Launch of the TARA Project (Phase 2 and 3) Report

The TARA Project is a research partnership between Dublin South Central (DSC), TUSLA, Child and Family Agency and University College Cork.

The overarching aim of this partnership is to integrate trauma-informed practices (TIPs) in the DSC Area, Tusla, to support responding to the complex needs of, and improve outcomes for, the children and families who come into contact with the service.

Annette Loy, PhD candidate in the School, recently featured on RTE Radio's Brainstrom programme.  She spoke about how young people's trust in AI and chatbot technology appears to be borrowed in many cases from trust in existing human relationships.

In June 2026, staff members in the School of Applied Social Studies, Dr Margaret Buckley, Dr Conor Cashman and Professor Eleanor Bantry White with support from Nicole McDonagh and Niamh O’Shea from UCC Academy, and Claire Fennell, Digital Education Officer in the School, organised the 3rd International Knowledge Exchange Event of PAAR-Net, the European COST Action focused on Participatory Approaches with Older Adults.

Lanuch of the Report on the Green Zone School Project: An ED TARA Primary School Evaluation

The School of Applied Social Studies recently won the National Simulation Award for using Virtual Reality (VR) as a learning and teaching tool on the Apprenticeship/Masters in Social Work programme.

On Dec. 12th, 2025 in Dublin the TARA Project, a research partnership between Dublin South Central (DSC), TUSLA (Child and Family Agency) and University College Cork, celebrated a major milestone with The Practice Initiatives Showcase Event held in the DSC area.

We are delighted to announce the conferral of an Athena Swan Ireland Bronze Award on the School of Applied Social Studies in recognition of our efforts to recognise and address gender inequalities.

Five Postdoc. Researchers share details of their exciting research projects.