2

Monday, 26 February 2024

Assistant Professor Dr. Maria Pilar Alderete Diez of the Spanish Discipline has been actively collaborating with the Students' Union at the University of Galway for CÉIM, specifically with Kerry Lawless, CÉIM Engagement Coordinator . CÉIM is an academic peer support scheme for University of Galway 1st year students and is run as a partnership between students, academic staff and University of Galway Students’ Union.  Here is the recording itself which you can download https://flirtfm-my.sharepoint.com/:u:/g/personal/assist_flirtfm_ie/EY6jcYgnxA5Juj2ZAuhrD1EBnCAD0QXL0MwCLvO_EvI1oQ and here is the MixCloud link where they archive all of their shows https://www.mixcloud.com/FlirtFM_Archive/flirt-fm-1800-community-takeover-c%C3%A9im-takeover-20-01-24/. Kerry Lawless  She/Her  CÉIM Engagement Coordinator   Students' Union, Áras na Mac Léinn, University of Galway  kerry.lawless@universityofgalway.ie  Phone: +353 (86) 06603638  Website | YouTube | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok   

>> Read full story about Flirt FM CÉIM Takeover

The International Conference in Children’s Literature and Translation Studies 2024

Poster for The International Conference in Children’s Literature and Translation Studies

Friday, 15 December 2023

  The International Conference in Children’s Literature and Translation Studies (CLTS) is taking place from the 22nd - 23rd of August 2024 in Stockholm under the theme:      New Voices in Children’s Literature in Translation:        Culture, Power and Transnational Approaches Dr. Pilar Alderete Diez of the Spanish Discipline at the University of Galway is part of the Organizing and Scientific Committee of CLTS. Dr. Diez will be representing the University of Galway in August 2024. https://cltsconference.wordpress.com/

>> Read full story about The International Conference in Children’s Literature and Translation Studies 2024

Events

#ThinkLanguages Day on 1st December 2023

Spanish Language Workshop

Friday, 1 December 2023

Here are some images of our very enjoyable #ThinkLanguages Day held on the 1st December 2023.  Dr. Pilar Alderete Diez and Dr. Raquel Rodrigues-Fernandez and the Student Language Ambassador Claire giving instructions on how to create your own children's book in Spanish. Over 150 secondary school students came to the University of Galway to take part in engaging language workshops in    Spanish, German, Italian and French. They had the opportunity to taste languages through playful activities, to meet student ambassadors and to explore the benefits of choosing a university pathway with a language. TY students took part in a language workshop and enjoyed the experience of being a student at the University of Galway. At the end of the day they received a certificate of attendance, completed a quiz, won prizes and ate some pizza! :-) The event was organized by Dr. Francesca Nicora, Lecturer in Italian, HEI Outreach Officer and Liaison Officer with Languages Connect on behalf of the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies of the University of Galway in conjunction with other language lecturers. The event is fully funded by Languages Connect https://languagesconnect.ie/ - Ireland's strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017 - 2026 https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/52f94d-framework-for-consultation-on-a-foreign-languages-in-education-strat/#

>> Read full story about #ThinkLanguages Day on 1st December 2023

News

Luke Gibbons visits his alma mater to speak at launch of the Material for Victory

Luke Gibbons

Thursday, 21 December 2023

Luke Gibbons spoke at the Galway launch of the new edition of the land war memoir, The Material for Victory: The Memoirs of Andrew J. Kettle, edited by Professor Niamh Reilly with Dr. Jane O'Brien, and published by the Open Press at University of Galway. After introductions by Professor Breandán MacSuibhne, Luke spoke about Andrew J. Kettle's role as a co-founder of the Irish National Land League, along with Parnell and Davitt, the less-examined progressive aspects of the movement for peasant proprietorship with which Kettle is strongly associated, the ups and downs of Kettle's own public reception in tandem with Parnell's, and Kettle's striking use of dialogue throughout the memoirs akin to a novel writer in the crafting of insider stories. Luke Gibbons has taught as Professor of Irish Studies at Maynooth University and the University of Notre Dame, USA.  His most recent book is James Joyce and the Irish Revolution (University of Chicago Press, 2023).

>> Read full story about Luke Gibbons visits his alma mater to speak at launch of the Material for Victory

President Michael D Higgins welcomes publication of The Material for Victory: The Memoirs of Andrew J. Kettle

The Material for Victory: The Memoirs of Andrew J. Kettle

Tuesday, 19 December 2023

Niamh Reilly, Established Professor of Political Science and Sociology, pictured with President Michael D. Higgins and Sabina Higgins at a Christmas reception at Áras an Uachtaráin on Thursday, December 14th. The event acknowledged recent contributions to Irish history, literature and culture, including the republication of the new, annotated edition of The Material for Victory: The Memoirs of Andrew J. Kettle, published by the Open Press at the University of Galway. In addition to a new introduction and extended family biography by Niamh, who is a great-great-granddaughter of Andrew Kettle, the book contains comprehensive footnotes researched and written by Niamh and her colleague, Dr. Jane O'Brien. Niamh attended the special event at Áras an Uachtaráin with members of the Kettles Heritage Society in Swords, Co. Dublin, where Andrew J. Kettle, a cofounder and leader of the Irish National Land League, was born and raised. At the event, President Michael D. Higgins, who wrote the Foreword to the new edition of the memoirs, warmly welcomed the publication, noting, in particular, its value as a study in the bond of friendship through difficult times between Kettle and Parnell. To download the book, visit: https://openpress.universityofgalway.ie/materialforvictory/   

>> Read full story about President Michael D Higgins welcomes publication of The Material for Victory: The Memoirs of Andrew J. Kettle

Ten Years of Partnership

10 Years of Partnership - Social Work

Wednesday, 25 October 2023

This month, we celebrated 10 years of the Joint Training between University of Galway (formerly National University of Ireland, Galway) MA Social Work and MA Family Support and Tusla Child and Family staff from Galway and Roscommon (child protection, welfare, family and youth support services).   The Training partnership began in Jan 2013 and has become a core component of the CPD programme for TUSLA staff and the scheduled programme for MA in Social work and family support students.  Eleanor Kelly, Carmel Devaney and Caroline McGregor represent the university of the training group.  The training enhances co-operation and partnership  between Tusla and the University in relation to professional training and education to inform working with children and families.  Deputy President and Registrar, Pól Ó Dochartaigh and Chief Social Worker for Tusla, Ger Brophy welcomed guests and highlighted the benefits of the partnership from the perspective of the University and the Agency.  Children's Ombudsman Dr Niall Muldoon and Principal Social Worker for Adoption, Colette Daly delivered keynotes on the day. The event was attended by over 100 participants providing an excellent opportunity for networking between our family support and social work students and Tusla practitioners.   Galway Bay FM reported on the event here also.  University of Galway marks 10 year partnership with Tusla - Galway Bay FM  

>> Read full story about Ten Years of Partnership

Indian Social Work Congress

PM Garrett

Wednesday, 25 October 2023

Located in the School of Political Science and Sociology, Paul Michael Garrett (PhD, D.Litt., MRIA) has accepted an invitation to provide a keynote paper to Eleventh Indian Social Work Congress (ISWC) scheduled to take place at the Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) in Hyderabad. Organised by the Association of Professional Social Workers in India (NAPSWI), in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the theme of the conference is ‘Leave No One Behind: Revisiting Pedagogy and Practice of Social Work in India’.    A recent survey of global social work scholarship named Dr Garrett as one of the world's most impactful academic scholars within the discipline of social work. The only educator, on the island of Ireland included on the list, he was in the top half-dozen in Europe.  Relatedly, the International Journal of Social Welfare has referred to him as 'probably the most important critical social work theorist in the English-speaking world'. The Indian conference is expected to be attended by 500 participants representing social work educators, development practitioners and civil society organizations and Dr Garrett will speak on the theme of ‘Dissenting social work and the destabilisation of common sense’   ‌

>> Read full story about Indian Social Work Congress

Field Trip

BSc Social Sciences Field Trip

Thursday, 19 October 2023

Dr Mike Hynes, Programme Director for the B.Sc. (Social Sciences) programme led a first-year class on a fieldtrip to several sites and locations in the Connemara region on Friday 13th October 2023. A group of 26 students first stopped off at Oughterard to explore and investigate from a social sciences, planning, and semi-rural redevelopment perspective the village and its surrounds before heading to Ballinahinch to view and walk a portion of the Galway to Clifden Greenway. A 6-kilometre section of the greenway runs through idyllic native woodlands before and after Ballinahinch Castle and the students discussed such a cycle and walking network that connects the city to Clifden in terms of its economic, social, and environmental value. The class then travelled to Roundstone village where a discussion on the world-renowned cartographer Tim Robinson, who made the village his home for many years, was had before the group walked the short distance to Gurteen Bay. After more discoveries and discussions on the physical landscapes of the area, the group returned to the village and began the short bus journey back to Galway. A very successful and enjoyable fieldtrip, such activities are embedded within the ethos of the B.Sc. (Social Sciences) programme as students are continually encouraged and supported to apply the understanding and knowledge they obtain in the classroom to the city and wider region that is illustrative of the culture at the University of Galway.   ‌The first-year BASS students on the section of the Galway to Clifden Greenway at Ballinahinch    

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GovERN Research Community Workshop

