DCU Centre for Literacy, Research, Policy and Practice launched

25/11/2024

The new research centre, based in DCU’s Institute of Education, was launched on 19 November.

The Dublin City University Centre for Literacy, Research, Policy and Practice has been officially launched at an event on DCU’s St. Patrick’s Campus in Drumcondra.

This new centre is located in the Institute of Education, Ireland’s largest Faculty of Education. It brings together researchers, doctoral students and educators with expertise in literacy and related disciplines across Early Childhood Education, Primary, Post-Primary, Further Education, Adult Education.

In line with DCU’s mission to transform lives and societies, the core mission of the Centre is to shape and inform literacy research, policy and practice nationally and internationally, through ongoing scholarship, inquiry and pedagogy in reciprocal partnerships with key stakeholders.

The centre also promotes equity in literacy outcomes and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals which seek to eradicate poverty (Goal 1), ensure a quality education (Goal 4) and reduce inequality (Goal 11).

Research undertaken by members of the centre to date includes research informing education policy as well as literacy across the life span.

Director of the DCU Centre for Literacy, Research, Policy and Practice Dr Eithne Kennedy said:

“In line with current research, our Centre embraces an inclusive and broad vision of literacy that attends to the cognitive, affective, aesthetic and cultural dimensions and the transfer of literacy skills across languages, recognising that such a vision is fundamental to enabling individuals to discover and reach their potential in life.

“Harnessing our collective expertise, a key focus of the Centre will be to address gaps in research, to promote equity in literacy outcomes and to support educators to bring research and practice into open dialogue in ways that inspire and support them to motivate and engage learners across the life span and in creating research-informed responsive and inclusive literacy pedagogies in their respective contexts.”

More information about the DCU Centre for LIteracy, Research, Policy and Practice can be found at this link.