Prof Mary Corcoran

    Sociology, National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis (NIRSA)

    Auxilia House
    3.3
    (01) 708 3789

    Biography

    I discovered Sociology when I began a degree in Economic and Social Studies at Trinity College Dublin in October 1979. I was instantly hooked! After completing a degree in Sociology and Politics and a stint working in the newly formed Telecom Eireann (now Eircom) I went to New York City to continue my studies. I received my doctorate in Sociology from Columbia University, New York in 1991 www.columbia.edu. My PhD research explored the experiences of undocumented Irish immigrants in the city in the 1980s. While in New York, I worked as an adjunct lecturer in Sociology at New York University and at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY. On my return to Ireland in 1988 I spent two years teaching at UCD before moving to the National University of Ireland, Maynooth in 1990. My research and teaching interests lie primarily in the fields of urban sociology, public cultures and the sociology of migration. For a full list of my publications, teaching record and presentations please see my curriculum vitae. One of my main ambitions is to bring sociology and the sociological perspective to wider audiences. I do this through my engagement with community groups and civic organisations and through regular appearances in the broadcast media. I have for many years been an active member of the Sociological Association of Ireland helping to promote the discipline more widely. When I am not 'doing sociology' I like to go cycling, walk in the mountains and read fiction.

    Books

      Year Publication
    2012 A Sociology of Ireland. 4th Edition.
    Perry Share, Mary P. Corcoran and Brian Conway (2012) A Sociology of Ireland. 4th Edition. Dublin: Gill and MacMillan. [Details]
    2010 Suburban Affiliations.
    Corcoran, M.P., J. Gray and M. Peillon (2010) Suburban Affiliations. : Syracuse University Press. [Details]
    2010 Ireland of the illusions: a sociological chronicle 2007-2008.
    Mary P. Corcoran (2010) Ireland of the illusions: a sociological chronicle 2007-2008. : Institute of Public Administration. [Details]
    2008 Belongings: shaping identity in Modern Ireland.
    Mary P. Corcoran (2008) Belongings: shaping identity in Modern Ireland. Dublin: Institute of Public Administration. [IR Link] [Details]
    2007 A Sociology of Ireland, 3rd edition.
    M.P. Corcoran, P. Share and H. Tovey (2007) A Sociology of Ireland, 3rd edition. : Gill and MacMillan. [Details]
    2006 Uncertain Ireland: A sociological chronicle 2003-2004.
    (2006) Uncertain Ireland: A sociological chronicle 2003-2004. : Institute of Public Administration. [Details]
    2005 Political Censorship and the democratic state: the Irish broadcasting ban.
    (2005) Political Censorship and the democratic state: the Irish broadcasting ban. : Four Courts Press. [Details]
    2004 Place and non-place. The reconfiguration of Ireland.
    Corcoran, Mary P. (2004) Place and non-place. The reconfiguration of Ireland. : Institute of Public Administration. [IR Link] [Details]
    2002 Ireland Unbound. A Turn of the Century Chronicle 1999-2000.
    (2002) Ireland Unbound. A Turn of the Century Chronicle 1999-2000. : Institute of Public Administration. [Details]
    1995 The Changing Social Environment: The European Context, Sociology 2 Module.
    M.P. Corcoran (1995) The Changing Social Environment: The European Context, Sociology 2 Module. : National Distance Education Centre, Dublin City University. [Details]
    1993 Irish Illegals: Transients Between Two Societies.
    M.P. Corcoran (1993) Irish Illegals: Transients Between Two Societies. : Greenwood Press. [Details]

