Research
Throughout my professional practice, I have sought to be a research-minded and evidence-informed practitioner. I have utilised research to reflect on, and improve, my practice. I believe that teaching, research and practice are part of a connected cycle of ongoing learning and professional development.
As an educator in UCC, I aim to share my passion for social work research, education and practice. I work to enhance students’ learning experiences and to achieve the best possible learning outcomes for students. I aim to inspire students to practice ethically and in anti-discriminatory ways to promote equality and social justice. I aim to assist students to develop a proficiency in critical thinking in order to develop their capacity to undertake assessments in practice and to professionally evaluate and judge situations. I seek to familiarise students with the application of theory to practice and how they are inter-connected and to help them understand how social policies at the macro-level can influence the lived experiences of individuals and communities at the micro-level. I view teaching as an interactive process which sees students as key partners in the learning project. I view teaching as an interactive process with students being partners in the learning project. I like to provide students with a poly-vocal learning environment where students are empowered to learn from each other. I am student-centred in my approach to teaching – information and knowledge needs to be imparted in an accessible way in order for students to understand and they need to understand the knowledge before they can apply it to practice.
Biography
Fiachra Ó Suilleabháin is a tenured College Lecturer/Assistant Professor and Vice-Head of School (Strategic Data and Communication) in the School of Applied Social Studies, University College Cork. A professionally qualified, CORU registered Social Worker since 2002, he teaches modules on gender and sexualities, LGBT+ matters, social services and welfare practice, child sexual abuse, child protection and welfare, and professional practice at undergraduate and graduate levels across the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences.
Teaching and Learning
Fiachra is the Interim Programme Director of the multi-disciplinary Master of Social Work Team and Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies programmes, delivering professionally-accredited, two-year taught (NFQ?QQI Level-9) postgraduate programmes to students who wish to become social workers. He has played a pivotal role in the consortium-led development of the new level-9 Apprenticeship in Social Work in Ireland. In these specific programmes, Fiachra teaches and mentors students’ practice skills and lectures on critical and radical social work, social work approaches, research methods and research ethics for practitioners, investigative interviewing, child protection and welfare, probation-based social work, queer social work, ecological justice, sustainability and eco-social practices, and professional practice. Fiachra's was awarded UCC President's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2018.
Research
Fiachra’s doctoral degree examined for the first time the parenting experiences of gay men in Ireland. In addition to publications, he has delivered papers and seminars at conferences both nationally and internationally regarding child sexual abuse, LGBT+ issues and social work practice.
Fiachra's research has been shortlised in 2019 and 2021 for the national Education Awards. His scholarly outputs have been focused in three areas of engaged social work and social policy research:
Violence and Harassment:
- Online and social media abuse and harassment of social workers,
- Violence against women,
- Sexual violence, sexual safety and sexual abuse,
- Social Work practice with people who cause sexual harm.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
- Genders and sexualities,
- LGBT+ family practices and Irish social policy,
- The experiences of trans and gender expansive youth,
- Increasing and diversifying access to higher education for underrepresented social groups.
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
- Teaching and learning for professions,
- trans-disciplinary teaching and inter-professional learning,
- Teaching and learning ecological justice and sustainability for social work and allied health professionals.
Fiachra supervises research carried out by students at post-graduate level and would welcome expressions of interest from potential doctoral researchers in the areas of social work practice, sexualities, genders, family studies, professional practice, child sexual, adoption and fostering. Fiachra is also the Programme Director of the PhD in Social Work programme and a member of the School of Applied Social Studies Graduate Studies Committee.
Practice and Civic Engagement
Fiachra has extensive practice experience. He was the manager of a regional multi-disciplinary child sexual abuse assessment unit within the Child and Family Agency (TUSLA) from 2009 to 2017. Prior to that he worked in the same agency as a Principal Social Worker and as Basic Grade Social Worker. He also has professional knowledge of child protection and fostering social work practice. Fiachra has provided a range of continuous professional development training to social workers, social care leaders, medical doctors, nurses, teachers and foster-carers about child sexual abuse, direct work with children and managing children with sexualised behaviour problems, and talking with children and young people about sensitive matters. He was a member of the TUSLA Cork Foster Care Committee in Cork from September 2010 to December 2016.
Fiachra is a member of a number of practice advisory boards and action learning groups for social work organisations (including the All-Employers' Forum for Social Work, SWEPT, Tusla's Practice Education Development Working Group). He also provides social work consultancy to practitioners and is:
A member of the Board of the Irish Association of Social Workers;
A member of the Board of EPIC (Empowering Children in Care);
A member of the Board of the Gay Project;
The Chairperson of the Board of St Patrick's Infant School, Gardiners' Hill Cork;
The Hon. Treasurer of UCC's LGBT+ Staff Network.
He has previously served as Chairperson of the Board of Douglas Credit Union.
Research Interests
My research interests have centred on sexual behaviours, LGBTQIA+ issues, genders and sexualities, child protection and welfare, alternative care, investigative interviewing practices, online/e-social work as well as learning, teaching and access to higher education in Ireland.
I welcome the opportunity to collaborate on research with academics, researchers, community organisations and students (including graduate and doctoral research supervision).
