2015

NEWS AND ACTIVITIES Student Activities!Community Engagement!Critical Social Thinking!Trip to Brussels!!

GRADUATE PROFILES Peter Nestor, Class of 2012, speaks about his postgraduate experience!Jennifer Goff, Class of 2011 reflects on her career development

FUN SOCIAL EVENTS UCC’s Social Science society!!The Social Science Ball - ‘Dancing through the Decades’!!!T

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Issue # 2

UCCBachelor of

Social Science Magazine!

CK102!2014

We recently waved goodbye to the BSocSc Class of 2014 at their graduation ceremony last October, though happily many are staying in UCC to continue their studies. Here, we briefly recount some of the past year’s news and achievements.

Congratulations to Bryan McCarthy and Tairin Biasci, who were awarded the title of University College Scholar of the Year in Social Science on the basis of their examination results and whose success was celebrated at a ceremony in UCC on the 27th February. Tairin won the ‘College Scholar’ award for the second year running. She also achieved success in the prestigious international Undergraduate Awards, 2014, receiving a ‘Highly Commended’ award.

As an aspect of their trip to Brussels (which you can read about on the next page), BSoc students from the Comparative Social Policy 2013/14 class engaged in

fundraising efforts, the outcome of which was donated to Marymount Hospice.

Some of our recent graduates published articles based on their final year research dissertations in the 2014 edition of the School of Applied Social Studies Critical Social Thinking Journal , including Margaret Buckley, Amy Coughlan, Lisa Culloty, Elaine Deinum, Sarah McGree, Tammy Meehan, Sinéad O’Callaghan, Daisy Twohig and Nicola Whelton. Congratulations to all authors on your publications. You can read an excerpt from Sarah’s article on page 8 and others can be read in full at http://cst.ucc.ie.

This year, we also welcomed a new member to the BSoc staff team, Rebecca (Becci) Jeffers, who is graduate of the BSocSc programme. We are delighted to work with our newest, endlessly enthusiastic colleague!

The BSoc Team

Hats Off! BSocSc graduates celebrate

their success.

SOCIAL SCIENCE NEWS

AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES

L-R: BSocSc Comparative Social Policy students, Tairin Biasci, Karen Keane, Caitríona Burke, a representative from Marymount Hospice, and Crystal Leiker

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!!!!The biggest night on the Social Science calendar is without a doubt the Social Science ball. On the 28th November, students from across the programme thronged to the Imperial Hotel to ‘dance through the decades’ in aid of Cork Autism. Each banquet table was decorated to resemble a different decade in recent history. From the Golden Era of the Welfare State to the rise of Thatcherism and even the politics of the mullet (a phenomenon that, in my opinion, needs further analysis) each decade was represented. After intercepting some delicious, chocolatey dessert, I took a seat at a table of final years and listened to a brief toast by the committee. There was a flurry of excitement as a dividing curtain opened to reveal a dance floor and the band, Emerson, who were finishing their setup. People began to move between tables to catch up with friends and share stories of the year so far. It was at this point that the Afters guests began to file in, resulting in, what would be best described as, shrieks of excitement when their classmates caught their eyes. The balcony, where a bunch of students had located themselves, was buzzing with conversation. Smartphones extending from all angles often held slackly – ‘selfie!’ – followed by waves of laughter. The music started and from that point there was a continuous drift toward the dance

f l oo r. Emerson were w o n d e r f u l . W i t h a distinctly funky sound, they really did fit the theme of ‘dancing through the decades’, playing songs from The Rolling Stones, The Verve, The Beatles, Oasis, The Arctic M o n k e y s a n d m a n y o t h e r s . D J E l v i r u s f o l l o w e d w i t h g r e a t enthusiasm. Wi l l ing ly taking the most bizarre requests (mainly from me) the room was filled with

an intoxicating glee. At some point, I realised I had intended to leave hours ago, because I - or the part of me claiming to be a responsible adult - had to work the next morning. It was coming toward the close of the night so I snuck out, saying goodbye to a few friends. I could hear the party continuing behind me, the search for shoes and jackets, the laughter and I remembered with great fondness the heady night of my class’s final Social Science ball which lasted into the early hours of the morning. I’m sure it was also a night to remember for the Class of 2014.

