Postgraduate Researchers

PhD Research Student - School of Social Science, Law and Education, TU Dublin

Project Title: How Social Care Workers Talk about Professionalisation and Professionalism

Project Abstract: 

Fiona Walshe is a Lecturer in Technological University of the Shannon Athlone.  She has a background in Social Care.  Her study explores how social care workers in Ireland talk about professionalism and professional status, using Critical Discursive Psychology to analyse everyday language and identity construction.  Through focus groups with qualified social care workers across diverse settings, the research uncovers how discourses around education, regulation, and recognition shape the profession.  This research is sponsored by TUS Athlone and supervised by Dr. Fiona McSweeney TUD.  

Key findings reveal tensions between formal qualifications and practice wisdom as well as regulation and holistic care or relationship-based care. The study contributes to understanding how language has an impact on professional identity and offers insights for policy, education, and practice in the caring professions.  Fiona has presented her work at two Social Care Ireland National Social Care Conferences and one International Conference (FESET).   

Supervisors: Dr Fiona McSweeney, Dr Kevin Lalor

Funder: Technological University of the Shannon – Athlone