Young Croghan man awarded bursary for PhD

A young County Roscommon man has been awarded a PhD Kappeler Bursary to undertake research at the National Centre of Excellence for Home Economics, ATU St Angela’s.

Kevin Mullaney from Croghan, a past graduate of the Home Economics and Biology teacher education professional master’s programme was recently awarded the opportunity of a full bursary based to undertake the PhD Home Economics programme. This was based on the innovative approach displayed in relation to his chosen research topic and his overall enthusiasm for Home Economics as a discipline.

The Kappeler Bursary was open to all part-time PhD applicants.

ATU St Angela’s said that it had “a proud 70-year reputation in delivering Home Economics education. The National Centre of Excellence for Home Economics at the ATU St Angelas Campus provides a key platform for the growth and development of the discipline Home Economics and is a vehicle through which Home Economics teaching and research continues to be developed and extended. A Structured PhD (Home Economics) Programme has been on offer by the National Centre of Excellence since 2020 for those who wish to progress to doctoral level study (Level 10 NFQ) in the discipline. “ Describing his journey, Kevin said: “During the final year of my Professional Masters in Education (Home Economics), I completed a dissertation titled ‘The perceptions and attitudes held towards genetically modified foods in Ireland’, and it was during this time I became extremely determined to continue my studies and progress to doctoral level research relating to the diet and sustainable practices’.

Castlerea native Dr Elaine Mooney, Director of the National Centre for Excellence for Home Economics, described the importance of offering Home Economics PhD opportunities. “Our mission is to empower home economists even further in the areas of teaching and learning; research and innovation; and community engagement and it is through these centre pillars that we can create real leaders of change in today’s society.” Speaking about the Kappeler Bursary, Dr Mooney added: “Frau Kappeler was a Swiss Home Economist, passionate about the development of the discipline, who bequeathed a philanthropic donation to ATU St Angelas designated for the advancement of the field. We are delighted to offer this opportunity to Kevin as a true testament to his hard work and dedication, we wish him well with his PhD research and look forward to seeing the study outcomes.”