    Peer Reviewed Journals

      Year Publication
    2015 'Toward a morphology of public space in suburban Dublin'
    Corcoran M.;Hayes M. (2015) 'Toward a morphology of public space in suburban Dublin'. Built Environment, 41 (4):519-537 [IR Link] [Details]
    2015 'Urban agriculture, civil interfaces and moving beyond difference: the experiences of plot holders in Dublin and Belfast'
    Corcoran M.;Kettle P. (2015) 'Urban agriculture, civil interfaces and moving beyond difference: the experiences of plot holders in Dublin and Belfast'. Local Environment, 20 (10):1215-1230 [DOI] [IR Link] [Details]
    2012 'Society, space and the public realm: Beyond gated individualization '
    Corcoran, Mary P. (2012) 'Society, space and the public realm: Beyond gated individualization '. IRISH JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY, 20 [IR Link] [Details]
    2012 'Sustaining Communities: setting the agenda'
    O Callaghan, C., Corcoran, M.P. and Fuller, W. (2012) 'Sustaining Communities: setting the agenda'. GEO JOURNAL, 77 :1-6 [Details]
    2012 'The 'miracle' of Fatima: media framing and the regeneration of a Dublin housing estate'
    Conway, B., Corcoran, M.P. and Cahill, L.M. (2012) 'The 'miracle' of Fatima: media framing and the regeneration of a Dublin housing estate'. JOURNALISM, 13 :551-571 [IR Link] [Details]
    2010 'Goda's golden acre for children': Pastoralism and sense of place in new suburban communities'
    Corcoran M. (2010) 'Goda's golden acre for children': Pastoralism and sense of place in new suburban communities'. Urban Studies, 47 (12):2537-2554 [DOI] [IR Link] [Details]
    2007 'Editors Introduction'
    M.P. Corcoran and M. Devlin (2007) 'Editors Introduction'. Irish Journal of Sociology, 16 :5-10 [IR Link] [Details]
    2006 'The Challenge of Urban Regeneration in Deprived European Neighbourhoods: a Partnership Approach'
    Corcoran, Mary (2006) 'The Challenge of Urban Regeneration in Deprived European Neighbourhoods: a Partnership Approach'. THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL REVIEW, 37 :399-422 [IR Link] [Details]
    2005 'Portrait of the “absent” father: the impact of non-residency on developing and maintaining a fathering role'
    M.P. Corcoran (2005) 'Portrait of the “absent” father: the impact of non-residency on developing and maintaining a fathering role'. Irish Journal of Sociology, 14 :134-153 [IR Link] [Details]
    2005 'The spectacle of the spire- re-inventing Dublin’s O’Connell street'
    M.P. Corcoran (2005) 'The spectacle of the spire- re-inventing Dublin’s O’Connell street'. SOCILOGIE ET SOCIETES, XXXVII :69-86 [IR Link] [Details]
    2005 'Social support networks in impoverished European neighbourhoods: case studies from Italy and Ireland'
    M.P. Corcoran, M. Olgenora and A. Meo (2005) 'Social support networks in impoverished European neighbourhoods: case studies from Italy and Ireland'. EUROPEAN SOCIETIES, 7 :53-79 [IR Link] [Details]
    2004 'The political preferences and value orientations of Irish journalists'
    M.P. Corcoran (2004) 'The political preferences and value orientations of Irish journalists'. Irish Journal of Sociology, 13 :23-42 [IR Link] [Details]
    2003 'Global cosmopolites: issues of self-identity and collective identity among the transnational Irish elite'
    Corcoran, Mary (2003) 'Global cosmopolites: issues of self-identity and collective identity among the transnational Irish elite'. ÉTUDES IRLANDAISES, 28 :135-150 [IR Link] [Details]
    2002 'Place attachment and community sentiment in marginalised neighbourhoods: a European case study'
    M.P. Corcoran (2002) 'Place attachment and community sentiment in marginalised neighbourhoods: a European case study'. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF URBAN RESEARCH, 11 :47-68 [IR Link] [Details]
    2002 'The Process of Migration and the Reinvention of Self: The Experiences of Returning Irish Emigrants'
    M.P. Corcoran (2002) 'The Process of Migration and the Reinvention of Self: The Experiences of Returning Irish Emigrants'. ÉIRE-IRELAND, 37 :175-191 [IR Link] [Details]
    2002 'Place attachment and community sentiment in marginalised neighbourhoods: A European case study'
    Corcoran M. (2002) 'Place attachment and community sentiment in marginalised neighbourhoods: A European case study'. Canadian Journal of Urban Research, 11 (1):47-67 [IR Link] [Details]
    1991 'Informalisation of Metropolitan Labour Forces: the Case of Irish Immigrants in the New York Construction Industry'
    M.P. Corcoran (1991) 'Informalisation of Metropolitan Labour Forces: the Case of Irish Immigrants in the New York Construction Industry'. Irish Journal of Sociology, 1 :31-51 [IR Link] [Details]
    1987 'The Polls: A Report on AIDS'
    M.P. Corcoran, E. Singer and T. Rogers (1987) 'The Polls: A Report on AIDS'. Public Opinion Quarterly, 51 :580-595 [Details]

