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Geography, Archaeology & Irish Studies

Dr Kathy Reilly

B.A.,H.Dip., Ph.D

 
researcher
 

Biography

Dr Reilly completed her BA degree at NUI Galway in Geography and English in 2003 and went on to complete a Higher Diploma in Education in 2004. As a second-level teacher Dr Reilly spent time working in Essex in the UK and returned to Geography at NUI Galway to complete her PhD in 2005. Funded by the Irish Research Council Dr Reilly's PhD explored geographies of educational opportunity across three case-study sites (one in Ireland, the UK and France). In 2009 Dr Reilly was appointed as a Postdoctoral Researcher, working on a project with Dr Valerie Ledwith (funded by the Irish Research Council), exploring migrant educational experiences in Galway City and urban-fringe; this project focused specifically on issues of educational attainment, achievement and aspiration. In 2010 - 2011 Kathy was appointed as a lecturer in Geography at St Patrick's College Drumcondra (now part of DCU), where she developed her interest in critical geographies of children, young people and families. In 2012 Dr Reilly returned to NUI Galway as a University Fellow and in 2014 she was appointed lecturer in Geography at NUI Galway. Dr Reilly specialises in themes relating to social and cultural geography. 

Since 2014 Dr Reilly's research interest in themes across social justice has extended. This has culminated in community engagement and outreach with the Galway Migrant Forum and Galway Rural Development exploring migrant experiences in Higher Education. In 2016 Dr Reilly was awarded an Irish Research Council Research for Policy and Society Grant; the project is entitled 'Deconstructing Homelessness: Finding a Place for Geography?' As part of this project Dr Reilly was joined by Dr Margaret Brehony as Postdoctoral Fellow.

In September 2016 Dr Reilly was appointed Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies) in the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies.

Research Interests

I am an active researcher and lecturer in social and cultural geography. My expertise and central research interests predominantly straddle a number of arenas within critical geographic inquiry; these include: geographies of children, young people and families; geographies of social justice; and participative field-based research practice. To date my research has engaged communities in Ireland, France, UK, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Canada. All of my research practice is principally underpinned by participative field-based methodologies, allowing for work with various communities in Ireland and globally. In doing so, I acknowledge the need to work with research communities within and beyond the academic, connecting with community collaborators, activists and practitioners across various interdisciplinary fields. I am cognisant to the importance of listening to the communities within which I work and in allowing the development of a reciprocal dialogue, whereby research agendas and methodological design are informed by and through conversations with collaborative partners. I have also had success in securing funding and financial support for a number of on-going projects. My current and recent research projects include:  
  • Deconstructing Homelessness: Finding a Place for Geography (IRC Policy for Society Award): The ‘Deconstructing Homelessness’ project aims to engage a multi-stakeholder approach drawing from contemporary policy, mediated non-profit (or NGO) campaign perspectives, community and social worker experiences, and the voice of the homeless person. Ultimately, the project examines an emerging disconnect between the mediated representations of homeless communities in Ireland and the multiple lived realities of being homeless. In doing so the project aims to make a significant contribution to Irish policy interventions on homelessness (and its associated legislation and action plans) in addition to challenging societal perceptions of the homeless experience.  
  • Exploring Geographies of Opportunity among Young Migrants: Working with Dr Valerie Ledwith and a number of community partners this research explores the emergence of a two-tiered schooling system in Galway City and County. This mixed-method project examined young migrants’ experiences of educational opportunity; including a focus on access, participation, aspiration and attainment. The project also examined a variety of family, school and neighbourhood effects, to consider the influence of each on overall student experiences. The project facilitated the development of a network between researchers at NUI Galway, community development practitioners across Galway City and County, and most importantly with migrant and new-comer communities.  
  • Transitioning to University (Galway Rural Development Research Grant): Working with, and informed by various community partners, this project examines the experiences of migrants and mature students living in Galway City and County who have successfully transitioned to university.  As part of this project the collected data has the potential to inform positive strategies to enhance educational opportunities of other ‘non-traditional’ students living in communities across Ireland. More practically, the project also facilitates the emergence of a discussion forum where young people can critically engage with issues pertaining to integration, citizenship and belonging.  
  • Critical and Participative Field-Based Learning Pedagogies: This research project is informed directly through staff and MA ESD student field experiences. Working with colleagues in Geography at NUI Galway, the University of Northampton (UK), and a series of community partners (including UNDP Bosnia; EU Delegation to Bosnia; British Council, and a series of NGOs and CSO organisations), we consider the complexity of engaging critical field-based learning pedagogies in ‘post-conflict’ Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The research highlights some of the key challenges to initiating and practicing field-based learning pedagogies in fluid, dynamic and unsystematic research contexts. I reflect on the complexities involved in seeking to facilitate and practice critical participatory knowledges that comprise academic, student and civic engagement values. I am interested in unpacking the liminal, often uncomfortable, position of researchers (student or academic staff) during and post field-based learning, balancing the contentious and necessary arena of data collection with community perceptions of extractive research practice.   
  • The Places and Spaces of Childhood Project:T his project is a participatory field-based learning project that aims to transcend classroom learning through the development of field-based research skills. The project is built on the participation of three elements: university staff, Final Year Geography students and children aged 8 – 10. As part of this experience Final Year Geography students were required to complete a mental-mapping methodology with children; facilitating the production of a mental map, a recording of the child’s explanation of that map and a student reflective journal. In addition to constructing a picture of childhood in Ireland, this participatory project evaluates student performance in field-based contexts, reviewing students’ effectiveness in co-creating geographic knowledge. By extension the project explores the relationship between theory and practice, whereby classroom learning becomes practiced in a field-based (and real world) context. This project formulates the basis for a book entitled Narrating Childhoods, the manuscript for this edited collection is due in late 2019. 