Becci Jeffers

On arrival in Belg ium we made our way to the Leuven Irish Institute, which would be our home for the night. T h i s i s a centre for Irish S t u d i e s i n

Europe; it facilitates events and provides accommodation for many educational and NGO groups in Ireland. We navigated the beautiful building (which had fantastic views of gardens and the town) to our rooms and then made our way to the dining hall where we were treated to a

three course meal. Following the meal we attended lectures by the Dean on the history of the Irish Institute and one on the structures of the EU, after which we were free to roam the neighbourhood. We made our way, past endless rows of bikes, to a quaint cobblestone square near the Institute to indulge in some of the goods for which Belgium is famous. A night of fun and frolics ensued! The next morning we made our way to Brussels where we would spend the day in the EU Parliament. The vista was architecturally fascinating - a mix of Gothic and postmodern design, where ‘olde-worlde’ cathedrals and palaces met the edifices of vast EU Institutions. It was here we met some key figures, officials,

and MEPs who discussed their roles and position in EU decision-making processes. Gabriele Zimmer, the Leader of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left, engaged us in a captivating discussion about her group’s intentions to develop social institutions in the EU. Later we met with a number of Irish representatives inc lud ing Br ian Crowley, Mai réad McGuinness, Phil Prendergast, and Séan Kelly, for a Questions and Answers session.

The exciting day came to a close with a visit to the Grand-Place (Grote Markt) in Brussels, where we took some time to wander, view the attractions, and explore the endless chocolate shops.

On Monday the 14th of October 2013, a group of 19 Social Science students and 5 staff members flew from Cork to Belgium on a grant-funded trip as part of the Comparative Social Policy module, organised by their lecturer, Dr Féilim Ó hAdhmaill.

TRIP TO BRUSSELS!

SOCIAL SCIENCE BALL

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The School of Applied Social Studies has a long tradition of community engagement, the importance of which was recently highlighted by Irish universities in signing up to the new ‘Campus Engage Charter on Civic and Community Engagement’. Here, we document some of our more recent community-based collaborations.

! COMMUNITY

ENGAGEMENT

We’re Not Leaving: Youth unemployment and emigration On the 3rd of October, 2013,

Becci Jeffers presented on the issue of youth unemployment and emigration to an emerging group of young activists in Cork o rgan i sed by We’ re No t Leaving. The purpose of the meeting was to create a discussion and action around issues impacting upon the lives of young people in Ireland as a result of harsh retrenchment policy. As a result of a number of these small local events in Dublin, Cork, Galway and so

on, a National Young People’s Assembly was called to deliberate a Youth Charter which would become the back bone of We’re Not Leaving’s demands. The event was held in Liberty Hall, Dublin, and hundreds of young people, between 16 and 35, came to discuss problems directly affecting them. Alongside Paul Murphy (MEP), Becci presented at two sessions on youth unemployment and emigration, to provide food for thought prior to the negotiation of specific demands. This year Becci has been invited by a number of young and student activist groups to discuss issues relating to strategy, direct action and lobbying. An upcoming event in her calendar includes a lecture to members of Shout! on issues of inequality. !New Volunteer Scheme: COPE Foundation and the BSocSc

The BSocSc Degree at UCC and COPE Foundation have established a volunteer scheme. This scheme which began in Spring 2014 will see students of the BSocSc teaming up with COPE staff in the delivery of supports and services to people with intellectual disabilities.  COPE Foundation is the largest provider of services to persons with intellectual disabilities in the greater Cork region and its centres throughout the city and county help over 2000 people of all ages realise their full potential every day through its schools, workshops, horticulture facilities and sports centres.  Many of COPE Foundation’s service users now live in community settings and BSocSc volunteers who will be fully trained up as part of the scheme will contribute to the very important work of COPE Foundation.  Ms Millie Farrell Volunteer Co-ordinator of COPE Foundation visited

UCC and outlined the main features of the scheme to the students.  In return for their participation BSocSc students can count the hours undertaken in their applications for social work and other professional programmes such as occupational therapy and speech and language therapy.  !Having Our Say: Children’s Voices in Housing Estate Regeneration

Dr Cathal O’Connell and Dr Siobhan O’Sullivan from the School of Applied Social Studies led an exciting project in 2013 that involved 78 children and young people from Knocknaheeny aged 6 to 19 years. The project set out to hear their views about the regeneration of their area using a variety of creative methods including focus groups, photography, art and rap. Dr Cathal O’Connell says that ‘While estate regeneration can affect children and young people’s lives in many ways, their voices are seldom heard in regeneration programmes and this research represents a first step in doing so’. The research found that far from being apathetic, children and young people have clear ideas and expectations of regeneration. They want a safer neighbourhood, a cleaner environment, a better reputation for the estate, and improved life chances and opportunities, including education and work. They also want to be involved in the decision-making around regeneration. The research shows the importance of actively listening to the voices of children and young people and enabling them to influence change. The report recommends that Regeneration Guidelines and Estate Management Practice include consultation methods with children and young people and that local employment clauses be incorporated in regeneration programmes, especially in relation to apprenticeships and employment for local young people and unemployed persons. The research was funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, the Irish Research Council, and the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, UCC.

