Some of the greatest challenges facing contemporary society relate to fighting global inequalities, ensuring peaceful and inclusive societies, and promoting the appreciation and recognition of sociocultural diversity. Embedded within a tradition of radical thinkers, artists and community activists and honouring Ireland's historical contribution to global social rights and cultural diversity through revolution, resistance and resilience, UCC research sets out to provide answers to these challenges, locally and globally.

Through emphasising creativity, engagement and collaboration, research and innovation in UCC is committed to societal and cultural impact, transformation and understanding. Through the development of interdisciplinary approaches within the Humanities and Social Sciences at UCC, we are committed to producing new insights into diverse past and present social and cultural histories, intercultural encounters and transnational interactions, and to giving form to these in cultural production. Led by the College of Arts, Celtic Studies, and Social Sciences and affiliated research centres and institutes, including the Institute for Social Sciences in the 21^st Century (ISS21), UCC is contributing to the development of a local/global Irish society that recognises the influence of age, gender, ethnicity, language, belief, sexual orientation, ability and socio-economic background on societal participation. They are doing this in ways that value the rights, diversity and integrity of all persons and the imperatives of social justice.

“In this Decade of Commemorations UCC research continues to excavate and take inspiration from the social, political and cultural struggles of the past to forge a space for debate over current societal challenges, defining its mission to lead Ireland’s contribution to creating and sustaining a more just, imaginative and inclusive future for all.”

Professor Chris Williams, Head of College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences