merrion street

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has today announced €1 million in funding for researchers and community organisations to collaborate on societal issues.

The 77 projects from The Irish Research Council will reach communities across the country and beyond, focusing on diverse societal challenges.

Among the new research projects that will be funded with civic society partners are:

• Conn Holohan, of National University of Ireland, Galway, who will work with Galway Simon Community on immersive technology as a tool for advocacy and self-expression for people experiencing homelessness.
• Dawn Wheatley, of Dublin City University, who will collaborate with the National Women’s Council on a project exploring Irish female journalists’ experiences with hostility and abuse via social networks.
• Lisa O'Rourke Scott , Limerick Institute of Technology, who will work with Haven Horizons on gender-based abuse .
• Sarah Cooney, of University College Dublin, who will collaborate with Bodywhys to broaden our understanding of the challenges society faces with respect to body image and eating disorders.
• Louise Crowley, University College Cork, who will work with a secondary school on educating and empowering young people to speak up and demand a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of sexual harassment and violence.

Speaking today, Minister Harris said: “This is a really important partnership between our research family and community and voluntary groups. This will be incredibly valuable because it will examine societal issues and the impact on the most vulnerable in society.

“The community and voluntary sector plays a critical role in Irish life and will continue to do so. The questions this research will examine are some of the greatest societal challenges we are facing.

“For example, the research on body image and eating disorders. The conversation is often limited to describing the experiences of young women. This project brings together leading experts, Bodywhys, the public, and patients to work together to enrich our understanding of the diverse challenges society faces with respect to body image and eating disorders.

“Or sexual harassment and violence in secondary schools. We have launched the Bystander programme in third level. This research will examine if the same programme can be rolled out in secondary school.

“I look forward to seeing the outcome of this research and its reach.”