Research Projects

  Project Start Date End Date
IRC POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP 2020 V'CENZA CIREFICE: LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESISTANCE TO EXTRACTIVISM IN IRELAND: A FEMINIST ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE LENS 01-OCT-20 30-SEP-28
Kathy Reilly General Research Account 18-MAY-18 17-MAY-23
DE-CONSTRUCTING HOMELESSNESS: FINDING A PLACE FOR GEOGRAPHY? 09-JAN-17 09-NOV-19
IRC POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP 2016 ELAINE WILLIAMS - Creating Opportunities for Engagement: Exploring the relationship between the Burren landscape and civil society 01-OCT-16 31-OCT-20

Contract Researchers

  Researcher Name Project Role Funding Body
Dr Margaret Brehony Deconstructing Homelessness: Finding a Place for Geography? (RCS1569) Postdoctoral Researcher

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2022) 'Making Evaluation Work for the Practitioner Evaluator: Experience from the Field of Environmental Education'
Áine Bird; Frances Fahy; Kathy Reilly (2022) 'Making Evaluation Work for the Practitioner Evaluator: Experience from the Field of Environmental Education'. Environmental Education Research, 28 (5):715-734 [DOI] [Details]
(2017) 'Mediating representations of poverty and development: a help or a hindrance?'
Keenaghan, N,Reilly, K (2017) 'Mediating representations of poverty and development: a help or a hindrance?'. Third World Quarterly, 38 :1272-1290 [DOI] [Details]
(2016) 'Participative critical enquiry in graduate field-based learning'
Reilly, K,Clavin, A,Morrissey, J (2016) 'Participative critical enquiry in graduate field-based learning'. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 40 :104-116 [DOI] [Details]
(2014) 'Fringe benefits? Educational experiences of migrant and non-migrant youth in the urban-rural fringe of Galway City, Ireland'
Ledwith, V,Reilly, K (2014) 'Fringe benefits? Educational experiences of migrant and non-migrant youth in the urban-rural fringe of Galway City, Ireland'. Journal Of Rural Studies, 36 :219-225 [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 'Two Tiers Emerging? School Choice and Educational Achievement Disparities among Young Migrants and Non-migrants in Galway City and Urban Fringe'
Ledwith, V;Reilly, K (2013) 'Two Tiers Emerging? School Choice and Educational Achievement Disparities among Young Migrants and Non-migrants in Galway City and Urban Fringe'. Population, Space And Place, 19 :46-59 [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 'Accommodating all applicants? School choice and the regulation of enrolment in Ireland'
Ledwith, V;Reilly, K (2013) 'Accommodating all applicants? School choice and the regulation of enrolment in Ireland'. Canadian Geographer-Geographe Canadien, 57 :318-326 [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 'Field-Based Learning: The Challenge of Practising Participatory Knowledge'
Morrissey, J., Clavin, A. and Reilly, K. (2013) 'Field-Based Learning: The Challenge of Practising Participatory Knowledge'. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 37 (4):619-627 [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 'Two Tiers Emerging? School Choice and Educational Achievement Disparities among Young Migrants and Non-migrants in Galway City and Urban Fringe'
Ledwith, V,Reilly, K (2013) 'Two Tiers Emerging? School Choice and Educational Achievement Disparities among Young Migrants and Non-migrants in Galway City and Urban Fringe'. Population Space And Place, 19 :46-59 [DOI] [Details]
(2006) 'Cultural Theory and Educational Practice: A Focus on Bourdieu’s Habitus, Bernstein’s Discourse and the Canvey Island Region, Chimera'
Reilly, K. (2006) 'Cultural Theory and Educational Practice: A Focus on Bourdieu’s Habitus, Bernstein’s Discourse and the Canvey Island Region, Chimera'. 21 [Details]

