Researcher Details |

Niamh Gaynor

Niamh Gaynor is an Associate Professor specialising in the politics of inequality and development, citizen participation and democracy, and evolving forms of governance, both formal and informal. She holds a BSc in Botany and Mathematics; an MSc in Rural Development; and a PhD in Sociology. Niamh has worked in DCU since 2008. Previously she worked in international and community development in Africa and Ireland.

Niamh teaches courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. At undergraduate levels, she has taught courses in 'Introduction to Development' and 'Politics of sub-Saharan Africa'. At post-graduate level, she has taught courses in 'Development Theory and Practice', 'The Political Economy of Development', 'Politics and Development in Africa' and 'Research Methods'. She has also taught courses in 'Media and Development', 'Community Development' and 'Social Analysis' at Maynooth University.

Niamh’s research specialises in how social and political inequalities come to be produced and reproduced. Her work to date has focused on exploring the conditions under which more marginalised groups and communities wield an influence at local and national levels. She has conducted field research in a wide range of African countries (most recently, Burundi, DRC, Rwanda and Malawi), as well as in Ireland. In collaboration with ActionAid, Niamh is currently (2020-2021) working on an IRC funded project on the potential for political engagement among women's community groups and networks in Kenya. This research forms part of a broader book she is writing which is provisionally entitled 'Engendering Democracy: Women, Politics and Development in Africa'. This is due to be completed and published by Routledge in 2022.

Niamh serves on the editorial board of ‘Policy and Practice - a Development Education Review’. She also regularly serves as reviewer for a wide range of international journals and book publishers.

Book

	Year	Publication
	2022	Niamh Gaynor (2022) Engendering Democracy in Africa: Women, Politics and Development. London: Routledge.
	2022	Davies, J.S., I. Blanco, I. Chorianopoulos, N. Gaynor, S. Griggs, P. Hamel, R. Kiel, M. Pill and H. Sullivan (2022) New Development in Urban Governance: Rethinking Collaboration in the Age of Austerity. Bristol: Bristol University Press.
	2021	Antonella Acinapura, Niamh Gaynor, Bernie Grummell, Su-ming Khoo, Mags Liddy, Benjamin Mallon, Gabriela Martínez Sainz, Gerard McCann and Stephen McCloskey (2021) Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review: Fifteenth Anniversary Special Edition. Belfast: Centre for Global Education.
	2017	Jonathan Davies, Ismael Blanco, Ioannis Chorianopoulos, Niamh Gaynor, Steven Griggs, Pierre Hamel, David Howarth, Roger Keil, Madeleine Pill, and Helen Sullivan (2017) Governing in and Against Austerity: International Lessons from Eight Cities. Leicester, UK: De Montfort University.
	2016	Niamh Gaynor and Mairtin Cronin (2016) Community based approaches to tackling Gender-based violence in Malawi: Lessons and challenges of involving women and men. Ireland: ActionAid.
	2014	Gaynor, Niamh (2014) Community mobilisation in Ituri, DRC: Approaches, strategies, successes and challenges. : Trocaire.
	2013	Gaynor, Niamh (2013) Decentralisation, Conflict and Peacebuilding in Rwanda. : Trocaire.
	2013	Gaynor, Niamh (2013) Gouvernance locale, conflits et consolidation de la paix en Republique Democratique du Congo. : Trocaire.
	2013	Gaynor, Niamh (2013) Local governance, conflict and peacebuilding in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. : Trocaire.
	2011	Gaynor, Niamh (2011) Opportunities for Citizen Participation in Local Governance in Burundi. : Trocaire.
	2010	Gaynor, Niamh and Anne O'Brien (2010) Drivers of Change?: Community Radio in Ireland. : Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
	2010	Gaynor, Niamh (2010) Transforming Participation?: The Politics of Development in Malawi and Ireland, . : Palgrave Macmillan.

