Research Showcase Day celebrates advances in Arts and Humanities research

15 May 2025

• Researchers from UCC’s College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences presented new and original work across a range of disciplines.
• Professor Vittorio Bufacchi, Dr Aoife Neary, and Dr Zelda Di Blasi received Impact Narrative Prizes.

The power of philosophy to rescue democracy from authoritarian and populist threats, new foundations for LGBTQ+ inclusivity in primary schools and nature-based interventions to enhance mental health were among the research projects celebrated at the 2025 UCC College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences Research Showcase Day, held on 14 May.

The event invites researchers to showcase their latest discoveries while underscoring the vital role of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences research in addressing the major issues affecting society today.

Selected presentations explored a range of topics across themed sessions including social justice, health and wellbeing, climate change and global challenges.

Celebrating Impact: Research that drives social change

Impact Narrative Prizes were awarded to three researchers for their outstanding achievements in research, their dedication to social change and their commitment to making research accessible and relevant to diverse communities and the wider public.

The Impact Narrative Prize awardees were:

• Dr Vittorio Bufacchi, UCC Department of Philosophy, ‘Why Cicero Matters’ - How a philosopher from Ancient Rome can help us today to rescue our democracy from authoritarian and populist threats

‘Why Cicero Matters’ shows us how the Roman philosopher and statesman Marcus Tullius, better known as Cicero, can help realise a new political world. Why Cicero Matters introduces us to an ancient thinker who argues culture is, or ought to be, the foundation of any modern democracy, and books its building blocks.

The research started with the publication of Why Cicero Matters (Bloomsbury 2023) - a mix of classics, philosophy, history, and politics – but has expanded with interviews, media features and public engagements at festivals.  

• Dr Aoife Neary, UCC School of Education, ‘Belong To Primary’ project - New Foundations for LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in Primary Schools.

Belong To Primary is ground-breaking research on an urgent societal challenge and under-researched topic. It provides new foundational evidence with epistemological and societal impacts that have huge potential for the reduction of inequalities (SDG10) in primary schools. Funded by an Irish Research Council ‘New Foundations: Engaging Civic Society’ grant, this study was conducted in partnership with Belong To LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland. The project was also supported by a national primary education advisory group.

Belong To Primary produced a large, national quantitative dataset from primary school staff and a qualitative dataset from families with LGBTQ+ members. The two reports were disseminated widely via education stakeholder networks and continue to inform policy and practice developments.

• Dr Zelda Di Blasi, UCC School of Applied Psychology, ‘Pathways to Nature’ Project - Empowering youth leaders through nature-based interventions to enhance mental health and pro-environmental behaviour

The Pathways to Nature project aims to empower young people to reimagine their relationship with nature, fostering a sense of stewardship while enhancing wellbeing and social connection. The programme was designed to create systemic, scalable change by amplifying youth voices, promoting equity of access, and building a foundation for sustainable future action across multiple societal levels.

Through participatory, arts-based, and experiential methods, the research has embedded Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into real-world practice, directly supporting UCC’s Connected Curriculum. The ‘Pathways to Nature’ intervention engaged over 100 young people across Ireland, Spain, Armenia, and Finland, who co-designed Nature-Based Initiatives (NBIs) adapted to their specific locality and context.

Championing research excellence

Addressing the event, Professor Cathal O’Connell, Interim Head of UCC College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, said: “In turbulent and uncertain times - and amid growing hostility toward researchers in some parts of the world - it’s more important than ever to showcase the impact of research in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Research Showcase Day is not just a celebration of achievement; it’s a chance to reflect on the values that shape our research culture - from questions of ethics and integrity to engaged research and real-world social impact.”

“Research Showcase Day is a key moment in our calendar to highlight the depth and diversity of research across our College. It’s a chance to connect across disciplines, share ideas, and build a stronger understanding of the wide-ranging expertise that drives our work forward,” said Professor James A. Kapaló, Vice Head of College for Research and Innovation at UCC’s College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences.

Global recognition in World QS Rankings

UCC has been named in the world's top 200 universities for the study of 29 subjects according to the latest world subject rankings produced by higher education analysts, QS, including Performing Arts (51-100), English Language and Literature (101-150), Modern Languages (151-200) and Philosophy (151-200),

Learn more about Research at UCC College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences.