News Archive: Academic Year 2015 - 2016

Fourth annual newsletter aims to give alumni and friends an update on news and developments in the School.

Teaching assistants Alan Walsh (Economics), Michael Lyons (Philosophy), David Barrett (Political Science) and David Dunne (Sociology) were recently presented with Dermot McAleese Teaching Awards in recognition of their outstanding commitment teaching and learning.

To mark the launch of a new book on the transformation of the Kenyan Financial System since the turn of the century, Prof. Michael King publishes a summary on the high profile World Bank's All About Finance blog.

Well done to School staff nominated in the new awards to celebrate outstanding contributions by professional staff: Colette Ding (Economics), Thomas Byrne and Laura Oxford (Political Science), Olive Donnelly (School Manager) and Helen Murray (School Global Officer).

Congratulations to Michelle D’Arcy (Political Science) who won the Early Career Award and to Michael King (Economics) who was awarded a certificate of commendation in recognition of their outstanding contribution in the pursuit of teaching excellence.

The School of Social Sciences and Philosophy recently hosted a critical analysis of some of the key political, legal and economic issues relating to the question being put to UK voters on June 23, 2016.

Former Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, Prof Patrick Honohan gave the School of Social Sciences and Philosophy’s annual Henry Grattan lecture hosted by the Embassy of Ireland in London.

School of Social Sciences and Philosophy’s Team comes 4th in University Challenge event chaired by Brian Dobson. Participants included Head of School (Prof Gail McElroy), Head of Economics (Prof Francis O’Toole), Head of Philosophy (Prof Paul O’Grady) and Head of Administration (Ms Olive Donnelly) and Economics academic (Prof Paul Scanlon).

Congratulations to Richard Layte (Sociology) and William Phelan (Political Science) who have been elected to Fellowship of the University. Research achievement or scholarship of a high order is the primary qualification for Fellowship.

Academics from the School of Social Sciences and Philosophy explored questions such as will 2016 be the year of the female candidate? Should we trust opinion polls? Are political parties engaging in auction politics and is a single-tier health service now out of reach?

Congratulations to Alexandra Trant (PPES), Annabel Pidgeon (PPES) and Philip Callan (BESS) who were awarded first, second and third place respectively in Trinity’s first Careers Advisory Service student blog competition.

Teams from Trinity College Dublin and Cambridge University debated the motion This House Believes that a Brexit would be good for the EU at the recent Student Economic Review debate co-hosted with the College Historical society (The Hist).

The School of Social Sciences and Philosophy recently awarded three prestigious Grattan Scholarships which support exceptional PhD students who are committed to understanding and improving society through their research, teaching and education.

Prof. Eleanor Denny, Associate Professor in the Economics Department, has been awarded a large Irish Research Council grant to develop her research in the area of behavioural economics and energy consumption.

Speakers included Economics Professor Tara Mitchell who spoke about the role that the social sciences can play in understanding the impact of new technologies. While Political Science Professor Michelle D’Arcy chaired a public discussion titled ‘European Migrant Crisis or Global Refugee Challenge’.

Assistant Professorships in Development Economics, Global Politics and Berkeley Studies identified among the posts most crucial to executing Trinity’s mission and in attracting talented academics who will foster global engagement in education and research.

JS students in the departments of economics, philosophy, political science and sociology are invited to attend the GradLink launch on 20 Oct at 6.30pm. GradLink aims to help students in their personal and career development by establishing nurturing mentoring relationships with alumni.

School of Social Sciences and Philosophy academics drew on current research from the fields of economics, political science, sociology and philosophy to help increase public understanding of how the current crisis arose and propose possible policy responses.

The Department of Economics, Trinity College Dublin, in collaboration with the Trinity International Development Initiative launch a new research group called the Trinity IMpact Evaluation Unit (TIME) recently. TIME brings together researchers in economics and other academic disciplines working on micro-economic impact evaluations, development practitioners, and policy makers in a collective effort to understand the impact of development aid investments.

The School of Social Sciences and Philosophy will host a public event on Sept 28 on the current migrant crisis. Speakers include Professors Carol Newman (Economics), Michelle D’Arcy (Political Science), Paul O’Grady (Philosophy) and Elaine Moriarty (Sociology).