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Welcome to the Social Sciences Research Centre (SSRC)

The Social Sciences Research Centre (SSRC) is a network of academics in NUI Galway who share a common interest in interdisciplinary research in the Social Sciences.

The Centre is involved in numerous activities: organising workshops and conferences, supporting publications, hosting visiting scholars, providing facilities for postgraduate students, and holding annual lectures.

SSRC Board Members 2012:

Dr. Ricca Edmondson, Dr. Saoirse Nic Gabhainn, Dr. Niall O’Dochartaigh, Dr. Su-ming Khoo, Mr. Jonathan Heaney, Dr. Mark Elliott, Dr. Kevin Ryan, Dr. Heike Felzmann, Mr. Tim Collins, Dr. George Taylor, Prof. Terry McDonough, and Dr. Oliver Feeney.

The SSRC Co-Chairpersons are Prof. Terry McDonough and Dr. Ricca Edmondson.

We are based in St Declan's on Distillery Road, where our graduate students, visiting scholars and postdoctoral researchers have offices.

Any queries may be addressed to the administrator, Jonathan G. Heaney at jonathangheaneygmail.com or by telephone at extension 2280 (direct line 091 492280).

Membership is open to staff and students of the University who have an interest in the social sciences and an inter-disciplinary approach to research. Membership forms may be downloaded at http://www.nuigalway.ie/ssrc/documents/membership_form.pdf.

Latest News

SSRC Lecture Series 2012:

Normalising the Enhancement Discourse: Genetics, Social Structures and Moral Generalisations

Dr. Oliver Feeney

(University of London & SSRC, NUI Galway)

When: 14.30-16.00, Thursday, November 8th, 2012

Where:CA005, Ground Floor, Cairnes Building, NUI Galway

Abstract:

Moral generalisations are alive and problematic in assessments of genetic enhancements. They allow critics of enhancement technology to identify some, for argument’s sake, genuinely morally problematic enhancements and use this, without further argument, to arrive at the generalised, and unwarranted, conclusion that enhancements per se are morally problematic. This phenomenon is evident in arguments from critics, such as Sandel (2007) and Kass (2003). Such arguments are, as Buchanan (2011) would argue, examples of nothing more than a priori sociology. However, it can be suggested that some of the more cogent arguments for enhancements (such as Harris 2007; Agar 2004) are also sociologically impoverished in important ways. As an alternative source of moral guidance, I look to the social sciences as an underexplored and traditionally unlikely ally to the proponent of enhancements (or non-opponent of enhancements). Recently signalled in the special issue of the American Journal of Sociology on ’Exploring Genetics and Social Structure (2008) there has been a very measured rapprochement between genetic science and sociology. Although this rapprochement is certainly not a unification of genetic enhancement proponents and sociologists, this paper argues for a combination of these perspectives. Specifically, I offer a philosophically-based framework to better morally assess genetic enhancements equally incorporating insight from the genetic and social sciences on our understanding of the evolved and socialised human being and its socio-genetic traits and capabilities. Although much has been rhetorically made of comparisons between genetic enhancements and the traditional social equivalent, such as education and socialisation, little has been done to seriously explore how genetic enhancements, such as cognitive and moral interventions, may compare to those traditional enhancements and vice versa. Using such a model, morally problematic and unproblematic enhancements can be better identified and it will entail a further normalisation, and improvement, of the current genetic enhancement discourse, possibly encouraging further dialogue between hitherto antagonistic disciplines.

SSRC's Centre for the Study of Nationalism & Organised Violence:

Talking Peace: Witness Seminar and Academic Symposium

Talking Peace: A seminar on communication, contact and dialogue aimed at reducing or ending violence in Northern Ireland ( Poster)

Date: 16 May 2012, 10am - 5pm
Venue: Moore Institute, National University of Ireland Galway

The seminar brings together key actors with direct experience of mediation, negotiation and decision-making in the Irish peace process, including Sir Kenneth Bloomfield; Larry and Shauna Duddy; Dr. Maurice Hayes; Jim Gibney; Dr. Harold Good; Rev. Chris Hudson and Dr. Martin Mansergh. Prof. Brendan O’Leary (University of Pennsylvania) will act as respondent.

The symposium in the afternoon brings participants in the witness seminar together with leading academics working on the politics of conflict and peace in Northern Ireland, including Prof. James McAuley (University of Huddersfield); Dr. Niall Ó Dochartaigh (NUI Galway); Dr. Graham Spencer (University of Portsmouth); Dr. Katy Hayward (Queen’s University Belfast); Prof. Jonathan Tonge (University of Liverpool); Prof. Robert White (Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis).

