Philip McDermott

Professor Philip McDermott is a Full Professor of Sociology at Ulster University, affiliated with the School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences. He holds the Ulster University Distinguished Research Fellowship (2022) and serves as editor of the Anthropological Journal of European Cultures and the Irish Journal of Sociology. His research focuses on heritage policy, minority rights, migrant languages, and climate change adaptation through cultural heritage. He has secured funding from the British Academy, AHRC, and the National Trust. In 2021, he received the Breaking Barriers Award for civic work with migrant communities. He also serves on the board of the Northwest Migrants Forum. His teaching includes undergraduate sociology and medical school modules on society and health.

• Education: Doctorate in Sociology (not explicitly stated but implied by senior academic role)
• Awards: Charlemont Scholarship (2015-16), SFHEA (2018)

Research interests span the intersection of social policy and cultural heritage, linguistic diversity in public spaces, and heritage activism. His recent work examines intangible cultural heritage's role in climate change resilience, as seen in his 2025 special journal edition on the topic. He has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and edited collections, focusing on Northern Ireland's sociocultural dynamics and post-conflict reconciliation.

Grants include AHRC funding for heritage activism symposiums (2024) and collaborative projects on museums and community wellbeing during the pandemic (2022). His civic engagements include policy dialogues on language rights and migrant integration. He leads research teams exploring transcultural memory and museum innovation.

Lab/team affiliations include the Ulster University Sociology Department and collaborative networks with NGOs like the North West Migrants Forum.