Research Grants
| Project | Funding Body | Start Date | End Date | Award | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PositivMasc (Co-Investigator) | Horizon 2020 | 01-MAR-19 | 28-FEB-22 | €283,994.00 | |
| Social Media and Social Work Study (partly funded by TUSLA) | 01-JUN-22 | €24,500.00 | |||
| A systematic scoping literature review of the effectiveness of sexual safety prevention and management strategies relevant to in-patient mental health units, residential units for older people (nursing homes) and people with disabilities | Health Service Executive | 01-SEP-23 | €24,478.00 | ||
| Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Strand 3 SOAR | Higher Education Authority (HEA) | 01-JAN-21 | €421,890.00 | ||
| RIFNET | Irish Research Council | 01-MAR-21 | €11,800.00 |
Publications
Peer Reviewed Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2024) | '‘Pavee Leaders’ – enablers and inhibitors to accessing higher education for Irish Travellers' Brennan, R., Cummins, A., Leane, M., Ó Súilleabháin, F., McGovern, S. & Quilligan, A.M. (2024) '‘Pavee Leaders’ – enablers and inhibitors to accessing higher education for Irish Travellers'. Irish Educational Studies, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2024) | 'The social media, online and digital abuse and harassment of social workers, probation officers and social work students in Ireland: A national survey' Burns, K., Halvey, O., Ó Súilleabháin, F., O'Callaghan E and Coelho, G. (2024) 'The social media, online and digital abuse and harassment of social workers, probation officers and social work students in Ireland: A national survey'. British Journal of Social Work, [Details] | |
| (2023) | '‘I’m Not Victim-Blaming, But..’: Young People’s Discourses in Understanding Sexual Violence Against Women' Bolton R.;Edwards C.;Leane M.;Ó Súilleabháin F. (2023) '‘I’m Not Victim-Blaming, But..’: Young People’s Discourses in Understanding Sexual Violence Against Women'. Sociological Research Online, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2023) | 'Wherever There's Men, it can Happen: Constructions of Violence Against Women by Young Adults in Ireland' Bolton R;Leane M;Ó Súilleabháin F;Edwards C;Fennell C; (2023) 'Wherever There's Men, it can Happen: Constructions of Violence Against Women by Young Adults in Ireland'. Violence against women, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2023) | 'I would love to do something about it’: young men’s role in addressing violence against women in Ireland'' Bolton, R., Edwards, C., Leane, M. and Ó Súilleabháin, F (2023) 'I would love to do something about it’: young men’s role in addressing violence against women in Ireland''. Journal of Gender-Based Violence, 8 (1):4-18 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2022) | 'Promoting Positive Masculinities to Address Violence Against Women: A Multicountry Concept Mapping Study' Daoud, N;Carmi, A;Bolton, R;Cerdan-Torregrosa, A;Nielsen, A;Alfayumi-Zeadna, S;Edwards, C;Suilleabhain, FO;Sanz-Barbero, B;Vives-Cases, C;Salazar, M (2022) 'Promoting Positive Masculinities to Address Violence Against Women: A Multicountry Concept Mapping Study'. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2021) | '‘They’re you know, their audience’: How women are (ab)used to cement the heterosexual bonds between men' Bolton R.;Edwards C.;Leane M.;Ó Súilleabháin F.;Fennell C. (2021) '‘They’re you know, their audience’: How women are (ab)used to cement the heterosexual bonds between men'. Irish Journal of Sociology, [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2019) | 'Reporting Standards for Qualitative Primary, Qualitative Meta-Analytic and Mixed Methods Research: Applying the Standards to Social Work Research' Bantry-White, E., Hurley, M. & Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2019) 'Reporting Standards for Qualitative Primary, Qualitative Meta-Analytic and Mixed Methods Research: Applying the Standards to Social Work Research'. Journal of evidence-based social work, 16 (5):469-477 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2017) | 'Expanding “Irish Family” Repertoires: Exploring Gay Men's Experiences as Parents in the Republic of Ireland' Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2017) 'Expanding “Irish Family” Repertoires: Exploring Gay Men's Experiences as Parents in the Republic of Ireland'. The Journal of GLBT Family Studies, [Details] | |
| (2014) | 'Victimisation and psychosocial difficulties associated with sexual orientation concerns: A school-based study of Irish adolescents' Cotter, P., Corcoran, P, McCarthy, J., Ó Súilleabháin, F., Carli, V., Hoven, C., Wasserman, C., Sarchiapone, M. Wasserman, D. and Keely, H. (2014) 'Victimisation and psychosocial difficulties associated with sexual orientation concerns: A school-based study of Irish adolescents'. Irish Medical Journal, 107 (10):310-314 [Details] |
Book Chapters
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2024) | 'Eco-Activism and Greening the Social Professions Curriculum: Teaching and Learning Ecosocial Work in an Irish University' Hurley, M., Forde, C. & Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2024) 'Eco-Activism and Greening the Social Professions Curriculum: Teaching and Learning Ecosocial Work in an Irish University' In: C. Forde, S. Ranta-Tyrkkö, P. Lievens, K. Rambaree, & H. Belchior-Rocha (eds). Teaching and Learning in Ecosocial Work: Concepts, Methods and Practice. London: Springer. [Details] | |
| (2024) | '‘Men’ as social workers: Professional identities, practices and education' Ó Súilleabháin F. & Christie, A. (2024) '‘Men’ as social workers: Professional identities, practices and education' In: C. Noble, S. Rasool, L. Harms-Smith, G. Muñoz-Arce, D. Baines (eds). The Routledge International Handbook of Feminisms in Social Work. London: Routledge. [Details] | |
| (2023) | 'The Routledge Handbook of Digital Social Work' Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2023) 'The Routledge Handbook of Digital Social Work' In: Peláez, L. A. and Kirwan, G (eds). Technology and Children: A Role for Social Work?. London: Routledge. [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2022) | 'Transgender children and young people in Ireland: socio-legal challenges to self-identification and expression of gender' Leane, M. and Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2022) 'Transgender children and young people in Ireland: socio-legal challenges to self-identification and expression of gender' In: Gallen, J. and Ní Mhuirthile, T (eds). Law, Responsibility and Vulnerability: State Accountability and Responsiveness. New York: Routledge. [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2021) | 'Sexual and Gender Minority Populations and Suicidal Behaviours' Keeley, H., Ó Súilleabháin, F. and Leane, M. (2021) 'Sexual and Gender Minority Populations and Suicidal Behaviours' In: Danuta Wasserman (eds). Oxford Textbook of Suicidology and Suicide Prevention. Oxford: Oxford University Press. [Details] | |
| (2014) | 'Vigilant dads: exploring gay men’s parenting experiences in contemporary Ireland' Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2014) 'Vigilant dads: exploring gay men’s parenting experiences in contemporary Ireland' In: Maire Leane and Elizabeth Kiely (eds). Sexualities and Irish Society. Dublin: Orpen Press. [Details] | |
| (2008) | 'Interviewing children and young people as a part of the child protection process' Bradshaw, T. & Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2008) 'Interviewing children and young people as a part of the child protection process' In: Kenneth Burns and Deborah Lynch (eds). Child Protection and Welfare Social Work: Contemporary Themes and Practice Perspectives. Dublin: A & A Farmer. [Details] |