    Book Chapters

      Year Publication
    2007 'Transformations in Housing'
    Duffy, Patrick and Corcoran, Mary and Keaveney, Karen (2007) 'Transformations in Housing' In: Understanding Contemporary Ireland. Pluto Press. [IR Link] [Details]
    2006 'Re-imagining the built environment: place, community and neighbourhood in the city of Dublin'
    M.P. Corcoran (2006) 'Re-imagining the built environment: place, community and neighbourhood in the city of Dublin' In: Re-imagining Ireland. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia Press. [Details]
    2006 'Local responses to a new issue: integrating immigrants in Spain'
    M.P. Corcoran (2006) 'Local responses to a new issue: integrating immigrants in Spain' In: From Immigration to Integration: Local solutions to a global challenge. Local Economic and Employment Development (LEED) programme. Paris: OECD. [IR Link] [Details]
    2006 'Ethno-city'
    M.P. Corcoran (2006) 'Ethno-city' In: Uncertain Ireland A sociological chronicle 2003-2005.Irish sociological chronicles; 5. Dublin: Institute of Public Administration. [IR Link] [Details]
    2006 'An Age of Uncertainty'
    M.P. Corcoran (2006) 'An Age of Uncertainty' In: Uncertain Ireland A sociological chronicle 2003-2004. Dublin: Institute of Public Administration. [Details]
    2005 'The regeneration of Fatima mansions: lessons from Dublin'
    M.P. Corcoran (2005) 'The regeneration of Fatima mansions: lessons from Dublin' In: Socially Inclusive Cities: emerging concepts and practices. Munster, Germany: liT verlag. [Details]
    2005 'A deceived audience or a discerning audience? media, censorship and the threat posed to the public sphere'
    M.P. Corcoran (2005) 'A deceived audience or a discerning audience? media, censorship and the threat posed to the public sphere' In: Political censorship and the democratic state: the Irish broadcasting ban. Dublin: Four Courts Press. [Details]
    2004 'Introduction: The reconfiguration of Ireland'
    Peillon, M.and M.P. Corcoran (2004) 'Introduction: The reconfiguration of Ireland' In: Place and non-place. The reconfiguration of Ireland. Dublin: Institute of Public Administration. [Details]
    2003 ''The process of migration and the reinvention of self: the experience of returning Irish emigrants''
    M.P. Corcoran (2003) ''The process of migration and the reinvention of self: the experience of returning Irish emigrants'' In: New Directions in Irish American History. [Details]
    2002 ''On the Waterfront''
    M.P. Corcoran (2002) ''On the Waterfront'' In: Ireland Unbound: A turn of the century chronicle. Dublin: Institute of Public Administration. [Details]
    2001 'Micro-segregation in a deprived neighbourhood: A Dublin Case Study'
    M.P. Corcoran, M.C. Benson (2001) 'Micro-segregation in a deprived neighbourhood: A Dublin Case Study' In: Households in Precarity: Case Histories in six deprived neighbourhoods across Europe. [Details]
    2000 ''Irish Democracy and the Tribunal of Inquiry'''
    M.P. Corcoran and A. White (2000) ''Irish Democracy and the Tribunal of Inquiry''' In: Memories of the Present. Dublin: Institute of Public Administration. [Details]
    2000 '''Mall City''
    M.P. Corcoran (2000) '''Mall City'' In: Memories of the Present. Dublin: Institute of Public Administration. [Details]
    2000 'Local Authority Housing Residents: An invisible minority''
