Six Social Sciences projects recognised in UCD Research Impact Competition

Winning case study highlights how research from the School of Psychology is changing lives

Today, UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact Professor Orla Feely announced the winner and runners-up of the 2022 UCD Research Impact Case Study Competition. 

The annual competition encourages researchers of all disciplines to write a case study that tells the story of how their work has made a positive difference.

This year’s winner, ‘Helping parents support youth mental health’ was led by Professor Eilis Hennessy, with Aine French and Dr Daráine Murphy, from UCD School of Psychology.

The team’s research identified the information that parents need when supporting youth mental health. They shared these findings widely, increasing the mental health literacy of thousands of parents and carers across Ireland, meaning that vulnerable adolescents are more likely to get the right help at the right time.

There were also five Runners-Up from the College of Social Sciences and Law. 

Inspiring a site of national conscience at the Sean McDermott Street Magdalene Laundry describes the impact of research carried out by Professor Katherine O’Donnell and Professor Hugh Campbell. The Open Heart City research project inspired a new future for the former Magdalene Laundry on Sean McDermott Street. Involving a wide variety of stakeholders, it formed the basis of the Government’s decision to transform the site into a National Centre of Research and Remembrance, incorporating a museum and archive, which will teach current and future generations about what happened in Ireland’s institutions.

A decade of violence: monitoring anti-LGBTQ hate crimes in Russia describes the impact of work by Dr Alexander Kondakov and Sergey Katsuba. Their research has produced the most reliable dats on anti-LGBTQ hate crimes in Russia. By providing insight into the reality of oppression and violence, the project enables future generations to know what it is like to live in conditions where violence against a particular group is normalised. esearch has produced the most reliable data on anti-LGBTQ hate crimes in Russia. By providing insight into the reality of oppression and violence, the project enables future generations to know what it is like to live in conditions where violence against a particular group is normalised.

Empowering community-led green urban development describes the impact of work carried out by Dr Alma Clavin, Associate Professor Gerald Mills and Professor Niamh Moore-Cherry. The Mapping Green Dublin research project brought communities together to ensure that urban development strategies meet the needs of local residents. This has directly facilitated local action, and has empowered communities to proactively engage with policymakers, so that our urban environments contribute to the health, wellbeing and resilience of those living in them.

Helping Kids! – promoting inclusive peacebuilding describes the impact of research carried out by Assistant Professor Laura K Taylor and Dearbháile Counihan.The Helping Kids! project has collected data with thousands of children in six countries to explore when and why children help people across social boundaries. The team have shared their findings widely, raising awareness of the role that children can play in promoting peace, improving intergroup relations, and deepening social cohesion.

PINNACLE: empowering women in India and Pakistan to become education leaders describes the impact of work from Professor Deirdre Raftery and Professor Marie Clarke. The PINNACLE project explores teacher identity and teacher agency among women in education communities in India and Pakistan. The project supports women teachers to build their own leadership and educational capacity, benefitting their careers, their colleagues and their students.

Professor Feely commented: “As Chair of the panel, it has been exciting to learn more about the many ways that UCD’s researchers are changing the world. This year’s finalists are helping to improve health and wellbeing, protect the environment, address the climate crisis, influence policy, stimulate economic growth, enrich people’s lives, and inspire the next generation. I would like to congratulate them on this achievement, and thank them for their commitment to ensuring that people benefit from their research.”

There were 5 Runners-up from other Colleges:  

UCD Diabetes Complications Research Centre
Changing the guidelines for treating type 2 diabetes

Associate Professor Tom Curran
Fighting fatbergs – avoiding sewer blockages

Assistant Professor Nan Zhang
From lab to bedside: bringing medical devices to the market quicker

Assistant Professor Sarah Cotterill
Every drop counts – making a case for water conservation in Ireland

 
Dr Ricardo Simon Carbajo
HealthyAir: addressing the impacts of air pollution in Vietnam

Professor Feely said: “I encourage UCD researchers to apply for the 2023 Research Impact Competition launching this Spring. It is a fantastic way to highlight how their work is making a positive difference to people's lives. To help you reflect on your impact, we encourage you to visit our UCD Impact Toolkit.”