GovERN Research Community Workshop

Thursday, 19 October 2023

Dr Mike Hynes of the Governance and Sustainable Development Research Cluster led a hybrid workshop of the GovERN research community at the L’institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (INRAE) in Nouvelle-Aquitaine Bordeaux, France on Wednesday 18th October 2023. This workshop preceded a public conference organised by the GovERN the previous day titled The Natured-based Solutions we want: Shifting perspectives on rural and peri-urban Nature-based Solutions attended by academics, practitioners, government agencies, and civic organisations from across Europe and Canada. GovERN is an international research community which seeks to advance collaborative research on social challenges and emancipatory opportunities when governing rural and peri-urban Nature-based Solutions. Members of the collective represent academic, government, and civic organisations and institutions in France, the UK, Finland, Spain, Italy, Canada and Ireland and are actively engaged in collaborative research and writing, teaching, and research funding applications and opportunities.   ‌ Dr Mike Hynes leading the workshop and discussions on application and implementation of Nature-based Solutions for the GovERN research community

>> Read full story about GovERN Research Community Workshop

Field Trip to Leinster House

Trip to Leinster House

Thursday, 12 October 2023

MA Public Policy students from the School of Political Science and Sociology made a field trip to Dublin on 11th October, accompanied by students from the MA Gender, Rights and Globalisation, and MA in Political Science and Sociology. 17 students and 2 lecturers boarded the 7.30am train to Dublin on Wednesday morning to visit the Oireachtas buildings at Leinster house.           The group was greeted by Galway West Deputy Mairéad Farrell, who sponsored our visit, and policy advisor Cillian Doyle. The group was then welcomed to the Sinn Féin party room where the students had an insightful Q&A session with Mairéad, who shared her views and experiences in a frank manner. We then visited the Dáil chambers and sat in the gallery during Leaders’ questions and witnessed some intense debate.   After lunch we visited the Department of Rural and Community Development at Trinity Point, where we were welcomed by Principal Officer Andrew Forde. The afternoon was filled with presentations on the role and functions of the department, the implementation of Ireland’s National Rural Development Policy, and evidence informed policy-making. There was time for questions and answers, and the civil servants also shared stories of their careers in public life.  Lecturer in Public and Social Policy Hanna-Kaisa Hoppania commented ‘This was a great opportunity for MA students to gain insight into the functioning of the political process in real life, to ask questions and engage in discussions about careers in civil service.’    Leaving Leinster House after following an intense debate during Leaders' questions in the Dáil‌   Group Photo outside Leinster House‌

>> Read full story about Field Trip to Leinster House

BA Government Student Award

Lisa Basquel

Monday, 25 September 2023

Congratulations to BA Government (Politics, Economics and Law) graduate, Lisa Basquel on securing an (ECB) European Central Bank scholarship which is designed to support women pursing a master's degree in economics in Europe.  Lisa was one of the 15 women in Europe to secure the scholarship and the only successful Irish scholar this year.  Lisa will be awarded €10,000 per year for her tuition and other related costs.  The award also includes a study visit to the ECB as well as ongoing mentoring by and ECB economist.  The School wishes Lisa every success in her studies.  

>> Read full story about BA Government Student Award

Prevention and Early Intervention Summit

CDevaney and JCanavan

Monday, 25 September 2023

The Prevention and Early Intervention Network (PEIN), in partnership with the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, University of Galway hosted a PEI Summit in Thomond Park, Limerick on September 21st-22nd. The PEI Summit provided dedicated time and space for all those working in and/or with a keen interest in prevention and early intervention to come together, exchange ideas, hear inspiring keynotes, inputs and stories, and enhance the collective voice. Under the prevention and early intervention theme, the Summit explored what PEI means, what it looks like in practice, why it needs to be prioritised, how it meets the needs of children and families and the direction it needs to take in Ireland. ‌‌‌‌‌ Pictured from L to R: Dr. Carmel Devaney and Professor John Canavan, UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, School of Political Science and Sociology, University of Galway

>> Read full story about Prevention and Early Intervention Summit

AkiDwa/GBV-MIG event

AkiDwA/GBV-MIG Policy Dialogue event in Athlone

Thursday, 27 July 2023

AkiDwA, the national network of migrant women, and the GBV-MIG research project in the School of Political Science co-convened a policy dialogue/conference in Athlone on the  topic of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) in contexts of migration, focusing on how policy can mitigate vulnerabilities to DSGBV for migrant women in Ireland. A joint report, prepared by Professor Niamh Reilly in collaboration with Dr Salome Mbugua, was presented to the conference, which was attended by representatives of the Department of Justice, other government departments and agencies, and DSGBV and migrant support NGOs. The report, From Commitments to Actions: Responding to Migrant Women's Experiences of DSGBV, outlines key policy recommendations based on the GBV-MIG project findings and Akidwa’s extensive research on these issues. Other researchers who contributed to and co-presented the report are Dr Nasrin Khandoker and doctoral researcher, Helen Uchechukwu Ogbu. The GBV-MIG research project (2019-2023) was funded by EU Gender Net Plus and the IRC. The policy dialogue conference and report were also supported by a University of Galway Illuminate grant.   Pictured at the AkiDwA/GBV-MIG Policy Dialogue event in Athlone, from left: Niamh Cooney, DSGB Coordinator, AkiDwA; Uruemu Adejinmi, Chair of AkiDwA; Prof. Niamh Reilly, Head of School of Political Science and Sociology and PI of GBV-MIG; Helen Uchechukwu Ogbu, doctoral researcher, UNESCO Centre for Child and Family Research; Dr Nasrin Khandoker, GBV-MIG postdoctoral researcher (now with the SALAAM project UL); and Dr Salome Mbugua, CEO AkiDwA.

>> Read full story about AkiDwa/GBV-MIG event

Ukraine's Fight for Survival - a Roundtable Discussion

Dr. Brendan Flynn speaking to panel

Wednesday, 19 April 2023

Lessons and Future Prospects - a Roundtable Discussion with the Ukrainian, Polish and Lithuanian Ambassadors to Ireland Dr. Brendan Flynn spoke at this important panel which brought together three ambasadors to Ireland, from Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania to dialogue with University of Galway academic staff and students and share reflections and insights.  A range of questions were considered including: How can we make sense of the invasion and what it means for Ukraine, Europe and Ireland and our wider world?  What lessons can or should be drawn? How can we conceive of 'victory' and the war ending?

>> Read full story about Ukraine's Fight for Survival - a Roundtable Discussion

Paul Michael Garrett admitted as a member of the Irish Royal Academy

Quad

Wednesday, 21 December 2022

On Friday 16 December 2022, Paul Michael Garrett was formally admitted as a member of the Irish Royal Academy at an in-person event at the RIA in Dublin. Paul became a member in 2020, but the ceremony was deferred on account of Covid. This was the citation read out to members… Paul Michael Garrett remains a lecturer as the University of Galway where he helped inaugurate the first social work programme in the west of Ireland in 2004. His most recent acclaimed book is Dissenting Social Work: Critical Theory, Resistance and Pandemic (Routledge, 2021). According to the International Journal of Social Welfare, he is ‘probably the most important critical social work theorist in the English-speaking world’.

>> Read full story about Paul Michael Garrett admitted as a member of the Irish Royal Academy

Top 100 Contributors to Social Work Journal Scholarship

Quad

Monday, 19 December 2022

Congratulations to our colleague Paul Michael Garrett, who has been named as one of the world's most impactful academic scholars following a study identifying the top 100 contributors to social work journal scholarship. Futher information can be found here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/10497315221136623 

>> Read full story about Top 100 Contributors to Social Work Journal Scholarship

BA Government first trip to Leinster House!

Quad

Monday, 14 November 2022

BA Government first trip to Leinster House!  Wed Nov 9 2022         BA Government students from the School of Political Science and Sociology made a much anticipated visit to Leinster House this week, accompanied by the students of the MA in Public Policy. A total of thirty-eight students and three lecturers boarded a 7am bus to Dublin on Wednesday morning to visit the national parliament buildings at Leinster house.         The group was greeted by Galway West Deputy, Eamon O’Cuiv, and soon commenced a tour of the two houses. Students visited the Dáil chambers, sat in the gallery during the private members bill debates and also were given a tour of the Seanad.  Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, surprised the group with an impromptu visit during the lunch break. He spent several minutes chatting and taking photographs with the staff and students present and wished them continued success on their programmes and for their futures.         After lunch, students and staff met with a selection of politicians and professionals who shared stories of their careers in public life followed by a thought-provoking questions and answers session.         Programme Director of the BA government, Lisa Walshe, commented ‘This was a great opportunity for BA Government students to see theory come to life, to ask questions and engage in discussions varying from the necessity of gender quotas in politics to the complexities of the legislative process.’ We are already looking forward to our visit again next year.’

>> Read full story about BA Government first trip to Leinster House!

