In October 2024, Maynooth University School of Law and Criminology Dr. Ian Marder (Assistant Professor in Criminology), Ashleigh Pillay (Research Assistant in Restorative Practices and PhD Student in Criminology) and Triona Kenny (Research Assistant in Restorative Practices and PhD Student in Criminology) published a new article in the Journal of Further and Higher Education. The article, entitled, Can ‘restorative circles’ build relationships on master’s degrees? Exploring students’ and lecturers’ experiences and perceptions of impact, presents the findings of a two-year study of the MA Dialogue, which used restorative practices to facilitate dialogue and build relationships between students and lecturers on the MA in Comparative Criminology and Criminal Justice in the School.
The dataset consists of 35 interviews with students (26/51) and lecturers (9/10) who participated in MA Dialogue sessions over two academic years, considering their experiences of the project and perceptions of its impact. The paper considers the existing literature on relationships at the postgraduate level and on restorative practices in higher education, before explaining the project and research design. It then explores how participants experienced the MA Dialogue and perceived its impact. The findings indicate that the project was experienced as a unique opportunity for relationship building, reportedly perceived to humanise lecturers in the eyes of students, to facilitate students’ transitions to master’s study, and to support teaching and learning.
The paper can be accessed here.
Maynooth University School of Law and Criminology has a restorative practices policy, which can be accessed here. In 2024/25, Dr. Ian Marder is acting as Restorative Practices Officer for the School, and can be contacted on ian.marder@mu.ie by lecturers and students who wish to explore the use of restorative practices, whether for proactive community and relationships building, or for problem solving, addressing harm or conflict resolution, in line with the policy.
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