News Archive: January - June 2017
Congratulations to Dr. Sarah Sheridan
Congratulations to Sarah Sheridan, who was conferred with the degree of PhD at the Summer Commencements. She is photographed here with Bob Geldof, who was awarded an honorary degree at that ceremony.
We wish Sarah well with her future career. Sarah’s PhD was supervised by Assistant Professor Paula Mayock.
June 30, 2017
Congratulations BSS Class of 2017
Congratulations and best wishes to our recent undergraduate social work students who graduated on Thursday 22nd June.
26th June 2017
Responding to asylum seekers living on the margins of Irish society: the experiences of social work practitioners
Assistant Professor Maeve Foreman, School of Social Work and Social Policy, presented at paper at the IFSW European Conference 'Marginalisation and Social Work in a Changing Society' 28th-30th May 2017 in Reykjavik, Iceland. Her paper 'Responding to asylum seekers living on the margins of Irish society: the experiences of social work practitioners' drew on research conducted with Dr Muireann Ní Raghallaigh, UCD and was endorsed by the Irish Association of Social Workers. The research was also the subject of a submission to the McMahon Working Group on the Protection Process which can be seen at this link http://www.tara.tcd.ie/handle/2262/75149
June 26, 2017
Congratulations to Masters in Social Work Graduate
Congratulations to Kevin Ryan, the first graduate of the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Social Studies to complete the Masters in Social Work.
June 23, 2017
Participants of the Workshop Valuing Learner Diversity at Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China
The workshop Valuing Learner Diversity, the first of 5 workshops for the Project INCLUTE, was facilitated by Dr Edurne Garcia Iriarte from the School of Social Work and Social Policy, Trinity College (TCD). The workshop was assisted by Genevieve Ruiz O’Sullivan (MSc in Disability Studies graduate) and Youkun Shen (School of Social Work and Social Policy incoming PhD student). From June 16th to 19th, 49 university lecturers from four Chinese universities (Southwest University, Guangxi Normal University, Tibet University for Nationalities and Sichuan Normal University) gathered at Guangxi Normal University in Guilin to participate in the workshop. The workshop focused on inclusive education, diversity and the educator’s role in systems change. From July to September 2017, four other workshops will be delivered by the other European partners of the INCLUTE project (Autonomous University of Barcelona, Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon and University of Bath).
INCLUTE is the first Erasmus + programme (Key action 2: Capacity Building in Higher Education) coordinated by a Chinese University, South West University of China. The INCLUTE project aims to develop inclusive education through curriculum development and teacher education in China.
INCLUTE project objectives are:
• To examine the development of inclusive practices in Chinese social and educational contexts
• To strengthen teacher's competence/skills on inclusive education in Chinese universities
• To design and develop a continuous training curriculum at post-graduate level on inclusion for primary school teachers
• To create an inclusive international education network on inclusive education
Dr Edurne Garcia Iriarte is the coordinator of INCLUTE at Trinity College Dublin and she can be contacted at iriartee@tcd.ie
June 20, 2017
The event “Better Futures for Girls and Young Women in Ethiopia: Exploring Key Issues” took place on Africa Day (25th May) 2017 in the Global Room, Trinity College Dublin
L to R: Dr. Alula Pankhurst, Ms. Louise Yorke, Prof. Tesfaye Semela, Prof. Robbie Gilligan, Prof. Susan Murphy, His Excellency Ambassador Redwan Hussein Rameto
Seventy per cent of Ethiopia’s population of 100 million are under the age of 30 years old. Just over half – 35 million – are girls and young women. Securing better futures for girls and women in Ethiopia presents a major challenge, but also an opportunity for Ethiopia, as it seeks to ensure continued and sustainable development for all its citizens.
To build on existing research links and to encourage knowledge exchange between Ethiopia and Ireland on this topic, Trinity College Dublin welcomed two esteemed speakers from Ethiopia: Professor Tesfaye Semela, director of the Centre for Policy and Development Research, Hawassa University and Dr. Alula Pankhurst, Country Director for the Young Lives study in Ethiopia. Ms. Louise Yorke, PhD candidate from the School of Social Work and Social Policy was the third speaker for this event. The event was chaired by Professor Robbie Gilligan, also from the School of Social Work and Social Policy. Professor Susan Murphy from the School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin provided a response to the three papers.
