School of History & Geography Research Spotlight — October 2025

Researchers in DCU's School of History & Geography are advancing knowledge and informing policy across Ireland’s environment, heritage, and society. With expertise across environmental science, history, geography, and social science, the School is driving impactful research grounded in Ireland’s landscape and communities.

In environmental and sustainability research, projects include citizen-science water quality monitoring (Dr Susan Hegarty), Digital Twin applications for lake ecosystems (Dr Valerie McCarthy), circular economy pathways for renewable infrastructure (Dr Kathleen Stokes), and whole-farm natural capital accounting (Dr Jimmy O’Keeffe). Coastal resilience and climate adaptation are also key themes, with cutting-edge cliff erosion analysis (Dr Niamh Cullen) and policy-focused climate adaptation research (Dr Darren Clarke).

In heritage and cultural studies, colleagues are reframing Ireland’s place in a global context. Research includes diaspora diplomacy at a time of shifting international identities (Dr Jonathan Harris) and community-based placename preservation across Ireland’s towns and rural landscapes (Dr Jonathan Cherry and partners at Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge).

Historical scholarship remains a hallmark of the School, from pioneering work on the Irish Revolution (Drs Marnie Hay, Leeann Lane, William Murphy, and Daithí Ó Corráin) to international and thematic projects in early modern and modern history (including Dr Celeste McNamara, Dr Roman Birke, Dr Juliana Adelman, and Professor James Kelly). Our colleagues are recovering overlooked voices, reinterpreting landmark historical moments, and engaging audiences far beyond academia through exhibitions, digital history, biographies and historical fictional books.

You can read more in the DCU Research Newsletter spotlight: https://www.dcu.ie/research/research-newsletter-issue-107-spotlight