Research and Impact

Description

An invited keybote address on the role of social impact from academic research at a DCU Research Event entitled 'Researching Practice, Practicing Research'. The presentation drew on case studies of two major research programmes in Northern Ireland, one looking at the effects of the selective system of secondary education, the other looking at the potential for cross-sectoral school partnerships through ‘shared education’. The first of these contributed to an extensive public debate on the organization of post-primary education in Northern Ireland, but ultimately there was no political consensus on proposals for change. By contrast the work on shared education had a major impact on policy and practice, including legislation which put a statutory duty on the Department of Education to encourage, facilitate and promote Shared Education. The paper highlighted the importance of active engagement with the policy process and the wider civic role academics should play in policy debates.

Period	19 May 2026
Held at	Dublin City University, Ireland
Degree of Recognition	International