Biography

Gill Harold is a lecturer in the School of Applied Social Studies. Her research and teaching interests lie broadly in the areas of critical scholarship in Deaf and Disability Studies, and social policy. A research associate of ISS21, with a background in social geography, Gill is interested in contemporary debates around active citizenship, human rights and social justice.
Within the School of Applied Social Studies, Gill is the Year 3 co-ordinator on the BSocSc (Youth and Community Work) programme. Gill currently works in the role of Academic Director for the Diploma in Disability Studies and Higher Diploma in Facilitating Inclusion programmes in Adult and Continuing Education at UCC.

Please use the link below to download a copy of ‘Providing Access for Deaf Irish Sign Language Users: Guidance for Public Bodies'.
This is a key output from a study funded by IHREC’s 2018 Grants Scheme, which was a collaborative project carried out in partnership between Applied Social Studies/ISS21 at UCC with community co-researchers from Cork Deaf Association and Community K (formerly Kerry Deaf Resource Centre). https://www.ucc.ie/en/media/research/iss21/GuidanceforPublicBodiesonAccessProvisionforDeafISLUsers.pdf

Research Interests

Gill's primary research interests lie in the area of social geography, focusing on the concepts of social identity and difference as they relate to questions of active citizenship, senses of place, community and civic belonging. In her work to date, these interests have been mobilised by discourse on the sensory construction of place, Deafness, disability and relationships between people and the spaces they occupy.

Book Chapters

  Year Publication
(2017) 'Interrogating phonocentrism in the hearing city: Exploring Deaf experiences'
Harold G. (2017) 'Interrogating phonocentrism in the hearing city: Exploring Deaf experiences' In: Aiello, G., Tarantino, M. and Oakley, K (eds). Communicating the City: Meanings, Practices, Interactions. New York: Peter Lang. [DOI] [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2019) 'Pathways for Practitioners' Participation in Creating the Practice Research Encounter'
Serbati, S;Moe, A;Halton, C;Harold, G (2019) 'Pathways for Practitioners' Participation in Creating the Practice Research Encounter'. European Journal of Social Work, 22 (5):791-804 [DOI] [Details]
(2015) 'Introduction to special issue: creating equitable access to justice for people with disabilities as victims of crime: Ireland's criminal justice system and the challenge of disability rights'
Edwards, C; Kilcommins, S; Harold, G (2015) 'Introduction to special issue: creating equitable access to justice for people with disabilities as victims of crime: Ireland's criminal justice system and the challenge of disability rights'. Irish Journal of Legal Studies, 5 (1):1-4 [ Publisher's Version] [Details]
(2015) 'Show me a justice system that's open, transparent, accessible and inclusive: barriers to access in the criminal justice system for people with disabilities as victims of crime'
Edwards, C; Harold, G; Kilcommins, S (2015) 'Show me a justice system that's open, transparent, accessible and inclusive: barriers to access in the criminal justice system for people with disabilities as victims of crime'. Irish Journal of Legal Studies, 5 (1):86-105 [ Publisher's Version] [Details]
(2014) 'DeafSpace and the principles of universal design'
Edwards, C. Harold, G. (2014) 'DeafSpace and the principles of universal design'. Disability and Rehabilitation, 36 (16):1350-1359 [ Publisher's Version] [Details]
(2013) 'Reconsidering Sound and the City: asserting the right to the Deaf-friendly city'
Harold, G. (2013) 'Reconsidering Sound and the City: asserting the right to the Deaf-friendly city'. Environment and Planning D: Society and Space, 31 (5):846-862 [Details]
(2013) 'Victims of Crime with Disabilities in Ireland: Invisible Citizens within an Adversarial Paradigm of Justice'
Kilcommins, S. Edwards, C. Harold, G. (2013) 'Victims of Crime with Disabilities in Ireland: Invisible Citizens within an Adversarial Paradigm of Justice'. Irish Criminal Law Journal, 23 (2):45-55 [Details]