Research Seminar Series 2022/2023

Quad

Sunday, 9 October 2022

The School of Political Science and Sociology hosts a Research Seminar Series throughout the academic year. The seminars provide a showcase, and discussion space, for research methodologies, findings and publications from members of the School of Political Science and Sociology and international researchers engaged in the study of sociologicy and politics. The Research Seminars are open to all. Political Science and Sociology Research Seminars 2022/2023

>> Read full story about Research Seminar Series 2022/2023

Launch of the Tuam Babies Memorial and Related Artworks at NUI Galway

Tuesday, 6 February 2018

You are cordially invited to the Launch of the Tuam Babies Memorial and Related Artworks at Áras Moyola, NUI Galway which will inlcude a panel presentation by Michelle Millar, Marguerita McGovern, Sarhanne Buckley and Caroline McGregor. Tuesday 12th of March in Room MY123 Áras Moyola from 3.30pm.  This is a free event for more information please contact caroline.mcgregor@nuigalway.ie

>> Read full story about Launch of the Tuam Babies Memorial and Related Artworks at NUI Galway

Votes for Women 1918-2018

Tuesday, 6 February 2018

On 6 February, 1918, the Representation of the People Act extended the parliamentary vote to women. This political right was restricted to women over the age of 30 who met specified property qualifications or who held university degrees. An estimated 8.5 million women were qualified under the terms of the legislation – roughly 40% of the total number of potential women electors. In contrast, men were entitled to vote at age 21. The Act also extended local franchises to women and men alike and addressed war-time disruption of existing residency requirements. The 1918 Act gave partial or restricted rights to women only, reflecting long-entrenched class and gender-informed thinking. The clause, to grant votes to women, was resisted in the House of Lords until January 1918 - right to the end. In light of the long-held fear of the place and the power of the woman elector, the granting of votes to women in 1918, though restricted, was a revolutionary moment in women’s political history. In Ireland, the age of voting for women was lowered to age 21 in 1922 and, in England and post-partition North of Ireland, it was equalised only in 1928. The story of votes for women opens up important opportunities to think about citizenship, democracy, social class and how and why political life is shaped as it is. It is a time to reflect upon the arguments and ideas of those who campaigned to change the law; much of what they wanted to change still remains to be done. Mary Clancy, 6 February, 2018

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Research aims to help improve the lot of lone parent families

Wednesday, 15 February 2017

Minister for Social Protection, Leo Varadkar in his recent Biennial Distinguished Lecture at the Institute for Lifecourse and Society in NUI Galway, mentioned one parent families in particular and his aim to reduce child poverty in the country. Dr Michelle Millar pictured during her address.  More coverage here.

>> Read full story about Research aims to help improve the lot of lone parent families

Programme Shortlisted for HEA Award

Tuesday, 15 November 2016

The Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Supervision, Management and Practice programme has been shortlisted for the GradIreland Higher Education Awards in two categories - Arts and Humanities and Health Sciences categories.The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 24th November 2016 in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown.  To see a full list of shortlisted courses and for detailed symposium information visit www.highereductionawards.ie Further details of the programme are available at http://www.nuigalway.ie/colleges-and-schools/arts-social-sciences-and-celtic-studies/political-science-and-sociology/postgraduate-programmes/pgdip-social-work/

>> Read full story about Programme Shortlisted for HEA Award

Oireachtas Report on Lone Parenting

Tuesday, 8 November 2016

Dr Michelle Millar (Political Science and Sociology) and Dr Rosemary Crosse (UNESCO Child & Family Research Centre) were witnesses to the recent Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection in relation to Issues of Concern to Lone Parents, where they presented evidence from their report ‘Lone Parents and Activation, what works and why’. The proceedings are available from Oireachtas.ie

>> Read full story about Oireachtas Report on Lone Parenting

Violence Against Women

Friday, 4 November 2016

Violence Against Women: Dr Nata Duvvury (School of Political Science and Sociology) recently addressed the UN about the global epidemic of violence against women. Read an edited version of Dr Duvvury’s address on The Guardian

>> Read full story about Violence Against Women

Book Launch

Wednesday, 8 June 2016

‌‌‌‌  Pictured at Áras an Uachtaráin, June 3rd 2016, for the launch of Philosophy and Political Engagement (edited by Allyn Fives and Keith Breen, Palgrave) are (from left to right): Joseph Mahon, Dr Allyn Fives, President Michael D. Higgins, Prof. James E. Mahon, Prof. Felix O’ Murchadha, and Annie McKeown O’Donovan  

>> Read full story about Book Launch

Political Violence in Context

Wednesday, 18 November 2015

Dr Niall Ó Dochartaigh published an edited book in September 2015 on ‘Political Violence in Context’ with co-editors Lorenzo Bosi and Daniela Pisoiu. The book was launched by prof John Coakley of UCD and QUB at the PSAI annual conference in Cork in October. The book is published by ECPR Press, the publishing house of the main European Political Science Association, the ECPR, and includes authors from across Europe and the Americas. Available from the publisher online at: http://press.ecpr.eu/book_details.asp?bookTitleID=393

>> Read full story about Political Violence in Context

News

American Historical Association

American Historical Association

Tuesday, 19 September 2023

Professor Enrico Dal Lago has been interviewed by the American Historical Association about his career and research projects. See link here below: https://www.historians.org/research-and-publications/perspectives-on-history/september-2023/aha-member-spotlight-enrico-dal-lago 

>> Read full story about American Historical Association

Strzelecki Exhibition Launch Symposium

Quad

Thursday, 15 June 2023

  Strzelecki Exhibition Launch Symposium‌‌ 3pm-6pm, Wed., 27 Sept. 2023 Room G010, Hardiman Research Building, NUI Galway   3:00-3:05         Opening Remarks   3:05-3:35         Dr. Emily Mark-Fitzgerald (UCD) and Prof. Peter Gray (QUB) Commemorating Paul Strzelecki (1797-1873): Australian Explorer and Irish Humanitarian   3:35-3:55         Dr. Róisín Healy (University of Galway) Famine on Strzelecki’s Doorstep: Starving Poles in Partitioned Poland   3:55-4:15         Prof. Breandán MacSuibhne (University of Galway) ‘The greatest weapon for taming either the bold or the timid'? The Effects of Hunger in the Great Famine   4:15-4:40         Tea/Coffee   4:40-4:55         Dr. Niall Ó Ciosáin (University of Galway) Private charity and public relief during the Great Famine   4:55-5:10         Dr. John Cunningham (University of Galway) Feeding the Children: Pawel Strzelecki, the British Relief Association, and the National Schools   5:10-5:30         Aoife O’Leary McNeice (University of Exeter) ‘To preserve from moral evils and promiscuous assemblages’: female relief workers and the Great Famine    5:30                 Exhibition Launch

>> Read full story about Strzelecki Exhibition Launch Symposium

George Huxley Prize in Early Irish History

History

Friday, 16 July 2021

Professor Dáibhí Ó Cróinín presented the George Huxley Prize in Early Irish History to Andrew Ó Donnghaile (PhD) on 1.7.2021. The prize is for the best essay on the subject of Early Irish (Brehon) Law, using original Old Irish legal sources, by a student of History. Andrew received the prize for his study of 'An Overview of Inter-Territorial Law in Early Medieval Ireland', which was published in PERITIA 30 (2019) [2020] 197-214. George Huxley was born in Leicester in 1932. After military service in the Royal Engineers he went up to Magdalen College, Oxford, & graduated in litterae Humaniores in 1955. He served as Assistant Director of the British School in Athens, and as a Visiting Professor at Harvard, and in 1962 he was appointed Professor of Greek in Queen's University Belfast. He directed excavations at the Minoan island colony of Kythera and, as well as publishing the results of those 1963 and 1965 projects, he has published on Achaeans and Hittites (1960), On Aristotle and Greek Society (1979), and Homer and the Travellers (1988). After leaving Queen's he began a long association with Trinity College Dublin. From 1986 to 1989 he was Director of the Gennadius Library in the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. He became an Irish citizen in 2019 and has for many years been a generous benefactor of Irish Studies (including Early Irish History and Celtic Studies) in Galway and elsewhere. 

>> Read full story about George Huxley Prize in Early Irish History

Sean Mac Diarmada Summer School

history

Wednesday, 26 May 2021

Please click on this flyer for information on the Sean Mac Diarmada Summer School - June 4th and 5th 2021.

>> Read full story about Sean Mac Diarmada Summer School

Teaching Excellence Award

history

Friday, 16 April 2021

Congratulations to our colleague Dr Kevin O'Sullivan on receiving a College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies Excellence award (nominated by students), with a further nomination to be considered for a University Teaching Excellence Award in due course. This award is a sincere recognition of Kevin's sustained commitment to innovative and outstanding pedagogy. The College thrives on academic excellence and supportive relationships in equal measure, and this work is a stellar example of this.

>> Read full story about Teaching Excellence Award

Foundations grant 2021

history

Friday, 16 April 2021

What do we mean by Global Solidarity? Historical Research into Humanitarian Practice Irish Research Council, New Foundations Grant 2021   This project, developed with my PhD student Maria Cullen, aims to historicise the concept of ‘global solidarity’ in humanitarian aid. What does humanitarian solidarity signify? How have humanitarian organisations interpreted the concept differently in the past, and how did it manifest in practice? These are timely questions, given the globally simultaneous experience of the pandemic and climate crisis, along with the ongoing Mediterranean refugee crisis and renewed conversations about racial justice.   This project attempts to answer these questions in a collaborative way. It is supported by Dóchas, the Irish Association of Non-Governmental Organisations, and will engage both academics and humanitarian practitioners in discussion on the concept of global solidarity in historical perspective. Did the idea of solidarity-based response come naturally to different humanitarian NGOs? What contextual factors shaped how practitioners interacted with aid recipients on the ground? Were approaches to ethical action born of a human rights or a grassroots development perspective more likely to manifest in a solidarity-based response? Given the historic association between political solidarity and the Left, how was humanitarian solidarity understood differently? Through a workshop and subsequent publications, this project will historicise the concept of humanitarian solidarity, and create forums through which to continue these discussions.   Ms Maria Cullen, PhD student in History, NUI Galway Dr Kevin O’Sullivan, Lecturer in History, NUI Galway  

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Dean's Awards 2020-2021

Quad

Tuesday, 5 January 2021

Recognising Success, Achievement and Collegiality in the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies Congratulations to our colleagues Dr Sarah-Anne Buckley and Ms Helena Condon, who won Dean's Awards for civic outreach through publication and administrative excellence respectively. The Dean and the President paid tribute and thanked the awardees for their excellent contribution to the work of the College and for their collegiality.  Sarah-Anne received the award in recognition of a significant research achievement,  namely, for her joint contribution to the book publication entitled 'Old Ireland in  Colour'. In particular, the positive recognition it has received nationally, achieving  widespread media coverage, including The Late Late Show, reflects the capacity of  the University's academic staff to reach out and engage with the wider community.   ‌ Helena received ‌the award in recognition of her ingenuity, flexibility and  achievement in a changing environment relating to COVID-19. Her collegiality is  complemented by her high standard of professionalism in the guidance and support  of students, staff and the wider community and the development of a School website  and Social Media platforms. 

