The Praxis Project, under the leadership of Dr. Gertrude Cotter has been conducting a three year study on how we might promote the theory and practice of Global Citizenship and Development Education (GCDE) in a Higher Education Institution in Ireland. The research is taking place at University College Cork where we have been engaging with staff and students with a view to understanding our collective experience and ambitions for GCDE. This is academic study from the perspective of GCDE as a discipline. It is not a policy document for UCC, however, naturally we hope that our work will inspire and inform UCC and other HEIs in Ireland and elsewhere.
We are very grateful to UCC for allowing us to work together as a group of 18 staff in year 1 and in year 2 to talk to UCC students from across all disciplines. Together we have explored what we mean by GCDE, what our experience of GCDE is and what our aspirations are for the future of GCDE. It is a rewarding journey and we have been really impressed by the level of interest, ideas and leadership amongst staff and students. A warm thanks to all who have participated so far and we welcome collaboration with all disciplines and departments going forward.
On this page you will find the Research Findings for the first ptwo arts of the study. Part 3 has just started and relates to future directions for GCDE in HEIs in Ireland. We welcome all UCC management, staff and students to join us in focus groups and will be reaching out to you in early 2024. Meanwhile do get in touch at any time by contacting Dr Gertrude Cotter at gertrude.cotter@ucc.ie.
Research Question
The central question is: how can we integrate the theory and practice of GCDE into the work of UCC across all disciplines and across the work of the university as a whole and what are we learning as we do so?
Year 1 Findings (Research Report Part 1)
The findings of the study will be published in three reports. The first report was launched in April 2022. The full text of Part 1 can be found here:
praxis staff-research-final draft – 12th October 2021
A summary of Part 1 can be found here:
summary praxis staff-research-final draft – 12th October 2021
Year 2 Findings (Research Report Part 1)
Engaging Minds Transforming Perspectives
Summary Engaging Minds Transforming Perspectives
Impact of this Praxis Project as described by UCC Staff (Year 1)
While the impact of this work will not be fully understood until after participants implement their plans, there were some broad opinions expressed on the impact of the work in general. Some of the opinions expressed at session six were as follows:
“This has been a very positive development. Praxis has raised discussion and conversation”.
“I found it very useful that GCDE asks people to be critical of own practices and self-assess and reflect. It is so impactful at individual level and at cultural level. It encourages self-critique and reflection”.
“The process initiated conversations in different ways. We can see synergies between our own work”.
“There are different ways in which we can come together. Like doing anti-racism work together in UCC. Planning and supporting one another in this work. Ideas for future collaborations. Clairifcations
“It built links between people in the university who had no contact before. It created internal links through the project”.
“Having allies in itself is so nice – to have people you know, are generally same place”.
“We can disagree in a safe space too”.
“We are also contributing to a global conversation on GCDE. More heads to think about these things”.
“Once we get resources up we can map and track our impact better, see who is downloading. It will be ongoing work”.
“It is great to be writing the article together, that is an outcome”.
“I like the idea of having some kind of seminar/present something in person or online which will bring attention. To showcase and invite the wider sector and also in UCC”.
“We are contributing to a conversation”.
“We need to talk too about strategic engagement and I think the mapping and the research will help to push our case”.
“Even doing things in different way is an impact, to question, if we include other voices, other perspectives, we are more than half ways there”.
“Remember that we should not be so busy ‘doing’ and forgetting to ‘tell’ our story”.
“We have to work strategically as well as bottom-up work”.
“There are opportunities in UCC. We need to closely explore strategic priorities. This work should be mainstreamed”.
“I am learning so much”.