Book Chapters

  Year Publication
(2021) 'Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions in Narrative Inquiry'
Moran, L; Reilly, K; Brady, B (2021) 'Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions in Narrative Inquiry' In: Narrative Research with Children and Young People: Diverse Contexts, Methods and Stories of Everyday Life. UK: Palgrave. [Details]
(2021) 'Narrating Contemporary Childhood'
Moran, L; Reilly, K; Brady, B (2021) 'Narrating Contemporary Childhood' In: Narrative Resarch with Children and Young People: Diverse Contexts, Methods and Stories of Everyday Life. UK: Palgrave. [Details]
(2021) 'Narrating Childhood: Exploring the Places and Spaces of Everyday Life in Ireland'
Reilly, K; Hughes, TJ (2021) 'Narrating Childhood: Exploring the Places and Spaces of Everyday Life in Ireland' In: Narrative Research with Children and Young People: Diverse Contexts, Methods and Stories of Everyday Life. UK: Palgrave. [Details]
(2020) 'Disrupting Imagined Geographies: Media, Power and Representation in Contemporary Migration'
Browne, R.; Reilly, Kathy (2020) 'Disrupting Imagined Geographies: Media, Power and Representation in Contemporary Migration' In: Haven: Intervening for Human Security in the Mediterranean Crisis. UK: Edward Elgar Publishing. [Details]
(2018) 'Geographies of Education: Context and Case'
Kathy Reilly; Ranu Basu; Valerie Ledwith (2018) 'Geographies of Education: Context and Case' In: Establishing Geographies of Children and Young People. Singapore: Springer. [Details]
(2017) 'Young Migrants' Educational Achievement: Moving to Equality in Galway City, Ireland'
Ledwith, V; Reilly, K (2017) 'Young Migrants' Educational Achievement: Moving to Equality in Galway City, Ireland' In: Movement, Im/Mobilities and Journeys. London: Springer. [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(2021) International Geographical Congress Istanbul 2021
Kathy Reilly (2021) The Irish Down Under: Examining Migration Experiences of Young Irish in Australia International Geographical Congress Istanbul 2021 [Details]
(2014) 46th Conference of Irish Geographers (2014)
Farrell, E.J., Lynch, K., Corbett, J., Logan, J., Miller, A., Murphy, M., Fahy, F., Morley, T., and Reilly, K. (2014) A University community knowledge initiative (CKI) to promote civic engagement 46th Conference of Irish Geographers (2014) , pp.1-4 [Details]
(2019) 14th FEANTSA Conference on Homelessness: Homelessness and Housing Exclusion
Reilly, K (2019) People, Policy and Place: Examining Homelessness beyond the Capital in Ireland 14th FEANTSA Conference on Homelessness: Homelessness and Housing Exclusion Lund University, Helsingborg, Sweden, [Details]
(2010) AAG, Washington DC, USA 
Ledwith, V.; Reilly, K (2010) Two-Tiered Schooling? Exploring Migrant Youth School Experiences in Galway AAG, Washington DC, USA  [Details]
(2009) 1st Geographies of Education Conference, Loughborough University, UK
Reilly, K. (2009) ’Going to School: Routine Rhythms and Future Expectations 1st Geographies of Education Conference, Loughborough University, UK [Details]
(2009) AAG, Las Vegas, USA
Reilly, K. (2009) ’The Role of School in Constructing a Rhythm for Everyday Life’ AAG, Las Vegas, USA Las Vegas, USA , [Details]
(2007) Moving Forward Conference, University of Aberdeen, Scotland 
Reilly, K. (2007) Opportune Schooling: Preliminary perspectives on Compulsory Education on Canvey Island, Essex, UK and in Tuam, Co Galway, Ireland Moving Forward Conference, University of Aberdeen, Scotland  Aberdeen, Scotland , [Details]
(2006) ’Bourdieu’s Opportunity: Social Perspectives on Educational Trends’  . Challenging the Boundaries in the Social Sciences, 7th Inter-University Graduate Conference, CRASSH, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
Reilly, K. (2006) ’Bourdieu’s Opportunity: Social Perspectives on Educational Trends’  . Challenging the Boundaries in the Social Sciences, 7th Inter-University Graduate Conference, CRASSH, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom [Details]
(2018) Conference of Irish Geographers
Reilly, Kathy; Brehony, Margaret (2018) Deconstructing Homelessness: People, Policy and Place Conference of Irish Geographers Maynooth University, Ireland, [Details]
(2018) Association of American Geographers Annual Conference
Reilly, Kathy; Brehony, Margaret; Keenaghan, Natasha (2018) Mediating Geographies of Homelessness: Narrating Vulnerability and Invisibility Association of American Geographers Annual Conference New Orleans, USA, [Details]
(2016) 3rd International Irish Narrative Inquiry Conference
Reilly, Kathy (2016) Exploring Childhood in Ireland: Narrating the PLaces and Spaces of Everyday Life 3rd International Irish Narrative Inquiry Conference National University of Ireland Galway, [Details]
(2015) Conference of Irish Geographers
Reilly, Kathy (2015) Childhood Identity in Ireland: Exploring Everyday Discourses Conference of Irish Geographers Queens Univeristy Belfast, [Details]
(2015) RGS-IBG Annual International Conference
Reilly, Kathy (2015) The Politics and Practice of Researching with Young People: Reflecting on Methodological Uncertainty for Critical Geographies of Education in Ireland RGS-IBG Annual International Conference [Details]
(2014) Association of American Geographers Annual Conference
Reilly, Kathy (2014) Migrant Transitions to Tertiary Education: Exploring Contested Discourses of Belonging Association of American Geographers Annual Conference Tampa, Florida, USA, [Details]
(2014) Conference of Irish Geographers (2014), University College Dublin, Ireland
Farrell, E.J., Lynch, K., Corbett, J., Logan, J., Miller, A., Murphy, M., Fahy, F., Morley, T., and Reilly, K. (2014) I Like Beaches: A University community knowledge initiative (CKI) to promote civic engagement Conference of Irish Geographers (2014), University College Dublin, Ireland [Details]