>> Read full story about Dean's Awards 2020-2021

Congratulations

Image

Thursday, 29 October 2020

Our colleague, Dr Kevin O’Sullivan, has recently been appointed as a series editor on the Royal Irish Academy’s Documents on Irish Foreign Policy project. DIFP publishes primary source materials on Irish diplomacy, and is an excellent resource for students, scholars, and anyone interested in Ireland’s relationship with the outside world since the founding of the state. Its most recent volume, on the period 1961-65, will be published in November 2020, and includes materials on Irish peacekeepers in the Congo, Ireland’s first application for EEC membership, Anglo-Irish relations, and many other themes. You can access many of the earlier volumes for free online at www.difp.ie and follow DIFP on Twitter at https://twitter.com/DIFP_RIA. The project is a partnership between the RIA, the National Archives of Ireland, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

>> Read full story about Congratulations

Matthew Mc Ginty

NUI Galway Quadrangle

Thursday, 18 June 2020

The Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains and Clans of Ireland, in association with the History Department of Trinity College, Dublin and History Ireland magazine, offers a prize of €500 to the winning entrant in an essay competition on Gaelic Ireland. Matthew Mc Ginty has won this years prize. His essay titled 'The Tánaiste and the Crown Prince Problem' concerns the endemic succession disputes that weakened Ulster Gaelic Lordships before and during the Nine Years' War (1594-1603) . The essay will appear in the Nov./Dec. 2020 issue of History Ireland. Both the winner and other entrants whose papers are deemed of publishable standard may be invited to contribute their work to a projected volume of essays on Gaelic Ireland, which is a central goal of the Chiefs’ and Clans’ competition. Matthew sat his viva recently and was recommended for the award of a Ph.D. 

>> Read full story about Matthew Mc Ginty

Professor Enrico Dal Lago elected as a Member of the Royal Irish Academy

Sunday, 24 May 2020

Professor Enrico Dal Lago has been elected and admitted as a Member of the Royal Irish Academy (MRIA). Membership in the Royal Irish Academy is a public recognition of academic excellence and the highest academic honour in Ireland, and is awarded in recognition of a significant contribution and outstanding achievements in research. For information on Enrico's research and publications, see http://www.nuigalway.ie/…/history-and-philos…/enricodallago/

>> Read full story about Professor Enrico Dal Lago elected as a Member of the Royal Irish Academy

Talk by Professor Enrico Dal Lago

Monday, 27 January 2020

Prof. Enrico Dal Lago

>> Read full story about Talk by Professor Enrico Dal Lago

Career Event with Professor Bernard Carlson on Monday 18 November at 1 pm

Friday, 8 November 2019

This career event consists of a talk by Professor Bernard Carlson (Chair of Humanities at UVA) on "Using Entrepreneurial Thinking to Pursue a Careen in the Humanities" at 1pm on Monday 18th November in the Career Seminar Room. This will be of particular interest to our Undergraduate and Postgraduate students in the School of History and Philosophy.

>> Read full story about Career Event with Professor Bernard Carlson on Monday 18 November at 1 pm

Professor Enrico Dal Lago podcast

Tuesday, 8 October 2019

Professor Enrico Dal Lago has participated at a Roundtable on Giuseppe Garibaldi and his legacy on “Talking History”, the Newstalk programme hosted by Patrick Geoghegan, together with three other international experts in nineteenth-century Italian History. To listen to the Podcast of the programme, click on the following link: https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/highlights-from-talking-history/giuseppe-garibaldi-life

>> Read full story about Professor Enrico Dal Lago podcast

Podcast

Tuesday, 30 April 2019

  Professor Enrico Dal Lago has done a podcast with an interview about his book Civil War and Agrarian Unrest (2018) for the U.S. website Capital District Civil War Roundtable, which publishes podcasts with interviews with leading historians of the American Civil War . Below is the link to the podcast: https://capitaldistrictcivilwar.org/podcast

>> Read full story about Podcast

Membership of the Royal Irish Academy

Monday, 25 March 2019

Dr. Alison Forrestal has been elected a Member of the Royal Irish Academy, the highest academic honour in Ireland, awarded after international peer-review to those with distinguished international research reputations. For information on Alison's research and publications, see http://www.nuigalway.ie/our-research/people/humanities/alisonforrestal/, and for reviews of her most recent book, Vincent de Paul, the Lazarist Mission, and French Catholic Reform (Oxford University Press 2017), see https://global.oup.com/academic/product/vincent-de-paul-the-lazarist-mission-and-french-catholic-reform-9780198785767?q=alison%20forrestal&lang=en&cc=ie#

>> Read full story about Membership of the Royal Irish Academy

Fully funded PhD Scholarship

Tuesday, 19 March 2019

The Centre for the Investigation of Transnational Encounters, together with the History Department, announces a fully-funded scholarship for a PhD under the supervision of Dr. Róisín Healy, Senior Lecturer in History and Co-Director of CITE. See http://bit.ly/CITEScholarship for details.

>> Read full story about Fully funded PhD Scholarship

Galway History Festival, 5-16 March 2019

Friday, 1 March 2019

 FESTIVAL OPENING The Festival will open on Thursday, 7 March at 5.30pm in the Aula Maxima, NUI Galway, when Professor Enrico Dal Lago (Head of History, NUI Galway), will introduce the Deputy Mayor of Galway, Cllr Donal Lyons, and refreshments will be served. You can find information about our events by downloading the full programme here. BOOKING Events are free, except where indicated. Please note that capacity in some venues is limited and seating is unreserved and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. CONTACT US You can get in touch with us via email and on Twitter. twitter: @historyatgalway email: galwayhistoryfestival@gmail.com ORGANISATION Galway History Festival 2019 is organised by Dr Sarah-Anne Buckley and Dr Kevin O’Sullivan of the Department of History at NUI Galway, in collaboration with Galway City Council and with the support of Creative Ireland.

>> Read full story about Galway History Festival, 5-16 March 2019

Interview on Newstalk

Monday, 18 February 2019

‘Professor Enrico Dal Lago has been interviewed on his book _Civil War and Agrarian Unrest_ (CUP, 2018) by Professor Patrick Geoghegan at ‘Talking History’ on Newstalk. Below is the link to the interview (scroll down and click on ‘Best of February Books – Part 2’; the interview starts at 39:00 minutes): https://www.newstalk.com/shows/talking-history-234948  

>> Read full story about Interview on Newstalk

Dean's Awards 2018-19

Monday, 28 January 2019

Professor Enrico Dal Lago has received the 2018-19 Dean’s Award for Outstanding Academic Performance in recognition of his research contribution to the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies through the publication of his monograph _Civil War and Agrarian Unrest: The Confederate South and Southern Italy_ (Cambridge University Press, 2018), and through his distinguished career as a comparative historian of the nineteenth-century Americas and Europe. 

>> Read full story about Dean's Awards 2018-19

President's Award for Research Excellence

Thursday, 27 September 2018

Congratulations to our own Dr. Alison Forrestal, who has just been awarded a President's Award for Research Excellence! This is awarded to NUI Galway academic staff who have made an outstanding contribution to research in their field, and who have enhanced the university's reputation internationally. For information on Dr. Forrestal's research, go to http://www.nuigalway.ie/our-research/people/humanities/alisonforrestal/

>> Read full story about President's Award for Research Excellence

Book Launch

Wednesday, 12 September 2018

Book Launch by Professor Enrico Dal Lago in the Moore Institute on 19th September at 5:30 pm in Room G010. For more on this please see here

>> Read full story about Book Launch

7th International Conference on the Science of Computus

Wednesday, 6 June 2018

>> Read full story about 7th International Conference on the Science of Computus

Rural Ireland: Ideals and Realities, 1930s-2000s

Tuesday, 29 May 2018

NUI Galway is hosting a conference on Rural Ireland: Ideals and Realities, 1930s-2000s on 7-8 June 2018. This conference is to celebrate the donation of the Muintir na Tíre Archive to the James Hardiman Library, NUI Galway. Organised by Dr Caitríona Clear, Dr Tomás Finn and Dr Tony Varley, the conference take place in the Siobhán McKenna Theatre, Arts Millenium Building, NUI Galway. The Rural Ireland: Ideals and Realities, 1930s-2000s conference programme is now available. For queries, please contact caitriona.clear@nuigalway.ie, tony.varley@nuigalway.ie or tomas.finn@nuigalway.ie

>> Read full story about Rural Ireland: Ideals and Realities, 1930s-2000s

Interview on the Italian National TV

Friday, 11 May 2018

Professor Enrico Dal Lago has been interviewed by the History channel of the Italian national TV (RAI Storia) on the American Civil War and slave emancipation, the subject of his latest book. Below is the link to the interview: http://www.raistoria.rai.it/speciale/la-storia-in-piazza-2018/2015/40858/default.aspx

>> Read full story about Interview on the Italian National TV

Interview with Professor Enrico Dal Lago

Wednesday, 21 March 2018

Professor Enrico Dal Lago has been interviewed on his new book Civil War and Agrarian Unrest: The Confederate South and Southern Italy (Cambridge University Press, 2018) in “The Author’s Corner”, an academic U.S.-based blog that publishes written interviews with all the authors of important recent works on American History. Below is the link to the interview: https://thewayofimprovement.com/2018/03/15/the-authors-corner-with-enrico-dal-lago/

>> Read full story about Interview with Professor Enrico Dal Lago

IARCEES Conference at NUI Galway 4 - 6 May 2017

Tuesday, 27 September 2016

NUI Galway has the honour of hosting the 41st annual and international conference of the Irish Association for Russian, Central and East European Studies in the centenary year of the Russian Revolution of 1917. The conference, organised by Dr. Róisín Healy, takes place in the Moore Institute from 4th to 6th May 2017.  IARCEES final conference programme is now available. The Wendy Bracewell Public Lecture is taking place on Thursday 4 May.  Dr. Róisín Healy,Lecturer in European History,School of Humanities,NUI Galway and Vice- President of the IARCEES, 2016–17

>> Read full story about IARCEES Conference at NUI Galway 4 - 6 May 2017

Christopher Breslin

Friday, 11 November 2016

Congratulations to former History student Christopher Breslin who was awarded the Mansion House Fund Prize in Irish History 2016. The Mansion House Fund, which is designed to promote 'the study of Irish Language, Literature and History', provides for the annual award of a Scholarship and Prize, in the subjects of Irish and Irish History. Christopher was supervised by Dr. Niall Ó Ciosáin.

