Dr Ciara Bradley

    Applied Social Studies, Motherhood Project

    Lecturer

    Laraghbryan House
    4.6
    (01) 708 3804

    Biography

    I am a community development worker, community work educator and social scientist with a commitment to equality, social justice and human rights and solidarity with all those facing inequality and injustice in all aspects of my practice: teaching, research and public engagement. 

    I teach modules in groupwork, sociology, professional practice and development, equality and human rights, sociology and research methodologies from undergrad to doctoral level, as well as continuous professional development. Currently, I coordinate MSocSc in Community and Youth Work - a Master of Social Science dual professional qualification in both disciplines of Community Work and Youth Work.

    Research Interests

    My research interests span three main areas:
    1. The intersection of structural inequalities and subjective experiences
    2. Research Methodologies for Social Justice including Participative research; Collaborative Research & Co-Production; Biographic Narrative Inquiry; Feminist Research Methodologies.
    3. Community Work Education: Professional formation and professional practice in Community and Youth Work including: Groupwork Practice for Community and Youth Work; Ethics and values in professional practice; the professional formation of gender conscious practitioners; Pedagogy of research for practitioners; Research methods in community work practice. Professional Narratives of Community Workers. 

    Research Projects

      Project Role Funding Body / Program Description Start Date End Date Award (€)
    IRC EB Scholarship for Lynsey Kavanagh PI Irish Research Council (IRC) / Employment based Postgraduate Research Programme 01-OCT-16 30-SEP-18 96000

    Book Chapters

      Year Publication
    2018 'The Construction of Teenage Parenting in the Republic of Ireland'
    Ciara Bradley (2018) 'The Construction of Teenage Parenting in the Republic of Ireland' In: Annalise Kamp and Majella McSharry (eds). Re/Assembling the Pregnant and Parenting Teenager Narratives from the Field(s). Switzerland: Peter Lang Publishing. [DOI] [Details]

    Peer Reviewed Journals

      Year Publication
    2020 'Persistent stigma despite social change: experiences of stigma among single women who were pregnant or mothers in the Republic of Ireland 1996–2010'
    Bradley, C; Millar, M (2020) 'Persistent stigma despite social change: experiences of stigma among single women who were pregnant or mothers in the Republic of Ireland 1996–2010'. FAMILIES, RELATIONSHIPS AND SOCIETIES, 9 (3):1-17 [DOI] [Details]
    2017 'New technologies and creative practices in teaching groupwork'
    Byrne A.;McGovern M.;Bradley C. (2017) 'New technologies and creative practices in teaching groupwork'. Groupwork, 27 (1):9-27 [full-text] [Details]
    2012 '"Doing the Job as a Parent": Parenting Alone, Work, and Family Policy in Ireland'
    Millar, M;Coen, L;Bradley, C;Rau, H (2012) '"Doing the Job as a Parent": Parenting Alone, Work, and Family Policy in Ireland'. Journal of Family Issues, 33 :29-51 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]