The seminar is part of the Creativity at the Edge series, hosted by the Moore Institute at NUI Galway. It is supported by the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences, the Moore Institute and the School of Political Science and Sociology, NUI Galway.

Organisers: Dr. Niall Ó Dochartaigh (NUI Galway), Prof. Ian McBride (King’s College London), and Prof Sean Ryder (NUI Galway).

For further information on the CSNOV, please see here.

SSRC: Centre for the Study of Nationalism and Organised Violence

Conference Alert:

Armed Conflicts in Comparative Perspective’

Date: 18 May, 2012
Venue: Aula Maxima, First Floor, NUI Galway

This multidisciplinary conference brings together leading scholars working on aspects of armed conflict from a range of disciplinary perspectives. It addresses key issues of concern to sociologists, political scientists and historians studying inter-state wars, civil wars, armed conflicts, urban violence and insurgencies. Key themes include the micro and macro level dynamics of conflict, mobilisation into violence, territorial dimensions of conflict, perceptions of violence, negotiation, the mediated settlement of violent conflict and peace-building.

Speakers:
Prof. Eric Kauffman (Birkbeck College, University of London)
Prof. Kristine Höglund (Uppsala University)
Prof. Stathis Kalyvas (Yale)
Prof. Tom Lodge (University of Limerick)
Dr Niall Ó Dochartaigh (National University of Ireland Galway)
Prof. Siniša Maleševic (University College Dublin).
Prof. Brendan O'Leary (University of Pennsylvania)
Prof. Martin Shaw (Institut Barcelona d'Estudis Internacionals/University of Sussex)
This one-day conference is supported by IRCHSS, the Moore Institute and the Centre for Innovation and Structural Change, NUI Galway.

For more information please see the centre's events page, here.

SSRC Centre for Landscape Studies 2012:

Mapping Spectral Traces V: Bodies - Space - Memory.

International Conference, Art Exhibition and Dance Festival, 19-21 April 2012, Galway, Ireland

Following on from the success of Mapping Spectral Traces IV International Conference, co-convened by Dr Nessa Cronin (Centre for Irish Studies, NUI Galway) and Dr Karen Till (Department of Geography, NUI Maynooth) in May 2011, we are delighted to announce that Mapping Spectral Traces V: Bodies – Space – Memory International Conference, Art Exhibition and Dance Festival will take place from 19-21 April 2012, Galway this year. For further information, please see our events page, here.

Upcoming talk by Prof. Barbara Adkins (Queensland University of Technology)

Barbara Adkins, a sociologist with a long standing interest in the intersections between sociology and design, and, in particular, the role of design in health and social inclusion, will be giving a talk on 'The Role of the Internet and digital technologies in the struggle for recognition of the Forgotten Australians'.

Date/time: Monday 3rd October 2011, 2pm

Location: Main Conference Room, DERI, NUI Galway, IDA Business Park, Lower Dangan, Galway.

For further information, please contact Deirdre Lee on: Deirdre.Leederi.org

All are welcome.

SSRC Annual Lecture 2011 - 'Reassessing the Celtic Tiger: Its Rise and Fall - video

Prof. Denis O'Hearn (author of Inside the Celtic Tiger) delivered the 2011 SSRC Annual Lecture with his talk 'Reassessing the Celtic Tiger: Its Rise and Fall'. More details on the lecture and on Denis O'Hearn, including video, are on the events page.

Outgoing SSRC Chairperson and Board members

For their immense services to the centre, the SSRC wishes to thank the outgoing Chairperson Dr Ricca Edmondson and Secretary Dr Henrike Rau (both of the School of Political Science and Sociology) as well as Board members Dr Mark Haugaard (Political Science and Sociology), Dr Terry McDonough (Economics), Dr Kevin Ryan (Political Science and Sociology), Mr Tim Collins (Landscape Studies), Dr Mark Elliott (Psychology), Dr John McDonagh (Geography), Dr Saoirse Nic Gabhainn (Health Promotion), Dr Heike Schmidt-Felzmann (Philosophy), and Dr Sinisa Malesevic (Political Science and Sociology).

Social Sciences Research Centre (SSRC)
National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland.
Phone: +353 (0)91 524411 Ext: 2280, E-mail: oliver.p.feeney

nuigalway.ie
This page was last updated Monday, November 05, 2012