Published Reports

  Year Publication
(2020) West Region Homelessness Action 2020 - 2022.
Reilly, K (2020) West Region Homelessness Action 2020 - 2022. IGalway City Council, Ireland. [Details]
(2019) Social Reform Fund Application for Galway City.
Reilly, K (2019) Social Reform Fund Application for Galway City. Galway City Council, Ireland. [Details]
(2013) Integration and Diversity Strategy for Galway County.
Reilly, K (Education Section) (2013) Integration and Diversity Strategy for Galway County. Galway Rural Development Co, Ireland. [Details]

Edited Books

  Year Publication
(2021) Narrative Research with Children and Young People: Diverse Contexts, Methods and Stories of Everyday Life.
Moran, L; Reilly, K; Brady, B (Ed.). (2021) Narrative Research with Children and Young People: Diverse Contexts, Methods and Stories of Everyday Life Narrative Research with Children and Young People: Diverse Contexts, Methods and Stories of Everyday Life. UK: Palgrave. [Details]

Conference Contributions

  Year Publication
(2019) 7th EUGEO Congress in conjunction with the 51st Conference of Irish Geographers,
Reilly, Kathy; Fahy, Frances (2019) International Conference. [Organising Chair], 7th EUGEO Congress in conjunction with the 51st Conference of Irish Geographers, National University of Ireland Galway , 15-MAY-19 - 18-MAY-19. [Details]
(2018) KEYNOTE ADDRESS: From Immediate Need to Sustainable Solutions: Preventing Homelessness in Galway City,
Reilly, Kathy (2018) Deconstructing Homelessness. [Keynote Address], KEYNOTE ADDRESS: From Immediate Need to Sustainable Solutions: Preventing Homelessness in Galway City, Galway City , 26-FEB-18. [Details]
(2018) KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Finding Your Way to Education,
Reilly, Kathy (2018) Migrant Educational Experiences: Challenging Access Inequalities in the Transition to Higher Education. [Keynote Address], KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Finding Your Way to Education, GMIT (Castlebar Campus) , 23-FEB-18. [Details]
(2016) 3rd International Irish Narrative Inquiry Conference,
Reilly, Kathy (2016) March 2016. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], 3rd International Irish Narrative Inquiry Conference, National University of ireland Galway , 16-MAR-16 - 18-MAR-16. [Details]

