Program Overview

The MA Community Research Plus+ programme is unique in providing students with real time, real-life on-the-job research training in UL Engage-supported community/university collaborative projects (locally and internationally).

This innovative cross-disciplinary and practice based graduate programme comprises a common ‘engaged research and practice’ core augmented by disciplinary specific academic training and research. To achieve this the MA Community Research Plus+ programme combines traditional lecture-based graduate studies with real time, real-life, on-the-job research training in UL Engage-supported community/university collaborative projects (locally and internationally).

Students choose one of three areas of graduate specialism:
Community Research + Journalism;
Community Research + Development;
Community Research + Sociology

MA Community Research + Journalism

Students will to learn vital professional skills including: news and feature writing; broadcasting; multimedia journalism; interviewing; investigative reporting and research methods. The application of these skills across print, broadcast and multimedia journalism is a major part of the course.

Students on the MA Community Research + Journalism will:

• Get practical experience of a community-based website and print newspaper (The Limerick Voice)
• Gain ‘real-world’ journalism work by completing multi-media assignments for various types of platforms to deadline, while also developing a portfolio of professional journalism work
• Be equipped with the high-level research skills essential to all kinds of journalism and develop a critical awareness of the role of journalism and media in society
• Learn an appreciation of the ethical and legal issues in the profession and a critical understanding of how the media operates.

MA Community Research + Development; Students will learn about developmental institutions and supports at national and international level, taking Graduate Seminars in Development and in Peace building. Elective options include modules in: Institutions and policies of the EU; International Cooperation and Conflict; Collaborative Governance and Leadership.

Students on the MA Community Research + Development will:

• Get practical experience in engaged Research practice and community co-design
• Develop critical understanding of contemporary national and international institutions supporting development
• Examine the origins and impacts of contemporary conflicts in the Global South and the complex relations between development and violence
• An understanding of the key theories, concepts and debates relating to conflict