MU projects receive IRC ‘New Foundations’ Awards

Thursday, April 8, 2021 - 12:30

Ten Maynooth University research projects are to receive funding from the Irish Research Council (IRC). Funding for the ‘New Foundations’ projects will bring researchers and community/voluntary organisations together to share knowledge and develop new insights to help create a better society for all.  
 
Listed below are the Maynooth University projects set to receive funding.

  • Aisling McMahon, ‘Patients’ Access to Advanced Cancer Therapies (PAACT): Ethics and Equity of Access’ (Partner: Breakthrough Cancer Research)
  • Barry Cannon, ‘RESISTING THE FAR RIGHT IN IRELAND: Optimising civil society strategies for countering far right organisation, discourse and growth in contemporary Ireland’ (Partner: Crosscare Migrant Project)
  • Catherine Gander, ‘Diversifying Irish Poetry: Poetry Critics of Colour in Ireland’ (Partner: Poetry Ireland)
  • Catriona O'Toole, ‘Sanctuary Schools: Building Capacity for Trauma-Informed Practice in Education’ (Partner: Alcohol Action Ireland)
  • Ciara Bradley, Pavee Mothering during Covid-19’ (Partner: Pavee Point)
  • David Doyle, ‘Understanding the Needs and Perspectives of Foreign National Prisoners (FNPs) in Ireland’ (Partner: Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas)
  • Karen Till ‘Travellers' Tales and Memory Maps: A collaboration of Pavee Roads Home and Maynooth Geography’ (Partner: Pavee Point)
  • Moynagh Sullivan ‘Making Mediums to Mediate breast cancer through sustainable narrative, art, and poetry practices’ (Partner: Irish Cancer Society)
  • Sinead McGilloway ‘The CHERISH project: Promoting a 'Think Carer' approach in General Practice’ (Partner: Family Carers Ireland)
  • Treasa Kenny ‘Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation: Evaluation of Facilitated Dialogue Programmes’ (Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation) 

 
The IRC has announced a total of 76 projects that will reach out across communities to look at diverse issues, including those affecting carers, senior citizens, young people, migrant communities, and the LGBT+ community. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the wellbeing of different groups in society and on the delivery of services is also a significant theme within the research projects being announced.
 
Commenting on the awards, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, said: “These research collaborations are helping with some very important community and voluntary sector projects. I welcome that the highest ever number of funding awards are being made by the Irish Research Council to support these research collaborations with the community and voluntary sector. This vibrant sector plays such an important role in supporting different groups in society, including the more vulnerable or marginalised. Through partnerships with researchers, such as the projects being announced, diverse community organisations can bring new evidence and insights to enhance their services and impact for those that need them.”
 
Welcoming the funding announcement, Prof Ray O’Neill, Vice President for Research and Innovation at Maynooth University, said: “We are delighted to see ten excellent Maynooth University projects included in the New Foundations awards. This research work is invaluable in fostering collaboration between academic institutions and those organisations actively working to effect positive change in society. The diversity of the Maynooth topics awarded funding is indicative of the breadth of excellent research undertaken at the university, and we look forward to working with our various partners on these innovative projects.“
 
Further information on the New Foundation research projects is available here.