News

The entire collaborative team involved in ‘Higher Education for Good’ (2023), are awarded the Open Education Awards for Excellence 2024 Open Practices Award. This team involved 79 Authors and Artists, 36 Peer-Reviewers, and 3 Editors, Laura Czerniewicz and Catherine Cronin, and Larry Onokpite. Su-ming Khoo is the author of Ch 3, ‘On Public Goods, cursing and finding hope in the (neoliberal) twilight zone’, pp 89-110

Congratulations to all the Graduates from the November 2024 Ceremonies.  Hope everyone enjoyed the celebrations.

Congratulations to Janisa Momodu, MA Gender, Globalisation and Rights Graduate November 2024

The Discipline of Applied Social Studies was delighted to host the Building Capacity in Practice Education Learning event in Galway on November 25th in celebration of 20 years of the MA in Social Work (MSW) at University of Galway. In an interactive session, Dr Prospera Tedam and Dr Jo Finch joined those gathered to explore the whole area of anti-oppressive social work practice and working with students who struggle on placement, in addition to other important issues.

Celebrating 20 years of Social Work Education at University of Galway & Book Launch, was held Monday 14t October 2024 MA in Social Work enrolled its first intake of students in September 2004. This was the first time social work education had been available in the west of Ireland. Before then, students wanting to study social work had to go to Dublin, Cork, Belfast or the UK. The book launch was attended by many social work practitioners that were past graduates of the programme and esteemed speaker, Professor Rudi Roose from Ghent University (one of our ENLIGHT partner universities) spoke at the event. This event also involved ENLIGHT and O’Mahony’s Bookshop.

Dr Mike Hynes hosted 15 German-speaking students from the Educational and Study Tours to Ireland, coordinated by Eckhard Ladner. The Further Education students visited the School on Friday the 11th of October from 11 am until 1 pm for a wide-ranging talk on social, political, and environmental issues in Ireland. The subject or heading for their one-week stay in Galway was "Galway between Tradition and Modernity". Throughout their stay they dealt with a variety of Environmental Issues (Climate Action Plans on local and national levels, the Ring Road debates in Galway), the situation of the Trade Unions, the Travelling Community, Racism, and Refugees, but also the importance of the Arts and Tourism for Galway and the surrounding regions. They also have several talks with politicians to get a national and local perspective and for some of the students it was their 3rd and 4th time to participate in an educational tour of this nature to Ireland.

Research from University of Galway's Designing Futures programme, "(Re-)Discovering the treasure within – The contribution of a Design Your Life Module to Undergraduate Education" has won the Best Paper Award at the 10th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd’24), June 18th-21st, 2024, Valencia, Spain. The Designing Futures paper was awarded the top article accolade from 81 accepted full papers at the conference, selected from an initial 288 full paper submissions with authors from 56 different countries. Authored by Professor Tony Hall, Professor Michelle Millar and Dr Connie O'Regan, the winning University of Galway paper reports on the evaluation of Design Your Life as a core element of the University of Galway Designing Futures programme. Through Designing Futures, University of Galway was the first Irish university to introduce Life Design/Design Your Life as a for-credit module in 2021.

‘Sustainable and Equitable Transitions’ Summer School was hosted in Galway last month where we welcomed 20 students from 6 ENLIGHT partner universities in addition to having 10 University of Galway postgraduate students participating. This module is a partnership between the School of Sociology and Political Science and the School of Geography, Archaeology, and Irish Studies.  Given the need to implement ambitious environmental and climate objectives and move towards carbon neutrality, a circular economy, cleaner air, cleaner transport and sustainable consumption, this postgraduate, interdisciplinary summer school explored how sustainable transitions can be advanced with equitable distribution of benefits and burdens.  Students took part in lectures, workshop sessions and a one-day field trip to Inis Oírr. Feedback from students was extremely positive particularly from our own University of Galway international students who welcomed the opportunity to discuss these important issues with their ENLIGHT peers from across Europe (some pictures attached). A particular thank you to Hanna-Kaisa Hoppania and Una Murray for their leadership on this module, in creating an impressive interdisciplinary programme for a second successive year combining a team of local contributors with academic inputs from University of Bordeaux and Ghent University.

