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Maura Farrell

Director MA in Rural Sustainability B.A. NUI Galway H.Dip (Education) NUI Galway
Room:	Room 123a, Geography Department
Phone:	00 353 91 494118 Ext: 4118
Fax:	00 353 91 495505
E-Mail:	maura.farrellnuigalway.ie
Office Hours:	tbc

Biography

In 2000 Maura entered NUI Galway as a BA student, completing a degree in Geography and History.  Having completed the Higher Diploma in Education in 2004, Maura taught at second level for almost two years.  In October 2005, Maura was awarded a Teagasc Walsh Fellowship for PhD research in the area of agricultural change and rural development.  In January 2009 Maura was appointed research officer and project coordinator of the DERREG EU Framework 7 project, led by Dr. John McDonagh.  Maura completed her PhD in October 2009.      

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Research Interests:

Maura’s primary research interests are in the field of rural and agricultural geography.  Contextualised by what is widely acknowledged as a rural paradigm shift, Maura’s PhD research critiques the role of contemporary extension policies in the Republic of Ireland and questions the reliance on traditional practices in delivering advice and services that facilitate farm families to adapt, adjust and remain economically viable in a sector that continues to be highly vulnerable locally and globally.  Using an action evaluation methodology, this research delivers both research and action outcomes through its investigation of the delivery of a multifunctional extension advisory programme, namely The Options for Farm Families Programme.

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Current Research:

Maura’s current research agenda is based on her involvement in the DERREG project. The project is titled, ’Developing Europe’s Rural Regions in the Era of Globalization – An interpretative model for better anticipating and responding to challenges for regional development in an evolving international context (DERREG). The project will be funded by the European Union Socio-economic Science and Humanities.  DERREG aims to produce an interpretative model that will enable researchers and regional development actors to better anticipate and respond to the key challenges posed by globalization for rural regions.  Maura’s research will focus on three different work packages: International Mobility and Migration of the Rural Population; Environmental Capital and Sustainable Rural Development; Capacity Building, Governance and Knowledge Systems. 

Further details of the project can be found at the project website: http://www.derreg.eu/
Or E-mail derregaber.ac.uk,

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Academic Awards and Distinctions:

• Undergrad Dissertation Award – NUIG Geography Department (2003)
• 1st Year PhD Research/Presentation Award Teagasc (2006)
• Bob O’Connor Award for research - Agricultural Economic Society Ireland (2008).  

 

Bob O'Connor Award (2008) Competition Winner for postgraduate research in agricultural economics Maura Farrell (RERC/NUIG Walsh Fellow). Judges, Billy Fingleton (formerly of RERC) and Liam Connolly, President of the Agricultural Economics Society of Ireland.

• Arts Faculty Travel Bursary (2008)
   

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Publications:

• Hennessy, T. Shrestha, S. and Farrell, M. (2008). Quantifying the viability of farming in Ireland: can decoupling address the regional imbalances? Irish Geography.Vol.41. No.1 29-47
  
• Farrell M., McDonagh J., Mahon M. (2008). The Options for Farm Families Programme: Rhetoric and Reality of Change. The International Journal of Agricultural Extension and Education. 
  
• Farrell M., McDonagh J., Mahon M. (2008) Agricultural Extension Advisory Services: The Challenge of Implementing a Multifunctional Advisory Programme. The Rural Economy Research Centre Working Paper Series Working Paper 08-WP-RE-07, Teagasc.
  
• Mahon, M., Farrell, M. and McDonagh, J. (2010) Power, positionality and the view from within; agricultural advisers’ role in implementing participatory extension programmes in the Republic of Ireland. Sociologia Ruralis. (Accepted)
  
• McDonagh, J., Farrell, M., Ryan, M and Mahon, M. (2010) Missed opportunity or cautionary steps? Farmers, Forestry and Rural Development in Ireland. Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning. (in prep)
  
  

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Presentations to date:

• Farrell, M., and McDonagh, J., (2006). Irish Agricultural Change and the Role of the Irish Extension Advisory Services. Teagasc Student Presentation. ( Winner First Year Student Prize)
  
• Farrell, M., and McDonagh J., (2007). “Options for Farm Families Programme: Realistic Evaluation Framework” Irish Evaluation Conference, Dublin, and January 2007.
  
• Farrell, M. and McDonagh, J., (2007). “Irish Agricultural Change – Reflected in the Extension Advisory Services” Conference of Irish Geographers, Dublin, May 2007
  
• Farrell, M. and McDonagh J., (2007) “The Changing Face of Irish Agriculture: A Challenge for Extension Advisory Services” EUGEO 2007, Amsterdam, August 2007.
  
• Farrell, M. and McDonagh (2007). “Rural Restructuring and Agricultural Change – Determining the Role of the Irish Extension Advisory Services” Student Presentation, Athenry May 2007
  
• Farrell, M. and McDonagh J., (2007) “Programme Evaluation within Extension Advisory Services: The Challenge of Change” Walsh Fellow Student Presentation, Dublin November 2007
  
• Farrell, M., (2008) The Options for Farm Families Programme: Rhetoric and Reality of Change. The American Association of Geographers Conference. Boston
  
• Farrell, M., (2008) The Challenge of Implementing a Multifunctional Advisory Programme.  Teagasc Student Presentation Day (Winner of the Bob of Connor Agricultural Economics Award)

    

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