The Irish Research Council is currently funding Lána McCarthy through their Employment Based Programme in partnership with Trinity College,
Dublin and Youngballymun to complete a four-year PhD study.
The research is an exploration into the multiple perspectives of parents and practitioners on parental engagement strategies employed in family literacy programmes in an area of socio-economic disadvantage. This study is being supervised by Professor Martine Smith, the current Dean of postgraduate education in Trinity College.
The aim of this research is to contribute to the field of parental engagement. This research has the potential to reshape current thinking and practice on parental engagement in areas of socio-economic need. The experiences of the participants can be collected to inform measurable, sustained improvements in parental engagement practice using the systematic method of conducting research that is grounded theory. The development of a parental engagement framework, and the resulting training programme, could act as a lever for change in areas of socio-economic disadvantage, presenting a real opportunity to transform language and literacy outcomes for children and families in these areas of need.
