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Research Reports

The Centres and Units in the Institute for Lifecourse & Society (ILAS) engage in a range of research activity in partnership with or on behalf of government departments, NGO’s, national and international organisations.  The research includes collaborative, policy-focused research and the provision of specific expert advice through research processes and outputs aimed to drive meaningful impact. Through this work, the ILAS research contributes to building evidence to inform diverse fields of research as well as providing recommendations for government and related bodies to inform policy and law-making.  See our Publications & Resources here.  Through partnering with relevant organisations, and sharing our evidence openly and through accessible means, we aim to contribute to our overall mission of enabling equity across the lifecourse in our six signature research areas. 

Year Author Title Funding
2024 Brady, B., Duffy, L., Flynn, P., Crosse, R., Keenaghan, C. & Morrissey, S. Mentoring for Access, Retention and Student Success: A Review of Practice in the West-North West Cluster of Higher Education Institutions University of Galway & ATU
2024 Daniels, N. & Kennan, D. Building Children’s Futures: Using Children’s Rights to Recover from the Global Pandemic University of Galway
2024 Silke, C., Brady, B. & Heary, C. Adolescent Mental Health & Adversity: Profiles & Trends in the West of Ireland from 2018-2022 UNESCO Child & Family Research Centre
2023 Flynn, E., Arstein-Kerslake, A., Parker, A. & Williams, E. Closing the Justice Gap for Women with Intellectual and Psychosocial Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific UN Women
2023 Flynn, E., Dagg, J., Sperrin, A., Ní Fhlatharta, M., & Burns, E. Re(al) Productive Justice: Gender and Disability Perspectives – Final Project Report University of Galway
2023 Lynch, F. The Early Years Sector: A Case Study in Policy Development UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2023 McGregor, C., Devaney, C. & Buckley, S.A. Language, Terminology and Representation Relating to Ireland’s Institutions Historically Known as ‘Mother and Baby Homes’, ‘County Homes’ and related Institutions UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2023 Silke, C., Davitt, E., Flynn, N., Shaw, A. & Dolan, P. Activating Social Empathy: An Evaluation of a School-Based Social and Emotional Learning Programme Social and Emotional Learning: Research, Practice and Policy
2022 Brady, B., Silke, C. & Shaw, A. A Rapid Review of the Benefits and Outcomes of Universal Youth Work Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
2022 Devaney, C., Crosse, R., O’Connor, P. & Jackson, R. Tusla – Child and Family Agency Parenting Support and Parental Participation Research Findings UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2022 Flynn, E., Doyle-Guilloud, S., Ní Chaoimh, E. & Ní Fhlatharta, M. Access to Rights for People Detained in Secure Forensic Mental Health Facilities in Ireland Irish Penal Reform Trust
2022 Flynn, N., Murray, C., Keane, E. & Kealy, C. Keeping What Worked Best: Living and Learning Beyond COVID-19 UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre and School of Education
2022 Keane, E., Kealy, C., Dolan, Flynn, P., Flynn, N., Forkan, C., Furey,E., Mac Ruairc, G. & Murray, C. The Impact of COVID19 on young people Crisis Coping-Marginalised young people’s living and learning experiences during COVID-19 in Ireland Project Brief Series UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre and School of Education
2022 Silke, C., & Brady, B. Youth Mentoring as a Supportive Resource for Young People Involved with CAMHS: An Exploratory Study UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2021 Devaney, C., Kealy, C., Canavan, J. & McGregor, C. A Review of International Experiences in Relation to the Implementation of a Statutory Duty for Interagency Collaboration to Ensure the Protection and Welfare of Children UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2021 Devaney, C., Christiansen, Ø., Holzer, J., MacDonald, M., Matias, M., Piessens, A., Salamon, E. & Kealy, C. The Conceptualisation and Delivery of Family Support in Europe‌: A Review of Academic Literature EurofamNet
2021 Dolan, P., and Brennan, M. A Scientific Underpinning for the Youth as Researchers Programme UNESCO Paris
2021 Jackson, R., Devaney, C. & Brady, B. Conceptualising Participation in Practice in YAP Ireland: A Case Study UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2021 Kovačič, T., Forkan, C., Dolan, P. & Rodriguez, L. Enabling an Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education for All: Through the Implementation of a New Evidence-Based Model on Educational Progression and Transformation UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2021 Moloney, C., de Bhailís, C., Kennan, D., Kealy, C., Quinlivan, S., Flynn, E. & Phiri, J. Mind the Gap: Barriers to the Realisation of the Rights of Children with Disabilities in Ireland Ombudsman for Children’s Office
2021 O’Regan, C., Brady, B. & Connolly, C. Bridging Worlds: New Learning Spaces for New Times: Evaluation Report UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2021 Silke, C., Mullen, P., Dolan, P., Brady, B. & Haslam, S. Activating Social Empathy: Community Pilot Evaluation UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2021 Silke, C., Davitt, E., Flynn, N., Shaw, A. & Dolan, P. The Activating Social Empathy School Evaluation 2021 UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2021 Gaffey, J. The Association between Reading, Literature and Empathetic Behaviour‌: A Review of the Literature UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2021 Gaffey, J. The Empathy Library‌: Conceptualising a Selection Rationale and Intervention Design UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2021 Butler, D., Connolly, M., Coogan, D., Dahms, I., Fox, R., Kelly, T., Lauster, E., Magee, M. & Perry, G. The NVR Ireland Parent Handbook Dublin Parentline and NVR Ireland
