highlights benefits of civically engaged research. A recent Science Shop pilot at University College
Cork (UCC) in the south-west of Ireland demonstrates how the research strength of Higher
Education Institutions can be harnessed to support civil society. The UCC Science Shop is a community based research initiative which facilitates students undertaking research projects that address ‘real world’ issues submitted by local civil society organisations. The participating students were second year Master of Social Work (MSW) students who undertook projects submitted to the UCC Science Shop as their Master’s research.
Many civil society groups are faced with increasing pressure to provide empirical evidence to support practical and advocacy activities and many lack the resources to conduct the research themselves. Science
Shops, through linking with the student research base, are able to facilitate this research to be carried out on with none or minor cost implications.
Such requirements aim to ensure that the Science Shop supports groups and organisations with limited resources particularly those whose activities which may be of strategic importance from the point of view of impact or of potential value to weak or marginalized groups.
For further details on the UCC Science Shop go to: http://scienceshop.ucc.ie/