University of Galway celebrates Fulbright awardees Friday June 14, 2024: An academic of political science at University of Galway and a music teacher alumna have received prestigious Fulbright Awards to take up scholarships in the United States. Professor Niall Ó Dochartaigh, Professor of Political Science and Director of the MA in Public Policy at University of Galway, will be based at New York University’s Glucksman Ireland House where he will carry out research on the peacemaking efforts in US civil society during the Troubles. Professor Ó Dochartaigh will examine the diverse social, political and cultural factors that shaped transatlantic civil society engagement during the conflict. Áine Humphreys is an Irish and Music secondary school teacher and graduate of An Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. She graduated with first-class honours and under her Fulbright award she will teach Irish at the University of Montana as a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistantship Awardee. The recipients are among 21 awardees who were presented with their awards at a ceremony in Iveagh House, Dublin. The Fulbright Programme in Ireland was established in 1957 and each year grants are awarded for Irish citizens to study, research, or teach in the US and for American citizens to do the same in Ireland. Professor Becky Whay, Vice-President International at University of Galway, said: “The tradition of Fulbright is one which builds on the unique bonds between Ireland and the US, and allows us to deepen our transatlantic academic and cultural links.” “University of Galway is delighted to see Professor Ó Dochartaigh secure the schaolarship award and bring his wealth of insight and knowledge to bear on a deeper understanding of US-Ireland relations and we are also proud to see such a talented alumna Áine Humphreys bring a rich bank of culture and music tradition to a new audience in the US.” The University of Galway Fulbright Irish Awardees for 2024-2025 include: Fulbright Scholar Professor Niall Ó Dochartaigh’s publications include Civil Rights to Armalites: Derry and the birth of the Irish Troubles and the co-edited books Political Violence in Context and Dynamics of Political Change in Ireland. His most recent book, Deniable Contact: Back-channel Negotiation in Northern Ireland, relays the role of Derry businessman Brendan Duddy and his engagements with republicans and the British over many years as part of efforts to secure an end to the conflict. The book was awarded the Brian Farrell book prize of the Political Studies Association of Ireland and was shortlisted for the Christopher Ewart-Biggs Literary Prize. The Duddy archive is held in University of Galway Library. Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Áine Humphreys is a native of Co Limerick where she works as a music teacher with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. Áine undertook a BA Music and Irish degree in University College Cork, where she was awarded scholarships to Gaeltacht Chorca Dhuibhne and was an active member of the Irish Traditional Music Society. She works as a Radio Presenter for Raidió RíRá and an Irish Translator with Star Translation Services. Áine fosters a love for the Irish language and culture amongst her students inside and outside the classroom. The Fulbright Irish Awards will open on August 29th, 2024. Interested candidates should visit www.fulbright.ie for more information. Ends Media queries to pressoffice@universityofgalway.ie    

As part of the School’s ongoing commitment to collegiality, cooperation, and community, Dr Mike Hynes hosted a group of academics and undergraduate students from Douglas College, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – under the leadership of Dr Joey Moore from the Sociology and Anthropology Department – on Wednesday the 13th of June 2024. Mike provided a walking presentation and tour of Galway discussing the historical, political, and socioeconomic development of the city over the recent past. The focus for many of the undergraduate students was on urban planning and development, and they hoped to bring their learnings and understanding of what Galway is doing well and what Galway needs to improve upon and change back to British Columbia in terms of active and sustainable travel, placemaking, liveability, and improved quality of life.