Book Chapter

	Year	Publication
	2022	Niamh Gaynor (2022) 'The limits of the local: Successes and limitations of civil society initiatives for peacebuilding in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo' In: Civil society responses to changing civic spaces. Basingstoke : Palgrave.
	2021	Niamh Gaynor (2021) 'Borders and Violence in Burundi: Regional Responses, Global Responsibilities' In: Handbook on Human Security, Borders and Migration. MA, United States : Edward Elgar.
	2021	Niamh Gaynor (2021) 'Development Education in Politically Interesting Times' In: Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review: Fifteenth Anniversary Special Edition. Belfast : Centre for Global Education.
	2021	Niamh Gaynor (2021) 'Why the Migrant ‘Crisis’ is an Opportunity: Remittances, Aid and Global Responsibility' In: Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review: Fifteenth Anniversary Special Edition. Belfast : Centre for Global Education.
	2019	Niamh Gaynor (2019) 'Beneath the veneer: Decentralisation and post-conflict reconstruction in Rwanda'' In: Post-conflict Reconstruction and Local Government. UK : Routledge.
	2018	Adrian Bua, Ismael Blanco, Ioannis Chorianopoulos, Jonathan Davies, Niamh Gaynor, Steven Griggs, David Howarth (2018) 'The Urban Governance of Austerity in Europe' In: The Routledge Handbook of International Local Government. London : Routledge.
	2016	Gaynor N. (2016) 'The politics of democracy and the global institutions: Lessons and challenges for community development' In: Politics, Power and Community Development.
	2015	Niamh Gaynor (2015) 'Globalising Higher Education: Challenges and Contradictions' In: Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review. Belfast : Centre for Global Education.
	2018	Bua, A.;Davies, J.;Blanco, I.;Chorianopoulos, I.;Cortina-Oriol, M.;Feandeiro, A.;Gaynor, N.;Griggs, S.;Howarth, D.;Salazar, Y. (2018) 'The urban governance of austerity in Europe' In: The Routledge Handbook of International Local Government. [Link] [DOI]

