Maura Adshead
Associate Professor · Politics and Public Policy in Ireland
University of LimerickAbout
Maura Adshead is an Associate Professor in Politics and Public Administration at the University of Limerick's College of Humanities. She serves as Head of Community Engagement and co-convenor of the national Campus Engage Working Group on Engaged Research, driving policy initiatives for civic engagement. Previously held academic roles include Lecturer positions at the University of Dundee, University of Liverpool, University College Galway, and Dublin Institute of Technology.
- PhD in Political Science, University of Liverpool (1998)
- MA in Politics, University of Limerick (1993)
- BA in Politics, University of Limerick (1989)
Her research focuses on Irish and European public policy dynamics, policy networks, Europeanisation impacts, and community-engaged research praxis. She explores civic participation mechanisms in governance and applies critical pedagogy in graduate education.
Recent publications examine activist identity transformation through popular education, identity leadership in Indian worker collectives, and digital competency shifts in education post-pandemic. These works intersect political science, public administration, and educational theory.
Scientific Awards:
- Combat Poverty research award (2004)
- Comhairle na nOg Engagement Case Study award (2019)
- DAAD research grant (1997)
- Collaborative awards with Chris McInerney (2009) and Ronni Michelle Greenwood (2010)
She integrates engaged research into teaching (PO5103-PO5105 modules) and leads the CWELL diploma programme. Her 2015-2023 work includes co-authoring policy reviews for Irish government departments and directing applied research practicums.