The event explored Ethiopia’s past achievements, existing challenges and potential future gains in the areas of gender equality and women’s empowerment. The speakers provided a mixed picture, acknowledging the significant progress made, but also emphasising the need for on-going effort and concerted action across a range of fronts to achieve better futures for girls and young women.
His Excellency Ambassador Redwan Hussein Rameto, former Minister of Youth and Sport in Ethiopia, was a special guest at the event. The audience members included researchers and academics from Ireland and the UK, individuals from a number of NGOs in Ireland, as well as representatives from Irish Aid. Many of the audience members had experience in Ethiopia.
This event was kindly supported by Trinity International Development Initiative and the Irish Research Council New Foundations Scheme, which seeks to promote knowledge exchange between Irish and International researchers.
Photos from the event can be found at https://www.flickr.com/gp/155192916@N07/nnY296
If you require further information on this event please contact yorkel@tcd.ie
June 8, 2017
Launch of 'Living in Limbo-Homeless Young People's Paths to Housing'
The book, authored by Dr. Paula Mayock and Sarah Parker, School of Social Work and Social Policy, is based on a qualitative longitudinal study of homeless young people in Ireland. It particularly highlights the significant barriers confronted by the young people in their efforts to exit homelessness to stable housing and the devastating impact of ongoing homelessness on young people’s lives. Only a minority (less than one quarter) – who were ‘tracked’ over time – had moved out of homelessness to (more) stable housing after a two-year period. Over the course of the study, many had spent periods living in situations of ‘hidden’ homelessness, that is, in the homes of friends, family members or acquaintances, while others had exited to private rented accommodation temporarily but subsequently returned to homelessness services. This circuit of service use served to further jeopardise the young people’s health and well-being and undermined their ability to achieve stability in all areas of their lives. As one young person put it, “Once you’ve been homeless it’s a constant feeling of uneasiness; you’re never quite secure … I’m just in constant stress about having nowhere to live” (Maria, age 26).
Speaking at the launch, Mary McAleese said, “I believe our community cares very deeply about the issue of homelessness. I believe we are offended by the extent of homelessness. I believe we are hurt by it and I think people suffer anxiety over the fact that we have not been able to crack this. With the best will in the world we seem to be facing monumental hurdles and we want an end and we want answers and solutions”.
The research was funded by Focus Ireland in collaboration with Simon Communities of Ireland, Threshold, Peter McVerry Trust and Society of St Vincent de Paul.
Full coverage of the event is available at the Trinity College Dublin news site.
Coverage of the launch event is also available from the Irish Times.
A Morning Ireland interview was also recorded about the research.
30 May 2017
Congratulations to Associate Professor Stephanie Holt and Graduate Jackie Austin on the Publication of their Article
Congratulations to Associate Professor Stephanie Holt and M.Sc. Child Protection and Welfare Graduate Jackie Austin on the publication of their article in Contemporary Nurse. The article is based on Jackie's M.Sc. thesis which was supervised by Stephanie.
29 May 2017
SAOL Project discuss their ‘Object Poverty’ exhibition with graduating MSW 2 Class
Members of the SAOL Project discuss their ‘Object Poverty’ exhibition with graduating MSW 2 students in Trinity College yesterday. SAOL is a community project focussed on improving the lives of women affected by addiction and poverty. SAOL ‘s mission is to work towards transforming the way in which Ireland responds to addiction and poverty.
29 May 2017
Postgraduate Research Studentships in the School of Social Work and Social Policy
The School of Social Work and Social Policy is happy to announce that applications are now open for a number of full-time studentship opportunities.
1. Postgraduate Research Studentship
This studentship is open to current students on the full-time Ph.D. register, or new applicants who have applied to TCD via the admissions system for entry in September 2017 or March 2018. The studentship covers EU or non-EU fees in full and an annual maintenance of €8,000 for three years.