Peer Reviewed Journal

	Year	Publication
	2022	Niamh Gaynor (2022) 'Africa’s Lion economies and their gendered impacts: Lessons from Asia'. REVIEW OF AFRICAN POLITICAL ECONOMY (ONLINE), . [DOI]
	2020	Gaynor, N (2020) 'Neoliberalism, deliberation and dissent: Critical reflections on the ‘community activation’ turn in Ireland’s community development programme'. Community Development Journal, 55 (4):645-661.
	2019	Niamh Gaynor (2019) 'Why the migrant ‘crisis’ is an opportunity: Remittances, aid and global responsibility'. Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review, 29 .
	2019	Gaynor N.;Cronin M. (2019) ''A woman's place...': Community-based approaches to gender-based violence in Malawi'. Community Development Journal, 54 (2):254-272. [DOI]
	2017	Gaynor N.;O’Brien A. (2017) 'Community radio, democratic participation and the public sphere'. Irish Journal of Sociology, 25 (1):29-47. [DOI]
	2016	Gaynor N. (2016) 'The limits to community-based conflict resolution in North-East Congo'. Community Development Journal, 51 (2):268-284. [DOI]
	2016	Gaynor N. (2016) 'Shopping to save the world? Reclaiming global citizenship within Irish universities'. Irish Journal of Sociology, 24 (1):78-101. [DOI]
	2014	Gaynor N. (2014) '‘A nation in a hurry’: The costs of local governance reforms in Rwanda'. Review of African Political Economy, 41 :S49-S63. [DOI]
	2011	Gaynor, Niamh (2011) 'Associations, Deliberation and Democracy: The Case of Ireland's Social Partnership'. Politics and Society, 39 :497-520.
	2009	Gaynor N. (2009) 'Deepening democracy within Ireland's social partnership'. Irish Political Studies, 24 (3):303-319. [DOI]
	2017	Gaynor, Niamh (2017) 'Beneath the veneer: Decentralisation and post-conflict reconstruction in Rwanda'. Third World Quarterly, Advance access: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/23802014.2016.1333450 .
	2016	Gaynor N. (2016) 'Challenges to Decentralisation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Beyond the Political Settlement'. Journal of International Development, 28 (2):198-213. [DOI]
	2016	Niamh Gaynor (2016) 'Rounds Pegs in Square Holes? Development Education, the Formal Sector and the Global Knowledge Economy'. Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review, Forthcoming .
	2015	Gaynor, Niamh and Anne O'Brien (2015) 'Community radio, democratic participation and the public sphere'. Irish Journal of Sociology, Advance access: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/manup/ijs/pre-prints/content-MUP_IJS_00002 .
	2015	Gaynor N. (2015) 'Poverty amid plenty: Structural violence and local governance in western Congo'. Journal of Contemporary African Studies, 33 (3):391-410. [DOI]
	2015	Gaynor, Niamh (2015) 'Shopping to Save the World?: Reclaiming Global Citizenship within Higher Education '. Irish Journal of Sociology, Advance access: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/manup/ijs/pre-prints/content-MUP_IJS_00003 .
	2014	Gaynor N. (2014) 'Bringing the Citizen Back In: Supporting Decentralisation in Fragile States - A View from Burundi'. Development Policy Review, 32 (2):203-218. [DOI]
	2014	Gaynor, N (2014) ''A nation in a hurry': the costs of local governance reforms in Rwanda'. Review of African Political Economy, 41 :49-63. [DOI]
	2014	Gaynor N. (2014) 'The tyranny of participation revisited: International support to local governance in burundi'. Community Development Journal, 49 (2):295-310. [DOI]
	2014	Gaynor, Niamh (2014) 'Supporting Decentralisation in Fragile States: A View from Burundi'. Development Policy Review, 32 :203-218.
	2012	Gaynor N.;O'brien A. (2012) 'Because it all begins with talk: Community radio as a vital element in community development'. Community Development Journal, 47 (3):436-447. [DOI]
	2012	O'Brien, Anne and Niamh Gaynor (2012) 'Voice of the People? Objectives Versus Outcomes for Community Radio in Ireland'. THE RADIO JOURNAL, 10 :145-160.
	2011	Gaynor N. (2011) 'In-active citizenship and the depoliticization of community development in Ireland'. Community Development Journal, 46 (1):27-41. [DOI]
	2011	Gaynor N.;O'BRIEN A. (2011) 'Community radio in Ireland: Defeudalising the public sphere?'. Javnost, 18 (3):23-38.
	2011	Gaynor, Niamh (2011) 'The global development project contested: The local politics of the PRSP process in Malawi'. Globalizations, 8 :17-30.
	2011	Gaynor N. (2011) 'Associations, deliberation, and democracy: The case of ireland's social partnership'. Politics and Society, 39 (4):497-519. [DOI]
	2011	Gaynor N. (2011) 'The global development project contested: The local politics of the PRSP process in Malawi'. Globalizations, 8 (1):17-30. [DOI]
	2011	Gaynor, N;O'Brien, A (2011) 'COMMUNITY RADIO IN IRELAND: "DEFEUDALISING" THE PUBLIC SPHERE?'. Javnost, 18 :23-37.
	2010	Gaynor N. (2010) 'Between citizenship and clientship: The politics of participatory governance in Malawi'. Journal of Southern African Studies, 36 (4):801-816. [DOI]
	2010	Gaynor N. (2010) ''But you can't compare Malawi and Ireland!' - shifting boundaries in a globalised world \| 'Mas vocênão pode comparar Malauí com Irlanda!': Mudando fronteiras em um mundo globalizado'. Development in Practice, 20 (3):342-353. [DOI]
	2009	Gaynor, N (2009) 'Deepening Democracy within Ireland's Social Partnership'. Irish Political Studies, 24 :303-319. [DOI]
	2020	Gaynor N. (2020) 'Governing austerity in Dublin: Rationalization, resilience, and resistance'. Journal of Urban Affairs, 42 (1):75-90. [DOI]