>> Read full story about Christopher Breslin

Postgrad seminar programme Semester 1 & 2 2017/18

Thursday, 15 December 2016

2017/18 Semester 1 & 2 Seminars Graduate Research Seminars in History, 2017-18 Venue : Hardiman Building: The Bridge Seminar Room, Room 1001, First Floor. Wednesdays 4 pm - 5 pm 27 September  John Mc Cafferty, UCD Nosebleeds, Tears and Italianted Hearts : Thinking about the History of Emotions on the Seventeenth-Century Irish Mission 4 Oct Darragh Gannon ( Queen's Univeristy Belfast) Between Irish Party and British Politics; the Home Rule movement in Gt. Briatain, 1916-18. 18 Oct. Mel Farrell (UCD) From Cymann na NGaedheal to Fine Gael : 'Civil War Politics' and the foundation of the United Ireland Party in September 1933. 25 Oct Wayne te Brake ( Purchase College, SUNY) Making Religious Peace in Early Modern Europe : An Irish Perspective. 8 Nov Lorraine Grimes ( NUIG) " I will do anything...rather than keep it or return to my own country" : The emigraton of Irish unmarried mothers to Liverpool and Birmingham, 1923-48. 22 Nov Ian Kenneally ( NUIG) Editing the first draft of history - the challenge of producing Ireland's Revolution Papers, 2016-1 7

>> Read full story about Postgrad seminar programme Semester 1 & 2 2017/18

Award for Dr Enrico Dal Lago

Monday, 7 November 2016

Congratulations to Dr Enrico Dal Lago who has been awarded the DLitt (Doctor of Literature) degree on Published Work by the National University of Ireland. The DLitt on Published Work is a higher doctorate awarded to scholars who have, over a sustained period, published a substantial body of ground-breaking and influential work in a field of specialisation and who have achieved outstanding distinction internationally in that field.

>> Read full story about Award for Dr Enrico Dal Lago

Foundation Travel Bursary in History

Tuesday, 19 July 2016

  Foundation Travel Bursary for NUI Galway History postgrads (awarded annually) Doctoral students at History at NUI Galway are eligible to apply for the annual Foundation Travel Bursary in History.  Awarded for the first time in 2016-17,this Bursary is made possible thanks to the generosity of a private donor. The next award will be made in autumn 2018.  The Terms and Conditions of the Foundation Travel Bursary in History as awarded in 2017/18 may be viewed here as general guidance.  please click link for   The Terms and Conditions  of The Foundation Travel Bursary All enquiries to history@nuigalway.ie

>> Read full story about Foundation Travel Bursary in History

Professor Nicholas Canny

Tuesday, 5 April 2016

Professor Nicholas Canny Honoured at Annual Conference of the Renaissance Society of America: Three panels to honour the contribution that former chair of History at NUIG, Professor Nicholas Canny, has made to the study of early modern Irish history featured in the programme of the RSA annual conference this year.  Paying tribute to the impact that Professor Canny has had in the fields of Irish and Atlantic historiography, nine presenters underscored how his seminal publications continue to bring into focus a broader perspective on colonial identities and interactions in the early modern world.  Pictured with Professor Canny (centre) are panel organizers, Professor Sarah Covington (Queen’s College, CUNY) and Associate Professor Brendan Kane (University of Connecticut), Professor David Armitage (Chair of the Dept. of History, Harvard University), and Dr. Alison Forrestal (Head of History, NUIG).

>> Read full story about Professor Nicholas Canny

Postgraduate Seminar Programme Semester 2

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Monday, 28 January 2019

  Graduate Research Seminars in History, 2018-19: January to April 2019   Venue: Hardiman Building: Room G010 (Ground Floor), Except when indicated otherwise.   Wednesdays 4pm-5pm   TWELVE SEMINARS IN TWELVE WEEKS: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 16 Jan. -(in Bridge Seminar Room, Rm 1001) - Dr Kieran Fitzpatrick (Moore Inst.) The Great War and Great Change? The professional life of surgeon Peter Johnson Freyer, 1900-1921. ♠ 23 Jan            (back to Room G010) -  Keith Seán Harrington (Maynooth University) Language Politics and Territorial Separatism: the origins of the Transnistrian conflict 1989-1990. ♠ 30 Jan            - Dr Mícheál Ó Fathartaigh (Teagasc/Social Sciences Res. Centre, NUIG) A Quieter Revolution: How Demonstrations Transformed Early Twentieth-Century Rural Ireland after the Land War. ♠ 6 Feb - Dr Maura Cronin (Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick) ‘The female of the species is more deadly than the male': Women in anti-tithe protests in 1830s Ireland. ♠ 13 Feb- Dr James O’Donnell (Zhejiang Intl. Studies Univ. in Hangzhou, China)   ‘“Please confirm at once”: confusion, libel and reporting the Revolution in Galway, the case of George Nicholls (1919). ♠ See over for further dates   ♠ 20 Feb- Prof Chris Maginn (Fordham University) After the Armada: Thanksgiving in Ireland, 1589. ♠ 27 Feb - Prof. Glenda Gilmore (Yale / Mary Ball Washington Visiting Prof, UCD) The Nazis and Dixie: European Fascism and Southern Racism Compared. (Followed by book-launch for Drs C. Smith & J. Regan) ♠ 6 Mar - Jane O’Brien (NUI Galway) ‘Important or exceptional occurrences’ - An analysis of Managers' Diaries and other correspondence from the Irish Industrial School system : 1868 - 1920. ♠ 13 Mar - Dr Cristina Bon (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan). ‘The President Matters’: John Janney and the Virginia Secession Convention (February-April 1861). ♠ 20 Mar - Jim Reid (NUI Galway) Munster as a frontier of the Roman Empire in the 5th-6th centuries. ♠ 27 Mar - Dr Hugh Rowland (An tAcadamh, NUI Galway) Language debates in Ireland in the 1960s: the Language Freedom Movement reconsidered. ♠ 3 Apr - Gavan Duffy (NUI Galway) The Labour Question in the League of Nations mandates territories of the 1920s: supervising South African, Australian and New Zealand administrations. ♠                                 Co-ordinator contact: gearoid.barry@nuigalway.ie  

>> Read full story about Postgraduate Seminar Programme Semester 2

Events

Book Launch

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Tuesday, 28 March 2017

Poland in the Irish Nationalist Imagination, 1772-1922: Anti-Colonialism within Europe by Róisín Healy   The book will be launched by Dr. Andrew Newby in Room G011, Hardiman Research Building on Monday, 3 April at 4:00 pm.

>> Read full story about Book Launch

News

Sean Mac Diarmada Summer School

MacDiarmada

Monday, 31 May 2021

Final Year NUIG History student, Jack Ryan, is among the speakers at this years Sean Mac Diarmada Summer School (June 4-5). Jack will present 'Youth Perspective on the War of Independence and its Legacy'.Further information available at www.seanmacdiarmada.ie     

>> Read full story about Sean Mac Diarmada Summer School

President of Ireland's Machnamh 100 series

Machnamh

Friday, 21 May 2021

Our colleagues in History, Dr Caitríona Clear and Dr John Cunningham, will participate in the next session of the President of Ireland's Machnamh 100 series (on May 27th at 19:00). This is a major series of three sessions with leading contributors. The event on May 27th speaks to this theme: "'Recovering Imagined Futures'. This seminar will focus on issues of social class, land and the role of women, subjects that are all tangibly and profoundly interlinked in the context of early 20th-century Ireland, and how particular gradations of violence emerged and became deeply interwoven across these subjects with consequences that would shape the Ireland of today." Caitríona and John will respond to a lecture by Margaret O’Callaghan (Queens University Belfast). Here is a link to the event and registration: https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-hosts-third-seminar-in-the-machnamh-100-series

>> Read full story about President of Ireland's Machnamh 100 series

IRC New Foundations Award

IRC Award

Monday, 19 April 2021

Congratulations to Dr Kevin O'Sullivan and PhD student, Maria Cullen, from the History Department who have been awarded an IRC New Foundation award for their project  What do we mean by Global Solidarity? Historical Research into Humanitarian Practice This project aims to historicise the concept of ‘global solidarity’ in humanitarian aid. What does humanitarian solidarity signify? How have humanitarian organisations interpreted the concept differently in the past, and how did it manifest in practice? These are timely questions, given the globally simultaneous experience of the pandemic and climate crisis, along with the ongoing Mediterranean refugee crisis and renewed conversations about racial justice. This project attempts to answer these questions in a collaborative way. It is supported by Dóchas, the Irish Association of Non-Governmental Organisations, and will engage both academics and humanitarian practitioners in discussion on the concept of global solidarity in historical perspective. Did the idea of solidarity-based response come naturally to different humanitarian NGOs? What contextual factors shaped how practitioners interacted with aid recipients on the ground? Were approaches to ethical action born of a human rights or a grassroots development perspective more likely to manifest in a solidarity-based response? Given the historic association between political solidarity and the Left, how was humanitarian solidarity understood differently? Through a workshop and subsequent publications, this project will historicise the concept of humanitarian solidarity, and create forums through which to continue these discussions.  