Other Journals

  Year Publication
(2022) 'Learning lessons from COVID-19: Exploring the potential of remote learning and working for young people with disabilities'
Edwards, C. and Harold, G. (2022) 'Learning lessons from COVID-19: Exploring the potential of remote learning and working for young people with disabilities' The AHEAD Journal: A Review of Inclusive Education and Employment Practices, (15) . [ Publisher's Version] [Details]
(2021) 'A Milestone For Access For Deaf Irish Sign Language Users'
O'Connor, M and Harold, G (2021) 'A Milestone For Access For Deaf Irish Sign Language Users' The AHEAD Journal: A Review of Inclusive Education and Employment Practices, . [ Publisher's Version] [Details]
(2014) ''Show me a Justice System that's open, transparent, accessible and inclusive': barriers to access in the criminal justice system for people with disabilities as victims of crime'
Kilcommins, S., Daly, C. and Harold, G. (2014) ''Show me a Justice System that's open, transparent, accessible and inclusive': barriers to access in the criminal justice system for people with disabilities as victims of crime' Irish Journal of Legal Studies, . [Details]
(2007) 'Re-Imagining d/Deafness - Crossing a cultural divide?'
Harold, G. (2007) 'Re-Imagining d/Deafness - Crossing a cultural divide?' Chimera, 22 :91-103. [Details]
(2006) 'Cities Without Sound: Performing Deaf Identities in the Hearing City'
Harold, G. (2006) 'Cities Without Sound: Performing Deaf Identities in the Hearing City' Chimera, 21 :53-58. [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(2019) The Sound of Silence (Trinity Week Symposium Event)
Harold, G (2019) Phonocentrism and the City [invited contribution] The Sound of Silence (Trinity Week Symposium Event) Long Room Hub, Trinity College Dublin, [Details]
(2016) Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development 2015 Conference
Harold, G (2016) Access to justice for Deaf and Disabled Victims of Crime in Ireland: Identifying challenges and recognising the need for change Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development 2015 Conference [Details]
(2010) In at the Deep End: Learning to Teach in Higher Education Postgraduate Symposium
Harold, G. (2010) Negotiating Uncertainty: Teaching new topics and the impact on student learning . In: Cronin, J. Higgs, B. McCarthy, M. McKeon, J eds. In at the Deep End: Learning to Teach in Higher Education Postgraduate Symposium , pp.14-17 [Details]

Published Reports

  Year Publication
(2023) ISL HEALTH Research Report: Key findings and recommendations from a project aiming to support the effective implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 in public healthcare settings.
Harold, G., O’ Connell, N., O’ Callaghan, S., White, W. and Grogan, J. (2023) ISL HEALTH Research Report: Key findings and recommendations from a project aiming to support the effective implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 in public healthcare settings. ISS21, UCC. [ Publisher's Version] [Details]
(2023) Silent Harm: A review of support for survivors of gender-based violence, CDS/SLSCS Monograph Series No. 6.
Napier, J., L, Leeson, M. Del-Pozo-Triviño, D. Casado-Neira, H. Sheikh, G. Harold, L. Clark, L. Quigley, L. O’Dowd, B. Longa-Alonso, S. Pérez-Freire and C. Cabeza-Pereiro. (2023) Silent Harm: A review of support for survivors of gender-based violence, CDS/SLSCS Monograph Series No. 6. Centre for Deaf Studies, School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences, TCD. [Details]
(2022) Learning Disrupted: Young People with Disabilities' Access to and Experiences of Learning and Workplace-based Training during COVID-19.
Edwards, C. and Harold, G. (2022) Learning Disrupted: Young People with Disabilities' Access to and Experiences of Learning and Workplace-based Training during COVID-19. University College Cork, Cork. [ Publisher's Version] [Details]
(2022) Learning Disrupted: Young People with Disabilities’ Access to and Experiences of Learning and Workplace-based Training during COVID-19. EasyRead summary.
Edwards, C. and Harold, G. (2022) Learning Disrupted: Young People with Disabilities’ Access to and Experiences of Learning and Workplace-based Training during COVID-19. EasyRead summary. ISS21, UCC, Cork. [ Publisher's Version] [Details]
(2021) Providing Access for Deaf Irish Sign Language Users: Guidance for Public Bodies.
Harold, G., O’ Callaghan, S. and White, W (2021) Providing Access for Deaf Irish Sign Language Users: Guidance for Public Bodies. ISS21, UCC. [ Publisher's Version] [Details]
(2018) Social and Economic Analysis of the Use of Legal Services by Tusla (SEALS).
Halton, C. Harold, G, Murphy, A. and Walsh, E. (2018) Social and Economic Analysis of the Use of Legal Services by Tusla (SEALS). IRC, Dublin. [Details]
(2018) A Social and Economic Analysis of the use of Legal Services (SEALS) in the Child and Family Agency (Tusla).
Halton, C, Harold, G, Murphy, A, Walsh, E (2018) A Social and Economic Analysis of the use of Legal Services (SEALS) in the Child and Family Agency (Tusla). University College Cork, Cork. [Details]
(2012) Access to Justice for People with Disabilities as Victims of Crime in Ireland.
Edwards, C., Harold, G., Kilcommins, S. (2012) Access to Justice for People with Disabilities as Victims of Crime in Ireland. National Disability Authority, Dublin. [ Publisher's Version] [Full Text] [Details]

Articles

  Year Publication
(2019) ‘After the Reforms: An Analysis of the Factors Associated With the Use of Legal Services in Child Welfare Proceedings in Ireland’.
Walsh, E., Murphy, A., Harold, G., Halton, C. (2019) ‘After the Reforms: An Analysis of the Factors Associated With the Use of Legal Services in Child Welfare Proceedings in Ireland’. Articles [Details]

Guest Lectures

  Year Publication
(2015) Exploring the Experiences of Deaf Victims in the Spaces and Processes of the Irish Criminal Justice System. Presentation to the JUSTISIGNS Public Lecture Series, Centre for Deaf Studies, TCD.
Harold, G (2015) Exploring the Experiences of Deaf Victims in the Spaces and Processes of the Irish Criminal Justice System. Presentation to the JUSTISIGNS Public Lecture Series, Centre for Deaf Studies, TCD. Trinity College Dublin: Guest Lectures [Details]
(2015) Deaf Culture and the City: intersections of urban encounter and diffference. Invited lecture contribution to the Space-Society-Economy Interdisciplinary Programme's 'In and Out of Place II' series.
Harold, G (2015) Deaf Culture and the City: intersections of urban encounter and diffference. Invited lecture contribution to the Space-Society-Economy Interdisciplinary Programme's 'In and Out of Place II' series. Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt: Guest Lectures [Details]

Research Report

  Year Publication
(2021) Providing Access for Deaf Irish Sign Language Users: Guidance for Public Bodies’.
Harold, G (2021) Providing Access for Deaf Irish Sign Language Users: Guidance for Public Bodies’. Research Report [Details]

Workshops

  Year Publication
(2022) Access and the university: Key considerations for diverse societies.
Harold, G (2022) Access and the university: Key considerations for diverse societies. University College Cork: Workshops [Details]

Honours and Awards

  Year Title Awarding Body
2021 New Foundations Grant Irish Research Council
2018 IHREC Grant Scheme Irish Human Rights and Equality Policy
2013 Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship Irish Research Council
2007 Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences
2006 William J. Leen Postgraduate Fellowship Graduate Studies, University College Cork