Conference Publications
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2021) | ICERI 2021 Ó Súilleabháin, F. Burns, K., Cuskelly, K. & Kelleher, P. (2021) Co-constructing practice and educational tools: Supporting social professions' responses to online abuse and harassment ICERI 2021 [Details] | |
| (2020) | ICERI2020 Ó Súilleabháin, F., Burns, K and McCaughren, S. (2020) Online Social Work Tools: Collaborative Educational Responses To Remote-Based Social Work Practice ICERI2020 Seville, Spain, , 09-NOV-20 - 10-NOV-20 [Details] | |
| (2019) | The 3rd EuroSoTL Conference Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2019) Empowering Social Work Students and Communities through Community-Based Group Research Projects: Co-constructing Knowledge and Building Capacity The 3rd EuroSoTL Conference [Details] | |
| (2019) | The 3rd EuroSoTL Conference Leane, M. and Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2019) Setting the Tinderbox of Student Engagement Alight: Drawing on the Principles of SoTL to Stimulate Activism in an Undergraduate Module on Sexualities and Society in University College Cork (UCC), Ireland The 3rd EuroSoTL Conference EuroSoTL 2019, Bilbao, Spain, [Details] | |
| (2019) | The 3rd EuroSoTL Conference Hurley, M. and Ó Súilleabháín, F. (2019) Teaching Activism, Ecological Justice and Sustainable Development: Pedagogical Endeavours in Professional Social Work Education The 3rd EuroSoTL Conference [Details] |
Published Reports
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2023) | Addressing Masculinities to Tackle Violence Against Women in Ireland: Findings from the PositivMasc Study. Edwards, C., Bolton, R., O'Suilleabhain, F., Leane, M. & Fennell, C (2023) Addressing Masculinities to Tackle Violence Against Women in Ireland: Findings from the PositivMasc Study. ISS21, University College Cork, Cork. [Details] | |
| (2020) | Running an effective online team meeting using video conferencing software. Burns, K. and Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2020) Running an effective online team meeting using video conferencing software. UCC Online Social Work Practice Series, Cork. [Details] | |
| (2020) | Remote Supervision in Social Work. Ó Súilleabháin, F., Burns, K and McCaughren, S. (2020) Remote Supervision in Social Work. UCC Online Social Work Practice Series, Cork. [Details] | |
| (2020) | Communicating and Rapport-Building Online. Ó Súilleabháin, F., McCaughren, S. and Burns, K. (2020) Communicating and Rapport-Building Online. UCC Online Social Work Practice Series, Cork. [Details] | |
| (2020) | Running an effective team meeting using Microsoft Teams. Burns, K. and Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2020) Running an effective team meeting using Microsoft Teams. UCC Online Social Work Practice Series, Cork. [Details] | |
| (2020) | Communicating and Rapport-Building Online Abridged Version. Ó Súilleabháin, F., McCaughren, S. and Burns, K. (2020) Communicating and Rapport-Building Online Abridged Version. UCC Online Social Work Practice Series, Cork. [Details] | |
| (2019) | Communicating with Chidlren in Court. Burns, K., O'Mahony, C., McAuley, C., Ó Súilleabháin and O'Callaghan, E. (2019) Communicating with Chidlren in Court. Improving Decisions through Empowerment and Advocacy (IDEA) Project, Cork. [Details] |
Fact Sheet
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2019) | Eight Steps to Supporting Your Lesbian, Gay, Bi+ and Trans Patients. Ó Súilleabháin, F., Rice, P., Moynihan, K. and O'Donnell, M. (2019) Eight Steps to Supporting Your Lesbian, Gay, Bi+ and Trans Patients. Linc and Gay Project: Fact Sheet [Details] |
Invited Seminars
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2017) | Professional Supervision in Social Work. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2017) Professional Supervision in Social Work. Invited Seminars [Details] | |
| (2017) | Research-Minded Practice and Searching for Literature. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2017) Research-Minded Practice and Searching for Literature. Invited Seminars [Details] | |
| (2017) | Values and Ethical Decision-Making in Practice. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2017) Values and Ethical Decision-Making in Practice. UCC: Invited Seminars [Details] |
Online Multimedia
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2021) | UCC Online Social Work Practice Webinar. Ó Súilleabháin, F. and Burns, K. (2021) UCC Online Social Work Practice Webinar. Online Multimedia [Details] | |
| (2020) | UCC Online Social Work Practice Webinar. Burns, K. and Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2020) UCC Online Social Work Practice Webinar. Online Multimedia [Details] | |
| (2020) | UCC Online Social Work Practice Webinar - Showcasing Practice Initiatives. Burns, K. and Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2020) UCC Online Social Work Practice Webinar - Showcasing Practice Initiatives. Online Multimedia [Details] |
Book Reviews
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2016) | Book Review of T. Mc Carthy (2015), The Common-Sense Guide to Improving the Safeguarding of Children Three Steps to Make A Real Difference Book. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2016) Book Review of T. Mc Carthy (2015), The Common-Sense Guide to Improving the Safeguarding of Children Three Steps to Make A Real Difference Book. Book Reviews [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2006) | Book Review of T. Hafford-Letchfield, (2006). Management and Organisations in Social Work. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2006) Book Review of T. Hafford-Letchfield, (2006). Management and Organisations in Social Work. Book Reviews [Details] |
Presentation
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2015) | Young People with Risky Sexual Behaviours: Responses of Child Protection Social Workers in Ireland. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2015) Young People with Risky Sexual Behaviours: Responses of Child Protection Social Workers in Ireland. Auckland, New Zealand: Presentation [Details] | |
| (2012) | Same-sex Adoption in Ireland. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2012) Same-sex Adoption in Ireland. Cork, Ireland: Presentation [Details] | |
| (2011) | Gay Adoption in Ireland. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2011) Gay Adoption in Ireland. Cork, Ireland: Presentation [Details] |
Web Page
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2020) | Online Social Work Practice Series. Burns, K. and Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2020) Online Social Work Practice Series. Web Page [Details] |
Reviews
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2016) | Family Centre Annual Report 2015. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2016) Family Centre Annual Report 2015. Cork, Ireland: Reviews [Details] | |
| (2015) | Family Centre Annual Report 2014. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2015) Family Centre Annual Report 2014. Cork, Ireland: Reviews [Details] | |
| (2014) | Family Centre Annual Report 2013. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2014) Family Centre Annual Report 2013. Cork, Ireland: Reviews [Details] | |
| (2013) | Family Centre Annual Report 2012. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2013) Family Centre Annual Report 2012. Cork, Ireland: Reviews [Details] | |