>> Read full story about IRC New Foundations Award

CASSCS Teaching Awards

Arts Mill

Monday, 19 April 2021

Congratulations to our School colleagues who are recipients of the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies Teaching Awards. Dr Orla Richardson and Dr Lucy Elvis from the Discipline of Philosophy have been awarded the CASSCS Team Teaching Excellence Award for their work in the Philosophy For Children (P4C) prorgramme and Dr Kevin O'Sullivan in the History Department received an individual award for this teaching. 

>> Read full story about CASSCS Teaching Awards

Dean's Awards

Deans Awards

Monday, 11 January 2021

Recognising Success, Achievement and Collegiality in the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies Congratulations to our colleagues Dr Sarah-Anne Buckley and Ms Helena Condon, who won Dean's Awards for civic outreach through publication and administrative excellence respectively. The Dean and the President paid tribute and thanked the awardees for their excellent contribution to the work of the College and for their collegiality.   Sarah-Anne received the award in recognition of a significant research achievement,  namely, for her joint contribution to the book publication entitled 'Old Ireland in  Colour'. In particular, the positive recognition it has received nationally, achieving  widespread media coverage, including The Late Late Show, reflects the capacity of  the University's academic staff to reach out and engage with the wider community.   ‌Helena received ‌the award in recognition of her ingenuity, flexibility and  achievement in a changing environment relating to COVID-19. Her collegiality is  complemented by her high standard of professionalism in the guidance and support  of students, staff and the wider community and the development of a School website  and Social Media platforms.   

>> Read full story about Dean's Awards

DIFP Project

DIFP

Thursday, 29 October 2020

Our colleague, Dr Kevin O’Sullivan, has recently been appointed as a series editor on the Royal Irish Academy’s  Documents on Irish Foreign Policy project. DIFP publishes primary source materials on Irish diplomacy, and is an excellent resource for students, scholars, and anyone interested in Ireland’s relationship with the outside world since the founding of the state. Its most recent volume, on the period 1961-65, will be published in November 2020, and includes materials on Irish peacekeepers in the Congo, Ireland’s first application for EEC membership, Anglo-Irish relations, and many other themes. You can access many of the earlier volumes for free online at www.difp.ie and follow DIFP on Twitter at https://twitter.com/DIFP_RIA. The project is a partnership between the RIA, the National Archives of Ireland, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. ‌‌‌ ‌

>> Read full story about DIFP Project

Tuam Oral History Project

University

Monday, 27 July 2020

The Tuam Oral History Project is hosting a Virtual Event for Survivors of the Tuam Mother and Baby Home. The event marks the launch of Survivors’ Voices, an on-line exhibition, and a number of other initiatives emanating from the Tuam Oral History Project including a 3-part podcast narrated by Actor Cillian Murphy, the patron of the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre at NUI Galway. We will also be launching our webpage for the project. The event will be live on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nuigalway/ Thursday 30 July, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM  

>> Read full story about Tuam Oral History Project

COVID-19 update

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Saturday, 11 July 2020

In the face of the challenges posed by COVID-19, our university is working to ensure that your experience will be the best that we can deliver, whether you are starting a new course this September or returning for another year of study. At all times we will prioritise your health, safety and wellbeing as we structure your learning experience around the realities of a changed environment and will therefore at all times make decisions that adhere to public health advice. Semester Dates For the vast majority of students, including First Years, the semester will begin on 28 September. For First Years this is predicated on the Leaving Certificate results being released on or near the usual mid-August release date. Full dates can be found here: Semester Dates 2020/21 - revised June 2020. Undergraduate orientation will take place in the week commencing 21 September and comprise a mix of online and on-campus activities to help First Year students familiarise themselves with the university, understand the structures and demands of student life, learn about the supports available to them and get to know their fellow classmates who will in time become lifelong friends. Course Delivery All taught programmes will be delivered in a blend of online and on-campus classes. Irrespective of the size of your class, we will have on-campus learning built into your student experience, typically through on-campus tutorials, seminars, distanced meet-ups and/or laboratories according to the needs of various courses. Large-scale lectures will be adapted for online delivery, while smaller classes will be delivered on-campus where it is possible and safe to do so. At all times capacity in rooms will conform to public health advice. We will work to accommodate the small number of students who cannot come to campus for health, access or other reasons, so as not to disadvantage their academic journey. We are working hard to ensure that all learning will be made available online, or accessible through some alternative means, to allow for students who may face delays in arriving in Ireland, allow for limits to student numbers in teaching spaces, accommodate those who cannot attend for health reasons, and to provide a backup in case of a rise in COVID-19 transmission. A final decision on the structure of Semester 2 will follow later when the COVID-19 scenario is clearer. Further Information Available http://www.nuigalway.ie/alert/ 

>> Read full story about COVID-19 update

‘Some unfinished business’: New Zealand, Samoa and the legacy of the Great Flu pandemic of 1918

Quad

Wednesday, 8 July 2020

Dr Gearóid Barry and Dr Gavan Duffy write about ‘Some unfinished business’: New Zealand, Samoa and the legacy of the Great Flu pandemic of 1918.  "New Zealand’s handling of the current Covid-19 pandemic has, to date, attracted much positive commentary, with a considerably better record than Ireland, for example, taking our similar-sized populations and island situation into account."

>> Read full story about ‘Some unfinished business’: New Zealand, Samoa and the legacy of the Great Flu pandemic of 1918

Philosophy and the Pandemic: reasoning in unreasonable times

Monday, 15 June 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, fundamental philosophical questions have come into sharp focus. In this panel discussion, faculty members from the discipline of philosophy at NUI Galway will discuss a range of issues related to these times of change and uncertainty, including the role and rhetoric of expertise; “states of exception” and governance; the trust invested in decision-makers; the nature of goodwill in a moment of crisis; how we engage in reasoning about uncertainty and catastrophic outcomes; and the nature of nostalgia and how we (mis)remember the past. Thursday 18 June @ 4pm  Panellists (all NUI Galway): Lucy Elvis Heike Felzmann Felix Ó Murchadha Nick Tosh Chair: Daniel Carey To attend, please register using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rwMBOX_QQCK9ooyGiBOIIg

>> Read full story about Philosophy and the Pandemic: reasoning in unreasonable times

Professor Enrico Dal Lago elected as a Member of the Royal Irish Academy

Friday, 22 May 2020

Professor Enrico Dal Lago has been elected and admitted as a Member of the Royal Irish Academy (MRIA). Membership in the Royal Irish Academy is a public recognition of academic excellence and the highest academic honour in Ireland, and is awarded in recognition of a significant contribution and outstanding achievements in research. For information on Enrico's research and publications, see http://www.nuigalway.ie/…/history-and-philos…/enricodallago/

>> Read full story about Professor Enrico Dal Lago elected as a Member of the Royal Irish Academy

Webinar on "Slavery, Race, and Covid-19" - Tuesday 19 May @ 4pm

Wednesday, 13 May 2020

Slavery, Race, and Covid-19   The unfolding corona virus crisis has revealed deep structures of inequality manifested in the death toll in the United States and other countries. This seminar examines patterns of racism and legacies of slavery that have informed the pandemic, especially in the US and UK. Participants: Prof. Enrico Dal Lago (History/Moore Institute) Prof. Eric Foner (Columbia University) Prof. Koritha Mitchell (Ohio State University) Prof. Kerry Sinanan (University of Texas San Antonio and former Moore Institute fellow)   It's great to have such a diverse and distinguished group of contributors. Eric Foner is a Pulitzer Prize winning historian and a leading authority on US history. Enrico is the author of five monographs on slavery and comparative history. Kerry Sinanan was here for two years as a visiting fellow in the Moore Institute, with a book coming out on slave masters; and Koritha Mitchell is author of an important book, Living with Lynching: African American Lynching Plays, Performance, and Citizenship, 1890-1930.   To register, please use this link:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81891516643?pwd=TWNTSklRd0M0WVZsK2V4MG9GWnJBUT09  

>> Read full story about Webinar on "Slavery, Race, and Covid-19" - Tuesday 19 May @ 4pm

NUI Galway Virtual Open Day - May 7th

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Wednesday, 6 May 2020

Looking forward to participating in NUI Galway's Virtual Open Day today. It is the perfect opportunity to talk us about studying subjects in the School of History and Philosophy at NUI Galway. Join us live from 12-3pm at www.nuigalway.ie/opendays #NUIGalwayLive

>> Read full story about NUI Galway Virtual Open Day - May 7th

Education during Covid-19: precarity, privilege, purpose

Wednesday, 29 April 2020

Thursday 30th April - 4pmThe Covid-19 crisis has led to the mass closure of educational institutions and an ensuing scramble to provide schooling at home. Aspects of the education system normally taken for granted have come into relief in the midst of a new sense of precarity. This seminar looks at pressing concerns emerging from current research on education provision, such as the exacerbation of existing educational inequities and the pivot to technology. We also consider longer-term implications and ask whether this could be an opportunity to reimagine education and schooling.  Participants (all NUI Galway):  Dr Manuela Heinz (chair)Dr Cornelia Connolly Dr Tony Hall Dr Ian Munday Dr Clíona Murray For the Zoom link, https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_q2fOTnv6QiKzLBAV6aLqfA

>> Read full story about Education during Covid-19: precarity, privilege, purpose

Data Ethics and the Covid-19 Crisis

Friday, 17 April 2020

Welcome to our second Webinar - Thursday 23 April 4pm   Panelists: Mathieu d'Aquin (Director of Insight and the Data Science Institute, NUI Galway) Heike Felzmann (Philosophy, NUI Galway) Rob Kitchin (Geography, Maynooth University) Karlin Lillington (Irish Times) Linnet Taylor (Law, Tilburg University)   The seminar will explore questions of surveillance and social benefit in the midst of the corona virus pandemic, including data gathering and contact tracing apps, and the advantages, risks, and ethical challenges.   Please click this URL to join: https://zoom.us/j/91276031179?pwd=MFNqY2NuSDdtTWZKVksvRTBNRXN4Zz09Password: 946660   There is a limit of 100 attendees on Zoom. We will also live stream the event on the Moore Institute Facebook page.  

