Research

Lead: Dr. Marianna Pagkratidou.

Cognition forms the foundation of our existence as psychological beings. Research in cognition offers limitless possibilities and numerous connections with and applications for the other themes explored at the DCU Centre for Possibility Studies. Cognitive psychology, as a branch of psychology, delves into the processes by which humans perceive, remember, attend, learn, navigate, and feel, aiming to understand how we interpret and interact with the world around us. It examines the mental processes behind behaviour, thought, wayfinding, decision-making, and explores the mechanisms of memory, attention, perception, language, and problem-solving. 

Lead: Dr. James Brunton. 

The Possibilities & Education theme is positioned to be broad and inclusive, in order to encompass Centre member interest and activity relating to an examination of formal, informal, and/or non formal education through a possibilities lens, with different foci at macro, meso, and micro levels of education policy, systems, philosophies, and/or practices. The theme relates to exploring the transformative possibilities for education, within education, and of education for the individual, community, and broader society. While the Possibilities & Education theme is broad and inclusive, the theme, and its sub themes, are grounded in the scholarship, research, and advocacy work that critiques existing educational systems, approaches, and practices, and works towards better future versions of education. In short, the theme runs the gambit from altering a module to incorporate elements of possibility thinking or creativity into an existing module to engaging in critical pedagogical scholarship to produce alternative, possible futures for education itself.

Lead: Dr. Fiachra O'Brolchain.

The Possibilities and Environment theme is about our relationship with the natural environment, about how it might change (for better or worse), about the many choices we face, about how these choices shape and impact the possibilities available to others in the future.  This theme will explore the environment as both home and object, resource and source of value.  We will focus on the possible relationships we as a species can have with the natural environment, the possibilities of articulating new ways of conceptualising our relationship with the environment and of explaining the reasons we have for preserving it.  

Lead: Dr. Simon Dunne.

The Health Possibilities theme is focused on how human actors navigate health possibilities at various levels, including possibilities relating to their individual health, possibilities related to the health system and possibilities relating to collective well-being. The theme predominantly focuses on possibilities in the face of health challenges, and how individuals, social networks and society perceive and respond to the possibilities and limitations associated with such challenges. The theme takes a broad conceptualisation of health, encompassing mental and physical health, quality of life, resilience and well-being. To begin with, we have conceived of three broad initial areas of investigation for this theme centring on the individual, social network and societal level but there is great potential to expand beyond these thematic areas to other areas of health and well-being.

Leads: Dr Maria Loftus & Dr Fiona Murphy.

Community is more than a refuge; it is a site of negotiation, struggle, and potential. It emerges within histories of dispossession and governance, yet it also holds the capacity for new solidarities, unexpected alliances, and transformative action. This theme explores community as a dynamic terrain—where belonging is reimagined, where power is contested, and where the possibilities for resistance, care, and collective futures are continually made and remade.

Lead: Dr Shirley Coyle.

Human history has demonstrated that we have an innate desire to explore. Since early times humans have strived to reach beyond the horizon whether to seek riches from faraway lands or to secure new knowledge. Scientific explorations have been a quest for knowledge and discovery, driven by curiosity and the motivation to seek a better future through new resources, alliances or wisdom. The explorations throughout the ages have been made possible by technical developments, particularly in transport and navigational aids. Technology has helped us travel further, map our paths and expand our vision. Although technology itself is just one of the factors of success. Any endeavour needs adventurous leaders who have a vision to gather the interest of others and the ability to gain support to finance and field their team.