Applications should be submitted to Louise O'Brien by 12 noon Tuesday, 6th June.
2. Studentships in the area of Children's Research
Applications are now being accepted for two Ph.D. studentships in any area of Children's Research. These studentships are available for new applicants who have applied to TCD via the admissions system for entry in September 2017 or March 2018. The studentship covers full EU fees and an annual maintenance grant of €16,000.
Applications should be submitted to Louise O'Brien by 12 noon Friday, 30th June.
17 May 2017
PhD Student Publishes Article in Trinity Postgraduate Review
Congratulation to PhD candidate Lynne Cahill on the publication of her article "Lesbian Women's Experience of Intimate Partner Abuse: A Phenomenological Inquiry" in Trinity Postgraduate review.
18 May 2017
FREE EVENT: Symposium on New Perspectives on Theory and Method in the Social Sciences to be held on 26th June 2017
Time:10.30am – 2.30pm
Venue: Neill Hoey Lecture Theatre, Long Room Hub, Trinity College Dublin
Panel of Papers by Members of School of Social Work & Social Policy, TCD
‘Consulting with Bourdieu and McNay for Queried Pregnancy’
Dr Catherine Conlon, TCD. (10.30am - 11.10am)
‘New Materialism and Narrative Analysis’
Dr Michael Feely, TCD. (11.10am - 11.50am)
‘Reconciling Bronfenbrenner and Bourdieu: A Synthesis for Child and Family Social Work’
Dr Stan Houston, TCD (11.50am - 12.30pm)
10.30am-12.30pm
Lunch Provided 12.30-1pm
Key-note Speaker:
Professor Caroline McGreggor, NUI Galway.
‘A critical commentary on why the work of Michel Foucault should play a lead role in the development of theoretical frameworks for current and future social work research and practice’.
1.00pm - 2.30pm.
This event is free but places are limited so please RSVP to conlonce@tcd.ie
17 May 2017
Information Webinar for Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Social Studies (Postgraduate Diploma in Social Policy and Practice), Wednesday 24th May 6PM
This fully online event will give you the opportunity to:
- Talk to lecturers about the course
- Learn how the online programme is structured and delivered
- Meet current students and find out about their experiences
- The role social policy plays in solving the ‘wicked’ social problems that contemporary societies face
- The social policy issues addressed on the programme include crime, poverty, family violence and inequality
To register for this event click here.
The course is delivered through weekly online learning materials with live online tutorials and interactive discussions. It will be of interest to:
- Graduates without a social science undergraduate qualification who wish to convert to Masters level study in the area
- Those working in social policy or advocating for social policy change
- Applicants from outside of Ireland, in particular North America, who wish to study in Ireland’s leading university
Over one academic year, this level 9 postgraduate programme offers students the opportunity to study:
- Social policy
- Criminology
- The Family and Society
- Introduction to Social Work
- Introduction to Disability Studies
- Managing Change
For more information please email Louise O'Brien
03 May 2017
The School of Social Work and Social Policy, with the support of the Trinity International Development Initiative present "Better Futures for Girls and Young Women in Ethiopia: Exploring Key Issues"
This event on Africa day will explore three of the most pressing issues facing girls and women in Ethiopia - education, early marriage and rural-urban migration. Securing better future for girls and women in Ethiopia and elsewhere is important for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in general and gender equality and women’s empowerment in particular (SDG5).
This seminar will consider Ethiopia’s past achievements, existing challenges and potential future gains in the areas of gender equality and women’s empowerment. Privileging the experiences of girls and women, this seminar will chart the opportunities and challenges that girls and women encounter as they search for better futures, set against the backdrop of Ethiopia’s rapidly changing social, economic and political landscape. It will emphasise that progress on gender equality requires an integrated approach that works across the multiple issues affecting the lives of girls and women, and also acknowledges the different experiences within and between distinct groups of girls and women.
