Academic Research Fellowship Report - Bronagh Ćatibušić
Awardee:
Dr Bronagh Ćatibušić, Assistant Professor in Applied Linguistics, School of Linguistic, Speech & Communication Sciences
Year of award:
2023
Award granted:
€3,000
Research project funded by the TRiSS Academic Research Fellowship:
Nurturing networks: fostering community connections with people who have experienced forced displacement
The aim of this research project was to investigate how supportive networks may be nurtured through community engagement with people who have experienced forced displacement. It involved focus groups with 24 people from displaced backgrounds who attended English conversation classes organised in Trinity College Dublin as part of the University of Sanctuary initiative, along with 11 student and staff volunteers who delivered these classes. This study also included interviews with seven participants from organisations working in the fields of integration support, volunteering, education, and the arts. It focused on issues relating to language learning, access to education and employment, accommodation, and cultural engagement.
The findings of this research highlighted the need for equitable and humane approaches to the reception of people from displaced backgrounds in Ireland. This study indicated that efforts are required to enable displaced people to access employment and education, including further support for language learning. In addition, it demonstrated the need for the provision of appropriate information to develop positive networks within communities and to counter racism and hostility towards people who have experienced forced displacement.
The research findings also point to how people from displaced backgrounds can be supported with navigating Irish society and accessing employment and further and higher education. The benefits of volunteering and the role of the arts in promoting intercultural sharing, fostering wellbeing and resilience, and building social networks have emerged from this study. This research further shows how universities can create sanctuary by nurturing inclusive environments for learning and makes evidence-based recommendations for civic engagement in this field.
Project outputs:
The TRiSS Fellowship has enabled the production of the following outputs, supported by research assistance provided by Ms Marharyta Musiienko, which was funded by the Award.
- An open access 44-page report on the Nurturing Networks research project, available here: LINK TO REPORT
- A seminar held on 18 March 2025 in the TRiSS seminar room in collaboration with the Linguistics Research Seminar series, presenting the findings of this research.
- A journal article drawing on aspects of this study, entitled ‘Learning as a multilingual community’ has been submitted for publication, with other academic works in progress.
- A multilingual summary of the project to share the findings of this research with people from displaced backgrounds and community-based organisations.
Sincere thanks for this TRiSS Academic Research Fellowship Award which has enabled this engaged research project working with people from displaced backgrounds and community partners.