Skellig Centre for Research and Innovation Belinda Gascoigne Adult Education Department, UCC

Overview Background Partnership What is Skellig CRI? Vision and Objectives

Background Initial research project was carried out by the Institute without Boundaries, George Brown University, Canada To identify the needs of the local area To develop strategies that could create new social, economic and environmental opportunities

Unique collaboration Following on from this initial research Identified the idea of higher education and research for the area as a possible catalyst to creating a sustainable and economically viable region University College Cork (driven by Adult Continuing Education), in partnership with Kerry County Council and South Kerry Development Partnership

Higher Education Centre Leverage unique resources of Iveragh UCC in partnership with Kerry Co. Co. & SKDP Community up engagement

Structure Board of Directors Steering Group Sub Advisory Groups

Challenges This town and surrounding area faces extensive and long-term challenges: Demographically Economically Socially Other challenges : Distance- disconnected Socioeconomic background - determine an individual’s opportunity to access to higher education These challenges are impacting on the identity and sense of viability of the area

Response Establishment of a centre for research & innovation – emulating in a local context, the impact of a higher level institution in a rural community Real-time professional practice in the establishment of this higher education satellite campus Incubation hub for research, innovation and entrepreneurialism Open door policy – programme design, development, innovation, entrepreneurship

Agora Agora A meeting place A centre for interaction: social economic cultural creative educational research

Skellig CRI A Place of Learning and a Place to Learn Transdisciplinary Education centre in the town - Cahersiveen It is aligned with the unique characteristics and strengths of the area in order to deliver new educational experiences To enable research and innovation Provide social and economic regeneration for Iveragh

Skellig CRI continued: work with the community & in community building offer cohesive delivery of higher education programmes to promote the region nationally and internationally work with HEI’s nationally and internationally in building this Centre

To date Diploma in Environmental Science and Social Policy Modules in: Students from the area and based in Cahersiveen Modules in: Astronomy Archaeology Marine Heritage Building modules as part of Diploma in Local and Regional Studies

To date Number of programmes in design stage which are specific to the area for September 2018 National and International student Autumn and Spring Programmes Adult Outreach Education Undergraduate Education Postgraduate Education & Research Doctoral Education & Research Conferences, Workshops & Seminars Fieldwork Programme streaming to the centre live from UCC

Monthly Seminar Series Public Monthly Events to engage and offer talks on research from areas such as: Sport Economics and GAA Coaching and Mindfulness Medieval Ireland Creative Writing Biodiversity and the management of cultural landscapes

Belinda Gascoigne ACE, UCC Go raibh maith agaibh Belinda Gascoigne ACE, UCC belinda.gascoigne@ucc.ie