    M.P. Corcoran (2000) 'Local Authority Housing Residents: An invisible minority'' In: Cultivating Pluralism. Dublin: Oak Tree Press. [Details]
    1999 ''Social Structure and Quality of Life''
    M.P. Corcoran (1999) ''Social Structure and Quality of Life'' In: Social Housing in Ireland: A Study of Success, Failure and Lessons Learned. Dublin: Oak Tree Press. [Details]
    1999 ''The End of the Irish Wake''
    M.P. Corcoran (1999) ''The End of the Irish Wake'' In: The Encyclopaedia of the Irish in America. Indiana: University of Notre Dame. [Details]
    1999 ''Methodology and Overview of Estates''
    M.P. Corcoran (1999) ''Methodology and Overview of Estates'' In: Social Housing in Ireland: A Study of Success, Failure and Lessons Learned. Dublin: Oak Tree Press. [Details]
    1999 'Modernity, Identity and the Returning Irish Emigrant'
    M.P. Corcoran (1999) 'Modernity, Identity and the Returning Irish Emigrant' In: New York Irish History, Volume 13. [Details]
    1998 ''The Re-enchantment of Temple Bar''
    M.P. Corcoran (1998) ''The Re-enchantment of Temple Bar'' In: Encounters with Modern Ireland. Dublin: Institute of Public Administration. [Details]
    1998 ''Heroes of the Diaspora''
    M.P. Corcoran (1998) ''Heroes of the Diaspora'' In: Encounters with Modern Ireland. Dublin: Institute of Public Administration. [Details]
    1997 'Clandestine Destinies: the Informal Economic Sector and Irish Immigrant Incorporation''
    M.P. Corcoran (1997) 'Clandestine Destinies: the Informal Economic Sector and Irish Immigrant Incorporation'' In: Location and Dislocation in Irish Society: Multidisciplinary Essays on Emigration and Irish Identities. Cork/Indiana: Cork University Press/University of Notre Dame Press. [Details]
    1997 ''Church and State in Contemporary Ireland: Approaching a Crossroads''
    M.P. Corcoran (1997) ''Church and State in Contemporary Ireland: Approaching a Crossroads'' In: Seminario di Storia delle istituzioni religiose e relazioni tra Stato Chiesa, Reprint Series No. 20. Firenze: Università degli Studi di Firenze. [Details]
    1994 ''Emigrants, Eirepreneurs and Opportunists: A Social Profile of Recent Irish Immigration''
    M.P. Corcoran (1994) ''Emigrants, Eirepreneurs and Opportunists: A Social Profile of Recent Irish Immigration'' In: Proceedings of the Intercultural Education-Irish Perspectives Conference. Drumcondra: The Teachers Centre. [Details]
    1988 ''Ethnic Boundaries and Legal Barriers: the Labour Market Experience of Undocumented Irish Workers in New York City.''
    M.P. Corcoran (1988) ''Ethnic Boundaries and Legal Barriers: the Labour Market Experience of Undocumented Irish Workers in New York City.'' In: New York Irish History, Volume 3. [Details]

    Other Journals

      Year Publication
    2009 'Valuing the local(e) in suburbia'
    Corcoran, Mary P. (2009) 'Valuing the local(e) in suburbia' Building Materials: Journal of the Architectural Association of Ireland, 18 :46-54. [Details]
    2007 'Consumption and identity (Review essay)'
    Corcoran, Mary P. (2007) 'Consumption and identity (Review essay)' Field Day Review (Notre Dame University Press), 3 :239-245. [IR Link] [Details]
    1999 'Fin De Siecle Dublin: Landscapes of Consumption and Devastation'
    M.P. Corcoran (1999) 'Fin De Siecle Dublin: Landscapes of Consumption and Devastation' ROPES, Special Issue: Fin De Siecle, 7 :41-45. [Details]