    Conference Contributions

      Year Publication
    2021 Pavee Mothering during Covid-19.
    Lynsey Kavanagh, Ciara Bradley, Stephanie McDonald (2021) Pavee Mothering during Covid-19. [Oral Presentation], Motherhood & Work - Maynooth, Ireland (Virtual), Maynooth, Ireland (Virtual) [Details]
    2021 “A journey, not a destination”: Emerging professional narratives of Community and Youth workers .
    Ciara Bradley, Hilary Tierney, Jamie Gorman (2021) “A journey, not a destination”: Emerging professional narratives of Community and Youth workers . [Oral Presentation], What's The Story? Narrative in Youth Work and Youth Studies - Maynooth, Ireland (Virtual), Maynooth, Ireland (Virtual) [Details]
    2021 “A journey, not a destination”: Emerging professional narratives of Community Workers .
    Ciara Bradley, Hilary Tierney, Jamie Gorman (2021) “A journey, not a destination”: Emerging professional narratives of Community Workers . [Oral Presentation], World Community Development Conference 2021 - Nairobi, Kenya (Virtual), Nairobi, Kenya (Virtual) [Details]
    2020 Situating Stories: Using the 'Interpretive Panels' and the 'Four Foci Analytical Tool' in the Biographical Narrative Interpretive Method to better understand our interviews.
    Bradley, Ciara (2020) Situating Stories: Using the 'Interpretive Panels' and the 'Four Foci Analytical Tool' in the Biographical Narrative Interpretive Method to better understand our interviews. [Oral Presentation], European Sociological Association Research Network 03 Biographical Perspectives on Europe in association with the Sociological Association of Ireland BNIM and Life Course Study Group Midterm Webinar, Online [Details]
    2019 Meaningful Co-production in Research: Critical Questions.
    Ciara Bradley (2019) Meaningful Co-production in Research: Critical Questions. [Oral Presentation], UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre 9th Biennial International Conference, NUI Galway [Details]
    2019 ‘Knowing Well and Knowing Responsibly’: Ethics and Accountability in the Research Process.
    Ciara Bradley (2019) ‘Knowing Well and Knowing Responsibly’: Ethics and Accountability in the Research Process. [Oral Presentation], 5th International Irish Narrative Inquiry Conference 2019, Trinity College Dublin [Details]
    2019 Critical - Value Driven Learning for Community Development Practitioners.
    Ciara Bradley (2019) Critical - Value Driven Learning for Community Development Practitioners. [Oral Presentation], World Community Development Conference 2019, Dundee [Details]
    2018 A Collective Pedagogy of Groupwork for Community Development.
    Ciara Bradley (2018) A Collective Pedagogy of Groupwork for Community Development. [Oral Presentation], World Community development Conference 2018, Maynooth University [Details]
    2016 'Stories 'r Us' ‘Knowing Well and Knowing Responsibly’ – Navigating Unreliability in Narrative Inquiry.
    Hilary Tierney, Ciara Bradley (2016) 'Stories 'r Us' ‘Knowing Well and Knowing Responsibly’ – Navigating Unreliability in Narrative Inquiry. [Oral Presentation], 3rd Irish Narrative Inquiry Conference 10-11 March 2016, NUI Galway [Details]
    2016 ‘Using the new Standards in Community Work to further Gender Equality in Ireland’.
    Ciara Bradley (2016) ‘Using the new Standards in Community Work to further Gender Equality in Ireland’. [Oral Presentation], International Women’s Day 2016 Maynooth University Conference Gender & Diversity: Leadership,, Maynooth University [Details]
    2015 ‘Reflections on using the Biographic Narrative Interpretive Method’.
    Ciara Bradley (2015) ‘Reflections on using the Biographic Narrative Interpretive Method’. [Oral Presentation], Irish Narrative Inquiry Conference 2015, Maynoothy University [Details]
    2014 Exploring Stigma in Narrative with the Biographic Narrative Interpretive Method.
    Ciara Bradley (2014) Exploring Stigma in Narrative with the Biographic Narrative Interpretive Method. [Oral Presentation], Sociological Association of Ireland Postgraduate Conference 2014, NUI Galway, N.U.I. Galway [Details]
    2014 ‘Critical Community Work in Ireland 1970-2014’.
    Ciara Bradley, Oonagh McArdle, Anastasia Crickey (2014) ‘Critical Community Work in Ireland 1970-2014’. [Oral Presentation], Global Social Sciences Conference 2014, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong [Details]
    2014 ‘The Reproduction of Stigma - Single women’s pregnancy and motherhood in Ireland’.
    Ciara Bradley (2014) ‘The Reproduction of Stigma - Single women’s pregnancy and motherhood in Ireland’. [Oral Presentation], Sociological Association of Ireland Annual Conference 2014, Dublin Institute of Teachnology, Dublin [Details]
    2010 ‘Representation of single mothers' in Irish Social Policy and Media’ Sibeil Postgraduate Conference, NUI Galway.
    Ciara Bradley (2010) ‘Representation of single mothers' in Irish Social Policy and Media’ Sibeil Postgraduate Conference, NUI Galway. [Oral Presentation], Sibeil Postgraduate Conference, N.U.I. Galway [Details]
    2008 ‘Doing the Job as a Single Parent’.
    Liam Coen, Ciara Bradley and Henrike Rau (2008) ‘Doing the Job as a Single Parent’. [Oral Presentation], Sociological Association of Ireland Annual Conference, N.U.I. Galway [Details]
    2008 ‘Galway One Parent Family Development Consortioum Model of Engagement’.
    Ciara Bradley, Charlie Currie (2008) ‘Galway One Parent Family Development Consortioum Model of Engagement’. [Oral Presentation], POBAL Conference, Dublin [Details]

