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Undergraduate research conducted by three ��ɫ��Ƶ students has been showcased to politicians and policy makers in the Oireachtas at the first ever student research in parliament event.

BA in European Studies graduate, Sadhbh Reddington, B Sc in Social Sciences graduate, Victoria Graham, and B Sc in Economics and Mathematics graduate, Niamh Anderson, recently presented their undergraduate research at Póstaeir san Oireachtas (Posters in Parliament).

Póstaeir san Oireachtas (PsO) highlights excellence in undergraduate research by students across the whole island of Ireland and connects undergraduate researchers directly with political decision makers and policy makers. 

The initiative is championed by Minister James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. 

Speaking at the event, Minister Lawless said: “Events like PsO showcase the quality, creativity, and impact of student research happening every day across Ireland’s world-class academic institutions, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. 

“PsO is helping to bring the depth and excellence of Irish research directly into the policy process, where it matters most, in the Houses of the Oireachtas.”

The UL students were three of 30 students from 14 higher education institutions across Ireland selected to showcase their Final Year Projects (FYPs) at the event under the theme of ‘Research for Change’.

Sadhbh Reddington, a native of Castlebar in Co. Mayo, and Victoria Graham, who hails from Castletroy in Co. Limerick, both graduated from UL in August. 

Their research focused on accent-based discrimination and how negative perceptions of regional Irish accents can affect children’s educational experiences and adults’ access to employment.

According to Sadhbh: “Our research highlights the need to embed anti-accentism awareness within primary education. 

“Early intervention is critical to combating accentism in the workplace and by normalising acceptance of regional accents in classrooms, this can help to reduce bias, prevent bullying and create fairer opportunities for people later in life.”

Speaking about why they chose accentism as their research topic, Victoria said: “We were both passionate about accentism as we both have had personal experiences of it.

“Many people do not realise that accentism is an inherent unconscious bias that they have, and it is important to recognise it.”

Niamh Anderson, who hails from Ballinahinch in Co. Tipperary, also graduated from UL in August.

Her research examined income inequality across 24 European countries and how this affected attitudes towards immigrants. 

Niamh’s research was inspired by the Dublin riots and the increase in anti-immigrant sentiment.

She said: “Income inequality affects our choices, politics, health, mental wellbeing, opportunities and our feelings towards immigrants.

“By understanding the dynamics between income inequality and attitudes towards immigrants, I hope my research raises awareness of the impact of income inequality in our society and deepens our understanding of how income inequality increases negative feelings towards immigrants.”

Niamh’s research was supervised by Dr Vincent O’Sullivan from UL’s Department of Economics. 

He said: “The Final Year Project (FYP) is a big feature of a UL degree as it gives students the opportunity to put their academic skills into practice through their own research project. 

“It was great to see the development of Niamh's project. She applied her technical skills to one of the most important current issues in Ireland and she should be really proud of her achievement."

Sadhbh and Victoria’s research was supervised by Professor Mairead Moriarty from UL’s School of Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics.

She said: “Victoria and Sadhbh's work showcases the significant of raising awareness of accentism. 

“The opportunity to discuss their findings with members of the Oireachtas highlights the value of research at undergraduate level for enabling change.”

In addition to showcasing at Póstaeir san Oireachtas, a special Póstaeir san Oireachtas issue of the SURE Journal was published, which featured 28 articles authored by undergraduate students from HEIs across Ireland. 

Póstaeir san Oireachtas is led by Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and co-ordinated through a multi-institutional national committee, consisting of membership from ATU, TUS, Dundalk IT, SETU and TU Dublin.