Conference Contributions

  Year Publication
(2023) Sign Languages in Ireland,
Harold, G. and O’ Connell, N. (2023) Access to Healthcare for Deaf Sign Language Users. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Sign Languages in Ireland, Royal Irish Academy . [Details]
(2022) International Medical Geography Symposium 2022,
Edwards, C. and Harold, G. (2022) Learning disrupted? Reconfiguring the socio-spatial dynamics of learning spaces for young disabled people during pandemic times. [Oral Presentation], International Medical Geography Symposium 2022, Edinburgh , 19-JUN-22 - 24-JUN-22. [Details]
(2021) Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers,
Harold, G (2021) Audism in Action: exploring access to public sector bodies for the Irish Deaf community. [Oral Presentation], Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers, Online . [Details]
(2019) Implementing the ISL Act and UNCRPD Conference,
Harold, G (2019) Directions for policy and research - some reflections. [Other], Implementing the ISL Act and UNCRPD Conference, Irish Deaf Society/ Centre for Deaf Studies TCD . [Details]
(2018) Irish Deaf Research Network Conference,
Harold, G (2018) Accessing the Irish Criminal Justice System - Some Insights from Deaf Victims of Crime. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Irish Deaf Research Network Conference, Trinity College Dublin . [Details]
(2017) Urban Space and the Body Conference,
Harold, G (2017) Phonocentrism in the 'hearing' city; considering deaf experiences of urban public space. [Oral Presentation], Urban Space and the Body Conference, UCC . [Details]
(2017) 6th National Child Protection and Welfare Conference,
Halton,C Harold, G. Murphy, A. & Walsh, E. (2017) A social and economic analysis of the use of legal services by Tusla : contradictions, challenges and opportunities of undertaking cross disciplinary research. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], 6th National Child Protection and Welfare Conference, UCC , 27-OCT-17 - 27-OCT-17. [Details]
(2017) National Child Protection and Welfare Social Work Conference,
Harold, G & Walsh, E (2017) Tusla's use of legal services: some national insights from a socio-economic analysis. [Oral Presentation], National Child Protection and Welfare Social Work Conference, University College Cork . [Details]
(2017) 7th European Conference for Social Work Research,
Halton, C., Harold, G., Murphy, A., & Walsh , E. (2017) Exploring Professional Identity in a Mixed Method Research Project. [Oral Presentation], 7th European Conference for Social Work Research, Aalborg University Denmark , 18-APR-17 - 21-JUL-17. [Details]
(2016) 5th Community Interpreting Conference,
Harold, G (2016) Accessing Justice: Recognising the interpreting rights of Deaf crime victims in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], 5th Community Interpreting Conference, University of Limerick . [Details]
(2015) Victims in Focus: European and Domestic Perspectives, Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development's 18th Annual Conference,
Harold, G (2015) Access to justice for Deaf and disabled victims of crime: identifying challenges and recognising the need for change’. [Oral Presentation], Victims in Focus: European and Domestic Perspectives, Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development's 18th Annual Conference, Dublin . [Details]
(2015) Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers,
Harold, G (2015) Accessing the spaces of justice in Ireland: Critical perspectives from Deaf victims of crime. [Oral Presentation], Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers, Chicago . [Details]
(2014) President's Ethics Initiative,
Harold, G. (2014) Intersections of Deafness and the Criminal Justice System: Considerations of Ethical Significance. [Oral Presentation], President's Ethics Initiative, University of Limerick , 22-MAY-14 - 22-MAY-14. [Details]
(2013) Communication and the City: Voices, Spaces, Media Conference,
Harold, G (2013) Interrogating phonocentrism in the ‘hearing’ city: exploring Deaf experiences. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Communication and the City: Voices, Spaces, Media Conference, University of Leeds , 14-JUN-13 - 15-JUN-13. [Details]
(2011) Royal Geographical Society / Institute of British Geographers Annual Conference,
Harold, G (2011) Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Exploring questions of sound and Deaf citizenship. [Oral Presentation], Royal Geographical Society / Institute of British Geographers Annual Conference, London , 31-AUG-11 - 02-SEP-11. [Details]
(2014) Transdisciplinary Thinkery on The Body,
Harold, G. (2014) Deafness and the Normalcy of Hearing. [Oral Presentation], Transdisciplinary Thinkery on The Body, University College Cork , 15-MAY-14 - 16-MAY-14. [Details]
(2014) Deaf Education Centre Seminar Series,
Harold, G. (2014) Deaf Perspectives on Sound and the City. [Invited Seminars/Guest Lectures], Deaf Education Centre Seminar Series, Centre for Deaf Education , 15-JAN-14 - 15-JAN-14. [Details]
(2013) Understanding Universal Design,
Edwards, C. Harold, G. (2013) DeafSpace and the Principles of Universal Design. [Oral Presentation], Understanding Universal Design, Department of Geography, King's College London , 19-APR-13. [Details]
(2013) International Workshop on Deaf Geographies,
Harold, G. (2013) Interrogating phonocentrism in the 'hearing' city: exploring Deaf experiences. [Oral Presentation], International Workshop on Deaf Geographies, Bader International Study Centre, Queen's University Canada, Herstmonceux Castle , 12-JUL-13 - 14-JUL-13. [Details]
(2013) Communication and the City: Voices, Spaces, Media Conference,
Harold, G. (2013) Interrogating phonocentrism in the 'hearing' city: exploring Deaf experiences. [Oral Presentation], Communication and the City: Voices, Spaces, Media Conference, University of Leeds , 14-JUN-13 - 15-JUN-13. [Details]
(2012) National Disability Authority Seminar,
Edwards, C. Harold, G. Kilcommins, S. (2012) Access to Justice for People with Disabilities as Victims of Crime in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], National Disability Authority Seminar, National Disability Authority, Dublin , 22-OCT-12 - 22-OCT-12. [Details]
(2009) Centre for Deaf Studies Public Lecture Series,
Harold, G. (2009) Deconstructing the 'hearing' city: Reconfiguring the geographies of access and Deaf identity. [Oral Presentation], Centre for Deaf Studies Public Lecture Series, Trinity College Dublin , 30-APR-09 - 30-APR-09. [Details]
(2009) Centre for Deaf Studies Departmental Seminar Series,
Harold, G. (2009) Deaf Identities - Challenging 'hearing' constructions of the contemporary city. [Oral Presentation], Centre for Deaf Studies Departmental Seminar Series, University of Bristol , 20-FEB-09 - 20-FEB-09. [Details]
(2008) Humanities Institute of Ireland Margins Forum,
Harold, G. (2008) Geographies Without Sound in the Contemporary City: Deaf Identities, Hearing Contexts. [Oral Presentation], Humanities Institute of Ireland Margins Forum, University College Dublin , 05-NOV-08 - 05-NOV-08. [Details]
(2011) Conference of Irish Geographers,
Harold, G. (2011) Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Exploring questions of sound and Deaf citizenship. [Oral Presentation], Conference of Irish Geographers, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick , 06-MAY-11 - 08-MAY-11. [Details]
(2009) Conference of Irish Geographers,
Harold, G. (2009) Deaf Identities, Hearing Contexts: Uncovering the 'silent' geogaphies of the city. [Oral Presentation], Conference of Irish Geographers, University College Cork , 14-MAY-09 - 16-MAY-09. [Details]
(2008) Postgraduate Conference of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences,
Harold, G. (2008) Exploring Cities Without Sound: the geographies of contemporary Deaf identity. [Oral Presentation], Postgraduate Conference of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, University College Cork , 08-NOV-08 - 08-NOV-08. [Details]
(2008) Conference of Irish Geographers,
Harold, G. (2008) Cities Without Sound: geographies of contemporary Deaf identity. [Oral Presentation], Conference of Irish Geographers, University of Liverpool , 09-MAY-08 - 10-MAY-08. [Details]
(2011) Royal Geographical Society / Institute of British Geographers Annual Conference,
Harold, G. (2011) Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Exploring questions of sound and Deaf citizenship. [Oral Presentation], Royal Geographical Society / Institute of British Geographers Annual Conference, London , 31-AUG-11 - 02-SEP-11. [Details]
(2010) Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers,
Harold, G. (2010) Deaf Citizenship and the Right to the City. [Oral Presentation], Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers, Washington D.C , 14-APR-10 - 18-APR-10. [Details]
(2009) Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers,
Harold, G. (2009) Cities Without Sound: Deaf Narratives, Hearing Contexts. [Oral Presentation], Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers, Las Vegas, Nevada , 22-MAR-09 - 27-MAR-09. [Details]
(2008) Royal Geographical Society / Institute of British Geographers Annual Conference,
Harold, G. (2008) Geographies Without Sound: contemporary Deaf identities in the city. [Oral Presentation], Royal Geographical Society / Institute of British Geographers Annual Conference, London , 27-AUG-08 - 29-AUG-08. [Details]
(2013) Youth Sexualities Conference,
Kiely, L. Harold, G. (2013) Parents' Constructions of Children's and Young People's Sexualities: An Analysis of Findings from an Irish Study of the Commercialisation and Sexualisation of Children. [Oral Presentation], Youth Sexualities Conference, University of Durham , 18-OCT-13 - 18-OCT-13. [Details]