Other Journal

	Year	Publication
	2015	Gaynor, Niamh (2015) 'Peacebuilding from below: Structural violence and local conflict resolution in Western Congo' .
	2014	Gaynor, Niamh (2014) 'La gouvernance locale et la gestion des conflits au Congo' .
	2014	Gaynor, Niamh (2014) ''A Nation in a Hurry': Constructing a Developmental State in Rwanda' .
	2013	Gaynor, Niamh and Anne O'Brien (2013) 'Community Radio and Democratic Participation' .
	2013	Gaynor, Niamh (2013) 'The challenges of fast-track reform in Rwanda' .
	2012	Gaynor, Niamh (2012) 'Plus ca change... Governance and Distributional Conflict in Burundi' .
	2011	Gaynor, Niamh (2011) 'Globalising Resistance: Social Movement Activism in Malawi' .
	2011	Gaynor, Niamh (2011) 'Imperialism and Africa: Local Resistance in Malawi' .
	2010	Gaynor, Niamh (2010) 'Globalising higher education: Challenges and contradictions, Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review' 11 .

Conference Publication

	Year	Publication
	2021	Gaynor, Niamh (2021) EADI: European Association of Development Institutes *Engendering local governance: Exploring the potential for political activism among women's groups in North-East Congo*
	2021	Gaynor, Niamh (2021) EADI: European Association of Development Institutes *From conflict containment to conflict transformation: The successes and failures of collective action strategies in North-East Congo*

