Postgraduate Researchers

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

Project Abstract: 

My research question is whether Industry can impact the trajectory of employment for Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) students? 

Utilising a participatory action research methodological approach, hiring managers, LCA students, LCA co-ordinators and myself as the researcher become participants in how the research is undertaken and developed.  

To assess my hypothesis, a Possible Others intervention has been created, using an Entrepreneurial Educational Approach (EEA) and this intervention takes the form of a programme entitled Local Competitive Advantage (LCA). The programme takes place over a 6-module period combining learning for the LCA students but also, and perhaps more importantly, learning from the hiring managers.  

Exploring Bourdieu’s Theory of Field, the identified players (participants) have pre-disposed positions that they assume in their relevant domains. Through a number of different perspectives, a conceptual framework allows a broad interpretation of the impact of each of these perspectives on the players. Social Class, Disadvantage, the Power of Language and Intersectionality and reviewing other previous interventions shape the discourse around LCA students and how they are perceived (or not) within the workplace.  

Three annual cycles of the programme will take place across schools which are based close to the offices of an employer who has taken part in this research and pilot programme. To ensure a wide range of input, a missed school, single sex boys, and single sex girls have all been included. LCA Year 6 students participate in each school. Feedback from the participants in each cohort shapes the programme and provides rich data alongside the data gathered from the hiring managers within the business.  

An often-overlooked cohort of students, this research aims to provide a mutually beneficial programme that identifies a potential new talent pipeline for employers as they see first-hand the skills and creativity of the LCA school leavers.  

Supervisor: Dr Keith Murphy , Dr Eamon Maher