Biography
Coming from a background in engineering and information systems in the electronics industry, I began work in development in the early 1990s in Tanzania. Returning to Ireland in 1996, I worked at both the International Famine Centre in UCC (later the Centre for Sustainable Livelihoods), and the statutory Higher Education Equality Unit until 2002. During this time, I worked as a development consultant in Ireland, leading and contributing to a range of projects in diverse areas from: the prevalence of asthma in marginalised communities, through gender equality in engineering education, to policy approaches to interculturalism in higher education. At this time, I also worked as an information systems consultant in sub-Saharan Africa. I joined the Department of Food Business and Development to work both in research and teaching in 2004; involvement in the development and delivery of the joint MSc in Rural Development with Mekelle University (Ethiopia) for most of the last decade was a most rewarding and challenging activity. I currently teach in UCC the areas of International Development, Conflict/Peace, Gender, Humanitarian Responses, Communications and Research Methodologies. Areas that I research include those of Food Insecurity / Smallholder Livelihoods, Value Chains, Gender, Conflict, the Media, ICTs, and in particular, Digital Data Gathering; all of these are focused mainly around impacts and consequences in low-income countries. During the last decade, my research and other development interests have included work in Ethiopia, Malawi, Lesotho, Uganda, Western Sahara, Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya, and Afghanistan,as well as many European countries.
I also have a strong interest in human rights and development issues closer to home, particularly in relation to minority ethnic groups and other marginalised groups such as the asylum-seeking and other immigrant communities. I was party to the founding of two local non-governmental organisations, Nasc and Ethical Development Action, and have acted as director on these, and also with Cork Simon.
Research Interests
Research Interests
Information systems implementations in the South
famine emergency responses
microfinance
interculturalism/antiracism
gender and development
Publications
Book Chapters
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2010) | 'The Sahrawis: living the consequences of Earth’s longest military wall' Mike FitzGibbon and Mirjam Hirzel (2010) 'The Sahrawis: living the consequences of Earth’s longest military wall' In: Besosa, M., Ragaven, C., Loree Allen, S. and O’Halloran, A (eds). Walls, fences, borders and boundaries – essays on social exclusion, inclusion and integratio. Iowa: Kendall Hunt Publishing. [Details] |
Books
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2002) | Creating an Intercultural Campus. Mike FitzGibbon (2002) Creating an Intercultural Campus. Cork: HEEU. [Details] |
Edited Books
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2007) | Mike FitzGibbon, Eamon Lenihan (Ed.). (2007) Mission and Development. Cork: Centre for Sustainable Livelihoods, UCC. [Details] |
Peer Reviewed Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2014) | 'Exploring the role of citizen journalism in slum improvement: the case of ‘Voice of Kibera’' Desta, T; Fitzgibbon, M and Byrne, N (2014) 'Exploring the role of citizen journalism in slum improvement: the case of ‘Voice of Kibera’'. AI and Society, 29 (2):215-220 [Details] | |
| (2014) | 'International development: exploring the gap between organisations’ development policy and practice—a Southern perspective' Denis Dennehy, Mike Fitzgibbon, Fergal Carton (2014) 'International development: exploring the gap between organisations’ development policy and practice—a Southern perspective'. AI and Society, 3 (2):221-230 [Details] | |
| (1991) | 'Some Anthropometric Measures on an Irish Population' Mike FitzGibbon and Tim Gallwey (1991) 'Some Anthropometric Measures on an Irish Population'. Ergonomics, 22 (1):9-12 [Details] |
Conference Publications
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2007) | Globalisation: Migration, Citizenship and Identity Mike FItzGibbon and Jacqui O'Riordan (2007) Globalisation, Economic Prosperity and Indigenous Minority Groups: Examining the Needs of Travellers in East Cork, Ireland Globalisation: Migration, Citizenship and Identity Ibadan, Nigeria, [Details] | |
