THEME 2: EQUALITY AND FLOURISHING
This research cluster focuses on conceptual, theoretical and normative work in the field of equality studies. It seeks to engage with and contribute to the most ambitious, innovative and creative thinking in the field, in terms of (i) critiques of inequality and (ii) principles and paradigms of equality and flourishing. As such, it is concerned with questions of moral philosophy and their interactions with social science. The cluster also seeks to intervene in key debates in the field, and to advance scholarship at the frontiers of egalitarian theory.
In carrying out this work, this research cluster aims to articulate the key paradigms, theories and principles that can underpin and drive the ambitions of EDI as a key component of university best practice, and to work with relevant EDI units at UCD in this regard.
This research theme is connected at UCD to our flagship postgraduate programme, the Masters in Equality Studies at the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice. The MSc in Equality Studies offers a unique opportunity to examine global equality issues from a range of analytical and normative perspectives, not only critiquing and explaining inequality (See research theme 1, ‘Unequal Societies’), but also engaging with the normative question of what a more equal society would look like. The programme also emphasises the relationship between theory and practice with a view to bringing about positive social change (This is connected to our research theme 5, ‘Politics and Change.’) Find out more about the programme in our informative video (opens in a new window)here.
This cluster is co-convened by Showkat Ali (showkat.ali@ucd.ie) and centre director Marie Moran ((opens in a new window)marie.moran@ucd.ie)
Associated Members:
Showkat Ali
John Baker
Sara Benedi Lahuerta
Mags Crean
Treasa De Loughry
Orla Doyle
Graham Finlay
Siobhan Kane
Adam Kelly
Thilo Kroll
Deirdre McGillicuddy
Joe McGrath
Donna Marshall
Krisna Ruette-Orihuela
Judy Walsh
Cluster Activities:
The Marxism and Flourishing Reading Group: This has been established as a shared initiative with the Dept of Sociology, University of Nottingham. It is co-convened by Marie Moran (ESC) and Nick Stevenson (Nottingham) and also includes members from the Dublin Critical Political Economy network (research cluster 3), and the Publics and Practices cluster at the University of Liverpool. The group meets once every two months to discuss key contemporary and historical texts with a focus on feminist, ecological and other Marxisms that are humanist in orientation and focused substantively on questions of human flourishing. The group is also compiling a shared bibliography, and is open to opportunities for further scholarly collaborations on the subject. It has an internal email list managed by Marie and Nick. Please email (opens in a new window)marie.moran@ucd.ie if you would like to join the group.
The All-Ireland Political Theory Seminar Series: The ESC co-sponsors the Political Studies Association of Ireland (PSAI) All-Ireland Political Theory Seminar Series, which runs monthly seminars through a collaboration with the QUB Political Theory and Philosophy Seminar Series; the Power, Conflict, and Ideologies at NUI Galway; the UL Politics and Public Administration Seminar Series; and the Trinity Justice and Values Centre. Marie co-organises the monthly seminars with a rotating co-convenor from another university. For more information on upcoming seminars, go to (opens in a new window)https://sites.google.com/view/politicaltheorynetworkireland
Featured projects: