My core research and teaching interests can be grouped under the following thematic headings:
- Criminalisation, social policy and the State
- Criminal justice voluntary sector, marketisation and neo-liberal governance
- Youth justice policy
Biography
I joined the School of Sociology and Philosophy as a Criminology lecturer in November 2016. I teach various modules at undergraduate and postgraduate level and supervise students' research, including at PhD level. Previously, I worked as a post-doctoral researcher and part-time lecturer at the School of Applied Social Studies, where I taught amongst other subjects, the Social Policy elements of the inter-disciplinary MA Criminology. Before moving to Ireland, I worked as a programme manager for the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation in Ethiopia and Kenya on various projects. I am a graduate of the University of Utrecht (BA Social Sciences) and the London School of Economics (MSc Comparative Politics). My PhD (UCC) research (completed in 2013) analysed Garda Youth Diversion Projects, a multi-disciplinary youth crime prevention initiative, using Foucauldian discourse analysis.My thematic research interests are underpinned by my theoretical interest in critiques of neoliberal governing and governmentality theory developed in the post- Foucauldian tradition. Inspired by feminist abolitionist thinking, I am also interested in bodies of thought that consider wider social and political reform to create more just societies as well as to how Criminology as a discipline and criminal justice as a policy field can shape and be influenced by these debates.
- Criminalisation, social policy and the State
- Criminal justice voluntary sector, marketisation and neo-liberal governance
- Youth justice policy
Research Interests
- Intersections of social policy and criminal justice policy
- Criminalisation of social policy and political economy
- Youth offending and youth justice policy
- Criminal justice voluntary sector and marketisation
- Neoliberal subjectivities, meritocracy and social class
Research Grants
| Project | Funding Body | Start Date | End Date | Award | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Critical Analysis of Voluntary Sector Participation in Criminal Justice in the Republic of Ireland. | Royal Irish Academy (RIA) | 01-FEB-18 | 30-SEP-18 | €1,375.00 |
Publications
Books
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2012) | Youth policy, civil society and the modern Irish state: The politics of youth. Powell F., Geoghegan, M., Scanlon, M. and Swirak, K. (2012) Youth policy, civil society and the modern Irish state: The politics of youth. Manchester: Manchester University Press. [Details] |
Book Chapters
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2019) | 'Neoliberal subjectivities in a marketised youth justice system' Swirak, K. (2019) 'Neoliberal subjectivities in a marketised youth justice system' In: Kevin Albertson, Mary Corcoran, Jake Phillips (eds). Marketisation and Privatisation in Criminal Justice. Bristol: Policy Press. [Details] | |
| (2012) | 'Child outcasts: the Ryan Report into industrial and reformatory schools' Powell F., Geoghegan, M., Scanlon, M. and Swirak, K, (2012) 'Child outcasts: the Ryan Report into industrial and reformatory schools' In: Children's Rights and Child Protection, Critical Times, Critical Perspectives. Manchester University Press: Manchester University Press. [Details] | |
| (2012) | 'Negotiating tensions and contradictions in youth crime prevention initiatives in Ireland' Swirak, K. (2012) 'Negotiating tensions and contradictions in youth crime prevention initiatives in Ireland' In: Youth policy, civil society and the modern Irish state. Manchester: Manchester University Press. [Details] | |
| (2012) | 'The search for an Irish youth narrative: minor citizens or urban tribe?' Powell, F. and Swirak, K. (2012) 'The search for an Irish youth narrative: minor citizens or urban tribe?' In: Youth policy, civil society and the modern Irish state: The politics of youth. Manchester: Manchester University Press. [Details] |
Peer Reviewed Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2018) | 'A critical analysis of informal youth diversion policy in the Republic of Ireland' Swirak, K. (2018) 'A critical analysis of informal youth diversion policy in the Republic of Ireland'. Youth and Policy, [Details] | |
| (2018) | 'A conceptual exploration of penal voluntarism and its implications for setting an Irish research agenda' Swirak, K. (2018) 'A conceptual exploration of penal voluntarism and its implications for setting an Irish research agenda'. The Irish Probation Journal, [Details] | |
| (2016) | 'Problematising advanced liberal youth crime prevention: the impacts of management reforms on Irish Garda Youth Diversion Projects' Swirak, K. (2016) 'Problematising advanced liberal youth crime prevention: the impacts of management reforms on Irish Garda Youth Diversion Projects'. Youth Justice: An International Journal, [Details] | |
| (2016) | 'Problematising Advanced Liberal Youth Crime Prevention: The Impacts of Management Reforms on Irish Garda Youth Diversion Projects' Swirak, K (2016) 'Problematising Advanced Liberal Youth Crime Prevention: The Impacts of Management Reforms on Irish Garda Youth Diversion Projects'. Youth Justice: An International Journal, 16 :162-180 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2013) | 'The Irish Charity Myth, Child Abuse and Human Rights: Contextualising the Ryan Report into Care Institutions' Powell, F;Geoghegan, M;Scanlon, M;Swirak, K (2013) 'The Irish Charity Myth, Child Abuse and Human Rights: Contextualising the Ryan Report into Care Institutions'. British Journal of Social Work, 43 :7-23 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2016) | 'Book Review: Michael Wyness (2015) Childhood. Cambridge: Polity Press, 201 pp' Swirak, K. (2016) 'Book Review: Michael Wyness (2015) Childhood. Cambridge: Polity Press, 201 pp'. Critical Social Policy, [Details] | |