| (2008) | Women in Engineering and Technology Research, PROMETEA Conference Lucy McCauley, Martha Burton, Mike FitzGibbon, Jacqui O’Riordan (2008) An Evaluation of the Experiences of Participants in the Mentorlink Programme - IT Tallaght . In: Godfroy-Genin, Anne-Sophie eds. Women in Engineering and Technology Research, PROMETEA Conference Paris, , 26-OCT-07 - 28-OCT-07 [Details] | |
| (2010) | GCARD/GFAR International Workshop Montpellier Chisolm, Nick; Fitzgibbon, Mike; Onakuse, S (2010) Enhancing Rural Development Capacity through North-South Collaborative Graduate Programmes: An Ireland - Ethiopia Case Study. Challenges ; Innovative Process for Capacity Strengthening in Agriculture for Development GCARD/GFAR International Workshop Montpellier Montepellier, France, , 26-MAR-10 - 30-MAR-10 [Details] | |
| (2014) | 19th IFAC World Congress Mike FitzGibbon; Stapleton, A; Cintora, A; De Anda, C (2014) How Can Science Produce Unequal Relationships: The Nanotechnology Metaphor 19th IFAC World Congress Cape Town, South Africa, , 24-AUG-14 - 29-AUG-14 [Details] | |
| (2007) | Development Futures Conference Mike FitzGibbon Nick Chisholm, Tom Crowley, Nigussie Abadi and Mitiku Haile H (2007) Degrees of Freedom: Applied Development Research in Ethiopia through a South-North Partnership Programme . In: Carol Healy eds. Development Futures Conference NUIG, , 24-NOV-07 - 25-NOV-07 [Details] | |
| (2002) | Women's Empowerment or the Feminization of Debt? Towards a new agenda in African micro-finance Mike FItzGibbon (2002) Short-changed: Gendered Consequences of Implementing Financial Services in Moshi Rural District, Northern Tanzania Women's Empowerment or the Feminization of Debt? Towards a new agenda in African micro-finance London, , 21-MAR-02 - 22-MAR-02 [Details] | |
| (2008) | First ISA Forum of Sociology - Sociological Research and Public Debate S.Onakuse, E.Lenihan, Mike FitzGibbon (2008) The Impact of New Generation Churches on Poverty in Nigeria Development Process First ISA Forum of Sociology - Sociological Research and Public Debate Barcelona, Spain, [Details] | |
| (2014) | 19th IFAC World Congress Mike FitzGibbon; Gretta Fitzgerald (2014) A Comparative Analysis of Traditional and Digital Data Collection Methods in Social Research in LDCs - Case Studies Exploring Implications for Participation, Empowerment, and (mis)Understandings 19th IFAC World Congress , 24-AUG-14 - 29-AUG-14 [Details] | |
| (2003) | Working and Teaching in a Multicultural University(Conference) Mike FItzGibbon (2003) Interculturalism and Diversity in Higher Education in Ireland . In: Ronit Lentin eds. Working and Teaching in a Multicultural University(Conference) Trinity College Dublin, , 16-NOV-03 - 16-NOV-03 , pp.48-50 [Details] | |
| (1986) | 3rd Conference of the Irish Manufacturing Committee Mike FitzGibbon and Prof Graham Hitchings (1986) An Investigation into the Forecasting Merits of Improvement-Curve Models using “Las Vegas” methods 3rd Conference of the Irish Manufacturing Committee Galway, , pp.805-817 [Details] | |
| (2012) | International Stability & Systems Engineering SWIIS 2012 Tedla Desta, Mike Fitzgibbon, Noreen Byrne (2012) Exploring the Role of citizen Journalism in Slum Improvement: The Case of Voice of Kibera International Stability & Systems Engineering SWIIS 2012 [Details] | |
| (2010) | Ministerial Conference on Higher Education in Agriculture in Africa (CHEA) Speke Resort and Conference Centre, Munyonyo Kampala, Uganda Chisholm Nick, Onakuse S and Mike Fitzgibbon ; (2010) Enhancing Rural Development Capacity through North-South Collaborative Graduate Programmes: An Ireland ¿ Ethiopia Case Study Ministerial Conference on Higher Education in Agriculture in Africa (CHEA) Speke Resort and Conference Centre, Munyonyo Kampala, Uganda [Details] | |
| (2008) | First ISA Forum of Sociology - Sociological Research and Public Debate, Barcelona, Spain Onakuse, S., Eamon Lenihan and Mike Fitzgibbon ; (2008) The Impact of New Generation Churches on Poverty in Nigeria Development Process First ISA Forum of Sociology - Sociological Research and Public Debate, Barcelona, Spain Barcelona, Spain, [Details] | |
