MLitt & PhD Research

The department is now interested in offering a number of places on our MLitt and PhD programme. We would like to hear from adult and community educators with an interest in undertaking research leading to a masters or doctorate.

The department welcomes enquiries and applications to research a wide range of topics related to adult and community education. In particular we particularly welcome expressions of interest in any of the following topics:

• Mature students in higher education - access and retention;
• The pedagogic practices of adult and community education;
• Common issues concerning the global North/South divide that address environment and sustainability;
• Adult education and social justice/poverty: at local and/or global level;
• Masculinities and feminities and related issues.

If you find your interests are different to the above we would still be delighted to discuss your topic. If you are unsure whether your preferred topic might be feasable, please contact me at the address below.

We will be happy to discuss any of these topics or your own topic of interest with a view to developing a research proposal and application.

If you would like to discuss you area of interest or detais of your research ideas please feel free to contact the programme coordinator: ted.fleming@nuim.ie.

1. Applied Action/Research
We welcome students who want to undertake a research Masters Degree or PhD. Staff are already engage in research projects and welcome research students who would enhance the existing research knowledge of the Department and work toward a MLitt. or PhD. There is a strong research tradition already pursued in which the staff works with community groups or organisations to enable them assess needs, identify appropriate actions and define a process of evaluation. This involves an interactive relationship between the Department and the client and implies a relationship based on partnership and mutuality. Staff in the Department are willing to discuss proposals with applicants as part of the application process.

A number of research projects are being undertaken by staff. Some are funded, for example, by the EU, Combat Poverty, Irish Aid & SCoTENS. However, other projects are undertaken in order to contribute in unique ways to our understanding of adult learning both as a field of theory and practice.

2. Policy Research
Increasingly, as Adult and Community Education attains a higher policy profile, the Department is involved in a range of consultancies with Government, Statutory Bodies and the NGO sector in shaping policy, both at national and international level.

3. Pure Research
The pure research activities of the staff concentrate on areas such as

• (Adult) Education and Issues of Equality
• Gender Issues
• Local (Participatory) Development
• Mental Health and Well-being
• Holistic Education
• Early School Leaving in the context of Community Education
• Access & Retention (drop-out) Issues in Higher Education

Research Degree Proposals
We will work with students who have experience in the diverse and broad field of Adult and Community Education. Of particular interest are research projects concerning radical perspectives on adult learning theory, theoretical and practical studies of community development, women’s education, adult basic education, human development programmes, adult guidance and counselling, interventions with marginalised adults and their communities as well as topics in higher education.

We would also like to attract students with a research interest in development studies, e.g. sustainable community development, local development and human development.

How to Apply
Applicants for an MLitt. or PhD must submit a research proposal of circa 4,000 words.
Contact : Dr. Ted Fleming, Research Centre, Department of Adult and Community Education,
National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Co Kildare .
Tel: 01 708 3631, Fax: 01 7084687
E.mail: Ted Fleming

For information on fees click here.

Application may be made through www.pac.ie

Click here for link to the Centre for Research in Adult Learning and Education for further information on research projects at the Centre.