The Interdisciplinary Digital Research Group is an initiative begun in early 2020 within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Dublin City University. The purpose of the initiative is to develop a collaborative space for inquiry and applied research that is dedicated to openness in terms of disciplinary perspective, theory, and methodology, and that is committed to critical and grounded approaches to understanding the human world of the present, past, and future. Within this space, the Group aims to build a forward-looking network of researchers, practitioners, and students with the hope to integrate complementary research strands, to build pathways towards hybridised, cooperative research across fields and disciplines, and to develop training and support for such work.
- To develop collaborative interdisciplinary spaces for social inquiry and applied research that value disciplinary variety, while staying committed to critical and grounded approaches to understanding the human world
- To build pathways towards mutually reinforcing programmes of research across fields and disciplines
- To develop practical training and support for interdisciplinary social science and humanities
- To grow a network of researchers, practitioners, and students who support these aims
The IDRG and DCU's School of Communications are hosting a new Summer School in June 2023, composed of two week-long graduate training modules on two topics of relevance for those who are planning research projects, currently working on doctoral research, or at early career stage.
Either or both modules may be taken by those interested, and there is no charge these offerings in 2023. The modules are not yet listed for ECTS credits in this pilot year.
To register for a place, please email idrg@hybridresearch.org, indicating which week(s) you wish to attend, and providing your name, affiliation (institution, faculty/school), and your current stage of research. Please also include a brief description of the subject of your current or proposed research; a few sentences will suffice and we will use this information to help structure groups and speakers.
Places are subject to availability.
WEEK 1: Ethics in Digital Research
Coordinator: Dr Debbie Ging
Preparation: Monday, 12 June 2023
Attendance: Tuesday - Friday, 13 - 16 June 2023, 10.00 - 17.00
Location: Glasnevin Campus, Dublin City University
As all aspects of life become increasingly digitised and automated, understanding the ethical dimensions of digital research should be a core competency of all PhD students. While ethical principles of research are universal, aspects of the digital space are sufficiently unique to justify a dedicated ethical framework. This week-long full-time Summer School module, with preparation and readings on Monday followed by four days of lectures and seminars is an advanced exploration of ethics and bias in digital research.
It requires attendees to consider their own and others’ research from a range of ethical perspectives and explores the practical implications of both conscious and unconscious bias. The module combines lecture-based instruction with practical workshops, in which students apply the theories and tools learned to specific cases, using inductive, deliberative processes. These workshops allow students discuss and evaluate one another’s case reports and to receive feedback from the module facilitators. Students will learn how to incorporate values-based design methods into their research and professional practice.
This module will be useful and directly relvant to digital researchers wishing to expand their knowledge and practices on the ethical design of research elements, as well as those interested in exploring bias in these contexts.
WEEK 2: Interdisciplinary Digital Research Methods
Coordinators: Dr Clark Powers, Dr Dónal Mulligan
Preparation: Monday, 19 June 2023
Attendance: Tuesday - Friday, 20 - 23 June 2023, 10.00 - 17.00
Location: Glasnevin Campus, Dublin City University
This module is held over the 4 contact days above, with readings provided on the Monday, and is an intensive exploration of interdisciplinarity. It is structured as a combination of classroom instruction to address theoretical topics, and activity-based learning to address practical topics.
The classroom instruction addresses the historical, conceptual, and institutional development of interdisciplinarity in the context of the modern disciplines. The activity-based learning trains the participants in a General Model of the methodology of scientific research. The components of this General Model are used as the lingua franca of the module during instruction and activities. The goal of this common language is to provide a means for participants to discuss and analyse each other's work effectively, regardless of home discipline. The activity-based work thereby grounds the instructional component in the actual research of the module's participants, and that of their various disciplines.
The overall goal of the module is to contribute to participants' individual development in methodological terms, in a manner that simultaneously (1) instills deeper disciplinary understanding, and (2) facilitates the achievement of impactful work across disciplinary bounds.
This module will be useful and directly relvant to researchers whose topics span and connect traditional disciplines and their associated approaches. It will provide opportunities to explore research design collaboratively, and to network with similar researchers in other subject areas.
2023:Informal Gathering: Information & Introductions - On 24 March, IDRG held an informal gathering for current PhD candiates and staff interested in interdisciplinary approaches in research. The event introduced the IDRG and provided details on some of the events and offerings of the group in the year ahead.
2022, 2023: Doctoral Training Workshops - IDRG members Tanya Lokot and Dónal Mulligan contributed to doctoral training workshops in association with the Irish Humanities Alliance and Irish Research Council.
2021: Hybrid Research Seminar - Speaker Dr Paul Reilly discussed his book, Digital Contention in a divided society: social media, parades and protests in Northern Ireland, and led discussion on the potential of information and communication technologies to promote positive intergroup contact in deeply divided societies.
2020: 2-Day Workshop Hybrid Research Design & Practice - The overall aim of this initial workshop was to provide a space in which researchers of various backgrounds and training work together to develop shared strategies for collaborative and complementary work.The event opened with a keynote address by Eugenia Siapera, Head of the School of Information and Communication Studies at University College Dublin, followed by two interactive panel discussions addressing the design and the practice of hybrid research. The workshop itself was built around a structured, team-based scenario exercise in which participants develop and explore alternative pathways for engaging with a hypothetical hybrid research programme.
We are planning more events like these. If you are interested in staying in touch, please join the IDRG list below.
Join the IDRG on Groups.io
IDRG uses Groups.io to manage an email list and discussion space; you are very welcome there and can join it below. If you would rather directly email us with any other queries, you can do so using idrg@hybridresearch.org.