| (2012) | Family Centre Annual Report 2011. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2012) Family Centre Annual Report 2011. Cork, Ireland: Reviews [Details] | |
| (2011) | Family Centre Annual Report 2010. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2011) Family Centre Annual Report 2010. Cork, Ireland: Reviews [Details] | |
| (2010) | Family Centre Annual Report 2009. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2010) Family Centre Annual Report 2009. Cork, Ireland: Reviews [Details] |
Discussion
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2020) | Gay Project Submission to Cork City Council Development Plan. Ó Súilleabháin, F and O'Donnell, M. (2020) Gay Project Submission to Cork City Council Development Plan. Discussion [Details] | |
| (2020) | Joint Submission to Cork City Council for the City Development Plan. Ó Súilleabháin, F., O’Rourke, M., Ó Donnabháin, B., O’Donnell, M., Davoren, M., Moynihan, K. & Fitzgerald, J. (2020) Joint Submission to Cork City Council for the City Development Plan. Discussion [Details] |
Practice Guideline
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2016) | Family Centre Policies and Procedures Document (28th edit.) TUSLA: Family Centre, Cork. Ó Súilleabháin, F., Geraghty, F., Collender, J., Hudner, R., Mc, Donnell, R. and Rohan, J. (2016) Family Centre Policies and Procedures Document (28th edit.) TUSLA: Family Centre, Cork. Practice Guideline [Details] | |
| (2015) | Family Centre Clinical Staff Induction Manual (3rd edit.) TUSLA. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2015) Family Centre Clinical Staff Induction Manual (3rd edit.) TUSLA. Cork, Ireland: Practice Guideline [Details] | |
| (2015) | Child Sexual Abuse Assessment: Case Analysis Tool. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2015) Child Sexual Abuse Assessment: Case Analysis Tool. Cork, Ireland: Practice Guideline [Details] |
Thesis/Dissertation
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2011) | ‘Stepping Out': An Examination of Gay Men’s Parenting Experiences of Parenting in Contemporary Ireland. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2011) ‘Stepping Out': An Examination of Gay Men’s Parenting Experiences of Parenting in Contemporary Ireland. Thesis/Dissertation [Details] |
Workshops
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2023) | Supervising Social Work on Fieldwork Placements. Halvey, O. and Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2023) Supervising Social Work on Fieldwork Placements. University College Cork (campus-based CPD): Workshops [Details] | |
| (2022) | Young People, Pornography and Sexual Development: Key Discussion Points for Foster-Carers. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2022) Young People, Pornography and Sexual Development: Key Discussion Points for Foster-Carers. Workshops [Details] | |
| (2022) | Getting Started: Supervision and how to incorporate the CORU compentencis in assessing students on placement. Ó Súilleabháin, F. and Halvey, O. (2022) Getting Started: Supervision and how to incorporate the CORU compentencis in assessing students on placement. University College Cork (Online): Workshops [Details] | |
| (2021) | Young People, Pornography and Sexual Development: Key Discussion Points for Fostering Services. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2021) Young People, Pornography and Sexual Development: Key Discussion Points for Fostering Services. Workshops [Details] | |
| (2019) | Sexual abuse and Sexual exploitation: TUSLA CPD. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2019) Sexual abuse and Sexual exploitation: TUSLA CPD. Workshops [Details] | |
| (2013) | Interviewing Very Young Children (2-5yrs). HSE South Regional Network. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2013) Interviewing Very Young Children (2-5yrs). HSE South Regional Network. Workshops [Details] | |
| (2012) | 'Undertking a doctoral thesis'; Doctor of Social Science Symposium. Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2012) 'Undertking a doctoral thesis'; Doctor of Social Science Symposium. Workshops [Details] |
Professional Activities
Conference Contributions
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2023) | All-Ireland Social Work Research and Education Forum, Elaine O’Callaghan, Kenneth Burns, Halvey, O. & Ó Súilleabháin (2023) Social media and online abuse and harassment: preliminary findings and students’ experience. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], All-Ireland Social Work Research and Education Forum, University of Galway, Galway , 12-JAN-23 - 13-JAN-23. [Details] | |
| (2023) | Workforce Research SiG - 12th European Social Work Research Conference, Burns, K., Ó Súilleabháin, F., Halvey, O. & O'Callaghan, E. (2023) Social media abuse and online harassment in social work and probation in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Workforce Research SiG - 12th European Social Work Research Conference, Milan, Italy , 12-APR-23 - 14-APR-23. [Details] | |
| (2023) | Barnevernfrokost Online Seminar, Burns, K., Halvey, O., Ó Súilleabháin, F. & O'Callaghan, E. (2023) How to respond to social media abuse and online harassment: messages from Irish research. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Barnevernfrokost Online Seminar, University of Bergen (Online) , 27-JAN-23 - 27-JAN-23. [Details] | |
| (2022) | Lesbian Lives Conference 2022, Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2022) Lesbian Lives Conference Organising Committee. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Lesbian Lives Conference 2022, University College Cork , 04-MAR-22 - 05-MAR-22. [Details] | |
| (2021) | ESWRC 2021 Symposium - Risk versus Rights: Current challenges in Irish Social Work Practice Regarding Assessment of Adult Disclosures of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Mooney, J. Ó Súilleabháin, F., O'Sullivan, G. & Campbell, K. (2021) ESWRC 2021 Symposium - Risk versus Rights: Current challenges in Irish Social Work Practice Regarding Assessment of Adult Disclosures of Childhood Sexual Abuse. [Oral Presentation], ESWRC 2021 Symposium - Risk versus Rights: Current challenges in Irish Social Work Practice Regarding Assessment of Adult Disclosures of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Online - Bucharest, Romania . [Details] | |
| (2020) | Sexuality and Social Work Conference, Ó Súilleabháin, F. and Leane, M. (2020) Putting Sexualities and Genders on the Curriculum. [Oral Presentation], Sexuality and Social Work Conference, Mumbai, India , 26-NOV-20 - 27-NOV-20. [Details] | |
| (2020) | UCC Online Social Work Practice Webinar, Ó Súilleabháin, F. and Burns, K. (2020) Using Padlet as a Tool for Online Social Work Practice. [Invited Lectures (Workshops)], UCC Online Social Work Practice Webinar, Online Webinar - Cork , 03-JUN-20. [Details] | |
| (2020) | Law/Gender/Body/Text Online Discussion Series, Ó Súilleabháin, F. and Leane, M. (2020) Gendered Bodies: Trans and Gender-Expansive Youth in Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Law/Gender/Body/Text Online Discussion Series, University College Cork , 20-NOV-20 - 20-NOV-20. [Details] | |
| (2020) | UCC Online Social Work Practice Webinar, Ó Súilleabháin, F. and Burns, K. (2020) COVID-19 Is Not Going Away: What Next for Remote Social Work Practice?. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], UCC Online Social Work Practice Webinar, University College Cork , 10-SEP-20 - 10-SEP-20. [Details] | |