>> Read full story about Data Ethics and the Covid-19 Crisis

Webinar

Thursday, 16 April 2020

Panelists are:  Dr Nessa Cronin, Dr Padraic Moran, Dr John Morrissey, Dr Kevin O'Sullivan You are invited to a Zoom webinar. When: Apr 2, 2020 04:00 PM Dublin Topic: Moore Institute Covid-19 seminar Register in advance for this webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Z-4DLWT-S3-olgr0SoKfrA

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News & Events

PhD in Creative Technologies - Call for Applications

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Monday, 12 February 2024

University of Galway COLLEGE OF ARTS, SOCIAL SCIENCES, AND CELTIC STUDIESDOCTORAL RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP PhD in Creative Technologies Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a PhD fellowship in Creative Technologies in the College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies at the University of Galway, available from 1 September 2024 for four years, subject to satisfactory progress. Context The Centre for Creative Technologies supports research and teaching activities that explore, analyse, and develop new links between creative practice and technology, including in such areas as Extended Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Creativity and Virtual Production. These activities draw on existing strengths across the College of Arts in the creative arts, especially in such areas as Digital Media, Film, Music, Theatre Studies, and Writing as well as its strong relationships with the creative community in the western region and beyond PhD researchers within the Centre for Creative Technologies work to investigate emerging trends in the overlap between creativity and technology, both in professional practice and academic research. Successful applicants will pursue research towards a PhD in Creative Technologies whilst participating in workshops and doctoral training designed to enhance the participant’s research capacity in the field. Proposals are particularly welcome for projects that combine critical enquiry or social science methods with technological and artistic practice to pursue original research questions in this field. Proposal are welcome in any relevant areas of PhD research, especially (but not exclusively) in the areas outlined below: Equality, diversity and inclusion in the design and use of creative technologies Virtual/augmented reality and live performance Creative arts, technology, and health/well-being Creative arts, technology, and social inclusion Extended reality and placemaking Using creative arts and technology in primary and/or post-primary education. Technology and the production/performance/reception of music, including spatial audio Sustainability and technology in the creative industries, including virtual production processes Hacking, digital making and the circular economy Augmented creativity and writing The philosophy of technology and creativity Affect and immersive art The ethics of AI art For initial enquiries, please contact conn.holohan@universityofgalway.ie. Research Environment The College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies consists of eight Schools that are at the cutting edge of theory and practice in the wide range of subjects offered within our taught and research programmes. Successful applicants will have direct access to numerous peers engaged in wide-ranging research, funded by the IRC, ERC, Marie Curie, SFI and other schemes. The College acts as a partner and a champion for much of the creative arts within the city and enjoys formal partnerships with organisations such as Druid Theatre, Galway International Arts Festival, and the Abbey Theatre, among others. It is equally well known for its work in Coastal and Marine Environments and researchers in this area are currently leading a suite of EU-funded projects around sustainability. Application Details To apply for the post, please send the following information: Academic Awards or Scholarships received (max 300 words) Details of your previous research experience (max 500 words) Personal Research Statement: Please write a brief statement (max 1000 words),   outlining your interest in and suitability for a scholarship and the selected research area(s). Describe your research question, aims and objective, theoretical/conceptual framework, methodology, research plan and relationship of the project to existing research.  Please also indicate your motivation for pursuing a PhD on this research topic and why you are particularly suited to this research programme. Please provide any other relevant information (max 500 words) Name and contact details for TWO people who have agreed to write references for you. Please also include a CV (max two pages) which provides information about your educational qualifications, prior research and/or practice-based experience, and any other relevant information. Essential Selection Criteria A primary degree and/or MA/MSc in any of the following areas: Creative Arts / Arts Practice; Digital Humanities; Computer Science; Engineering; Education; Literary Studies; Modern Languages (with an emphasis on comparative cultural studies and/or translation); Philosophy; Social Sciences; or a related area. Evidence of an ability to carry out independent research A demonstrable interest in the overlaps between creativity and technology A clear and compelling statement of the new research angle to be developed as part of this project Desirable Selection Criteria A postgraduate qualification in a relevant area Professional experience in creativity and/or technology Experience of working as part of a research team Closing date for applications: 29th March 2024, 5pm (GMT). After shortlisting, interviews will take place in April 2024.  Candidates will be notified of the outcome in May 2024 with studies to commence in September 2024.   TERMS AND CONDITIONS 2024 The College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies (CASSCS) at University of Galway is pleased to offer this scholarship to support full-time PhD research within the PhD programmes of the CASSCS.     The scholarships will be awarded in line with the objectives and criteria as laid out above. Applicants are advised to carefully read these Terms and Conditions in advance of submitting an application to ensure their eligibility under the Scheme. Applications that do not comply with the Terms and Conditions will be deemed ineligible. 1.         Duration The scholarship will be awarded for a maximum period of four years. 2.         Value The maximum value of an individual Scholarship award is €27,026 per annum, from which a student levy and fees of €5,026 will be paid. The balance of €22,000 will be paid in a monthly stipend of €1833.33.  Students will be liable to pay the student levy of €140 themselves.  A successful candidate from a non-EU country will be entitled to apply for an International Merit Scholarship to cover the non-EU portion of their fee. 3.         Classification of Scholarship Payments Scholarships are officially classified as a ‘scholarship’ and hence do not attract Tax or Social Insurance. The recipient is not an employee of the University. 4.         Eligibility The minimum qualification for the award of a scholarship is a primary degree from a recognised institution in a relevant discipline. Applicants must have an established proficiency in English or in Irish.  For applicants whose first language is not English or Irish, a language proficiency assessment may be required. 5.      Conditions of Tenure a. Successful applicants to this scheme will be designated as a Doctoral Research Scholar and will register in the structured PhD programme of the CASSCS, University of Galway before the Scholarship can be drawn down. b. Registration will take place in September 2024. If registration is not completed on the due date, then the scholarship offer may be withdrawn. c. Scholarships will be awarded for four years, according to the original date of the applicant’s registration for the PhD degree, and based on satisfactory progress being confirmed each year by the student’s GRC. d. The scholarship will automatically cease on the submission of the Scholar’s PhD thesis, if this occurs within the four-year period. e. The scholarship is valid for the year in which it is awarded or renewed. Under general circumstances the scholarship may not be deferred or otherwise interrupted, without reasonable cause. Where particular situations arise that necessitate temporary leave of absence, they shall be verified and notified to the GRC, and approved by the Dean of the CASSCS. f. Should a Scholar be unable for any reason (including medical reasons) to pursue studies in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the scholarship, the Scholar and/or his/her supervisor is required to inform the Dean of the CASSCS within two weeks of such a situation coming to the Scholar’s attention. The Dean of the CASSCS, on appropriate advice, reserves the right to withdraw or suspend the Scholarship. g. A Scholar may wish to terminate the scholarship for personal, professional or other reasons. This should not be done without prior consultation with the GRC and Dean of the CASSCS, as it may involve reimbursement by the Scholar to the CASSCS if the Scholar is unable to justify the funding received up to the date of termination. h. All publications, presentations and publicity associated with or arising from the research undertaken by the Scholar while in receipt of the Doctoral Research Scholarship must contain the following acknowledgement ‘Funding received from the Centre for Creative Technologies, College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies, University of Galway.’ i. At the earliest possible opportunity during the tenure of a scholarship, the Scholar will be required to prepare one, or if necessary two, application(s), under the guidance and advice of the supervisor, for external research funding under the Irish Research Council (IRC) Post-Graduate Scholarship Scheme, if eligible to do so. j. The holder may not be the holder simultaneously of any other scholarship or fellowship. k. The Doctoral Research Scholarships will be awarded only to full-time registered students who will engage full-time in research during the period of the scholarship. The recipients of the scholarships are expected to be normally present in the university for the duration of the programme. Should Scholars wish to take a prolonged absence from the university, s/he must apply for permission using Form GS 090, which is available on the Graduate Studies website. l. The Doctoral Research Scholarship is held subject to these Terms and Conditions. If any of the above is breached by a scholarship holder, the CASSCS will suspend or terminate the Scholarship and/or will require the Scholar to reimburse the College for such payments that have already been made. m. The successful applicant will be required to sign a form of consent under the Data Protection Act 1988 in relation to records on data concerning his/her registration status, academic record and scholarship payment details. n. The award of a Doctoral Research Scholarship is made subject to receipt of funding from various sources. In the event of such funding being reduced or being discontinued the CASSCS, the National University of Ireland Galway or their agents will not be under any liability to provide funding or to compensate a Scholar for any reduction or cessation of such funding. o. In cases where ethical issues may arise from the research, applicants will be asked to provide a written statement to the effect that full consideration has been given to the ethical implications of the research proposal. In such cases, the successful application will require the approval of the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Galway prior to confirmation of the Scholarship Award. p. In accepting a Doctoral Research Scholarship, successful applicants must also agree to accept the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme. Correspondence on this will not be entered into once an award has been accepted. q. In the event that a scholarship recipient fails to comply fully with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, the CASSCS reserves the right to revoke the Scholarship award. r. If a scholarship holder does not attend for a scheduled meeting with his/her GRC without reasonable cause, or if his/her GRC are unhappy with the progress being made on the research project, the GRC can recommend that stipend payments be suspended forthwith. 6. Application Process Applicants are required to submit a Cover Letter, application and CV (including two named referees) to centrecreativetechnologies@universityofgalway.ie by 5pm, (GMT) Friday, 29th March 2024. 7. Selection Process The award will be made by the CASSCS on the recommendation of the Research Programme’s Assessment Panel.    The selection process is strictly confidential, and representations may not be made on behalf of applicants. Note: Late or incomplete applications or applications that do not fully adhere to the Terms and Conditions of this scheme will be deemed ineligible. The College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies at University of Galway reserves the right to alter the Conditions of Tenure of the Scholarship at any time.

