University of Galway Research Repository

Recent Submissions

  • Publication
    Sustainability reporting in higher education institutions: Barriers, opportunities, case studies and toolkits
    (University of Galway, 2024-10-08) Adams, Thomas; Goggins, Jamie; Science Foundation Ireland
    This thesis investigates the role of sustainability reporting in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), focusing on their potential to foster sustainable development and act as agents of change. Through a comprehensive analysis of published academic literature, this research identifies significant barriers to effective sustainability reporting, including lack of standardised frameworks, data collection challenges, financial constraints, limited stakeholder engagement, and organisational complexities. A sustainability report was completed as part of the literature review, in order to critique the reporting process and to identify particularly challenging areas to focus this research on. The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS®) was used as the assessment tool, with Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Carbon Footprint (CF) reporting as the two chosen focal research areas. The aim of the thesis was to explore the identified barriers to sustainability reporting, through the lens of ESD and CF reporting. This was done through the creation of innovate tools, the application of these tools in demonstration cases, and engagement with stakeholders. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) keyword scanning and carbon footprint calculator tools, which were developed as part of this work, are published as open-access resources to enhance data collection efficiency and accuracy. The SDG keyword scanning tool automates the identification of relevant SDG content within curriculum materials, providing a baseline measure for ESD. The carbon footprint measurement tool offers a robust method for calculating scope 3 emissions for organisations in Ireland, particularly from purchased goods and services. By applying these tools, the thesis highlights the practical difficulties and opportunities in implementing effective sustainability reporting in HEIs. The ESD demonstration cases published as part of this thesis include a sample ESD baseline for University of Galway, an example of ESD implementation into an engineering programme and an ESD baseline for civil engineering programmes across Ireland. The carbon footprint demonstration cases include a carbon footprint report for University of Galway covering the years 2017-2023, an analysis of the impacts of COVID-19 on the university’s carbon footprint, a supply chain analysis and a roadmap to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. The demonstration cases and practical applications demonstrate how these tools can be tailored to local contexts, thereby addressing specific institutional needs. The research underscores the importance of engaging stakeholders, developing comprehensive data management systems, and securing financial and administrative support to achieve sustainable practices. Engagement with key stakeholders through emails, workshops, surveys and student assignments revealed that stakeholders are also struggling with the identified barriers and are eager for more supports and resources for effective sustainability reporting, planning and development. The findings contribute to the broader understanding of how HEIs can overcome common barriers to sustainability reporting, emphasising the necessity for adaptable, user-friendly tools and frameworks. This work supports the ongoing effort to integrate sustainability into higher education, ultimately enhancing the capacity of HEIs to contribute to global sustainability goals.
  • Publication
    Leadership through language, terminology and representation: Conceptual and tangible steps towards epistemic justice practices
    (Oxford University Press, 2024-09-26) Devaney, Carmel; Mc Gregor, Caroline; Buckley, Sarah Anne; Irish Research Council (IRC)
    This article is based on research about language, terminology and representation in relation to institutions in Ireland formerly known as ‘Mother and Baby Homes’. Learning from this research informs tangible and conceptual steps towards greater epistemic justice practices for social work. The concept of epistemic justice is used to explore how critical attention to language, terminology and testimony can contribute to promoting rights, countering stigma, recognising diversity and actively challenging misrepresentation, mis-framing and misrecognition. Based on a sample of research findings that demonstrate epistemic injustice, the main themes discussed are identity (motherhood, childhood), places (institutions) and processes (adoption). In the discussion, we draw from participant’s recommendations to outline how social work can provide enhanced leadership in relation to the use of language, terminology and representation and consider this in the context of current research relating to epistemic justice. Given the centrality of language, terminology and representation to social work, there is a significant opportunity within an international context to build on existing knowledge within the profession as well as amongst other professionals, organisations and wider society. To inform this improved ‘knowing and doing’, a number of conceptual and tangible steps to encourage epistemically just practices within social work are identified.