| (2020) | Cork PRIDE Equality and Inclusion Conference, Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2020) Equality and Inclusion in Cork: Showcasing the Work of UCC’s LGBT+ Staff Network and Rainbow Alliance. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Cork PRIDE Equality and Inclusion Conference, Cork , 23-OCT-20 - 23-OCT-20. [Details] | |
| (2020) | UCC Global Ethics Day Webinar, Ó Súilleabháin, F., Forde, C., Hurley, M. and Flynn, A. (2020) Sustainability, Environmental and Social Justice Issues for Professional Practice. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], UCC Global Ethics Day Webinar, University College Cork , 21-OCT-20 - 21-OCT-20. [Details] | |
| (2019) | Irish Sexual Practices Symposium, Leane, M. and Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2019) Understanding and Supporting Gender-Variant Youth - Insights from personal Narratives. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Irish Sexual Practices Symposium, University College Dublin, Ireland , 17-JUL-19 - 17-JUL-19. [Details] | |
| (2019) | CASiLAC Symposium, Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2019) Sexual Violence against and within LGBTQ+ Communities. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], CASiLAC Symposium, University College Cork , 20-SEP-19. [Details] | |
| (2019) | The 3rd European Conference on Domestic Violence, Ó Súilleabháin, F., Crowley, L. and Bolton, R. (2019) Violence against Women in Ireland: Conceptualising Definitions, Laws and Interventions. [Oral Presentation], The 3rd European Conference on Domestic Violence, Oslo, Norway , 01-SEP-19 - 04-SEP-19. [Details] | |
| (2019) | All-Ireland Social Work Education and Research Forum, Hurley, M. and Ó Súilleabháín, F. (2019) Social Work, Activism and Ecological Justice: Developments in Social Work Education. [Oral Presentation], All-Ireland Social Work Education and Research Forum, University of Ulster, Magee Campus, Derry , 10-JAN-19 - 11-JAN-19. [Details] | |
| (2019) | International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation (ICERI2019), Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2019) Connecting The Social Work Curriculum With The Community - Pedagogical Approaches To Community-Based Participatory Group Research. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation (ICERI2019), ICERI 2919, Seville, Spain . [Details] | |
| (2018) | All Ireland Social Work Educators' Forum, Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2018) Breaking the Binary: Trans and Gender Non-Binary Youth. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], All Ireland Social Work Educators' Forum, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland , 11-JAN-18 - 12-JAN-18. [Details] | |
| (2018) | IASW SWAMH SIG Conference: Psychosocial Interventions in Social Work, Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2018) Social Work's Core Therapeutic Skills. [Keynote Speaker], IASW SWAMH SIG Conference: Psychosocial Interventions in Social Work, St. Patrick's University Hospital, Steeven's Lane, Dublin , 13-APR-18 - 13-APR-18. [Details] | |
| (2018) | BASPCAN Congress, Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2018) Assessing Sexual Abuse Allegations of Pre-School-Aged Children in the Republic of Irelan. [Oral Presentation], BASPCAN Congress, University of Warwick, UK , 08-APR-18 - 11-APR-18. [Details] | |
| (2018) | Social Work and Sexualities International Conference Sexualities, genders and intersectionalities: Expanding contemporary social work issues, Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2018) Navigating Heterosexist Systems: Gay Fathers’ Experiences in the Republic of Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Social Work and Sexualities International Conference Sexualities, genders and intersectionalities: Expanding contemporary social work issues, University of Montreal, Canada , 09-AUG-18 - 10-AUG-18. [Details] | |
| (2018) | Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development (SWSD) 2018, Ó Súilleabháin, F. & O' Sullivan, G. (2018) Social workers’ perceptions of current child protection risk in the assessment of historical sexual abuse allegations in the Irish Context. [Oral Presentation], Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development (SWSD) 2018, RDS, Dublin, Ireland , 04-JUL-18 - 07-JUL-18. [Details] | |
| (2018) | 32nd Conference of Irish Historians, Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2018) 'Coming out, letting go': Gay fathers' narratives in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], 32nd Conference of Irish Historians, University College Cork , 26-APR-18 - 28-APR-18. [Details] | |
| (2017) | Urban Space and the Body: An International Conference of the Cross-Disciplinary Urban Space” Network, Leane, M. & Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2017) Transgender and gender non-conforming youth: Negotiating personal identities in urban spaces. [Oral Presentation], Urban Space and the Body: An International Conference of the Cross-Disciplinary Urban Space” Network, Cork, Ireland , 09-JUN-17 - 10-JUN-17. [Details] | |
| (2017) | 6th Biennial National Child Protection and Welfare Social Work Conference, O’Sullivan, G., Ó Súilleabháin, F., Hartnett, G. & Noonan, T. (2017) Developing a Social Work Response to Historical Abuse. [Oral Presentation], 6th Biennial National Child Protection and Welfare Social Work Conference, Cork, Ireland , 27-OCT-17 - 27-OCT-17. [Details] | |
| (2017) | 15th ISPCAN European Regional Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, O’Sullivan, G. & Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2017) Developing a model for the assessment of historical allegations of CSA from a safeguarding perspective . [Oral Presentation], 15th ISPCAN European Regional Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, the Hague, Netherlands , 01-OCT-17 - 04-OCT-17. [Details] | |
| (2017) | 6th Biennial National Child Protection and Welfare Social Work Conference, Campbell, K. & Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2017) Supporting evidence informed service development through action learning. [Oral Presentation], 6th Biennial National Child Protection and Welfare Social Work Conference, Cork, Ireland , 27-OCT-17 - 27-OCT-17. [Details] | |
| (2017) | 15th ISPCAN European Regional Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, Campbell, K. & Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2017) Developing a Service Design Model to Support front-line practitioners in identifying and responding to service needs - with a particular focus on adolescents presenting with problematic sexualised behaviour. [Oral Presentation], 15th ISPCAN European Regional Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, The Hague, Netherlands , 01-OCT-17 - 04-OCT-17. [Details] | |
| (2016) | DCU Socio-Legal Research Centre Law and Society Biennial Conference State Accountability for Vulnerability, Leane, M. & Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2016) Transgender Children And Young People In Ireland: Socio-Legal Challenges to Self-Expression of Gender,. [Oral Presentation], DCU Socio-Legal Research Centre Law and Society Biennial Conference State Accountability for Vulnerability, Dublin, Ireland , 09-SEP-16 - 09-SEP-16. [Details] | |
| (2016) | BASPCAN Evidence-Informed Practice, Practice-Informed Research Conference, Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2016) Protecting Young People with Risky Sexual Behaviours from Sexual Exploitation: Social Workers’ Experiences in the Irish Context. [Oral Presentation], BASPCAN Evidence-Informed Practice, Practice-Informed Research Conference, Birmingham, UK , 18-NOV-16 - 18-NOV-16. [Details] | |
