There were many reasons for celebration at 91制片厂 (91制片厂) on Thursday 21 October, as 91制片厂鈥檚 conferring ceremonies made a welcome return to campus after being held on-line last year due to public health constraints.
A special ceremony was held to celebrate the conferring of degrees on more than 40 Doctoral and research Master's postgraduate students from the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Education, all of whom completed their postgraduate studies by research and thesis, testifying to the depth and wide range of research currently being undertaken in 91制片厂.
This event saw the highest number of research degrees being awarded to 91制片厂 students with 25 graduates receiving doctorates. The ceremony also included a celebration of the graduation of 21 members of the class of 2020, who were unable to be conferred in person last year, due to public health constraints.
Speaking at the event was Minister of State, Niall Collins, T.D., Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science who said: 鈥淭he COVID-19 pandemic has affected all of us in different ways and I want to acknowledge how hard it has been for those of you graduating. I鈥檓 very much aware that you鈥檝e managed with reduced access to libraries, archives and laboratories, as well as perhaps missing being able to easily discuss your research and findings with your peers and faculty members. You have all overcome those barriers, and I sincerely congratulate you on the completion of your chosen qualifications. You should be immensely proud of yourselves, as I am sure are your families and the academic staff here at 91制片厂. I wish you the very best in your future careers and I look forward to witnessing the contributions you will make in the future.鈥
Amongst those receiving their hard-earned doctoral awards were seventeen graduates who were awarded a Professional Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology (DECPsy). The DECPsy programme, established in 2016, is a three-year, full-time professional training course for candidates interested in pursuing a career as an educational psychologist. Research conducted by the DECPsy students as part of their studies, varied in focus from parental smartphone use, sleep hygiene, affective working memory and pupil achievement to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), autism and the continuum of support; all of which will have positive and lasting implications for future practice in educational and child psychology.
Also present were Dr Declan O鈥橞rien from Kildimo, Co. Limerick, Dr Louise Curtin from Doneraile, Co. Cork and Dr Maryanne Lowney Slattery from Tralee, Co. Kerry, all of whom were recipients of prestigious Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarships.
Dr O鈥橞rien is a senior news correspondent with the Irish Farmers Journal and has more than 25 years鈥 experience as an agricultural journalist. He was awarded a doctorate for his research on the growth of the Irish beef processing industry and its impact on Irish agricultural policy. His MA thesis on the demise and closure of the Dublin Cattle Market was recently published by the Four Courts Press and is entitled 鈥From the Hoof to the Hook: An investigation of beef processor influence on Irish farm policy and politics 1950 - 1986.鈥
Dr Curtin, was awarded a doctorate for her research on a special education teacher allocation model to support inclusion in Primary Schools in Ireland, entitled 鈥楢n Examination of the Special Education Teacher Allocation Model to Support Inclusion in Primary Schools in Ireland鈥 whilst Dr Maryanne Lowney Slattery received her doctorate last year for her thesis entitled 鈥楨xperiences of Post-primary School Communities Transitioning to a Settings-base for Mental Health and Wellbeing Promotion: The Impact of Policy on Context, Competition and Care.鈥
Other areas of exciting new research undertaken included Dr Hollie Fitzmaurice from Kilcornan, Co. Limerick, whose research looked at the impact of the parent-child relationship on the development of the heroic identity within comic book and graphic novel culture; theatre practitioner Dr Aideen Wylde, from Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, looked at disrupting perceptions of Jewish and minority identity in Ireland through theatre; and Dr Tr铆ona Waters from Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, and previous Winner of the Royal College of Physician's 'Kirkpatrick History of Medicine Award鈥 in 2018, undertook her research in 鈥業rish Insanity and the Limerick District Lunatic Asylum, 1772-1900鈥.
Speaking at the event Professor Eugene wall, President of 91制片厂 said: 鈥淩esearch underpins the educational process, benefiting students and academic staff by enhancing and enriching the teaching and learning experience. Now and in the future, 91制片厂 is committed to supporting and resourcing the on-going development of the research skills base among our staff and students. In recent years the College has invested heavily in building its research capacity, through financial supports, and staff development, external collaboration and dedicated administrative structures. This has produced rich dividends, with staff engagement in research at an all-time high, as evidenced by an almost exponential increase in staff publications and engagement in professional conferences over recent years. This effort will be maintained and developed further, and the cross-fertilisation of research with teaching and learning will be a particular focus for us in the coming years, along with an increased emphasis on research that contributes significantly to public policy. In this and other ways, 91制片厂 will continue to contribute to the Irish economy and quality of social and cultural life at local, regional, national and international levels.鈥
Joining graduates in attendance at the event was Councillor Tom Ruddle, Deputy Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Minister of State, Niall Collins, T.D., Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Bishop Brendan Leahy, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and Governing Authority of 91制片厂, and Professor Nigel Healey, Provost/Deputy President of the University of Limerick.