This event is organised by the School of Social Work and Social Policy, TCD with the support of the Trinity International Development Initiative and the Irish Research Council New Foundations Scheme #loveirishreserach
Date: Thursday 25th May 2017
Time: 10:30am-1:30pm
Location: Global Room, Trinity College Dublin
Speakers
- Professor Tesfaye Semela, Women and Gender Issues in Ethiopia: A Socio-Historical Analysis.
- Dr. Alula Pankhurst, Options for adolescent girls in Ethiopia: Education, work and early marriage - Evidence from Young Lives.
- Ms. Louise Yorke, “Maybe I will have a good life in the future”: The pathways of rural girls and women as they migrate to urban secondary schools in Southern Ethiopia.
- Professor Susan Murphy will provide a response to the three papers.
- This seminar will be chaired by Professor Robbie Gilligan.
Coffee, tea and sandwiches will be provided.
All are welcome. Please register your attendance here. See TIDI website for more information.
11 May 2017
Two PhD studentships available in the area of Children’s Research (Full-Time) at the School of Social Work & Social Policy, Trinity College Dublin
Applications are now being accepted for two new PhD studentship opportunities in any area of Children’s Research. These studentships are available to new entrant applicants on the full-time Ph.D. Register for entry in September 2017 or March 2018. Potential students must complete an application form indicating the particular area of Children’s research they are interested in for entry into the PhD programme in the School of Social Work and Social Policy. The studentship covers full EU fees and an annual maintenance grant of €16,000 for three years. Applicants are expected to initiate some contacts with potential supervisor(s) or at least ensure that they have aligned their proposals with supervisory capacity in the School.
Eligibility requirements:
Applications are invited from candidates who hold a masters degree, or a primary degree (1st class or 2.1 honours) or equivalent.
Application process:
Application forms can be downloaded here and should be returned to Louise O'Brien by midday Friday June 30th 2017.
Expectations:
The holder of this studentship will be required to engage in teaching related activities, as advised by their supervisor and/or the Director of Teaching and Learning (Postgraduate) or his/her nominee, to a maximum of 6 hours per week in teaching term. It is also important to be aware that income received by the award recipient from other sources (such as private tuition, research funding), can be to the maximum annual income level of €18,000 excluding fees but including the studentship maintenance. The receipt of any additional funding must be notified immediately to the Director of Teaching and Learning (Postgraduate) in the School. Postgraduate studentships cannot continue beyond the fourth year on the Ph.D. register.
Selection process:
The selection process will involve a 15 minute presentation by the candidate on their proposed research, followed by an interview. The date of the interviews will be advised at a later time.
If you wish to discuss an application informally, please contact Professor Trevor Spratt (email) or phone: 01 8963790
26 April 2017
Dissemination of Key PhD Findings in Ethiopia #LoveIrishResearch
PhD student Louise Yorke and her supervisor Prof. Robbie Gilligan recently travelled to Ethiopia for two presentation by Louise on key findings from her PhD study "The Migration of Rural Girls to Urban Areas for Secondary Education in Ethiopia".
The first presentation was hosted by the Centre for Policy and Development Research (CPDR) at Hawassa University where Louise was based during her fieldwork. A response to the PhD findings was provided by Prof. Tesfaye Semela, directors of the CPDR and Mr Henock Mesfin, Programme Manager at Plan International Ethiopia.
The second presentation was held in the Irish Embassy in Addis Ababa and included an introduction from Mr. Patrick McManus, Head of Development Co-Operation and Deputy Head of Mission and comments from Prof. Semela.
The events were attended by researchers, academics and practitioners and generated lively discussion.
Both events were funded by a grant from the Irish Research Council New Foundations Scheme which is designed to enhance the impact internationally of Irish research through knowledge exchange.
#LoveIrishResearch
09 May 2017
Congratulations to Erin Paullin on the recent publication of her article in EAIE Forum Magazine
Congratulations to Erin Paullin, School of Social Work and Social Policy Global Officer, on her recently published article in European Association for International Education (EAIE) Forum Magazine entitled ‘Breaking Down Walls The Silo Effect’.