Conference Contribution

	Year	Publication
	2017	Niamh Gaynor (2017) Urban Affairs Association Governing Austerity in Dublin: Rationalisation, Resilience and Resistance Minneapolis, USA, 19/04/2017-22/04/2017.
	2016	Niamh Gaynor and Mairtin Cronin (2016) Development Studies Association of Ireland “A Woman’s Place…”Tackling Gender-Based Violence in Malawi Dublin, 24/11/2016-25/11/2016.
	2016	Niamh Gaynor and Mairtin Cronin (2016) Dakam: Interdisciplinary Conference on Gender and Women's Studies Community-based approaches to tackling gender-based violence in Malawi Istanbul, Turkey, 11/11/2016-12/11/2016.
	2016	Niamh Gaynor (2016) Sociology Association of Ireland annual conferece Shopping to Save the World?: Reclaiming global citizenship within Irish universities Limerick, 13/05/2016-14/05/2016.
	2016	Niamh Gaynor (2016) Sociology Association of Ireland annual conferece Global Discourses of Water Privatisation and its Socio-Political Effects in Africa University of Limerick, 13/05/2016-14/05/2016.
		.
	2015	Gaynor, Niamh (2015) Local Government in Post-War and Fragile Environments Local government and decentralisation in Rwanda University of Birmingham, 01/04/2015-01/04/2015.
	2015	Gaynor, Niamh (2015) International Studies Association Peacebuilding from below: Structural violence and local conflict resolution in Western Congo New Orleans, USA, 18/02/2015-21/02/2015.
	2015	Niamh Gaynor (2015) Conference on Local Government in Post-War and Fragile Environments Local government and decentralisation in Rwanda Birmingham, .
	2014	Gaynor, Niamh (2014) Conference on Women’s Leadership, Peace and Sustainable Livelihoods in the DRC and Region From liberal to liberating engagement:Thinking about donor strategies on women’s local political participation in the DRC NUI Galway, 01/07/2014-02/07/2014.
	2014	Gaynor, Niamh (2014) Governance, Accountability and Citizen Empowerment: A Learning Workshop Plus ca change... The Politics of Decentralisation in Burundi European Union House, Dublin, 11/06/2014-12/06/2014.
	2014	Gaynor, Niamh (2014) Political Science Association of Ireland When Quotas can do more Damage than Good - Thinking about Donor Strategies on Women’s Local Political Participation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo NUI Galway, 17/10/2014-18/10/2014.
	2014	Gaynor, Niamh (2014) International Studies Association 'A Nation in a Hurry': Constructing a Developmental State in Rwanda Toronto, Canada, 26/03/2014-29/03/2014.
	2014	Gaynor, Niamh (2014) Water: The Greatest Global Challenge - DCU Water Institute Beyond the Well: The local politics of sustainable water governance in the DRC DCU, Dublin, 27/11/2014-28/11/2014.
	2014	Gaynor, Niamh (2014) Trocaire 40th Anniversary Conference - invited lecture La gouvernance locale et la gestion des conflits au Congo Kinshasa, DRC, 06/01/2014-11/01/2014.
	2014	Gaynor, Niamh (2014) UNIDEV Summer School - Invited Keynote Speech Global Citizenship – A critical analysis of the concept and implications Dublin, 07/07/2014-10/07/2014.
	2014	Gaynor, Niamh (2014) Belfast Human Rights Festival Human Rights in Contemporary Rwanda - Invited presentation Belfast, 08/12/2014-12/12/2014.
	2013	Gaynor, Niamh (2013) Political Studies Association of Ireland 'A Nation in a Hurry': Constructing a Developmental State in Rwanda Trinity College Dublin, 18/10/2013-21/10/2013.
	2013	Gaynor, Niamh and Anne O'Brien (2013) International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) Community Radio and Democratic Participation Dublin City University, 26/06/2013-28/06/2013.
	2012	Gaynor, Niamh (2012) Political Studies Association Plus ça change... Governance and Distributional Conflict in Burundi Belfast, 03/04/2012-05/04/2012.
	2012	Gaynor, Niamh (2012) Trocaire Annual Conference - Invited lecture Supporting Citizen Participation in Local Governance: Lessons from Burundi Leixlip, Ireland, 01/10/2012-05/10/2012.
	2012	Gaynor, Niamh (2012) Invited Lecture Supporting peace building and local governance in Burundi UCC, Cork, 16/01/2012-16/01/2012.
	2012	Gaynor, Niamh (2012) Trocaire Learning Forum - Invited webinar presentation Opportunities for Citizen Participation in Local Governance in Burundi Maynooth, 25/07/2012-25/07/2012.
	2012	Gaynor, Niamh (2012) Feminist Open Forum 'Impacts of and Resistance to Austerity among Women in Africa', Invited presentation Dublin, 26/04/2012-26/04/2012.
	2011	Gaynor, Niamh (2011) Understanding the Crisis Understanding the Crisis: The Community Interest - Invited lecture NUI Maynooth, 18/02/2011-18/02/2011.
	2011	Gaynor, Niamh (2011) Atelier sur la Décentralisation au Burundi: Trócaire Burundi - Invited lecture Des données et une analyse préliminaire sur les opportunités pour la participation citoyenne dans la gouvernance locale au Burundi Bujumbura, Burundi, 07/09/2011-08/09/2011.
	2011	Gaynor, Niamh (2011) European Conference on African Studies (ECAS) Globalising resistance: Social movement activism in Malawi Uppsala, Sweden, 15/06/2011-18/06/2011.
	2011	Gaynor, Niamh (2011) WorldWise Teacher Conference - Invited lecture From Aid to Understanding: Partnerships in Development Education Dublin, 08/04/2011-08/04/2011.
	2011	Gaynor, Niamh and Anne O'Brien (2011) Sociological Association of Ireland Driving Change?: Community Radio in Ireland Cork, 05/05/2011-07/05/2011.
	2010	Gaynor, Niamh (2010) Ireland Institute Lecture Series on The New International Order - Invited lecture Imperialism and Africa: Local resistance in Malawi Dublin, 15/05/2010-15/05/2010.
	2009	Gaynor, Niamh (2009) Irish Aid Development Education Conference In from the margins: Development and internationalisation within Irish universities Limerick, Ireland, 16/10/2009-17/10/2009.
	2008	Gaynor, Niamh (2008) International Sociological Association Annual Conference Developmental Partnerships: “Good Governance” or More of the Same?: A Comparative study of national development processes in Malawi and Ireland Barcelona, 05/09/2008-08/09/2008.
	2008	Gaynor, Niamh (2008) Political Science Association Annual Post-Graduate Conference Participatory governance: Deepening or diluting democracy?: A comparative study of national development processes in Malawi and Ireland Dublin, Ireland, 25/04/2008-26/04/2008.
	2008	Gaynor, Niamh (2008) Political Science Association of Ireland Annual Conference Is Social Partnership ‘anti-democratic’? Representative democracy in an era of participatory governance: Lessons from Malawi Galway, Ireland, 17/10/2008-19/10/2008.
	2006	Gaynor, Niamh (2006) Irish Aid Development Education Conference The PRSP process in Malawi: Implications for Civil Society Dublin, 23/03/2006-23/03/2006.
	2005	Gaynor, Niamh (2005) NIRSA Seminar Series, NUI Maynooth Global Discourses on Development and their Relevance to Ireland NUI Maynooth, 05/05/2005-05/05/2005.