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Adult and Community Education in the Northside of Cork and Dublin

Dr Siobhan O’Sullivan, a researcher and lecturer at the School of Applied Social Studies, UCC, recently produced two research reports in association with Shared Insight Research Consultancy, for Respond! Housing Association on the provision of adult and community education in Cork and Dublin. The Cork report was launched by then Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Catherine Clancy at the St Francis Gardens Housing Complex in Blackpool, Cork in March 2014. Also present was Ms Kathleen Lynch T.D., Minister of State for Primary Care, Mental Health and Disability who responded to the report. The Dublin Report was launched by the well-known social justice campaigner Fr. Peter McVerry at the Marino Institute in Drumcondra, Dublin in September 2014.  Also among the speakers at the launch was Fr. Sean Healy of Social Justice Ireland. Both reports highlighted current levels of provision on the northside of Cork city and in neighbourhoods on the northside of Dublin city including Finglas,  Ballymun, Whitehall, Beaumont  and Drumcondra.  At the launch Dr Lorcan Byrne, a BSocSc graduate of the School of Applied Social Studies, UCC, and Education Coordinator for Respond! noted the importance of social research in providing reliable data to identify gaps in existing provision and to ensure that education providers respond to educational needs of communities in ways which give genuine opportunities for progression and social inclusion. Dr Cathal O'Connell, Senior Lecturer in Applied Social Studies, provided research oversight on both projects. The reports are available on http://www.respond.ie/eventsmedia/publications/.

Sir Henrys@UCC Library

Eileen Hogan (BSoc team member) was joint curator of a recent project with Martin O’Connor (UCC Library) and Steven Grainger/‘Stevie G’ (local DJ and music producer) on Sir Henry’s bar and nightclub. Located on South Main Street, Cork (1977 – 2003) this venue was renowned locally, nationally and internationally for its vibrant music scene. The Sir Henrys’ Archival Exhibition, which ran from 9th July to the 27th September in the foyer of UCC Library documented the distinctive history of this legendary Cork city music venue. The

project was developed as a ‘crowdsourcing’ initiative. Through digital social media (Facebook, Twitter and blog sites) the curators engaged with members of the public in locating cultural artefacts and memories of their Sir Henrys’ experiences. The story of the venue encompasses a range of musical genres that catered to the changing tastes of generations of music fans and offers a unique insight into Ireland’s changing socio-cultural landscape. The exhibition was a huge success, drawing thousands of visitors to UCC. It also gained significant media attention, featuring in a range of media sites including: the Irish Examiner, the Irish Times, the Evening Echo, Hot Press, RTE News, TG4, 2FM, and Red FM. Young people from Youth Work Ireland, Cork (Gurranebraher) also created a Sir Henrys’ art installation which was exhibited in UCC’s Student Centre. The material is now being developed as a permanent popular music archive in the Special Collections section of UCC Library.

Campaign against Direct Provision

Members of the School have been actively campaigning against the Direct Provision system, which accommodates asylum-seekers across Ireland. In association with Anti-Deportation Ireland (ADI), we have been involved in various events and protests that challenge the deplorable living conditions that asylum seekers and their children are forced to suffer.

These conditions have been highlighted in various media forums and residents in Direct Provision centres across the country have mobilised in grassroots protests. We stand with asylum seekers and with ADI in the belief ‘that deportation is inhuman, unnecessary and a violation of an individual's fundamental human rights, especially the right to seek and receive protection’.

See http://antideportationireland.blogspot.ie for further details.

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!!!Given the choice, what kind of a world you choose to live in? Is there an alternative to the way society is currently organised and what would it be like? Is it free from poverty and discrimination? Is that even possible?

