Research Profile

The Department of Geography at UCC aims to create pure and applied research of international quality, which impacts on public issues and ongoing debates within and beyond the discipline.   The Department is committed to being research led in its many different activities, particularly in terms of bringing research directly into our undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes.   In line with the research strategies at UCC, the research conducted in the Department is truly interdisciplinary and focused on 21 st century issues.  Research is broadly concerned with the environment, migration, climate change, economy, food and cultural identity, particularly how these complex issues shape natural habitats, regional development, the landscape experience, rural change and urban growth. The Department enjoys a strong reputation for academic research, illustrated by its successful participation in many national and European funded research projects, and an excellent record of publication by academic staff.  The Department of Geography has responded proactively in the changing research funding environment that has developed within the Irish university system and internationally over the past five years.  Working through its Research Development Committee, the Department has developed five thematic research clusters. These groups reflect our core strengths and provide the platform for ongoing research innovation and collaboration.

Research Clusters


Changing Coasts, Climates and Societies

This research cluster contributes to the understanding of Earth processes and to applied, problem-solving studies of key areas of the Earth environment. The geographical approach taken here has brought work on climate - atmosphere and coastal areas together, with links to work on the cryosphere, hydrology and environmental management and planning. Coastal and marine research with climate science and environmental management has formed an integrated series of strategic projects, recognised at national - internationally scales since the 1970s. Research programmes in the cluster in the Department have been supported by some 35 internationally funded awards since 1991 (e.g., IAEA, NERC-UK, EU Frameworks, UNESCO, World Bank) and other national awards (MI, EPA, HEA PRTLI 2 & 3), totalling >€5.5M.

Culture, Identities and Place

The Culture, Identities and Place cluster main interests lie in cultural and historical geography, a major research area in the Department for close on three decades.  Research in the cluster connects thematically around the interface between people, culture and place.  Members of this research group pay particular attention to colonial early modern Ireland and the 20 th century; but, in addition, individual members of the cluster have active research interests in (i) Atlantic Europe and Iberia (ii) 20 th century Britain (iii) The Americas .  In addition to an active publication record, and a strong record in graduate supervision, this group has recently established a reputation for innovative public dissemination of research in a series of Atlases – on Cork , Kerry and the Family Names of Ireland.   

Environment, Society and Governance

Research activity amongst staff within this cluster embraces a wide range of work that centres on the physical environment and human activity, with particular interest in the planning, management and understanding of environmental change.  Whilst staff may work in urban, rural or coastal contexts, at local, regional or global scales of analysis, there is a shared concern with sustainability, particularly in the formulation of planning tools or conceptual models that deepen appreciation for resilient and adaptable human communities and economies. 

Migration and Integration

Research in this cluster revolves around the themes of migration, integration and diaspora. The cluster is built on a long tradition of research in migration studies in UCC, primarily through the work of the Irish Centre for Migration Studies. Members' research interests include migration and integration policy, children and migration, geographies of race and racism, globalization and transmigration processes, geographies of asylum, family migration processes, return migration and geographies of diaspora. While the cluster has a strong focus on the Irish and European contexts, members also have research interests in Latin America . The Marie Curie Excellence Team project ‘Migrant Children' (2005-09), is a major current project, and other recent projects include commissioned research on migration and integration for state and non-governmental agencies.

Earth Observation and Visualisation

 This study area, concerned particularly different aspects of Geoinformatics, is a rapidly developing field which brings together the technology, tools and methods to acquire, explore, analyse, integrate, visualise and add value to spatial data. There are many elements of Geoinformatics, ranging from field surveying to analysis of satellite imagery. In this research cluster the primary emphasis is on the development and applications of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS). Other areas of interest include spatial statistical analysis, computer cartography and the technical and operational contexts that support these (for example developments of multi-media data transfer, information infrastructures and policy). In addition to the technological developments for spatial data research, this cluster also accommodates work being done on the technological developments associated with teaching, including multi-media data presentation and e-learning. Further information.

Migrant Children: Children's and Young People's Experiences of Immigration and Integration in Irish Society

Narratives of Migration and Return: An All-Island Research Resource

Coastal & Marine Resources Centre (CMRC)

The Coastal & Marine Resources Centre (CMRC) was formally established in September of 1994.The CMRC represents a multi disciplinary group within University College Cork (UCC) which has arisen from a strong tradition in academic research, education, training and consultancy.