| (2011) | 'Targeted Youth Work in Contemporary Ireland' M. Scanlon, F. Powell, M. Geoghegan and K. Swirak (2011) 'Targeted Youth Work in Contemporary Ireland'. Youth Studies Ireland, 6 (1):3-17 [Details] | |
| (2009) | 'Review Finding Youth- Exploring theory and experiences of youth in late modern societies' Katharina Swirak (2009) 'Review Finding Youth- Exploring theory and experiences of youth in late modern societies'. Youth Studies Ireland, 4 (2) [Details] |
Published Reports
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2015) | Policy and literature review Goal 1 of the National Children’s Children Strategy. Kilkelly, U., Martin, S., Swirak, K. and Field,S. (2015) Policy and literature review Goal 1 of the National Children’s Children Strategy. Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Dublin. [Details] | |
| (2015) | Just For Dads-Providing an opportunity for dads to explore their relationships with their children: what have we learned?. Swirak, K. (2015) Just For Dads-Providing an opportunity for dads to explore their relationships with their children: what have we learned?. Springboard/UCC/TUSLA, Cork. [Details] | |
| (2015) | Briefing Note No. 2/2015: Policy and Literature Review of Goal 1 of the National Children’s Strategy, 2000-2010. Kilkelly, U., Martin, S., Swirak, K. and Field, S. (2015) Briefing Note No. 2/2015: Policy and Literature Review of Goal 1 of the National Children’s Strategy, 2000-2010. Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Dublin. [Details] | |
| (2010) | Working with Young People: a national study of youth work provision and policy in contemporary Ireland. Powell, F; Geoghegan, M; Scanlon, M; Swirak, K; (2010) Working with Young People: a national study of youth work provision and policy in contemporary Ireland. Institute for Social Science in the 21st Century, Cork. [Details] | |
| (2013) | Briefing Note Department of Children and Youth Affairs Scholarship Programme- Youth Crime Prevention Policy and Practice in Ireland- Implications for Policy and Practice. Swirak, K. (2013) Briefing Note Department of Children and Youth Affairs Scholarship Programme- Youth Crime Prevention Policy and Practice in Ireland- Implications for Policy and Practice. DCYA, Dublin. [Details] | |
| (2013) | Garda Youth Diversion Projects in the Contemporary Youth Justice Landscape- What are some of the implications?. Swirak, K. (2013) Garda Youth Diversion Projects in the Contemporary Youth Justice Landscape- What are some of the implications?. Youth Work Ireland, Dublin. [Details] |
ANET/COS
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2018) | When Technology brings disciplines together- the example of Electronic Monitoring. Jeske, D., Bantry-White, E., Swirak, K. and Donson, F. (2018) When Technology brings disciplines together- the example of Electronic Monitoring. ANET/COS [Details] |
Blog
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2018) | Here's what criminologists make of The Young Offenders (RTÉ Brainstorm). Windle, J. and Swirak, K. (2018) Here's what criminologists make of The Young Offenders (RTÉ Brainstorm). Blog [Details] |
Book Reviews
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2016) | Childhood. Swirak, K (2016) Childhood. LONDON: Book Reviews [DOI] [Details] |
Thesis/Dissertation
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2013) | A post-structuralist analysis of Irish youth crime prevention policy with special emphasis on the Garda Youth Diversion Projects. Swirak, K. (2013) A post-structuralist analysis of Irish youth crime prevention policy with special emphasis on the Garda Youth Diversion Projects. Thesis/Dissertation [Details] |
Professional Activities
Honours and Awards
| Year | Title | Awarding Body | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | PhD Scholarship Social Policy | Department of Children and Youth Affairs | |
| 1999 | Scholarship for Talented Undergraduate Students | Government of Lower Austria |
Conference Contributions
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2018) | Electronic Monitoring in Ireland: Shaping what we do and who we are”, Swirak, K. (2018) Crosscutting aspects of Electronic Monitoring. [Oral Presentation], Electronic Monitoring in Ireland: Shaping what we do and who we are”, UCC, Cork . [Details] | |
| (2018) | North South Irish Criminology Conference, Swirak, K. (2018) Marketisation of the Criminal Justice Voluntary Sector in the Republic Of Ireland: Paranoia or justified caution?. [Oral Presentation], North South Irish Criminology Conference, UCD Dublin . [Details] | |
| (2018) | European Society of Criminology Annual Conference, Swirak, K. (2018) A conceptual exploration of penal voluntarism in the Republic of Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], European Society of Criminology Annual Conference, Sarajevo . [Details] | |