04 May 2017
Assistant Professor Maeve Foreman presented at the 7th European Conference for Social Work Research, 2017
Maeve Foreman, Assistant Professor of Social Work, presented at the 7th European Conference for Social Work Research (ECSWR) in Aalborg, Denmark, 20th-21st April 2017. Her paper, 'Research with Refugees - Effecting Change Through Partnership and Peer Research', explored the benefits of working with peer researchers and advocacy/activist organisations to effect positive change in society. Her presentation also discussed ways of engaging with policy makers to progress recommendations of research. Conducted with Dr. Muireann Ní Raghallaigh, UCD, peer researchers Gabriel Wenyi Mendes and Siphathisiwe Moyo, and in partnership with the Irish Refugee Council, the study was funded by the Irish Research Council under its New Foundations (Engaging Civic Society) funding stream. A copy of the final report can be found here , 'Transition: from Direct Provision to life in the community' . Colleagues from UCD, UCC, UU and QUB also presented at the conference.
04 May 2017
Assistant Professor Maeve Foreman presented at the Social Work Action Network Annual Conference, 2017
Maeve Foreman, Assistant Professor of Social Work, presented at the Social Work Action Network Annual Conference, 7th-8th April 2017, in Teeside University, Middlesbrough, under the ethical practice and policy strand. Her paper, 'Transitioning out of the Asylum System in Ireland - Challenges and Change', explored the challenge of addressing the legacy of enforced poverty and social isolation, and effecting change in social policy and practice. Her presentation was based on research conducted with Dr. Muireann Ní Raghallaigh, UCD and Maggie Feeley, with assistance from Gabriel Wenyi Mendes, Siphathisiwe Moyo and Clíodhna Bairéad. The study was funded by the Irish Research Council under its New Foundations (Engaging Civic Society) funding stream and conducted in partnership with the Irish Refugee Council. A copy of the final report 'Transition: from Direct Provision to life in the community' can be found here.
18 April 2017
Congratulations to Assistant Professor Eavan Brady, Associate Professor Stephanie Holt, and PhD Candidate Sadhbh Whelan on their recently published article ‘Measuring success in family support services'
Congratulations to Assistant Professor Eavan Brady, Associate Professor Stephanie Holt, and Sadhbh Whelan, PhD Candidate on their recently published article in the journal Child Care in Practice entitled ‘Measuring success in family support services’. The article draws on a case example of a family support service evaluation carried out in 2014 highlighting a number of key issues for consideration in evaluating these diverse and complex interventions.
12 April 2017
Information Webinar for MSc/ Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Social Studies
The Postgraduate Diploma/MSc in Applied Social Studies held an Online Information Webinar on Wednesday 22nd March with a number of prospective students attending to learn more about this unique online programme.
Assistant Professors Dr. Julie Byrne and Dr. Stephanie Holt covered topics including the online learning environment, resources and support and admissions criteria for the programme. This was followed by a question and answer session.
If you missed the Online Open Evening or want to learn more about the Postgraduate Diploma/MSc in Applied Social Studies programme, you can watch a recording of the webinar here. If you wish to apply or have any questions, please feel free to email us.
5 April 2017
Social Work students among Presenters at School World Social Work Day event
There was a big attendance at the World Social Work Day event (March 21st) hosted by the School, the Irish launch of the book ‘Social Work in 42 Objects (and more)’ curated by Prof Mark Doel.
There were presentations by Prof Doel and by some of the contributors to the book: Simon Cauvain, Gerry Heery, Majella Hickey, Marguerita McGovern, Clare Orger, and also Maeve Foreman and Prof Robbie Gilligan from the School. Michele Clarke, Social Work and Child Care Specialist,Department of Children and Youth Affairs (and BSS Alumna) and Frank Brown, President of IASW also spoke to the theme of the event.
The social work students who presented on their chosen objects are pictured here: Luke Somerville, MSW 2 (newspaper), Michael Somerville, and Ciara Farrell BSS Senior Sophisters (watering can and basin), Hayley Cross and Lisa Daly MSW 1 (compass).
24 March 2017
Interested in Disability Studies? Learn more from some of our current students!