2020 Brady, B., Devaney, C., Crosse R., Rodriguez, L. & Silke, C. Strengths and Challenges of the YAP Community Based Advocate Model UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2020 Coogan, D. & Mooney, J. Covid 19 and Social Work: A Collection of Country Reports International Federation of Social Workers
2020 Cunningham, J.A., Dolan, B. &McGregor, C. Preparing Scientists for the Principal Investigator Role and Impact in the Medical Device Sector CÚRAM SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices
2020 Devaney, C., Crosse, R., Rodriguez, L. & Silke, C. A Study of Tusla - Child and Family Agency’s Actions and Decision-Making Process Following An Garda Síochána’s Application of Section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991 UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2019 Flynn, E., de Bhailís, C., Nic Aogáin, B., Knight, R., Melvin, M. & Nannyanzi, T. Achieving a Right to Personal Assistance in Ireland Independent Living Movement Ireland
2019 Rodríguez, L. & Devaney, C. An Analysis of Significant Event Notifications to Inform Tusla’s Alternative Care Policy and Practice Developments UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2019 Furey, E. & Canavan, J. A Review on the Availability and Comparability of Statistics on Child Protection and Welfare, including Children in Care, collated by Tusla: Child and Family Agency with Statistics Published in Other Jurisdictions UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2019 Flynn, E., Pinilla-Rocancio, M. & Goméz-Carrillo de Castro, M. Disability Specific Forms of Deprivation of Liberty: Report on a Two-Year Project Centre for Disability Law and Policy
2019 Silke, C., Boylan, C., Brady, B. & Dolan, P. Empathy, Social Values and Civic Behaviour among Early Adolescents in Ireland: Composite Report UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2019 Moloney, C. European Semester Ireland’s Country Report on Disability Academic Network of European Disability Experts
2019 Rooney, C. & Canavan, J. Exploring Ethnic Data Collection for the Child and Family Agency UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2019 Flynn, E. & Goméz-Carrillo de Castro, M. Good Practices to Promote the Right to Liberty of Persons with Disabilities Centre for Disability Law and Policy
2019 Kovacic, T.. Forkan, C., Dolan, P., Canavan, J., Furey, E., Shaw, A. & Dolan, B. Identifying Innovative Models for Supporting Vulnerable Learners Achieve Educational Progression, Early findings from an Evaluation of Social Innovation Fund Ireland's Education Fund UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2019 Silke, C., Brady, B. & Dolan, P. Relational Dynamics in Youth Mentoring: A Mixed-Methods Study UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2018 Cassidy, A., Rodriguez, L. and Devaney, C. A Retrospective Study of the Meitheal Model UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2018 Tierney, E., Kennan, D., Forkan, C., Brady, B. & Jackson, R. Children’s Participation Work Package Final Report: Tusla’s Programme for Prevention, Partnership and Family Support UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2018 Jackson, R., Brady, B., Forkan, C., Tierney, E. & Kennan, D. Collective Participation for Children in Care: A Formative Evaluation of the Tusla/EPIC Foster Care Action Groups UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2018 Shaw, A. & Canavan, J. Commissioning Work Package Final Report: Tusla’s Programme for Prevention, Partnership and Family Support UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2018 Malone, P., Canavan, J., Devaney, C. & McGregor, C. Comparing Areas of Commonality and Distinction between the National Practice Models of Meitheal and Signs of Safety UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2018 Chaskin, R. J., McGregor, C. & Brady, B. Engaging Urban Youth: Community, Citizenship, and Democracy UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2018 Rodriguez L., Dolan, P. & Brady, B. Exploring the Impact of Mentoring Relationships in Adolescent Empathy: A Mixed Methods Approach UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2018 Rodriguez, L., Cassidy, A. & Devaney, C. Meitheal and Child and Family Support Networks Process and Outcomes Pilot Study UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2018 Crosse, R. and Devaney, C. Report of Parental Participation Seed-Funded Projects UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2018  Crosse, R. and Devaney, C. Second Report of the Parenting Support Champions Regional Learning Group UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2018 O’Connor, P., McGregor, C. & Devaney, C. Newspaper Content Analysis: Print Media Coverage of Ireland’s Child and Family Agency (Tusla) 2014-2017 UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2018 Crosse, R. & Devaney, C. Parenting Support and Parental Participation Work Package Final Report: Tusla’s Programme for Prevention, Partnership and Family Support UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2018 McGregor, C. & Nic Gabhainn, S. Public Awareness of Parenting, Prevention and Family Support  Services: Population Survey Final Report UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2018 McGregor, C., Canavan J. & O’Connor, P. Public Awareness Work Package Final Report: Tusla’s Programme for Prevention, Partnership and Family Support UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2018 Moloney, C. & Shannon, G. Short Thematic Report on the Rights of the Child - Contribution to the Fundamental Rights Agency Annual Report 2018 EU Fundamental Rights Agency
