Our research
Research is pursued at three levels:
- research centres / programmes
- research by individual academics working alone or in collaboration with colleagues
- research undertaken by post-graduate research students and post – doctoral researchers
The School of Social Work and Social Policy has key research strength and capacity (organised in research centres / programmes) in the following areas:
- Ageing
- Children
- Drug and Alcohol Policy
- Intellectual Disability
In addition, one or more School members have research interests and expertise in the following areas:
- Crime and social policy
- Family Life and reproductive fertility patterns
- Family policy
- History of social policy
- Housing and Homelessness
- Immigration
- Lone parents
- Poverty and social security
- Social security
- Social work
In terms of post-graduate research students, there are currently 48 PhD students registered in the School, a significant proportion of whom are attached to the School’s research centres / programmes.
The range of substantive, theoretical, policy and methodological expertise in research in the School makes it an exciting research environment for experienced and novice researchers alike. The School’s strong traditions in social work and social policy are enriched by contributions from School members drawn from a range of additional relevant disciplines including anthropology, education, law, political science, psychology and sociology.
The School has a strong international orientation in its work with many School staff being members of international research networks in their fields of interest. A range of research projects are based on active collaboration with colleagues in institutions abroad including:
- National Development and Research Institutes, New York
- Queen’s University, Belfast
- University of Chicago
- University of Sheffield
- University of Leuven
- University of Tampere, Finland
Research across the School attracts support from a range of sources in the public, philanthropic and corporate sectors, including:
- AIB Bank
- Atlantic Philanthropies
- Department of Health and Children
- European Marie Curie programme
- Health Research Board
- Health Service Executive
- Irish Research Council for Research in the Humanities and Social Sciences
- National Children’s Office
- National Disability Authority
- National Institute of Drug Abuse (USA)
- The Adoption Authority
The School welcomes interest in its research programme:
- Academics seeking opportunities for extended visits as Academic Visitors should contact the Head of School, Professor Robbie Gilligan (robbie.gilligan@tcd.ie)
- Those interested in an opportunity as a Research Internships in the Children’s Research Centre should contact the Director, Professor Sheila Greene (sgreene@tcd.ie)
- Those interested in research opportunities in the Social Policy & Ageing Research Centre should contact Dr Virpi Timonen (virpi.timonen@tcd.ie)
- Those interested in post-doctoral research opportunities should contact Dr Virpi Timonen (virpi.timonen@tcd.ie). Funded opportunities for postdoctoral fellowships will be advertised on the School Website.
- Those considering application to register for a postgraduate research degree in the School should contact Dr Eoin O'Sullivan (tosullvn@tcd.ie)