Kimber Bialik and Kaitlin Stober, two international students in the MSc Disability Studies programme, recently spoke about their experiences at Trinity during the Disability Studies webinar. Both students discuss why they chose Trinity’s programme, what they have gained from it so far and how they hope to apply it to their careers.
Click here to hear more from Kimber and Kaitlin!
If you missed the online webinar, we will be holding a Disability Studies Open evening on Thursday, April 20th from 5:30-6:30 pm in the Arts Building Conference Room. You can Register Online.
14 March 2017
Children in Care Research Forum, Wednesday 5th April, 2017
Professor Robbie Gilligan & Assistant Professor Eavan Brady will convene the inaugural Children in Care Research Forum in Room 1.04, 3 College Green on Wednesday 5th April, 2017 from 10am-1pm.
This half-day event is the first of what we hope will be a twice-yearly forum to share completed research and research that is underway in Ireland related to children in care, care leavers, and carers.
This is a free event. No registration required. Full details can be found here
14 March 2017
WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY EVENT: Book Launch 'Social Work in 42 Objects (and more)' curated by Mark Doel
The School is delighted to host the Irish Launch of the Book ‘Social Work in 42 Objects (and more)’ curated by Mark Doel which will be held in the Trinity Long Room Hub, TCD (beside Arts Building) 2.00 – 4.00, Tuesday 21st March, 2017.
The event will include presentations by Mark Doel, Irish contributors to the Book, Trinity Social Work students, Chair of IASW and more!
This is a free event and those interested can Register free via Eventbrite to ensure your place
Mark Doel is Professor Emeritus in the Centre for Health and Social Care Research at Sheffield Hallam University, England. He is a registered social worker with twenty years of social work practice experience with communities. He has been a social work academic, head of school, writer and researcher. Mark continues to lead training workshops, largely in the fields of practice education and group work, in which he has an international reputation. He has been an External Examiner for UCC, NUI Galway, Trinity College Dublin (current) and the Northern Ireland Practice Teaching programme (current). He is the Vice-President of the International Association for Social Work with Groups (IASWG). Mark has extensive experience in Russia and eastern Europe and he is honorary professor at Tbilisi State University, Georgia.
Mark has published 21 books, most recently Social Work in 42 Objects (and more) and Rights and Wrongs in Social Work: Ethical and practice dilemmas.
The link for the new book: https://socialworkin40objects.com/2017/01/22/social-work-in-42-objects-and-more/
doel@waitrose.com
10 March 2017
Open Evening for M.Sc. Applied Social Research, Wednesday 29 March 5:00PM
The M.Sc. in Applied Social Research is designed for graduates in the social sciences who wish to:
- Develop their research skills and gain employment in the fields of research, policy, advocacy, consultancy and other careers where research skills are deemed essential or highly desirable.
- Build research skills for application in their current work environments.
- Acquire a strong foundation for further post-graduate study, particularly for PhD research.
The course provides advanced training in the conduct of quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research through specialised teaching in the design, conduct, analysis, and dissemination of research. We particularly strive to equip our students with core, widely transferable research skills.
This degree is multidisciplinary and career-focused. The work placement is a unique component of the course and is central to the goal of ensuring that students are prepared for the workforce. All students are offered the opportunity to work alongside highly experienced researchers for an 8-week period in a range of reputable research environments. The work placement module is completed in Year 1 by full-time students and in Year 2 by part-time students.
Graduates of the M.Sc. in Applied Social Research typically gain employment in a variety of organisations including public or private research institutes or consultancies, government departments, university departments, the NGO sector, and in a range of policy environments. Others go on to pursue further post-graduate study.
This Masters can be completed on a one year full-time or two year part-time basis.
You are invited to join us for Open Evening on March 29th, 2015 from 5pm-6.30pm where you will have the opportunity to meet the teaching team and graduates of the course. The venue is Room 3080, Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin.
Apply now (closing date for applications: 30th June 2017)
Enquiries
Ms. Louise O’Brien, Executive Officer, Tel: +353 1 896 3593
Dr. Paula Mayock, Course Director, Tel: +353 1 896 2636
10 March 2017
Congratulations to BSS Graduate Anne McCormack on the Launch of her New Publication
Anne McCormack, BSS graduate (1996), at the Hodges Figgis launch of her new publication titled Keeping Your Child Safe on Social Media: Five Easy Steps, published by Orpen Press. Pictured here with her husband, Martin McCormack, also a BSS graduate (1996).
