Document Type

Presentation

Rights

Available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 4.0 International Licence

Disciplines

5.3 EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES

Publication Details

presented at EARMA Conference 2018, Brussels, Belgium

Abstract

Research, along with teaching and engagement is one of the three pillars of higher education. However, in the Irish Institutes of Technology (IoT), where, traditionally, the focus has been on vocational education, providing good quality graduates well trained for the workforce. Their research activity has been underdeveloped and teaching has been the primary focus.

Two recent public strategy documents (‘The Hunt Report’ and ‘Towards a Future Higher Education Landscape’) have identified the need for Ireland to develop a ‘Technological University’ sector with an emphasis on research of a more applied nature. Technological University Dublin is on a trajectory to become Ireland’s first Technological University with an obligation to undertake research of global significance, national importance and regional relevance, including identified areas of research strength and minimum quotas of PhD students. The move towards a Technological University is driving IoTs to upgrade their research capabilities and capacities and move from teaching led institutions to research led, however this switch is not without its challenges.

This study seeks to determine those factors influencing research activity by academic and research staff across and Irish technological institute. An online survey of academic and research staff will generate insights into barriers and enablers of research activity.

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