| (2013) | IASW HSE UCC Biennial Social Work Conference: New agency, new rights, new systems: Are children any safer?, Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2013) Protecting Children in an Online World. [Oral Presentation], IASW HSE UCC Biennial Social Work Conference: New agency, new rights, new systems: Are children any safer?, Cork, Ireland , 25-OCT-13 - 25-OCT-13. [Details] | |
| (2007) | IASW HSE UCC Biennial Social Work Conference: New agency, new rights, new systems: Are children any safer?, Bradshaw, T. and Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2007) Interviewing Children in the context of Child Protection & Welfare. [Oral Presentation], IASW HSE UCC Biennial Social Work Conference: New agency, new rights, new systems: Are children any safer?, Cork, Ireland , 26-OCT-07 - 26-OCT-07. [Details] | |
| (2021) | ESWRC 2021, Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2021) Non-recent allegations of abuse: Socio-historic contexts, contemporary responses, professional dilemmas. [Oral Presentation], ESWRC 2021, Online - Bucharest, Romania . [Details] | |
| (2021) | JSWEC 2021, Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2021) Non-recent allegations of abuse: Socio-historic contexts, contemporary responses, professional dilemmas. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], JSWEC 2021, Online - Cardiff, Wales . [Details] | |
| (2021) | JSWEC 2021, Mooney, J. Ó Súilleabháin, F., O'Sullivan, G. & Campbell, K. (2021) Symposium - Risk versus rights: current challenges in Irish social work practice regarding assessment of adult disclosures of childhood sexual abuse. [Invited Lectures (Workshops)], JSWEC 2021, Online - Cardiff, Wales . [Details] | |
| (2021) | JSWEC 2021, Hurley, M., Ó Súilleabháin, F. & Forde, C. (2021) Mary Hurley, Fiachra Ó Suilleabhain, Catherine Forde - Ongoing research and pedagogical endeavours in developing a new trans-disciplinary module on Sustainability, Environmental and Social Justice Issues in Professional Practice in University College Cork, Ireland. [Oral Presentation], JSWEC 2021, Online - Cardiff, Wales . [Details] | |
| (2021) | 4th European Conference on Domestic Violence, Bolton, R., Edwards, C., Leane, M., O'Suilleabhain, F. and Fennell, C. (2021) 'Education, education, education': Young people talk about preventing violence against women in intimate partner relations in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], 4th European Conference on Domestic Violence, Ljubljana, Slovenia , 13-SEP-21 - 15-SEP-21. [Details] | |
| (2021) | Ubuntu: IASW World Social Work Day, Ó Súilleabháin, F. & Hurley, M. (2021) Sustainability, Solidarity and Social Justice in Social Work: Educational Endeavours. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Ubuntu: IASW World Social Work Day, Online - Dublin, Ireland . [Details] | |
| (2021) | UCC Online Social Work Practice Webinar, Kenneth Burns and Fiachra Ó Súilleabháin (2021) Social Media Abuse of Professionals: How to Protect Yourself on Social Media. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], UCC Online Social Work Practice Webinar, Online Webinar - Cork . [Details] | |
| (2021) | 8th Biennial National Child Protection and Welfare Conference, Ó Súilleabháin, F. Kelleher, P., Burns, K. & Cuskelly, K. (2021) Social Media Abuse of Social Workers: What do Practitioners and Managers in Child Protection & Welfare Need to Know?. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], 8th Biennial National Child Protection and Welfare Conference, Online - Cork , 22-OCT-21 - 22-OCT-21. [Details] | |
| (2021) | V&TL Week 2021, Ó Súilleabháin, F. & Lacey, V. (2021) TRANSforming the Curriculum in Higher Education. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], V&TL Week 2021, University College Cork , 08-NOV-21 - 12-NOV-21. [Details] | |
| (2021) | The Sociological Association of Ireland 2021 Annual Conference, Bolton, R., Edwards, C., Leane, M., O'Suilleabhain, F. and Fennell, C. (2021) 'They’re, you know, their audience': how sexual harassment and violence against women is shaped by solidarities between men. [Oral Presentation], The Sociological Association of Ireland 2021 Annual Conference, Online , 07-MAY-21 - 08-MAY-21. [Details] | |
| (2021) | ESWRC 2021, Forde, C., Ó Súilleabháin, F., Hurley, M. and Flynn, A. (2021) Global issues in professional social work education and practice. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], ESWRC 2021, Online - Bucharest, Romania . [Details] | |
| (2021) | All-Ireland Social Work Phd Symposium, Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2021) All-Ireland Social Work PhD Symposium Organising Committee. [Conference Organising Committee Member], All-Ireland Social Work Phd Symposium, University College Cork , 19-NOV-21 - 19-NOV-21. [Details] | |
| (2020) | OUTing the Past Festival, Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2020) LGBTQ+ History Conference. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], OUTing the Past Festival, Millennium Hall, City Hall, Cork . [Details] | |
| (2019) | SPEEDS Symposium: 'Teaching and Learning for Social Justice in a Digital World', Ó Súilleabháin F. and Leane, M. (2019) Employing Digital Technology to Scaffold Discursive Learning Environments: Teaching Sexualities in Social Policy. [Poster Presentation], SPEEDS Symposium: 'Teaching and Learning for Social Justice in a Digital World', University College Cork , 09-MAY-19 - 09-MAY-19. [Details] | |
| (2019) | 7th National Child Protection and Welfare Social Work Conference, Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2019) Referee. [Peer Reviewed Abstract], 7th National Child Protection and Welfare Social Work Conference, University College Cork , 24-OCT-19 - 25-OCT-19. [Details] | |
| (2019) | The 3rd European Conference on Domestic Violence, Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2019) Law and Legal Process 1. [Chair Sessions at Symposia], The 3rd European Conference on Domestic Violence, Oslo, Norway , 01-SEP-19 - 04-SEP-19. [Details] | |
| (2019) | Irish Gerontological Society Conference, Ó Súilleabháin, F., Moynihan, K. and O'Donnell, M. (2019) LGBT+ Patients Exhibition. [Other], Irish Gerontological Society Conference, Cork, Ireland , 26-SEP-19 - 28-SEP-19. [Details] | |
| (2019) | OUTing the Past Festival, Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2019) LGBTQ+ History Conference. [Conference Organising Committee Member], OUTing the Past Festival, Millennium Hall, City Hall, Cork . [Details] | |
| (2019) | The 3rd EuroSoTL Conference, Leane, M. and Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2019) Setting the Tinderbox of Student Engagement Alight: Drawing on the Principles of SoTL to Stimulate Activism in an Undergraduate Module on Sexualities and Society in University College Cork (UCC), Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], The 3rd EuroSoTL Conference, Bilbao, Spain , 13-JUN-19 - 14-JUN-19. [Details] | |
| (2019) | The 3rd EuroSoTL Conference, Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2019) Empowering Social Work Students and Communities through Community-Based Group Research Projects: Co-constructing Knowledge and Building Capacity. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], The 3rd EuroSoTL Conference, Bilbao, Spain , 13-JUN-19 - 14-JUN-19. [Details] | |
| (2019) | The 3rd EuroSoTL Conference, Hurley, M. and Ó Súilleabháín, F. (2019) Teaching Activism, Ecological Justice and Sustainable Development: Pedagogical Endeavours in Professional Social Work Education. [Poster Presentation], The 3rd EuroSoTL Conference, Bilbao, Spain , 13-JUN-19 - 14-JUN-19. [Details] | |