| (2017) | Research Roundtable: Delivering Rehabilitation and Reintegration Services in the Community: Obstacles and Opportunities, Swirak, K. (2017) (2017) Community supervision, voluntary sector organisations and reintegration. [Invited Seminars/Guest Lectures], Research Roundtable: Delivering Rehabilitation and Reintegration Services in the Community: Obstacles and Opportunities, Blackpool, Cork, . [Details] | |
| (2015) | EuroSoTL 2015: Bridging Boundaries through the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning, Swirak, K. and Bantry-White, E., Hurley, M. and Mackey, S. (2015) Building bridges in social work professional education. [Oral Presentation], EuroSoTL 2015: Bridging Boundaries through the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning, Cork, UCC . [Details] | |
| (2015) | Just for Dads- An Opportunity for Dads to build Relationships with their Children- Evaluation meeting, Swirak, K. (2015) Just for Dads – providing an opportunity for Dads to explore their relationships with their children: what have we learned?. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Just for Dads- An Opportunity for Dads to build Relationships with their Children- Evaluation meeting, Cork . [Details] | |
| (2015) | UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre 7th Biennial International Conference: Building Family Support Systems, Jenkinson, H., Casey, D. Monahan, L., Magee, D. and Swirak, K. (2015) Engaging with fathers in practice – challenges, achievements, and lessons learnt. [Oral Presentation], UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre 7th Biennial International Conference: Building Family Support Systems, NUIG Galway . [Details] | |
| (2015) | 5th National Child Protection and Welfare Social Work Conference, Jenkison, H., Magee, D., Monahan, L., Swirak, K. and Casey, D. (2015) Benefits for all: Combining academic and practice resources to develop and evaluate ‘Just for Dad’s – a groupwork programme for fathers in a family support setting. [Oral Presentation], 5th National Child Protection and Welfare Social Work Conference, UCC, Cork . [Details] | |
| (2014) | IYJS Managers Forum Event, Swirak, K. (2014) Garda Youth Diversion Projects, the State and the Voluntary Sector: Critical Issues. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], IYJS Managers Forum Event, Youth Work Ireland, Dublin . [Details] | |
| (2009) | International youth studies conference, ‘All Change for Young People?’, NUI Maynooth, Swirak, K. (2009) Youth, Youth Policy And Civil Society in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], International youth studies conference, ‘All Change for Young People?’, NUI Maynooth, Maynooth , 14-JUL-09 - 15-JUL-10. [Details] | |
| (2010) | International youth work conference, UCC, Swirak, K. and Powell, F. (2010) Working with Young People – A National Study of Youth Work Provision and Policy in Contemporary Ireland. [Oral Presentation], International youth work conference, UCC, UCC , 11-MAY-10 - 12-MAY-10. [Details] | |
| (2009) | 9th European Sociological Association, Katharina Swirak (2009) Negotiating Tensions and Contradictions in Youth Crime Prevention Initiatives in Ireland. 9th European Sociological Association, Lisbon , 05-SEP-10 - 10-SEP-09. [Details] |
Employment
| Employer | Position | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Nations Development Programme (Latvia) | Resident Coordination Assistant | 01-OCT-02 / 31-DEC-03 | |
| University College Cork | Research Officer | 01-JUL-08 / 30-JUN-10 | |
| University College Cork | Lecturer (part-time) | 01-JUL-12 / 05-OCT-15 | |
| United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO Ethiopia and Kenya) | Programme Manager | 01-JUL-05 / 31-MAR-08 | |
| Austrian Ministry of European and International Affairs | Desk Officer (Humanitarian Affairs) | 01-JAN-04 / 30-JUN-05 |
Education
| Year | Institution | Qualification | Subject | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | UCC | PhD | Social Policy | |
| 2002 | London School of Economics | MSc | Comparative Politics | |
| 2001 | Utrecht | BA | Social Science |
Languages
| Language | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French | Fluent | Functional | Fluent | |
| German | Fluent | Fluent | Fluent |
Outreach Activities
| Description | |
|---|---|
I got involved on a voluntary basis with Just for Dads, an innovative support programme for fathers (UCC/TUSLA/Springboard collaboration) to build their relationships with their children. I was mainly involved in evaluating the pilot programme. I am currently also involved on a voluntary basis in developing and co-facilitating I-Girls , a new initiative aimed at encouraging teenage girls to 'be themselves'. |
Other Activities
| Description | |
|---|---|
External Examiner, Blanchardstown Institute of Technology, 2015 | |
Quercus Mentor 2014-2015 for Talented Students |
Teaching Activities
Current Postgraduate Students
| Student | Degree Type | |
|---|---|---|
| Ahmed Yasmine | Doctoral Degree |
Modules Taught
| Term (ID)) | Title | Link | Subject | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Policing | CR6014 | Policing | |
| 2019 | Criminology: key concepts, studies and issues | CR1002 | Criminology: key concepts, studies and issues | |
| 2019 | Criminal Justice Policy | CR3010 | Criminal Justice Policy | |
| 2019 | Key Issues in Criminology | CR6012 | Key Issues in Criminology | |
| 2019 | Dissertation on Criminology | CR6006 | Dissertation on Criminology | |
| 2019 | Action Research Study | SS4214 | Action Research Study | |
| 2019 | Research Design and Methods | CR6010 | Research Design and Methods | |
| 2019 | Youth and Crime | CR2015 | Youth and Crime |