10 March 2017
Publication of two research articles
Congratulations to graduates of the MSc in Disability Studies, Stephanie Martin (2013) and Theresa Okodogbe (2014) on the publication of two research articles.
Stephanie Martin co-authored with Dr Colin Griffiths (MSc in Disability Studies Lecturer and Stephanie Martin’s supervisor) an article on the participation of disabled students in leisure activities in third level education. The article presents the results of Stephanie’s dissertation and it has been published in Leisure/Loisir.
Theresa Okodogbe’s article, co-authored with members of the IDS-TILDA team, examines activities of daily living and transition to community living for people with intellectual disabilities. Theresa’s article was recently published in the Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy and presents the findings of her MSc in Disability Studies research placement conducted in 2013 within IDS-TILDA, a longitudinal study of ageing with intellectual disability in Ireland.
01 March 2017
Virpi Timonen recently presented her work on comparative home care policies at a ‘Best Brains Exchange’
Virpi Timonen recently presented her work on comparative home care policies at a ‘Best Brains Exchange’ organised by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research in collaboration with the Government of Alberta. The event brought together researchers, key stakeholders and government policymakers to discuss research and implementation evidence on how best to finance and organise home and community care services for older adults.
Home care is an increasingly important service to address the health needs of an aging population and reduce expensive and unnecessary institutional care. With expanded home and community-based services demonstrating potential for healthcare system effectiveness and sustainability, both the Alberta and Federal governments have identified improved access to and provision of home care as a priority.
In Alberta, publicly-funded home care provides personal and professional services aimed at addressing professionally assessed unmet healthcare needs and may provide minimal assistance for homemaking tasks such as meal preparation, laundry and light housekeeping (sometimes at a shared cost which includes personal cost to the client). It has been proposed by experts in home care that the scope of services provided to support home care clients should be expanded and complemented by other support services such as grocery shopping, heavier household tasks (e.g. indoor/exterior home maintenance, yard work, snow removal) and/or transportation options.
Although not considered health care services, it is argued that provision of such support services can directly promote health and wellness and prevent injury and disease supporting people to live safely in their homes and communities for longer. However, expansion of the scope of services provided for home care clients to include provision of support services would come with increased costs if publicly-funded and with challenges to operationalize whether fully publicly-funded or if financed/cost-shared through the collection of client fees. Further evidence and discussion is required to determine whether the provision of any or all of such services is key to supporting people to remain at home, whether they could be provided through a blend of home care and other non-health service providers, which areas of government/programs shall hold primary responsibility for these services, and what mix and method of financing and funding could support expanded provision of these types of support services.
The Best Brains Exchange explored research evidence and experiences from other jurisdictions that will help the Federal and Provincial governments in Canada to better understand the role that provision of support services, and by whom, plays in supporting people to remain at home. Discussion and knowledge exchange built upon recent stakeholder consultations held across the province and the evidence shared and discussed will add to the foundation of information specific to the recommended amendments to Alberta’s current home care regulation.
14 February 2017
The European Journal of Homelessness, edited by Professor Eoin O’Sullivan, Head of School, marked its 10th anniversary with the publication a special edition, taking stock of theoretical and methodological developments in homelessness research. Leading researchers from across Europe, North America and Australia offer expert analysis and provide a benchmark for future research on homelessness.
The 10th anniversary edition can be found at: http://www.feantsaresearch.org
09 February 2017
Postgraduate Research Studentship Opportunity
The School of Social Work and Social Policy is happy to announce a studentship opportunity for a full-time PhD student for 2017/18.
This studentship is open to current students on the full-time Ph.D. Register, or new applicants who have applied to TCD via the admission system for entry in September 2017 or March 2018. The studentship fully covers EU or non-EU fees in full and an annual maintenance of €8,000 for three years.