| (2008) | Women in Engineering and Technology Research, PROMETEA Conference McAuley, Lucy, Martha Burton, Jacqui O'Riordan and Mike FitzGibbon; (2008) An Evaluation of the Experiences of Participants in the Mentorlink Programme - IT Tallaght . In: Godfroy-Genin, Anne-Sophie eds. Women in Engineering and Technology Research, PROMETEA Conference Paris, [Details] |
CD
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2005) | Produce, Think and Live Ecologically. Mike FitzGibbon and Nora Hennessy (2005) Produce, Think and Live Ecologically. Prague: CD [Details] |
Magazine article
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2004) | Methods For Saving The World's Children. Mike FitzGibbon, Thomas J. Nagy, Coilín Oscar ÓhAiseadha (2004) Methods For Saving The World's Children. Magazine article [Details] |
Published Case Studies
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2001) | Easing the Pain. Mike FitzGibbon, Frost, L. and A. Cunningham) (2001) Easing the Pain. Cork: Published Case Studies [Details] | |
| (2004) | An Assessment of Traveller Needs in East Cork. Mike FItzGibbon and Jacqui O'Riordan (2004) An Assessment of Traveller Needs in East Cork. Cork: Published Case Studies [Details] |
Technical Publication
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2002) | Local Responses to Famine: An Examination of the 1998 Crisis in Southern Sudan. Mike FitzGibbon, Paul Howe (2002) Local Responses to Famine: An Examination of the 1998 Crisis in Southern Sudan. Sussex: Technical Publication [Details] | |
| (1986) | Some body dimensions of male industrial employees in the Limerick area. MIke FitzGibbon Gallwey, T.J., and T. Fallon (1986) Some body dimensions of male industrial employees in the Limerick area. Limerick: Technical Publication [Details] |
Research Report
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2004) | Mentorlink Programme Evaluation and Review. Mike FItzGibbon and Jacqui O'Riordan (2004) Mentorlink Programme Evaluation and Review. Dublin: Research Report [Details] | |
| (2004) | Evaluation and Review of the Art and Culture Pilot Programme on Sherkin Island. Mike FItzGibbon and Jacqui O'Riordan (2004) Evaluation and Review of the Art and Culture Pilot Programme on Sherkin Island. Dublin: Research Report [Details] |
Workbook
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2003) | Roots of Famine, Rights to Food. Mike FitzGibbon and Nora Hennessy (2003) Roots of Famine, Rights to Food. Cork: Workbook [Details] |
Professional Activities
Conference Contributions
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2006) | Linking the Global and the Local: Education for Development in a Globalising World, Chisholm, N., Behailu, M., Crowley, T. and Fitzgibbon, M.; (2006) Building on One's Strengths: A North-South Collaboration in Education and Research. [Invited Oral Presentation], Linking the Global and the Local: Education for Development in a Globalising World, Dublin City University , 23-MAR-06 - 24-MAR-06. [Details] | |
| (2014) | Food Integrity and Traceability Conference, Queen's University Belfast, Fitzgerald, G., Fitzgibbon. M., Chisholm, N. and Dalzell, H. (2014) Setting Standrads for the Development of a Sustainable Groundnut Value Chain in Malawi. [Oral Presentation], Food Integrity and Traceability Conference, Queen's University Belfast, QUB , 08-APR-14 - 10-APR-14. [Details] | |
| (2008) | The Impact of New Generation Churches on Poverty in Nigeria Development Process. First ISA Forum of Sociology - Sociological Research and Public Debate, Onakuse S., Eamon Lenihan and Mike Fitzgibbon ; (2008) . [Editorship of Whole Conference Proceedings], The Impact of New Generation Churches on Poverty in Nigeria Development Process. First ISA Forum of Sociology - Sociological Research and Public Debate, Barcelona, Spain , 05-SEP-08 - 08-SEP-08. [Details] | |
| (2004) | Globalisation and Inclusion, Challenges for Professional Education in the Third Level Sector, Mike FItzGibbon (2004) Challenges for Professional Education in the Third Level Sector. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Globalisation and Inclusion, Challenges for Professional Education in the Third Level Sector, UCC . [Details] | |