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Launch of Immersive VR film “Lost and Found”

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Wednesday, 22 November 2023

The Centre for Creative Technologies at University of Galway, in collaboration with the Galway Simon Community, is excited to launch Lost & Found on Wednesday November 22nd at 7pm, as part of the Arts in Action programme. Lost & Found is a co-created, virtual reality film produced in collaboration with clients from the Galway Simon Community. This 360 degree film captures and conveys the experience of homelessness from the perspective of those who have lived it. Co-created by clients of Galway Simon, leading virtual reality filmmakers, and researchers from the University of Galway as part of the Immersive Empathy project, the film was developed through a process of oral history interviews and collaborative workshops and shot over two days in Galway. You are invited to join us at 7pm on November 22nd in the O’Donoghue Theatre for a discussion with the film’s creators, followed by the opportunity to watch the film on a VR headset.

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University of Galway launches Centre for Creative Technologies

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Thursday, 21 September 2023

University of Galway has officially launched its newest research unit - the Centre for Creative Technologies. The aim of the new centre is to foster and support research and teaching activities that explore and develop links between creative practice and technology and creativity as a principle and practice that extends beyond the arts.  Building on the University’s strong relationships with the creative community in the western region and beyond, including the Strategic Education Partnerships with Galway International Arts Festival and Druid, the Centre for Creative Technologies will explore the impact on the traditional creative industries of rapid technological change in areas such as immersive reality, artificial intelligence and virtual production processes.  The Centre’s newly launched PhD in Creative Technologies brings together research that combines critical enquiry with technological and artistic practice to investigate important developments in this field. University of Galway President Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh officially launched the Centre for Creative Technologies at a special event on campus in the O’Donoghue Centre on Thursday September 21, 2023.  Professor Ó hÓgartaigh said: “University of Galway, our city and our region all have strong bonds with the world of the arts and creativity. These ties have afforded us opportunities that enable our university to grow and develop in special ways, in line with our values of openness, excellence and sustainability. The new Centre for Creative Technologies is symbolic of that and we wish every success to all of those who will tap into this important research entity and the new opportunities it brings.” Professor Rebecca Braun, Dean of the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, said: “The Centre for Creative Technologies is an exciting initiative that will support research and teaching initiatives that explore the intersections between creative practice and technology within and beyond the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies. It draws on existing strengths in the areas of creativity across the College and will support the kind of interdisciplinary research needed to tackle the key societal challenges we face today.” University of Galway Vice-President Research and Innovation Professor Jim Livesey said: “We are living at a time when the pace and scale of change in the world of technology is seismic. Now we have an exciting opportunity to harness some of that in the areas of research, teaching and learning by bringing together bright minds in an environment which promotes excellence across our academic disciplines.”  Conn Holohan, Director of the Centre for Creative Technologies at University of Galway, said: “We look forward to supporting exciting collaborations between researchers, industry and artists that explore the many ways that creativity and technology intersect with our daily lives.” The Centre for Creative Technologies is the first research centre of its kind in Ireland, exploring the intersection of creativity and technology across disciplines from within the traditions of the arts.  As creative engagement with technology is an increasingly central element of our responses to global challenges, the centre will enable researchers, academics and those involved in the arts to bring their expertise and insight to a diverse range of areas of activity, from healthcare to manufacturing to the societal responses to climate change.  Ahead of the launch of the Centre for Creative Technologies, James Riordan, Brú Theatre, took on a two week Digital Artist-in-Residence where he and his interdisciplinary artist collaborators explored opportunities for technology and creativity, including showcasing the centre's new technologies such as augmented reality virtual reality and motion capture. 

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Masterclass Recording – Co-Designing Socially Engaged Research: The Approach of Immersive Empathy

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Monday, 4 March 2024

Watch a recording of this session from the Masterclass Series run by the Centre for Creative Technologies.     Much has been written about the power of virtual reality to put the viewer in someone else’s shoes and increase empathy towards those who experience social marginalization. However the wave of humanitarian VR films that have been produced in recent years has also raised questions about who gets to tell their stories and on whose terms they are invited to speak. Whilst viewers of virtual reality films can find themselves transported to a Syrian refugee camp or a slum in Kenya, critics have argued that such films act less as challenges to inequalities than as a form of misery tourism. The Immersive Empathy Project is an initiative of researchers within the disciplines of film, drama, psychology, business and digital humanities at the University of Galway that responds to both the potential and the criticisms of immersive reality as a tool for social change. Working with clients of Galway Simon who have experienced homelessness, it situates the principles of co-creation and consent at the heart of its storytelling process. Over the course of several months, it involved a series of workshops that empowered the participants to tell their own stories and to translate those personal narratives into an immersive film, Lost & Found, exploring the experience of homelessness from the perspective of those who have lived it. This masterclass will introduce participants to the methodologies employed on the Immersive Empathy project along with some of the ethical questions raised by socially engaged research.

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Friday, 18 September 2015

Ciara O’Neill and Christina Vaughan (3rd Year Arts) flying the flag for NUI Galway at the Boston College Study Abroad Fair.They are both on exchange to Boston Collete for this academic year. Twitter Facebook

Tuesday, 8 December 2015

Bunaíodh an sparánacht seo i 1995 i gcuimhne ar Bhreandán Ó hEithir, craoltóir, iriseoir, scríbhneoir agus iar-mhac léinn de chuid na hOllscoile le síntiúis óna chairde. Is fiú €1,500 an sparánacht agus bronnfar í gach bliain ar mhac léinn lánaimseartha dochtúireachta i gColáiste na nDán, na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Léinn Cheiltigh atá sa chéad/dara/tríú/ceathrú bliain dá c(h)úrsa. Is iad an Ghaeilge, an Béarla agus Léann na hÉireann na príomhdhisciplíní as a roghnófar iarrthóirí. Ag brath ar an réimse taighde, d’fhéadfadh disciplíní eile (m.sh., an Stair, an Pholaitíocht agus an tSocheolaíocht) a bheith san áireamh freisin le haghaidh na sparánachta. Is iad na réimsí taighde a bheas i gceist: cúrsaí litríochta (Gaeilge nó Béarla) a bhaineas le hÉirinn go príomha. Cuirfear san áireamh freisin réimsí eile léinn a dhíreos ar léann, ar chultúr nó ar shochaí na hÉireann. Tabharfaidh an t-iarrthóir a roghnófar seimineár in ábhar a chuid taighde le linn thréimhse na sparánachta. Tig leis an sparánacht a bheith sa bhreis ar aon deontas, scoláireacht nó eile a bheas ag an té a roghnófar, ach tig leis an mbord measúnóirí tús áite a thabhairt d’iarrthóirí nach bhfuil aon mhaoiniú eile acu dá gcúrsa dochtúireachta. An Bord Measúnóirí: Ollamh na Nua-Ghaeilge (nó ionadaí), Ollamh an Bhéarla (nó ionadaí) agus Stiúrthóir an Léinn Éireannaigh (nó ionadaí). Modh Iarratais: Seol litir iarratais maille le sampla scríbhneoireachta (nach faide ná 3,000 focal) ar ríomhphost i nGaeilge nó i mBéarla chuig Coláiste na nDán, na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Léinn Cheiltigh, (seoladh rphoist: artspostgrad@nuigalway.ie) roimh 8 Eanáir 2016. Ba cheart go mbeadh ‘Sparánacht Uí Eithir’ i líne ábhair an ríomhphoist agus go mbeadh gach cáipéis i bhformáid PDF. This bursary was established in 1995 in memory of Breandán Ó hEithir, through donations from his friends. The broadcaster, journalist and writer, was a former student of NUI Galway. The bursary is valued at €1,500 and will be awarded each year to a fulltime PhD student in the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies. The award may be made in Year 1 – 4 of the student’s programme. Irish, English and Irish Studies are the principal disciplines from which selection will be made. Other disciplines (e.g., History, Political Science and Sociology) may also be considered. Normally, the area of research shall be literary studies (in Irish or in English) principally concerning Ireland. Other subjects of research may be in the general area of linguistic, cultural and social studies of Ireland.  The successful candidate will give a seminar on his/her research topic during the period of the bursary.  The bursary may be held in conjunction with other funding (e.g., grant or scholarship). The board of assessors may give preference to applicants who do not have any other funding. Board of Assessors: Ollamh na Nua-Ghaeilge (or nominee), the Professor of English (or nominee), the Director of Irish Studies (or nominee). Mode of Application: Send a letter of Application by email to the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies, (email: artspostgrad@nuigalway.ie) with a writing sample (in Irish or English and not more than 3,000 words) before 8 January 2016. ‘Sparánacht Uí Eithir’ should be in the subject line of the email and all documents should be in PDF format.


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