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
ISS21 Disability and Mental Health Research Cluster Co-convenor /
School of Applied Social Studies Teaching and Learning Committee Member /
School of Applied Social Studies Graduate Studies Committee Member /
CACSSS Teaching and Learning Committee Member /
Irish Deaf Research Network Organising Committee Member 2017 / 2024

Journal Activities

  Journal Role To / From
Social And Cultural Geography Referee -
Cultural Geographies Referee -
Convergence: The International Journal Of Research Into New Media Technologies Referee -
Sociology Of Health & Illness Referee -
Disability And Rehabilitation Referee -

Teaching Interests

I currently teach on a range of programmes at both under- and post-graduate level in the School of Applied Social Studies, as well as contributing to social policy teaching on programmes in the School of Nursing and Midwifery. 

I supervise undergraduate research projects on the BSocSc (Youth and Community Work) and BSocSc. 

At postgraduate level, I supervise student research on taught masters programmes, which have included the MSocSc Social Policy, the MSocSc Voluntary and Community Sector Management and the MA Women’s Studies.

I currently co-supervise three doctoral research candidates on the DSocSc programme, as follows:
Janet Dennehy (co-supervised with Dr Shirley Martin)
Gemma O' Leary (co-supervised with Dr Claire Edwards)
Cliona Doherty (supervised with Dr Claire Edwards and Dr Edel Walsh [Economics])