  • Publication
    Assessing translocation outcomes and revealing behavioural insights in two red squirrel populations in the West of Ireland
    (University of Galway, 2024-04-15) Reilly, Emily; Lawton, Colin
    The red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) population suffered a dramatic decline in Ireland following the introduction of the invasive grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) in 1911. Two red squirrel translocations, the intentional movement of a living organism from one area to another, were undertaken as part of efforts to conserve the species. These translocations took place in 2005 and 2007 at two sites in the west of Ireland, outside the range of grey squirrels: Derryclare in Co. Galway and Belleek woods in Co. Mayo. In the years following the translocations, monitoring efforts were implemented to observe and assess both populations. The most recent survey, conducted in 2012, provided evidence of the sustained presence and growth of both populations. The core aim of the present study was to investigate the current status of the translocated populations. At this stage the translocated populations were expected to have reached the regulation phase, exhibiting a continued presence and stabilised density. Following the introduction of the red squirrel population to Derryclare in 2005, the woodland underwent significant changes. Clear-felling operations, both expected and unexpected occurred frequently, owing to the woodland's commercial nature. This activity, combined with a significant forest fire in 2011, resulted in substantial habitat loss. We investigated the extent of this habitat loss and its effects on the carrying capacity of the woodland. We utilised digitised historical maps to compare past and present habitat, revealing a 53% reduction in habitat since 2005. A feeding survey was conducted, and the results were compared to previous feeding survey data, allowing us to track the changes in the estimated squirrel abundance and carrying capacity of the woodland. Carrying capacity estimates declined by 41–81%, with the lowest estimate at 65 individuals. Deterioration of the quality of the habitat, due to a shift in the proportion of tree species towards the less favourable species, further reduced the suitability of the woodland. Feeding surveys estimated a total of 2-4 individuals in the woods, illustrating the negative effects of habitat loss and deterioration. The Derryclare population was monitored using a combination of non-invasive and invasive techniques from January 2020 to January 2023. Trail camera, hair tube, and feeding survey data indicated a sparse squirrel presence throughout the entire woodland, with squirrel activity concentrated in patches of higher quality. Live trapping data revealed an eighteen fold decline in density compared to previous estimates, averaging at 0.032 squirrels/ha, or 6.5 total individuals. Breeding and recruitment rates were low, and squirrels were underweight compared to other red squirrel populations, including Belleek. Home ranges, estimated using trapping data, averaged 19.61ha. The large size of these ranges indicates a poor quality habitat. A feeding survey in nearby woodlands did not reveal any signs of dispersal, making it likely that carrying capacity was never reached in Derryclare. It was deemed that the translocation will ultimately not be successful, due to the low likelihood of the population’s recovery. The Belleek population were monitored from February 2020 to March 2023. Hairtube and trail camera surveys revealed a uniform population distribution throughout the woods. A live trapping study estimated an average density of 0.41 squirrels/ha, or 24.6 individuals, aligning with other healthy red squirrel populations. Breeding, recruitments rates and squirrel body weight were all indicative of a healthy population. Radiotracking was employed, revealing an average home range of 4.02ha. A citizen science survey conducted from March 2021 to January 2023, revealed a significant expansion of the Belleek population’s range, estimated to span 738.5km2 . The success of this translocation was attributed to the maintenance and persistence of consistent suitable habitat and the abundance of food, bolstered by continuous supplementary feeding. In contrast, ongoing loss and deterioration of habitat in Derryclare was believed to be responsible for this population’s decline. The behaviour of individuals in both populations was analysed during live trapping sessions to gain insights into their behavioural diversity. Additional open field tests and mirror image simulation tests were performed on a subsample of individuals in Belleek. While it was hypothesised that these populations would exhibit multiple differences due to their contrasting habitats, only one significant difference was identified. Belleek squirrels displayed a diminished flight response compared to Derryclare, possibly owing to their habituation to humans. A trade-off between reproduction and longevity was observed in Belleek females. In Belleek males, boldness was found to be associated with smaller individuals and increased longevity, while in Belleek females, boldness was linked to larger individuals and a higher reproductive output. These personality differences impact population dynamics and therefore have implications for conservation management. The recent resurgence of the pine marten has caused a decline in the invasive grey squirrel in Ireland, allowing for a red squirrel population recovery. The coevolutionary history between the red squirrel and pine marten, and the naivety of the grey squirrel to this novel predator are thought to be responsible for the contrasting outcomes of both squirrel species. We used trail cameras to record pine marten and red squirrel visits to feeders, and analysed the behaviour of the red squirrel following recent pine marten presence. We found that red squirrels visiting within 48 hours of a pine marten displayed an enhanced antipredator response involving increased sniffing and vigilance, and decreased feeding. These results support the hypothesis that red squirrels have avoided predation by the pine marten due to their behavioural adaptations. The divergent outcomes at Derryclare and Belleek underscore the intricacies of translocation projects, providing valuable insights into factors influencing their success or failure. In particular, this study has provided insights into the importance of habitat quality as a determinant of translocation success. We recommend that future translocation projects choose stable habitats, and place greater emphasis on habitat quality during the planning phase of the project. Additionally, our findings stress the significance of post-release monitoring, suggesting that monitoring is conducted at least until the regulation phase of the project, in order to reveal the true outcome of the project. Additionally, this study yields insights into red squirrel behaviour and ecology, emphasizing the need for behavioural screening in translocation projects. It also contributes to our understanding of the dynamics between red squirrels and pine martens, shedding light on the red squirrel's recovery in Ireland. We believe the insights gained from this study can provide valuable insights for future translocation projects, aiding in their successful planning and execution.
