Research for Civil Society and Social Action (REACT)
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About the REACT Cluster
The REACT research cluster brings together researchers with interests in civil society, from disciplines such as Applied Social Studies, Cooperative Studies, Geography and Law. Cluster researchers are members of the Irish Civil Society Research Network.
Aims and Objectives:
- To bring together researchers from different disciplines with an interest in civil society research
- To undertake interdisciplinary research and activity in the broad area of civil society
- To encourage engagement and dissemination of knowledge between researchers and civil society and
- To facilitate and enable civil society engagement with research and with the University.
Cluster Events
The REACT cluster hosts seminars and other events at which ISS21 members and invited speakers can share their research. Highlights from recent years include:
Exploring Men’s Sheds in South Kerry: Spaces of Social Inclusion, February 2020
In this seminar Dr Ray O’Connor (Dept. Geography, UCC) and Dr Richard Scriven (Geography) explored the different social features of Men's Sheds as distinct spaces that foster engagement, activity, and community purpose for (older) men living in rural areas.
REACT Cluster Research Slam, April 2019
On 18 April 2019, the REACT cluster organised a research slam, at which six cluster members gave short presentations on their current, completed or new research, followed by a lively Q&A session. Further details are available at the following link: research slam
Spaces for Change? The Practice and Policy of Community Participation in Local Governance in Ireland, November 2018
In November 2018 the Civil Society Cluster hosted a half-day seminar on the practice and policy of community participation in local governance in Ireland. Speakers at the event included: Dr Mary Murphy, Department of Sociology, National University of Ireland, Maynooth; Dr Aodh Quinlivan, Department of Government, University College Cork; Aiden Lloyd, Chair of the Rights Platform and member of South Dublin PPN Secretariat and LCDC; and Dr Catherine Forde, School of Applied Social Studies, University College Cork. The initial findings of an IRC-funded project on Irish local participatory governance was presented as part of the seminar. Details available at the following link: spaces for change
New Perspectives on Youth Political Participation, February 2018
At this half-day seminary in February 2018 Dr Nathan Manning (University of York), Dr Emily Rainsford (Newcastle University) and Rebecca Jeffers (UCC) presented papers based on their research on different aspects of youth participation. Following the presentations, Dr. Theresa Reidy chaired a roundtable discussion with James Doorley (National Youth Council of Ireland), Donnchadh O’Laoghaire TD (Sinn Féin), Laura Harmon (National Women’s Council of Ireland) and Thomas Atcha (UCC). For further details are available at the following link: youth participation
Transformation of the Community, Voluntary and Co-operative Sectors? March 2017
This seminar explored the changing character of the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) and community co-operatives in England, and what we in Ireland can learn from recent developments. Speakers included Dr Mike Aiken, Visiting Research Fellow, Open University, UK, Deirdre O’Byrne, Centre for Adult Continuing Education, UCC and Noreen Byrne, Centre for Co-operative Studies, UCC. Further details available here
The Changing Landscape of Local and Community Development in Ireland: Policy and Practice, October 2015
On the 21 October 2015 the Civil Society Cluster hosted a conference which explored the changing nature of local and community development, with contributors from the university and the community sector. Further details available here
Research Projects
ISS21 research projects linked to the themes of the cluster include:
Building Transnational Research Synergies: Participatory Governance for Inclusive Societies (2020-2021)
Strengthening Rural and Urban Volunteering (2019-2020)
A Critical Evaluation of the Implications of Participatory Governance (2017-2019)
Impact of Local Government Reform (2014-2015)
Changing Landscape of Local and Community Development (2014-2015)
Cluster Membership
For a list of cluster members, please click here Cluster Members
If you are interested in joining the REACT cluster, please contact the cluster leader, Dr Catherine Forde (C.Forde@ucc.ie).
Cluster members at the REACT Cluster Research Slam, 2019