Applications should be submitted on this form to Louise O’Brien by 12 noon Tuesday, 6th January.
More information about eligibility and the selection process can be found here.
07 February 2017
International Scholarship Opportunities
The School of Social Work and Social Policy is proud to announce the creation of four new scholarships for international (non-EU) applicants to our postgraduate taught programmes for 2017/18.
International Postgraduate Taught Course Scholarships
The scholarships are open to any non-EU applicant to a taught programme in the School of Social Work and Social Policy for Michaelmas term 2017. There is one scholarship per programme, valued at €5,000, applied to the reduction of non-EU tuition fees.
Who can apply?
Applicants who have non-EU (international) status and will pay tuition fees at the non-EU rate and who have submitted an application to any of the following taught postgraduate programmes in the School of Social Work and Social Policy (SWSP): Masters of Social Work, Masters of Science in Disability Studies, Masters of Science in Applied Social Research, Postgraduate Diploma/ Masters of Science in Applied Social Studies.
Selection criteria
Applicants for the scholarships will be assessed based on academic achievement, and evaluation of the applicants’ potential to contribute to the overall TCD and SWSP community.
Application process
Submit a complete application to one of the postgraduate taught programmes in the School of Social Work and Social Policy. Only applicants who meet the programme entry requirements will be considered for the scholarship. Deadline to apply is April 15th, 2017.
Email Erin Paullin, Global Officer, with any questions.
07 February 2017
Reducing Old-Age Social Exclusion
Virpi Timonen recently participated as invited lecturer in a Training School on the topic of “Reducing Old-Age Social Exclusion”. The training school is connected to COST action ROSEnet, which aims to overcome fragmentation and gaps in conceptual innovation on old-age exclusion across the life course, in order to address the research-policy disconnect and tackle social exclusion amongst older people in Europe. In order to meet these aims and especially the aim of early-career investigator development, a total of 4 Training Schools (TS) will be organised throughout the duration of the Action. The first training School took place in Helsinki, Finland from 17th to 20th January 2017. The theme of this Training School was the relative nature of exclusion. The lectures and discussions focus on the contextual elements of exclusion, including different welfare states and different socio-cultural contexts/environments. Training school participants were PhD students and post-doctoral researchers from 10 different countries.
25 January 2017
Publication of Article on LGBT mental health in Sexualities Journal
Congratulations to Assistant Professor Paula Mayock, who as co-authored an article with Dr. Audrey Bryan in the latest issues of Sexualities journal, entitled: ‘Supporting LGBT Lives? Complicating the suicide consensus in LGBT mental health’.
Click here to read the article.
23 January 2017
Publication of Chapter in The Sage Handbook of Drug and Alcohol Studies
Congratulations to Fellow Emeritus, Dr Shane Butler and Assistant Professor Paula Mayock who have co-authored a chapter entitled ‘Learning to live with ‘Big Fat Words’? An Exploration of the Dominant Concepts Applied to Problem Drug and Alcohol Use’ in the Sage Handbook of Drug and Alcohol Studies (edited by Torsten Kolind, Betsy Thom and Geoffrey Hunt).
Click here for more information on this Handbook.
23 January 2017
Congratulations to PhD Student Louise Yorke & Prof Robbie Gilligan on receiving IRC Funding #LoveIrishResearch
Ms. Louise Yorke, PhD Candidate and Irish Research Council (Government of Ireland) Postgraduate Scholar and Professor Robbie Gilligan have been awarded funding from the Irish Research Council, New Foundations Scheme 2016 Scheme. Their project “The lived realities of poor women and girls in Ethiopia: Enhancing knowledge exchange for gender equality and poverty reduction in Ethiopia” aims to promote knowledge exchange with key stakeholders in Ethiopia and in Ireland concerning the lived realities of women and girls living in poverty in Ethiopia. Their project will be carried out in collaboration with Professor Tesfaye Semela at the Centre for Policy and Development Research, Hawassa University. Louise’s PhD research explores the educational migration of rural girls to urban areas for secondary education in Southern Ethiopia #LoveIrishResearch
10 January 2017