A crucial element of the B.Sc. (Social Sciences) programme is a semester-long work placement/internship, undertaken by third-year students in their second semester. The programme, in close cooperation with Emma Marron in the Careers Development Office, has worked tirelessly over the past number of years to link with local, regional, and national organisations, institutions, NGOs, businesses and industry to provide essential opportunities for students to develop their employability skills and obtain real-world experience of work within these organisations and companies. One exemplary organisation that the programme has worked closely with over the past few years has been Galway County Council. This year, B.Sc. (Social Sciences) student Natalie Cyrkel worked with the Heritage and GIS teams of Galway County Council to convert historical data from sources, including O’Donovan’s Ordnance Survey Letters, Griffiths Valuation, the Down Survey, and the 1901 and 1911 censuses, into digital formats. Spearheaded by Galway County Council in conjunction with Galway County Heritage Forum, The Heritage Council and local community and heritage groups, ‘Galway County Heritage Trails’ showcases the cultural and historical significance of almost half of County Galway’s 4,556 townlands through meticulous research and the application of cutting-edge technologies. Natalie, with fellow University of Galway students Dylan Reilly and Joseph Ennis, worked on one of the standout features of the project, the creation of StoryMaps, a series of interactive maps combining geographical data with multimedia elements to guide users through the historical landscapes of County Galway’s townlands, towns and villages. One hundred sixty-one townlands in the civil parishes of Kiltartan, Kinvaradooras, Kilcolgan, Kilthomas and Killinny were digitised. At the same time, online StoryMaps have also been created for Oranmore, Mountbellew, Monivea and Ballyglunin, bringing to 2,000 the number of townlands now digitised through the project. At the official launch of StoryMaps at Galway Co Co, attended by Cllr Liam Carroll, Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway, Liam Hanrahan, Director of Services, Director of Services for Economic Development & Planning, Marc Mellotte, Head of Engagement at the University of Galway, members of the Heritage Council and local community and heritage groups, Marie Mannion, Heritage Officer with Galway County Council, stated “in addition to the academic aspect of the project, there is a strong emphasis on community engagement. Galway County Council and the students have worked closely with local heritage and community groups to collect and present local heritage information that enriches the content of the StoryMaps. "This collaborative approach ensures that the digital heritage trails reflect the authentic voices and experiences of the community”. For some media coverage see Tech Buzz Ireland and Tech Central. To view the StoryMaps and Townland research, visit The Tech Central. To view the StoryMaps and Townland research, visit The Galway Co Co maps page!    

Teaching Excellence Awards 2024 The School is thrilled to announce that Dr Carmel Devaney, Head of the Discipline of Applied Social Science, has been awarded a Teaching Excellence Award by the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies. This award recognises Carmel’s sustained commitment to innovative and outstanding pedagogy. The Panel specifically highlighted Carmel’s work ‘at the nexus of theory and practice and experiences of managing complex and challenging situations in the classroom’. Carmel will receive a Teaching Development Grant worth €750, and will be considered for the prestigious President's Awards for Teaching Excellence. Congratulations Carmel!

Congratulation to recent BA Government graduates, Lisa Basquel and Laoise Byrne who were accepted onto the Washing Ireland Program 2024. See Washington Ireland Program | For Service and Leadership (wiprogram.org) The School of Political Science and Sociology is enormously proud of both Lisa and Laoise and wish them every success into the future. "We are incredibly delighted to be representing the BA Government course on the Washington Ireland Program class of 2024. The support we received throughout our undergraduate degree was instrumental in navigating our studies and extra-curricular activities and our four years on the programme has opened up so many opportunities for us now as we navigate our postgraduate careers. We are very grateful to the School of Political Science and Sociology in the University of Galway and in particular our course director, Lisa Walshe, for all the help and encouragement over the years" Lisa and Laoise

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).

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/   

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

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  

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’   ‌

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    

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

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.  

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

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.

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?

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’.

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 

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.’

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

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

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

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.

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/

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

‌‌‌‌  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  

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