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'A Different Sameness’: Exploring the multifaceted identities of politics and society teachers in Ireland

Reale, Conor (2024) 'A Different Sameness’: Exploring the multifaceted identities of politics and society teachers in Ireland. Doctor of Education thesis, Dublin City University.

Abstract
This doctoral thesis investigates the civic identity development of Politics and Society teachers in Ireland, exploring how these educators perceive and enact their roles as civic actors. Situated within the interpretivist paradigm, this research employs phenomenological analysis and the Listening Guide method to delve into the complex interplay between teachers’ professional roles and their personal beliefs about citizenship and civic engagement. The study addresses a significant gap in the literature by providing a nuanced understanding of teacher civic identity, particularly within the Irish educational context. Eighteen second level teachers from a variety of school types were interviewed. Some have been teaching Politics and Society since it was first introduced in 2016 while others only have one year's teaching experience in the area. Through in-depth interviews with Politics and Society teachers, the research identifies and analyses four key voices in the teachers’ narratives: foundational, pedagogical, vulnerable, and reflective voices. These voices reveal the multifaceted nature of civic identity, encompassing cognitive, emotional, and embodied dimensions. The findings highlight the diverse ways teachers conceptualise and enact their civic roles, influenced by their personal backgrounds, professional contexts, and interactions with students. The study underscores the importance of supporting teachers in their civic identity development through targeted professional development and reflective practice. This thesis contributes to the field of civic education by introducing the Ériu VOICE Model, an innovative framework for analysing civic identity through the Listening Guide method. It offers valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and researchers, emphasising the need for comprehensive support systems to foster teachers’ civic engagement and efficacy. The research calls for continued exploration of teacher civic identity using longitudinal studies, a mixed methods approach, and collaborative inquiry to enhance our understanding and support of educators in their crucial role as civic educators.
Metadata
Item Type:Thesis (Doctor of Education)
Date of Award:19 December 2024
Refereed:No
Supervisor(s):O'Hara, Joe and Stynes, Martiin
Uncontrolled Keywords:Political science, teacher identity, Irish education
Subjects:Social Sciences > Education
Social Sciences > Identity
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > Institute of Education > School of Policy & Practice
Research Institutes and Centres > Centre for Evaluation, Quality & Inspection (EQI)
Use License:This item is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License. View License
ID Code:30599
Deposited On:10 Mar 2025 10:49 by Joe O'hara . Last Modified 10 Mar 2025 10:49
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