| (2017) | 6th National Child Protection and Welfare Social Work Conference, Ó Súilleabháin, F. (2017) Referee. [Peer Reviewed Abstract], 6th National Child Protection and Welfare Social Work Conference, University College Cork , 26-OCT-17. [Details] | |
| (2017) | 15th ISPCAN European Regional Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, Ó Súilleabháin, F. & Geraghty, F. (2017) Allegations of sexual abuse in pre-schoolers in Ireland: Pre-screening the communication skills of very young children. [Poster Presentation], 15th ISPCAN European Regional Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, The Hague, Netherlands , 01-OCT-17 - 04-OCT-17. [Details] |
Honours and Awards
| Year | Title | Awarding Body | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Best COVID Crisis Response Finalist (with Dr. Kenneth Burns) | Education Awards | |
| 2021 | Best Online Learning Experience Finalist (with Dr. Kenneth Burns) | Education Awards | |
| 2019 | Frank McGrath Perpetual Award for Equality and Welfare (with UCC LGBT+ Staff Network) | University College Cork | |
| 2019 | Finalist for Best Research Project - Education Awards with MSW Students and CARL) | Education Awards | |
| 2018 | President's Award for Excellence in Teaching (with Prof. Máire Leane) | University College Cork | |
| 2001 | O'Connor Scholarship | University College Cork |
Professional Associations
| Association | Function | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) Member | Member | / | |
| CORU Registered | Licensed Social Worker | / |
Committees
| Committee | Function | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| University College Cork Healthy Campus Charter - Sexual Health Action Group | Health Campus Action Group | 2023 / | |
| UCC LGBT+ Staff Network | Treasurer | 2022 / | |
| School of Applied Social Studies Vice Head | Vice Head of School | 2022 / | |
| University College Cork Quercus Scholarships | Active Citizenship Selecton Committee Member | 2021 / | |
| University College Cork Academic Council | College Elected Representative | 2021 / 2024 | |
| UCC LGBT+ Staff Network | Co-Chairperson | 2021 / 2022 | |
| School of Applied Social Studies Athena SWAN Working Group | Member | 2021 / | |
| UCC LGBT+ Staff Network | Treasurer | 2020 / 2021 | |
| School of Applied Social Studies Staff Executive Committee | Graduate Studies Representative | 2020 / | |
| UCC Community Academic Research Links (CARL) Committee | Academic Advisor | 2019 / | |
| School of Applied Social Studies Graduate Studies Committee | Member | 2017 / | |
| School of Applied Social Studies Research Committee | Member | 2017 / | |
| UCC LGBT+ Staff Network Commitee | Secretary | 2018 / 2020 | |
| School of Applied Social Studies Staff-Student Liaison Committee | Chairperson | 2017 / | |
| UCC Gender Equality Working Group | Member | 2017 / 2018 | |
| MSW Selection Committee | Co-ordinator | 2017 / | |
| Digital Learning (SPEEDS) Committee | Member | 2017 / 2019 | |
| MSW Ethics Committee | Member | 2017 / | |
| Tusla Third Level Liaison Forum CPD Subgroup | Member of TUSLA Third Level Liaison Forum Subgroup | 2017 / |
Employment
| Employer | Position | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| University College Cork | Lecturer | 23-JAN-17 / | |
| TUSLA Child and Family Agency | Unit Manager Family Centre | 30-DEC-09 / 22-JAN-17 | |
| TUSLA Child and Family Agency/Health Service Executive | Principal Social Worker Family Centre | 14-NOV-05 / 29-DEC-09 | |
| Southern Health Board | Locum Social Worker/Social Care Worker | 07-MAY-01 / 07-SEP-01 | |
| Southern Health Board | Social Worker North Lee | 06-MAY-02 / 07-DEC-03 | |
| Health Service Executive/Southern Health Board | Social Worker Family Centre | 08-DEC-03 / 13-NOV-05 |
Education
| Year | Institution | Qualification | Subject | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | University College Cork | Postrgaduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning inHigher Education | Scholarship of Teaching and Learning | |
| 2018 | University College Cork | Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education | Scholarship of Teaching and Learning | |
| 2011 | University College Cork | DOCTORATE | Social Science | |
| 2002 | University College Cork | Master of Social Work | Social Work | |
| 2000 | University College Cork | Bachelor of Social Science | Social Science |
Consultancy
| Client | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Irish Association of SociaL Workers | ||
| St Patrick's Infant School, Gardiners Hill, Cork | ||
| Empowering Children in Care (EPIC) | ||
| Gay Project | ||
| Practice Advisory Board Specialist Inquiry Team TUSLA Cork |
Languages
| Language | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Fluent | Fluent | Fluent | |
| Gaeilge | Functional | Basic | Basic |
Outreach Activities
| Description | |
|---|---|
As described in my consultancy work, I volunteer in a wide range of organisations including community financial cooperatives, national professional bodies, national charities for children and young people, and regional services for sexual minority populations. | |
External Examiner: M.Res EdgeHill University, UK |
Journal Activities
| Journal | Role | To / From | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child And Family Social Work | Peer Reviewer | 01-JAN-24 - | |
| European Journal Of Social Work | Referee | 30-MAR-18 - |
Teaching Activities
Teaching Interests
My key areas of teaching expertise and interest are LGBTQIA+ issues and sexualities, child sexual abuse and harmful sexual behaviour, child protection and welfare, direct work with children and young people, and welfare pluralism in the delivery of social services.Throughout my professional practice, I have sought to be a research-minded and evidence-informed practitioner. I have utilised research to reflect on, and improve, my practice. I believe that teaching, research and practice are part of a connected cycle of ongoing learning and professional development.
As an educator in UCC, I aim to share my passion for social work research, education and practice. I work to enhance students’ learning experiences and to achieve the best possible learning outcomes for students. I aim to inspire students to practice ethically and in anti-discriminatory ways to promote equality and social justice. I aim to assist students to develop a proficiency in critical thinking in order to develop their capacity to undertake assessments in practice and to professionally evaluate and judge situations. I seek to familiarise students with the application of theory to practice and how they are inter-connected and to help them understand how social policies at the macro-level can influence the lived experiences of individuals and communities at the micro-level. I view teaching as an interactive process which sees students as key partners in the learning project. I view teaching as an interactive process with students being partners in the learning project. I like to provide students with a poly-vocal learning environment where students are empowered to learn from each other. I am student-centred in my approach to teaching – information and knowledge needs to be imparted in an accessible way in order for students to understand and they need to understand the knowledge before they can apply it to practice.
Overall, I use a range of teaching methods to engage students in learning rather than being overly dependent on one method. I use lectures, role-plays, case-studies, practice experiences, media studies, group discussions, peer support and visual aids as learning tools in the classroom.