    Published Reports

      Year Publication
    2007 Towards a Better Future: Research on Labour Market Needs and Social Exclusion of One Parent Families in Galway City and County.
    Michelle Millar, Liam Coen, Henrike Rau, Michaela Donegan, John Canavan, Ciara Bradley (2007) Towards a Better Future: Research on Labour Market Needs and Social Exclusion of One Parent Families in Galway City and County. UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, Galway. [Details]
    2010 Youth Cafés in Ireland: A Best Practice Guide.
    Forkan, C., Canavan, J., Dolan, P., Bradley, C., Brady, B., Carty, C., Coen, L., Devaney, C., Kearns, N., Kenny, A., Merriman, B. and O’Regan, C. (2010) Youth Cafés in Ireland: A Best Practice Guide. The Stationary Office, Dublin. [Details]

    Manual

      Year Publication
    2012 BA Degree in Early Childhood Studies and Practice Year 3 Social Research Methodologies.
    Ciara Bradley (2012) BA Degree in Early Childhood Studies and Practice Year 3 Social Research Methodologies. Galway: Manual [Details]

    Seminar

      Year Publication
    2020 Sociology Association of Ireland Study Group Biographic Narrative and Life Course Methods research discussion group:Introduction to Biographic Narrative Interpretive Methodology (BNIM 3).
    Wengraf, Tom; Bradley, Ciara; Moran, Lisa; Cronin, Joan (2020) Sociology Association of Ireland Study Group Biographic Narrative and Life Course Methods research discussion group:Introduction to Biographic Narrative Interpretive Methodology (BNIM 3). Seminar [Details]
    2020 Sociology Association of Ireland Study Group Biographic Narrative and Life Course Methods research discussion group: 'Biographical Encounters with Biographical Objects?'.
    Byrne, Anne; Kovacic, Tanja; Prieto, Blanco; Patricia; Moran, Lisa; Cronin, Joan; Bradley, Ciara (2020) Sociology Association of Ireland Study Group Biographic Narrative and Life Course Methods research discussion group: 'Biographical Encounters with Biographical Objects?'. Seminar [Details]
    2013 Evaluating Outcomes in Community Development.
    McArdle, Oonagh; Bradley, Ciara (2013) Evaluating Outcomes in Community Development. Seminar [Details]
    2016 Community Work Summer School.
    Crickley, Anastasia; Bradley, Ciara; Fay, Ronnie; Irwin, Ann; Doyle, Rachel (2016) Community Work Summer School. Seminar [Details]
    2020 United Nations Human Rights Day: Recover Better - Stand Up for Human Rights.
    Irwin, Ann; Coombes, Tommy; McGinley, Edel; Crickley, Anastasia; O'Shea, Marianne; Bradley, Ciara; Taylor, Seamus (2020) United Nations Human Rights Day: Recover Better - Stand Up for Human Rights. Seminar [Details]

    Conference Hosted

      Year Publication
    2018 World Community Development Conference 2018: MU Department of Applied Social Studies in association with International Association of Community Development and Community Work Ireland.
    Crickley, Anastasia; McArdle, Oonagh; Bradley, Ciara; O'Shea, Marianne; Irwin, Ann; Doyle, Rachel (2018) World Community Development Conference 2018: MU Department of Applied Social Studies in association with International Association of Community Development and Community Work Ireland. Conference Hosted [Details]