Conference Paper

  Year Publication
(2008) ’Education isn’t just about the classroom’. Everyday Perceptions of the Second Level Schooling Experience.
Reilly, K. (2008) ’Education isn’t just about the classroom’. Everyday Perceptions of the Second Level Schooling Experience. Conference Paper [Details]
(2007) ’Regional Schooling: Perceptions of Compulsory Education on Canvey Island’. Conference of Irish Geographers, St Patrick’s College Drumcondra, Dublin.
Reilly, K. (2007) ’Regional Schooling: Perceptions of Compulsory Education on Canvey Island’. Conference of Irish Geographers, St Patrick’s College Drumcondra, Dublin. Dublin: Conference Paper [Details]

Invited papers

  Year Publication
(2009) Spaces and Places of Childhood: A Geographical Perspective Seminar Presented to: Child and Family Research Centre, School of Political Science and Sociology, National University of Ireland, Galway.
Reilly, K. (2009) Spaces and Places of Childhood: A Geographical Perspective Seminar Presented to: Child and Family Research Centre, School of Political Science and Sociology, National University of Ireland, Galway. Invited papers [Details]

Workshops

  Year Publication
(2007) ’Education is where my intelligence comes from: Perceptions of the School Experience from Tuam and Canvey Island’. Department of Geography Seminar Series, National University of Ireland Galway.
Reilly, K. (2007) ’Education is where my intelligence comes from: Perceptions of the School Experience from Tuam and Canvey Island’. Department of Geography Seminar Series, National University of Ireland Galway. Workshops [Details]

Honours and Awards

  Year Title Awarding Body
2018 College of Arts Research Award College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, NUIG
2017 Deconstructing Homelessness: Finding a Place for Geography? Irish Research Council Policy and Society Award
2016 NUI Galway Millennium Fund College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies, NUI Galway
2016 NUI Galway Millennium Fund College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies
2015 Geography Research Incentivisation Award Geography, National University of Ireland Galway
2014 YOLO EXPLORE PROJECT National University of Ireland Galway
2013 Dobbin Scholarship Ireland Canada University Award
2013 Galway Rural Development Company Project Grant Galway Rural Development
2012 Internship Funding National University of Ireland Galway
2011 Research Innovation Award: Children's Geographies Project St. Patrick's College Research Committee
2011 Comenius Teaching and Learning Grant Comenius (Eurogeography Grant)
2011 Teaching and Learning Innovation Award CELT: Community Knowledge Initiative (NUI Galway)
2007 IRC Doctoral Scholarship IRCHSS

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
National Forum for the Enhancemment of Teaching and Learning University Representative 09-JAN-17 / 14-JAN-19
Geographic Society of Ireland GSI Committee Member /
Association of American Geographers Member /

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
Narrative Enquiry Conference 2016 Committee member 01-SEP-15 /
Geographical Society of Ireland Committee member 01-JUN-15 /
Geopolitics and Justice Cluster Committee Member 09-JAN-12 /

Employment

  Employer Position From / To
National University of Ireland Galway Lecturer (Human Geography) 02-JUN-14 /
National University of Ireland Galway University Fellow (Research and Teaching) 02-JAN-12 / 01-JUN-14
York University, Toronto Visiting Scholar (Geography) 03-MAR-14 / 30-MAR-14
St Patrick's College, Drumcandra Teaching Fellow (Geography) 01-SEP-10 / 31-JUL-11

Education

  Year Institution Qualification Subject
2009 National University of Ireland Galway PhD Human Geography
2004 National University of Ireland Galway Higher Diploma Education
2003 National University of Ireland Galway Bachelor of Arts Geography and English

Community Engagement

  Title Type From / To
Outreach Intercultural Forum Galway 05-JAN-14 /
Policy Development Galway County Integration and Diversity Strategy (2013 - 2017) 01-DEC-12 /
Advocacy NUI Galway Migrant Forum 06-JAN-14 /

Teaching Interests

In October 2016 Dr Reilly was appointed Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies) for the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies at the National University of Ireland Galway. As a result of Dr Reilly's Associate Dean duties, she is currently not involved in the delivery of modules.

Teaching interests include:
MA Environment, Society and Development
TI702 Geography and Geo-graphing
TI706 Field-Based Learning
TI707 MA Dissertation Supervision

Undergraduate Teaching: (Individual Module Delivery)
TI229 Political and Cultural Geography
TI317 Critical Geographies of Children, Young People and Families
TI3110 Research Seminar in Political and Cultural Geography
TI3100 Research Seminar in Geographies of Children, Young People and Families

Undergraduate Teaching: (Team Taught Contributions)
TI251 Theory and Practice 1
TI252 Theory and Practice 2
TI335 Research Project Design and Development

Teaching outside the Discipline:
CN1106 Introduction to Children's Studies (BA Children's Studies)
TI317 Critical Geographies of Children, Young People and Families (BA Child, Youth and Family: Policy and Practice)