  • Publication
    The role of the domestic and international law in enabling and constraining internment: A case study of Northern Ireland during ‘the Troubles’ and Guantánamo Bay during the ‘War on Terror’
    (University of Galway, 2024-10-07) Portuondo, Maria Cristina; Smyth, Ciara; Hanly, Conor
    When States are confronted with a terrorist attack that threatens the life of the nation, they typically react by adopting emergency legislation to enable the use of counter-terrorism tactics. While there is extensive literature on this topic, little has been written about the precise role that domestic law and international human rights law play in both enabling and constraining such tactics. This thesis investigates how the law and courts (including quasi-judicial bodies) have at once enabled and constrained counter-terrorism tactics, using a comparison of internment in Northern Ireland during ‘The Trouble’ (a period in time when international human rights law was a newly emerging body of law) and Guantánamo Bay in the context of the present day Global War on Terror (with international human rights law now a well-established area of law with a broad range of treaties and case law). These two case studies were selected due to the similarities between them in terms of the counter-terrorism tactics and used the alleged human rights violations, despite the differences in terms of temporal scope, geographic location, and the state of development of international human rights law. Ultimately, this thesis shows that despite the considerable enabling function of the law, in the form of deference to the executive by courts and legislatures, as well as sovereignty deference mechanisms built into the very fabric of human rights law, the law also constrains the nature and extent of counter-terrorism tactics. This study not only adds to the literature on States’ obligations to protect the general public and national security in response to a terrorist threat but develops the idea of a civil liberties and human rights duty to protect suspected terrorists. Finally, it explores the role and limits of the law in finding a durable solution to the vexed problem of terrorism.
  • Publication
    Evaluation of the potential for genomic selection in an Irish breeding population of sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr))
    (University of Galway, 2024-10-07) Cashell, Ronan; Farrelly, Niall; Spillane, Charles
    Genomic selection is a form of breeding predicting for phenotypic traits within a population, using allelic data drawn from individuals within this population as the explanatory variable. Genomic selection has been widely evaluated within livestock and crop species, and is now an established part of breeding endeavours within such species. In the era of increasingly cheaper whole-genomic sequencing strategies, the potential for genomic selection is increasingly being investigated in more niche species with features that otherwise discourage evaluation such as long generational intervals or particularly large genomes. Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) is one such species, yet equally is also one of great importance to Irish forestry. Efforts to breed Sitka spruce in Ireland have been have resulted in a national breeding program, but have not yet attempted to incorporate any of the recent advances regarding genetic and genomic breeding. In this thesis, I investigated the the potential for genomic selection among the Irish breeding population of Sitka spruce. I evaluated the suitability of phenotypic data generated from the breeding program for the used as traits of interest within a genomic selection model. Comparing the historical data of the program to contemporary data, I investigated the assumptions of correlation of the genetic control of a traits across different ages which underpins breeding in many long-lived species. Combining the available phenotypic data of the breeding program, derived from families of half-siblings, with genomic data generated from their maternal parent through Genotype-by-Sequencing, I explored the potential for genomic selection in Irish Sitka spruce with respect to the nature of these data. Finally, using a sub-population of full-siblings derived from the breeding program's genotypes, I examined the effectiveness of genomic selection against more conventional breeding methods such pedigree-based breeding. In totality, this thesis demonstrates a clear potential for viable genomic selection in the Irish Sitka spruce breeding population as is, and highlights opportunities for changes to current practices which would further improve genomic selection within this population.