| (2014) | ASSET 2014, Gretta Fitzgerald, Mike FitzGibbon, Howard Dalzell, Nick Chisholm (2014) : Setting Standards for the Development of a Sustainable Groundnut Value Chain in Malawi. [Oral Presentation], ASSET 2014, Belfast, N.Ireland . [Details] | |
| (2014) | 19th IFAC World Congress, Mike FitzGibbon (2014) Invited Chair - Session:Engineering Ethics, Power, Development and Minority and Majority World Countries. [Chair Sessions at Symposia], 19th IFAC World Congress, Cape Town, South Africa , 24-AUG-14 - 29-AUG-14. [Details] | |
| (2013) | Health and Gender Equity in a Period of Global Crisis, Jacqui O'Riordan and Mike FitzGibbon (2013) Development Studies Association of Ireland Annual Conference in association with the Irish Forum for Global Health. [Oral Presentation], Health and Gender Equity in a Period of Global Crisis, Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Galway , 28-NOV-13 - 29-NOV-13. [Details] | |
| (2007) | Globalization: Migration, Citizenship and Identity, Mike FitzGibbon; (2007) Globalisation, Economic Prosperity and Indigenous Minority Groups: Examining the Needs of Travelers in East Cork, Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Globalization: Migration, Citizenship and Identity, University of Ibadan, Nigeria , 06-NOV-07 - 09-NOV-07. [Details] | |
| (2012) | International Stablility; Systems Engineering SWIIS 2012, Tedla Desta, Mike Fitzgibbon, Noreen Byrne (2012) Exploring the Role of citizen Journalism in Slum Improvement: The Case of Voice of Kibera. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], International Stablility; Systems Engineering SWIIS 2012, Waterford, Ireland , 14-JUN-12 - 15-JUN-12. [Details] | |
| (2012) | International Stablility ; Systems Engineering SWIIS 2012, Denis Dennehy, Mike Fitzgibbon, Fergal Carton (2012) International development: exploring the gap between organisations’ development policy and practice—a Southern perspective. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], International Stablility ; Systems Engineering SWIIS 2012, Waterford, Ireland , 11-JUN-12 - 13-JUN-12. [Details] | |
| (2013) | EUTIC 2013, Gretta Fitzgerald; Mike FitzGibbon (2013) The Evolution of Digital Data Collection in the Monitoring & Evaluation of Projects in Developing Country Contexts. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], EUTIC 2013, Waterford Ireland . [Details] | |
| (2013) | Gender Equity in a Period of Global Crisis DSAI Conference, Mike FItzGibbon and Jacqui O'Riordan (2013) Institutionalised Infantilisation and State Subjugation: state control of the mundane in an environment of uncertainty. [Oral Presentation], Gender Equity in a Period of Global Crisis DSAI Conference, Galway . [Details] | |
| (2012) | IFAC Workshop on international Stability and Systems Engineering, Desta, T, Fitzgibbon, M. and N. Byrne (2012) Exploring the role of Citizen Journalism: The case of Kibera. [Oral Presentation], IFAC Workshop on international Stability and Systems Engineering, Waterford IT . [Details] | |
| (2014) | Tropentag, Gretta Fitzgerald; Lana Repar, Howard Dalzell; Mike FitzGibbon; Nick Chisholm (2014) Impact of Crop Production Strategies on Household Food Security and Welfare in Malawi’s Central Region. [Poster Presentation], Tropentag, Prague , 17-SEP-14 - 19-SEP-14. [Details] |
Committees
| Committee | Function | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disability Support Department Representative Group | Facilitate this process | 2014 / |
Consultancy
| Client | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Sherkin Island Development Society / DIT School of Art, Design and Printing | ||
| Institute of Technology, Tallaght | ||
| SHB Traveller Health Unit and Traveller Visibility Group | ||
| IT Tallaght | ||
| Southern Health Board and Blackpool, The Glen, Mayfield Health Action Zone | ||
| Mentorlink, IT Tallaght, Engineering Dept |
Outreach Activities
| Description | |
|---|---|
Director, Ethical Development Action Member, Anti-Deportation Ireland Ex-board member Simon Community (-2011) |
Contact details
- Michael Fitzgibbon
- m.fitzgibbon@ucc.ie
- +353-21-490-3158
- Lecturer
- m.fitzgibbon@ucc.ie
- Food Business & Development
University College Cork
Cork
Ireland - +353-21-490-3000