Collective Social Futures Festival of Social Science

21 Nov 2023

On 20-21 November 2023 UCC Futures: Collective Social Futures hosted a Festival of Social Science, including a book launch; an evening of music and performance; and a full-day symposium showcasing social science research across UCC.

Social Science Symposium, 21 November

This full-day event began with opening remarks from Professor John O'Halloran (President of UCC), Professor Chris Williams (Head of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences) and Professor Maggie O'Neill (Director of ISS21 and Collective Social Futures).

The symposium was divided into three sessions, linked to the key themes of Collective Social Futures (see below). Presenters were drawn from departments and schools across UCC, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the festival. 

Session 1: Critically Analysing Societal Complexities: Social Difference, Migration and Diversity

• Dr Shirley Martin, Dr Deirdre Horgan and Dr Jacqui O’Riordan, School of Applied Social Studies. The IMMERSE Project: Identifying and measuring socio-educational indicators of integration for migrant and refugee children in Europe. Abstract - IMMERSE.
• Dr Patricia McGrath, Adult Continuing Education. Barriers to Education for Traveller Children in Primary and Secondary Schools. Abstract - Barriers to Education
• Dr Claire Edwards, School of Applied Social Studies. CareVisions: Reframing Collective Futures through the Feminist Ethics of Care. Abstract - CareVisions

Chair: Dr Caitriona Ni Laoire, School of Applied Social Studies

Session 2: Enacting Social Futures: Re-envisioning Democracy, Activism and Social Transformation

• Dr Tracey Skillington, Department of Sociology and Criminology. A civic connections approach to climate change challenges across contexts. Abstract - Climate Change
• Dr Ger Mullally, Department of Sociology and Criminology. Re-imagining Sustainability at the Crossroads: It's Grounded Theory, but not as we know it!
• Dr Niall Dunphy, Cleaner Production Promotion Unit, ERI. Energy Citizenship – bland platitude ripe for co-option, or timely vision of citizen empowerment’ Abstract - Energy Citizenship

Chair: Dr Olive McCarthy, Department of Food Business and Development and the Centre for Co-operative Studies

Session 3: Re-thinking Social Futures: Caring and Inclusive Relations

• Paul O'Rourke and Dr Katharina Swirak, Department of Sociology and Criminology. Walking life after prison in Cork City  
• Dr Carol Kelleher, Management & Marketing. Recognising, supporting and valuing young carers: caring together as part of our collective futures. Abstract - Young Carers
• Dr Carol Power and Dr Caroline Crowley, Department of Food Business and Development and the Centre for Co-operative Studies. CO-AGE: Assessing the potential of the co-operative model to provide solutions to the challenges of eldercare in Ireland". Abstract - CO-AGE
• Dr Monica O’Mullane, School of Public Health. Development of a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) Implementation Model: Enhancing Intersectoral Approaches in Tackling Health Inequalities. Abstract - HIA-IM

Chair: Dr Angela Flynn, School of Nursing and Midwifery

_{Click on the image to view short video clips of the festival}

Future Events 

In her closing comments Professor Maggie O’Neill reflected on the success of the festival, and looked forward to further Collective Social Futures events in 2024, including community-engaged workshops:

The Festival of Social Science was a wonderful celebration of world class research at UCC on migration, sustainability, traveller children's education, climate change, caring relations, often using innovative, creative, participatory methodologies, as well as rigorous critical theoretical analyses.

The evening of socially engaged performances  by Citadel, Misneach, Will Keohane, UCC  Theatre students and Youth Theatre young people was so inspiring, with excellent feedback from audiences.

The board of CSF will be planning forthcoming festival activities after Christmas - with some community facing collaborative workshops with our community partners, so watch this space!