UCC Arts Graduate Spotlight: Alísha Heffernan - honouring a legacy through outstanding research

12 Mar 2025

• Alísha Heffernan’s dissertation on Frankenstein in political cartoons earned the inaugural Chris Williams Prize in History, recognising excellence in historical research.
• Alísha shares insights on her decision to study Arts at UCC, the inspiration behind her dissertation, the impact of mentorship, and her plans for the future.

Alísha Heffernan, UCC Bachelor of Arts (International) - History and English graduate, was awarded the inaugural Chris Williams Prize in History at UCC School of History’s Annual Prize-giving Ceremony. Established in memory of the late Professor Chris Williams, a distinguished Professor of History and former Head of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies, and Social Sciences at UCC, the award acknowledges excellence in historical research.

Alísha’s award-winning dissertation, ‘From Fright to Folly: Framing the Frankenstein Monster in Political Cartoons’, bridged literature and history, exploring how Mary Shelley’s iconic monster has been reimagined in political satire. Her work combines literary analysis and historical inquiry, reflecting an interdisciplinary approach that was fostered through studying Arts.

In this interview, Alísha reflects on her university journey, the inspiration behind her dissertation, and her future ambitions.

What drew you to study History and English at UCC?

Reading has been my favourite pastime since I was a child, and history is something that I became increasingly interested in as I grew older. When I saw the Arts course at UCC, and realised I could get a degree that allowed me to study both of my favourite subjects, I was ecstatic. It’s a decision I have never regretted.

Your dissertation, ‘From Fright to Folly: Framing the Frankenstein Monster in Political Cartoons’, won the inaugural Chris Williams Prize. What inspired you to choose this topic?

Frankenstein is one of my favourite books and has been for years. I remember studying it for a class with Graham Allen in second year, and how he made a throwaway comment about the monster being a popular fixture in political cartoons. That comment must have stuck in my mind because two years later, sitting in a class on political cartoons, I suddenly thought of Shelley’s monster. I wanted to incorporate both English and History in my dissertation, and this topic was the perfect blend of both, as I was able to include literary analysis alongside historical research.

Professor Chris Williams was your supervisor during your final year dissertation. How does it feel to now receive an award established in his honour, recognising his great legacy?

It definitely feels bittersweet. Chris and I worked together closely on this project; he was always recommending sources or suggesting discussion points. I know that he was excited to read my work and I was looking forward to sharing the finished project with him. For the project to then win an award in his name, feels very poignant to me. It’s a huge legacy to uphold,  and I cannot believe that my own work has been honoured in Chris’ name.

Chris was so passionate about this topic that it piqued my interest and inspired me to do my own research. That my dissertation was worthy of an award, is a testament to Chris’ amazing work as a teacher; I wouldn’t have been as interested and engaged if not for him.

Taking on a major research project like your dissertation requires dedication and perseverance. What advice would you give to students preparing for similar projects?

If possible, choose a topic that truly interests you, because you have to dedicate a lot of your time to researching and writing. The research didn’t feel like work to me because I was so fascinated by the subject matter. I think the best way to go about it is to always be researching, a little at a time, building your knowledge base for months before you start actually writing the paper. Immerse yourself in the topic and the writing will become easier the more knowledge you accumulate.

Looking back on your time at UCC, what were the standout moments of your BA journey?

One highlight was definitely the year I spent studying abroad in the Netherlands at the University of Groningen. This experience helped me to grow as a person, both academically and personally. It also made me appreciate UCC that much more when I did return. The true highlight of my four years, however, has to be the people I met at UCC. I have met exceptional people I am proud to call my friends, and was lucky to work with some amazing lecturers whose passion and dedication to their work has inspired me to follow in their path.

What are your hopes for the future? Further research?

As far as future research goes, I think there is always more to be discovered about Frankenstein and its legacy. The intersection of literature, history and culture is something that has always fascinated me. I am also interested in mythology, folklore, and local history. My plan is to return to university to complete a Masters and a PhD, hopefully one day becoming a lecturer. In all honesty I would love to remain an academic forever - the dream is to continue reading, writing, and learning.

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UCC Arts and Humanities subjects among best in the world

UCC has been named as one of the world's top universities for the study of 29 subjects, including English Language and Literature (101-150) and History, according to the latest world subject rankings by higher education analysts, QS

Interested in learning more about Arts at UCC, discover Bachelor of Arts (CK101) and Bachelor of Arts – International (CK108)

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