    Discussion

      Year Publication
    2021 Sociology Association of Ireland Study Group Biographic Narrative and Life Course Methods research discussion group: Evening with Prof Kim Etherington - Becoming a Narrative Inquirer.
    Etherington, Kim; Byrne, Anne; Moran, Lisa; Cronin, Joan; Bradley, Ciara (2021) Sociology Association of Ireland Study Group Biographic Narrative and Life Course Methods research discussion group: Evening with Prof Kim Etherington - Becoming a Narrative Inquirer. Discussion [Details]

    Co-edited Journal Issue

      Year Publication
    2019 International Association of Community Development Practice Insights from the World Community Development Conference 2018.
    Anastasia Crickley and Ciara Bradley (2019) International Association of Community Development Practice Insights from the World Community Development Conference 2018. Co-edited Journal Issue [Details]

    Honours and Awards

      Year Title Awarding Body
    2008 Irish Social Sciences Platform PRTLI 4 Doctoral Scholarship Irish Social Sciences Platform
    2020 CTL - Student Feedback and Teaching Evaluation (with Dr Niamh Flanagan and Dr Gloria Kirwan) National Forum for Teaching & Learning
    2013 CTL Fellowship - Research for Practice (with Dr Hilary Tierney) Maynooth University
    2007 UNESCO Child and Family Doctoral Scholarship UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre

    Professional Associations

      Association Function From / To
    Sociology Association of Ireland Treasurer 01-AUG-20 /
    Community Work Ireland: Current member of the Climate Justice Working Group Member 01-SEP-19 /
    Community Work Ireland: Current member of the Central Group Member 01-AUG-20 /
    Sociology Association of Ireland Member 01-FEB-10 /
    Sociology Association of Ireland Study Group: Sociology for the Social Professions Member 01-SEP-20 /
    European Sociological Association Member 01-SEP-20 /
    Community Work Ireland Member 01-SEP-07 /
    Sociology Association of Ireland Study Group: Biographic Narrative & Life Course Study Group Group Co-convenor with Dr Lisa Moran and Dr Joan Cronin 01-SEP-20 /

    Committees

      Committee Function From / To
    DAPPSS Research Ethics Committee Member 2013 / 2021
    Maynooth University Academic Council Standing Committee Campus Life Faculty of Social Science Representative 2019 /
    Maynooth University Academic Council Standing Committee International Education Faculty of Social Science Representative 2019 /
    Maynooth University Social Justice Week Committee Chair 2019 /

    Outreach Activities

      Description

    Galway Traveller Movement: Board Member 2010-2013

    Association for the Improvement of Maternity Services Ireland Ordinary Committee Member 2016-2021

    Youth Work Ireland Galway Board Member 2005-2011

    Education

      Year Institution Qualification Subject
    2013 NUI Galway Ph.D. Sociology
    2007 NUI Galway MA in Community Development Community Development
    2002 NUI Galway BA in Political Science and Sociology Political Science and Sociology
    2020 Maynooth University Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Teaching, Learning & Assessment Teaching, Learning & Assessment in Higher Education

    Reviews

      Journal Role
    Groupwork Reviewer
    Journal Of Social Work Practice Reviewer
    Contemporary Social Science: Journal Of The Academy Of Social Sciences Reviewer
    Qualitative Social Work Reviewer

    Other Activities

      Description

    I act as a peer-reviewer in the evaluation of proposals for the European Commission Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions.

    Teaching Interests


    My teaching practice is underpinned by the values of community development, namely equality and social justice. I take a student centred approach and I believe strongly that the learning experience should be empowering. I am excited by teaching practice and employ a wide variety of creative methodologies in my classes.     I have a strong commitment to ongoing evaluation of my teaching and routinely engage with students to secure feedback on content and the teaching and learning approaches to support me to develop my teaching practice.

    I contribute across the Department’s programmes from undergraduate to doctoral level in the social professions including our programmes in Community and Youth Work and Social Work and in Social Policy.


    Recent Postgraduates

      Graduation Student Name University Degree Thesis
    2018 Lynsey Kavanagh Maynooth University Ph.D ‘Standing alongside’ and in solidarity with Traveller women: Narratives of Pregnancy Loss in Ireland