    Conference Publications

      Year Publication
    2006 The challenge of urban regeneration in deprived European neighbourhoods: A partnership approach
    Corcoran M. (2006) The challenge of urban regeneration in deprived European neighbourhoods: A partnership approach Economic and Social Review , pp.399-422 [IR Link] [Details]

    Conference Contributions

      Year Publication
    2001 Sociological Association of Ireland Annual Conference.
    Mary P. Corcoran and Helen Russell (2001) Sociological Association of Ireland Annual Conference. [Oral Presentation], Lone Parenthood and the concept of social capital, Tralee, Co. Kerry , 02-NOV-01 - 04-NOV-01 [Details]
    2001 Culture of Cities Summer Institute.
    Mary P. Corcoran (2001) Culture of Cities Summer Institute. [Oral Presentation], Place, Attacehment and the Neighbourhood; Citizenship, Diaspora and the contemporary Irish emigrant, Toronto, Canada , 18-JUN-01 - 23-JUN-01 [Details]

    Book Review

      Year Publication
    2002 Understanding the Urban.
    Byrne, David (2002) Understanding the Urban. Book Review [Details]
    2000 Demography, State and Society: Irish Migration to Britain.
    Delaney, Enda (2000) Demography, State and Society: Irish Migration to Britain. Book Review [Details]
    1999 Poor People , Poor Places.
    Walsh, James et al (1999) Poor People , Poor Places. Book Review [Details]
    1998 The Irish Catholic Diaspora in America.
    Lawrence J. McCaffrey (1998) The Irish Catholic Diaspora in America. Book Review [Details]
    1995 Irish America and the Ulster Conflict, 1968-1995.
    Andrew J. Wilson (1995) Irish America and the Ulster Conflict, 1968-1995. Book Review [Details]
    1995 Border Approaches: Anthropological perspectives on Frontiers.
    Donnan, Hastings and Thomas Wilson (eds) (1995) Border Approaches: Anthropological perspectives on Frontiers. Book Review [Details]
    1995 Ireland: the Emigrant Nursery and the World Economy.
    (1995) Ireland: the Emigrant Nursery and the World Economy. Book Review [Details]
    1995 Values and Social Change in Ireland.
    Nolan, Brian and Tim Callan (eds) (1995) Values and Social Change in Ireland. Book Review [Details]
    1994 The Irish Diaspora.
    Arkenson, Donald Harman (1994) The Irish Diaspora. Book Review [Details]
    1988 'Sociology- from the Margins to the Mainstream', review of Anne Byrne and Madeleine Leonard (eds).1997. Women in Irish Society: A Sociological Reader.
    (1988) 'Sociology- from the Margins to the Mainstream', review of Anne Byrne and Madeleine Leonard (eds).1997. Women in Irish Society: A Sociological Reader. Book Review [Details]

    Reviews

      Year Publication
    2012 Sustaining communities: Setting the agenda.
    O'Callaghan C.;Corcoran M.;Fuller W. (2012) Sustaining communities: Setting the agenda. Reviews [DOI] [Details]
    2012 The 'miracle' of Fatima: Media framing and the regeneration of a Dublin housing estate.
    Conway B.;Corcoran M.;Cahill L. (2012) The 'miracle' of Fatima: Media framing and the regeneration of a Dublin housing estate. Reviews [DOI] [Details]
    2005 Social support networks in impoverished European neighbourhoods: Case studies from Italy and Ireland.
    Olagnero M.;Meo A.;Corcoran M. (2005) Social support networks in impoverished European neighbourhoods: Case studies from Italy and Ireland. Reviews [DOI] [Details]

    Working Paper

      Year Publication
    2009 The miracle of Fatima : Media Framing and the regeneration of a Dublin Housing Estate.
    Conway, B., Cahill, L.M. and Corcoran, M.P. (2009) The miracle of Fatima : Media Framing and the regeneration of a Dublin Housing Estate. Working Paper [IR Link] [Details]