Mary Benson

Having completed my PhD in the Department of Sociology at Maynooth University in 2006, I joined the department as a lecturer in 2007. I have previously lectured in the Department of Adult and Community Education in Maynooth University and the Department of Planning in University College Dublin.

The title of my PhD was ‘The Transformation of Ringsend within the Context of Post-Industrial Growth in Dublin: Gentrification and its implications’. This thesis draws on detailed qualitative interviews with old-timers and newcomers in Ringsend, to develop a critical sociological analysis of the forces shaping community and place in the twenty-first Century urban neighbourhood.

My research interests lie in the field of urban sociology and include changing cityscapes; gentrification; public space; urban allotment gardens; place-making; cities and consumption; visual sociology.

I am currently teaching the following modules:
·         Fieldwork Methods (Third Year)
·         Sociology of Consumption (Third Year)
·         Special Topic Place Exploration (Third Year)
·         Urban Sociology (Second Year)
·         The Sociology of Everyday Life (First Year)