The conditions animating these questions motivated a group of social justice-oriented Social Science students, prompting them to establish the ‘Vox Soc’ in 2012. Where once there was a dearth of social debate on campus, Vox Soc emerged as an avenue which provided students a more inclusive, unique, and fun forum to discuss pressing social issues, such as social exclusion, power and politics.

Vox Soc succeeded in its vision, hosting open discussions on feminism and the sociological concepts in films like The Hunger Games and Children of Men, as well as structured debates on contentious issues like euthanasia, college fees and the economic crisis. Vox Soc organised a variety of discussion panels with lecturers from the School of Applied Social Studies and the Centre for Policy Studies, UCC, as well as a wide variety of social nights. That is to say, alongside the open academic forum, of course, were food and friendly banter!

This year, the committee which founded Vox Soc have made it to postgraduate level (what a relief!), meaning that it’s time for us to pass on the baton. This is an opportunity for those of you with a passion for debate (pizza!) and vision to step forward and steer the discussion warranted in these uncertain political times.

Robert Bolton and the Vox Soc Committee

SOCIAL SCIENCE SOCIETY

!!!The VoxSoc has been renamed the ‘Social Science Society’ and is now under the leadership of a new committee. Bryan McCarthy, the society’s new Auditor, outlines his vision for the new year. This year the UCC Social Science Society is building on the success of the VoxSoc and is ambitiously seeking to create an inclusive and friendly environment wherein those with an interest in the Social Sciences can meet others with similar passion, values and interests. We're hoping to spark new debates and new relationships. A wide variety of events, of both a social and academic nature, will be run throughout the

year. Our first event of the year was held in the Rock Bar on November 17th, and we had a great turnout with undergrads, postgrads and lecturers in attendance. The Society is also responsible for organising the annual Social Science ball which will be held in Semester 2. There is plenty more to come besides; we hope you will join us and see what we're about!

2014 NEWS

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!!!!!!!!!!!Jennifer Goff graduated from the BSocSc programme in 2011. Here she reflects on her BSoc experience and her postgraduate career development. !My experience of the BSocSc was, first and foremost, meeting likeminded people – people who cared about political and social issues while coming from a variety of backgrounds. This made for three very happy years during which many long conversations over coffee and biscuits (and occasional pints) focused on how to solve the world’s problems. Moreover, doing the BSocSc provided a space for my own ideological beliefs and critical thought processes to develop. I’m sure some of my classmates won’t forget the time I thought I was a libertarian for 6 months, which I now can only look back on in amusement and disbelief.

I became interested in my current field as there is a long history of addiction on both sides of my family. I always found it bizarre that there seemed to be almost no t rea tment o r suppor t fo r peop le experiencing difficulties with addiction. Rather than recognising that such vulnerable people require support and treatment options, they are villianised for

their drug use which, ultimately, can prevent them from entering recovery. Fitting into a criterion designed by a service that provides one kind of support or forcing people to admit that they had a problem, never seemed a good enough reason to avoid providing support for people who needed it. For my BSocSc dissertation, I did some research in the drug and alcohol field, which then compounded the feeling that I wanted to enter into the addiction field. Carrying out this research project allowed me to see that the approach in supporting people with addiction in Ireland was outdated and negatively impacted on vulnerable people across the country.

Following a year out after the BSocSc searching for work, I decided to move to Glasgow to do a Masters in Drug and Alcohol studies. I loved the whole postgrad experience as it allowed me to learn in depth about addiction in a country at the forefront of development in the drug and alcohol field. The Masters combined learning, reflective practice through placement and research, which allowed me to develop skills that were invaluable to entering employment. I also found that having done the BSocSc provided me with essential writing and research skills, making the course work easily managed.

I’m now the Hepatitis C Service Co-Ordinator for a county in Scotland called Argyll and Bute. It’s my dream job as it combines both strategic level service development with operation level support provision to clients across the county. The BSocSc has greatly helped with the strategic parts of my job as the research skills I developed allow me to always be

aware of international research that can inform my practice and, reporting on service development to the NHS. It’s estimated that 90% of the population with Hepatitis C in Scotland are current or previous injecting drug users, so to move into th is l ine of work sui ted my educational and personal interests perfectly. Further to this, an estimated 38,000 people in Scotland are living with Hepatitis C so the NHS is currently funding support in this area quite heavily allowing positions such as mine to be created. It’s an extremely exciting time to be in this line of work as there are many new highly effective treatments coming out which are transforming the landscape of Hepatitis C service provision. Ultimately I would love to move back to Ireland and somehow become involved in drug policy development. Ireland is a country which needs to enter into a modern approach to supporting people with drug and alcohol

!what is social science? Social science is a dynamic and exciting area of study which invites students to investigate our social worlds. As a social science student, you will be part of a vibrant class group that shares your curiosity about social issues, engages in lively debate and excites your motivation for bringing about positive social change.!

