academy for irish cultural heritages - Research - University of Ulster

In the current context of research assessment exercises in the UK, it is a very
brave university that maintains a strong commitment to interdisciplinarity. While,
in theory, the RAE deems itself to be capable of dealing with interdisciplinary
research, the reality is that each individual is assigned in the first instance to a
single panel for assessment, and interdisciplinarity is generally dealt with within
a single-subject context – although guidance may be sought from other panels.
However, a new approach to assessment of research may well change the singlesubject
context and, at this point, it would appear that interdisciplinary research
could strongly benefit from a revised approach and become far more central to
the system.
In the case of the University of Ulster, the Academy for Irish Cultural Heritages
provides the necessary structures for supporting and energizing research ideas
and themes in the field of heritage. Some 30 researchers and 40 PhD students
are located within the Academy, which is based in three campi of the university
– Magee, Coleraine and Jordanstown. Members have contributed strongly to the
RAE in the following subject areas: Art and Design, Celtic Studies, English, French,
History, Music and Politics.
The Academy actively promotes three prominent research themes which have
catalysed the individual research interests of its members: oral and written
heritages; cultural encounters; and, habitat and habitus. Through these themes
and its various externally funded research projects, the Academy has a strong
and growing international profile, reflecting the successful pursuit of its central
aim: ‘to be an internationally recognized centre of excellence for interdisciplinary
research on cultural heritages, both material and non-material, in an international
context with particular emphasis on cultural heritages connected with the island
of Ireland’.
The present report features the research activities of AICH staff and postgraduate
research students in the academic year 2006-2007, and details of the members of
our international advisory board. Further details of the Academy’s activities can
be found at http://www.arts.ulster.ac.uk/research/aich/
Professor Máiréad Nic Craith
Director
http://www.arts.ulster.ac.uk/research/aich/index.htm