PhD Research Panel

Ciara Henderson and Cormac Leonard will discuss their recently completed interdisciplinary PhD theses as part of the Modern and Contemporary Irish History Seminar Series.

• Ciara Henderson, ‘ “The Spaces Between Us”: A Qualitative Exploratory Study of Perinatal Death, Burial & Bereavement in 20th century Ireland.’
• Cormac Leonard, ‘Deaf People in Irish Institutions: Tracing Sign Language Communities in the Archives.’

Dr Ciara Henderson completed her PhD in Health Sciences in 2023. Ciara’s doctoral research is in the interdisciplinary field of death studies, and examines family experiences of perinatal death (miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death). Specifically, her thesis was a qualitative analysis of the significance of funerary ritual for bereaved families through the twentieth century. A recipient of a 1252 scholarship from the School of Nursing & Midwifery, TCD, for the duration of her doctoral studies Ciara was based in the Trinity Centre for Practice and Healthcare Innovation (TCPHI). Ciara holds first class honours degrees in Journalism (BA), Marketing (MSc) and Sociology (MSc), is a reviewer for Mortality Journal,and recently published a chapter on perinatal death in Birth and the Irish: a Miscellany (2021).

Cormac Leonard is a professional Irish Sign Language (ISL) / English interpreter with experience of professional interpreting in a range of settings, including conference, legal, medical, educational, performance, and religious interpreting. He is also a trainer of interpreters, and a keen genealogist and family history tutor. His PhD, entitled 'Deaf People in Ireland: Education, Poverty, and the Law, 1851-1922', was completed in 2023. Other published work includes (jointly with John Bosco Conama) an investigation into the historical roots of ISL and research on the sociolinguistics of Irish Sign Language.

The Modern and Contemporary Irish History Seminar Series will take place at 2.30p.m. on Wednesday in the Trinity Long Room Hub Arts & Humanities Research Institute. It provides a forum for discussion and dissemination of new ideas, perspectives, and research on Irish history, Irish Studies and cognate disciplines. All are welcome. We particularly welcome members of the postgraduate community. Convenors: Dr Carole Holohan, Dr Ciaran O'Neill, Dr Georgina Laragy, Prof Lindsey Earner-Byrne. If you like to join the Modern & Contemporary Irish History Seminar Mailing List, please fill out this form.

Please indicate if you have any access requirements, such as ISL/English interpreting, so that we can facilitate you in attending this event. Contact: modirishhistoryseminar@gmail.com