Published Report

	Year	Publication
	2016	Niamh Gaynor and Mairtin Cronin (2016) Community based approaches to tackling Gender-based violence in Malawi: Lessons and challenges of involving women and men. ActionAid, .

Commissioned Report

	Year	Publication
	2010	Gaynor, Niamh (2010) Drivers of Change? Community Radio in Ireland, Broadcasting Authority of Ireland: Dublin. COMMREP

Reports

	Year	Publication
	2007	Gaynor, Niamh (2007) Civic education in the classroom: Pedagogical Research Institute: Project Evaluation. REPORT
	2007	Gaynor, Niamh (2007) Trócaire’s contribution within the Balkans: an assessment. REPORT
	2007	Gaynor, Niamh (2007) Women as Leaders in Equality Programme: Programme Evaluation. REPORT
	2007	Gaynor, Niamh (2007) Child rights education project: Kosovo Education Centre: Project Evaluation. REPORT
	2006	Gaynor, Niamh (2006) Building Capacities for Quality Education. REPORT
	2005	Gaynor, Niamh (2005) MEJN District Chapters Programme: A review of activities and impact. REPORT
	2004	Gaynor, Niamh (2004) The Needs of Mosney’s Preschool Children. REPORT
	2004	Gaynor, Niamh (2004) Child rights education project: Kosovo Education Centre : Project Evaluation”. REPORT
	2004	Gaynor, Niamh (2004) Elements of Good Practice and Challenges for the Low Income Smallholder Household Initiative (LISHI). REPORT

Professional Associations

Association	Function	From / To
Sociology Association of Ireland	Member	-
International Sociology Association	Global Development Committee member	-
International Studies Association	Peacebuilding and Global Development Committee member	-
Development Studies Association	member	-
Political Studies Association of Ireland	Member	-

Honors and Awards

Date	Title	Awarding Body
01/03/2016	New Foundations Award	Irish Research Council
01/02/2015	Governing Austerity	Economic and Social Research Council
01/01/2013	Peacebuilding and Local Governance in the African Great Lakes	Trocaire
01/01/2010	Community Radio	Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

Committees

	Committee	Function	From / To
	IRISH JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY		-
	Policy and Practice		-

Research Interests

The politics of development, participation and governance - in Africa and in Ireland; civil society and community; media and development.

Current Postgraduate Students

	Student Name	Degree	Supervision
	Campbell ,Thomas	PhD	Supervisor