Bachelor of Social Science
SS2024 Fieldwork Placement (with Dr. Eileen Hogan)
SS3030 Fieldwork Placement (with Dr. Eileen Hogan)
SS3021 Sexuality and Society (with Prof Máire Leane and Aoife Price)
SS3010 Social Science and Social Work
Bachelor of Social Science (Youth and Community Work)
SS3120 Social Policy III: Position of Minorities (16% credit)
SS3119 Sustainability, Environmental and Social Justice Issues in Youth and Comm Work (with Dr Catherine Forde and Mary Hurley)
Bachelor of Social Work
SS3210 Deviance, Welfare and Justice (8% credit)
SS4211 Anti-Racism and Anti-Discriminatory Practice
Higher Diploma in Social Policy (online)
SS5011 Social Science and Social Work (with SS3010)
Master of Social Work
SS6112 Practice Skills and Fieldwork Placement I (with MSW team)
SS6112 Practice Skills and Fieldwork Placement II (Lectures)
SS6106 Applied Social Research (with Dr. Eleanor Bantry-White & Dr. Kenneth Burns)
SS6200 Social Work Approaches - Critical and Radical Social Work
SS6200 Social Work Approaches - Sustainability, Environmental and Social Justice Issues in Professional Practice (with Dr Catherine Forde and Mary Hurley
SS6202 Social Work Settings II - Probation
SS6207 Practice Skills and Fieldwork Placement II (with MSW team)
SS6207 Practice Skills and Fieldwork Placement II (Workshop Week with Olwen Halvey)
SS6206 Dissertation in Social Work (with Dr. Eleanor Bantry-White)
MSocSc
SS6313 Contemporary Social Policy Issues (8% credit)
DSocSc
SS7003 Research Methods and Skills 1: Qualitative (8% credit)
SS7008 Designing for Research and Evaluation (8% credit)
PhD Social Work
SS7701 Methods for Social Work Research I (with Dr Caitríona Ní Laoire and Dr Eleanor Bantry White)
DClinPsych
AP7005 Clinical Psychology Applied to Child and Adolescent (1 x 3 hr workshop)
Microcredentials
SS63 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Awareness for Health, Social Care and Education Professionals (20% credit)
Recent Postgraduates
| Graduation Year | Student Name | Institution | Degree Type | Thesis Title | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Aisling Ryan | University College Cork | MSW | Social Work within a Medical Setting: A Systematic Review of Discharge Planning with Older People and the Barriers to this Process’ | |
| 2021 | Michelle Jones | University College Cork | MSW | The voice of the child in child protection and welfare practice: a socio-historic examination of legislation and policy. | |
| 2021 | Mia Keating | University College Cork | MSW | Relative Foster Care: Fostering a Sense of Identity and Stability within the Child’s Life. | |
| 2020 | Pamela Morris | University College Cork | MSW | An Investigation of the provision of community-based day care centres on older people’s wellbeing in North Tipperary | |
| 2021 | Anne Mulcahy | University College Cork | MSW | A Feminist Social Work Lens on Reducing the Use of Physical Restraint in Psychiatric Inpatient Settings for Adolescents | |
| 2020 | Norma Ryan | University College Cork | MSW | An examination of after-service provision for care-experienced young adults who do not engage in further education at age 18yrs (CBR Project with EPIC) | |
| 2020 | Cillian Daly | University College Cork | MSW | An examination of the Signs of Safety approach to child protection social work: An International Review | |
| 2020 | Laura Walsh | University College Cork | MSW | Exploring the impact of community crime and violence on the welfare of children in Moneymore, North Drogheda, Co. Louth (CARL Project) | |
| 2018 | Tara Whelan | University College Cork | Master of Arts | Adolescents with harmful sexual behaviours: Applying male theories to female offenders | |
| 2019 | Livingstone Kiwanuka (CARL Project) (co-supervised by Dr. Ruth Hally) | University College Cork | Master of Social Work | An Exploration of participation in physical activities on the wellbeing of adults with acquired/congenital disabilities | |
| 2019 | Anita Forde | University College Cork | Master of Social Work | An exploration of risk: Are children in care at higher risk of danger through the use of social media? A discourse analysis of the literature | |
| 2019 | Elaine Burke | University College Cork | Master of Social Work | The Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015: Exploring the implications for social work practice with people living with dementia | |
| 2019 | Clodagh Kelleher | University College Cork | Master of Social Work | Returning Children Home from Care.. An Exploration of the Reunification Process in Irish Social Work Practice | |
| 2019 | Rebecca O'Sullivan (CARL Project) | University College Cork | Master of Social Work | 'Remember Me': An Exploration of the Impact of the Féileacáin Remembering Memory Box on Parents Bereaved Through Stillbirth or Neonatal Death. | |
| 2018 | Stephanie Tips (Group CARL Project) | NUI (UCC) | Master of Social Work | Igloos all year round: An examination of the views of young people into the spaces and places of Douglas (CARL) | |
| 2018 | John Daunt (Group CARL Project) | NUI (UCC) | Master of Social Work | Our Place Matters: An exploration of young people’s participation in the Douglas community and international models for developing community participation (CARL) | |
| 2018 | Cara Mc Carthy (Group CARL Project) | NUI (UCC) | Master of Social Work | ‘Smells Like Community Spirit’: An Exploration of Stakeholders Perceptions of the Social Needs and Issues for Young People in Douglas (CARL) | |
| 2018 | Niamh Condron (CARL Project) | NUI (UCC) | Master of Social Work | An International Literature Review on the Needs of People who have Offending Behaviours and/or Substance Use Issues (CARL) | |
| 2018 | Phil O' Sullivan (CARL Project - Phase 2 of Three-Year Project) | NUI (UCC) | Master of Social Work | Dress to Impress: Parents’ Fears of Allegations of Fabricated Induced Illness in Cases when their Child has Mitochondrial Disease - Exploring the Voices of MITO Families Ireland (CARL) | |
| 2017 | Laura Nolan | University College Cork | Master of Social Work | Voluntary care processes: A comprehensive analysis of Irish, Norwegian and Finnish contexts. | |
| 2017 | Christín Murphy | University College Cork | Master of Social Work | Young people 'at risk'? A critical examination of notions of risk in child protection and welfare social work | |
| 2017 | Sharon Morrison | University College Cork | Master of Social Work | Working together to safeguard children: An examination of multidisciplinary approaches to child protection practice | |
| 2017 | Francis Condon | University College Cork | Master of Social Work | Which theoretical approaches and perspectives could be applied to social work practice in an attempt to work most constructively with the trans community? |
Contact details
- Fiachra Ó Súilleabháin
- fiachra.osuilleabhain@ucc.ie
- +353-21-490-3000
- Lecturer in Social Work
- fiachra.osuilleabhain@ucc.ie
- Carrigbawn
School of Applied Social Studies
O'Donovan's Road
Cork - +353 21 490 3072