2018 Tierney, E., Kennan, D., Forkan, C., Brady, B. & Jackson, R. Speak Up: Participation of Children and Young People in Decisions About their Lives in Tusla Services UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2018 Chaskin, R. J., McGregor, C. & Brady, B. Supporting Youth Civic and Political Engagement: Supranational and National Policy Frameworks in Comparative Perspective UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2018 Malone, P. & Canavan, J. Systems Change: Final Evaluation Report on Tusla’s Prevention, Partnership and Family Support Programme UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2018 Cassidy, A., Rodriguez, L. & Devaney, C. The Child and Family Support Networks Research Study UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2018 Devaney, C. & Rooney, C. The Feasibility Of Conducting A Longitudinal Study On Children In Care Or Children Leaving Care Within The Irish Context UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2018 Crosse, R. & Devaney, C. Second Report of the Parenting Support Champions Regional Learning Group UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2017 Rodriguez, L., Cassidy, A. & Devaney, C. Interim Report on the Meitheal Process and Outcomes Study UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2017 Shaw. A. & Canavan, J. Introducing Commissioning in Ireland: Establishing a Baseline UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2017 Moran, L., McGregor, C. & Devaney, C. Outcomes for Permanence and Stability for Children in Long-Term Care UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2017 Crosse, R., Devaney, C. & Connolly, N. Parental Participation Survey Report UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2017 Crosse, R. & Devaney, C. Parenting Support Champions Questionnaire Report UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2017 Connolly, N., Devaney C. & Crosse, R Parenting Support and Parental Participation: Mapping Parenting Support in the Irish Context UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2017 Reddy, J. & Canavan, J. The Evaluation of the Mol an Óige Common Sense Parenting Programme 2017 UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2017 McGreal, B. & Kennan, D. The Perspectives of Educational Welfare Officers on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making, prior to the Implementation of the Programme for Prevention, Partnership and Family Support UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2016 Shaw. A. & Canavan, J. Commissioning in Ireland: Exploring the Landscape for Child and Family Services: A Literature Review UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2016 Kennan, D., Brady, B. & Forkan, C. Exploring the Effectiveness of Structures and Procedures Intended to Support Children’s Participation in Child Welfare, Child Protection and Alternative Care Services: A Literature Review UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2016 Moran, L., Garrity. S., McGregor, C. & Devaney, C. Hoping for a Better Tomorrow: A Process Study Evaluation of the Greater Tomorrow Crèche and Ballyhaunis Community Preschool Services, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo. Galway UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2016 Millar, M. & Crosse, R. Lone Parents and Activation, What Works and Why: A Review of the International Evidence in the Irish Context UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2016 Cassidy, A., Devaney, C. & McGregor, C. Meitheal and Child and Family Support Networks: Early Implementation of Meitheal and the Child and Family Support Networks: Lessons from the Field UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2016 Connolly, N. & Devaney, C. Parenting Support and Parental Participation:  Working with Families: A Review of the Literature on Parental Participation UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, the University of Galway 
2016 McGregor, C. & Nic Gabhainn, S. Public Awareness of Parenting, Prevention and Family Support Services: Population Survey Baseline Report 2016 UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2016 Moran, L., Devaney, C., McGregor, C. & Reddy, J. Scoping Review of International and Irish Literature on Outcomes for Permanence and Stability for Children in Care UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2016 Crosse, R. & Canavan, J. Tusla Child and Family Agency: Research Needs Analysis UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2015 Coogan, D. & Lauster, E. Responding to Child to Parent Violence in Europe – Development of Self-Efficacy Tools University of Galway
2015 Forkan, C., Brady, B., Moran L. & Coen, L. An Operational Profile of the Percieved Benefits of the Youth Café Model in Ireland Department of Children and Youth Affairs
2014 Canavan, J., Coen, L., Ozan, J. & Curtin, C. Leading Community Change: Delivering Better Outcomes in an Irish Community Childhood Development Initiative Final Process Evaluation Report Childhood Development Initiative
2014 Devaney, C. & McGregor, C Review of the Children First Basic Level Training and Keeping Safe Training Programmes TUSLA Child and Family Agency
2014 Fives, A., Canavan, J. & Dolan, P Evaluation Study Design – A Pluralist Approach to Evidence UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre
2014 Fives, A., Pursell, L., Heary, C., Nic Gabhainn, S. & Canavan, J. Parenting Support for Every Parent: A Population-Level Evaluation of Triple P in Longford/Westmeath 2010-2013 Longford Westmeath Parenting Partnership
2014 Ward, P., Walsh, K. & Scharf, T. Measuring Old-Age Social Exclusion in a Cross-Border Context: Findings of a Comparative Secondary Analysis in Ireland and Northern Ireland Irish Centre for Social Gerontology