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE? Detailed information on the Social Science degree (CK102) is available through the following links:• www.ucc.ie/en/appsoc/ps/courses/ug/

ck102/ • www.ucc.ie/en/ck102/ Or, contact us to speak with one of the team!!

SCHOOL OF APPLIED SOCIAL STUDIES

Tel: 021 4902228E: phil.osullivan@ucc.ie

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THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES OF CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE IN IRELAND Students, who have achieved excellence in their research dissertations are invited each year to publish their work in our online School journal, Critical Social Thinking. Here, Sarah McGree, graduate of the Social Science Class of 2013, briefly outlines her research findings. !The focus of my research is on the educational experiences of children in foster care in Ireland. It considers what obstacles these young people face in pursuing primary, secondary and third level education, how the Irish educational system currently meets the needs of children who are in long-term care, and questions how the education experiences of children in long term care might be improved. The research indicates that social workers, foster parents and other professionals in a child in care’s life should not underestimate the power and influence they have on a child’s experiences, both educationally and holistically. The findings of this research shaped a range of suggested interventions as follows:

• The establishment of a data base in all HSE regions of the objective collection of educational outcomes for all children in their care. In order to resolves issues a child may experience in school the HSE needs to first know all the obstacles which the children in care encounter.

• The introduction of constant, on-going training and evaluations for foster carers to ensure the care and support that they provide is to the highest standards and meets the needs of the children in their care.

• On initial admission to care, each child should undergo an educational and psychological assessment in order to identify the areas of deficit in their education so far and to identify trauma from pre-care and in-care experiences that may impact their ability to learn. Such assessments could also guide the social workers to place the child in a more compatible foster home.

• SNA’s and counsellors should be reintroduced into schools and should be readily available for all children who need them, especially children in care.

• Extra support should be provided for children coming up to their eighteenth birthday and after to ensure they are supported to stay in school and encouraged to make the most out of their education.

• Child centred policies should be assessed and reviewed to see exactly how well they are functioning and if they are benefiting the child in practice.

The full text of Sarah’s article, along with a range of other students’ research, can be read at http://cst.ucc.ie.

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Peter Nestor graduated from the BSocSc programme in 2012.  After graduation he successfully applied to study Occupational Therapy at the University of Essex and began his studies in September 2012. !My programme of study was over two years and at the end August 2014 I graduated with a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy. Fol lowing a successful placement, I have been working part-time as a therapy assistant in a renowned hospital for the past year and am in the process of applying for a full-time position as a qualified occupational therapist. I found the BSocSc experience to be excellent preparation for my Occupational Therapy studies.  It gave me an insight into the caring professions and

issues relating to welfare, disability, and a whole range of other topics relevant to the social professions. Occupational Therapy within the homeless sector is an emerging new area for the profession. For my fourth and final placement I was selected to establish Occupational Therapy within a homeless day centre that had no previous experiences with OT provision. Although this work was challenging, I found it highly rewarding and my experiences from the Social Science degree provided me with a solid foundation to confidently work in this area. On the BSoc, I also completed modules in research methods which provided me with a good foundation for my post graduate research. I found my OT studies at the University of Essex demanding but the Masters  has provided me with a meaningful role for my professional identity in a rewarding and exciting career. I am proud to know that as an occupational therapist, I will be supporting those in need to enjoy a high quality of life. I was very lucky that the National Health Services funded my Occupational Therapy Masters degree and as a result I did not have to pay any fees

over the past two years. I also undertook four contrasting work placements: in the Social Services; in a hospital; in a community mental health team; and, in a homeless day centre.!A number of my UCC classmates also studied OT after completing their BSocSc degrees and I would strongly recommend the degree as an excellent foundation for a n y o n e c o n s i d e r i n g a c a r e e r i n Occupational Therapy or any of the caring or therapeutic professions.!

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www.ucc.ie/en/appsoc/ps/courses/ug/ck102"!Follow us @UCCAppSoc"!appsocialstudies@ucc.ie"!http://youtu.be/Kj-aZdvILWM " "021 4902228

BSocSc/CK102

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