Two of the three finalists for this year’s Geographical Society of Ireland (GSI) doctoral awards collaborated extensively with Teagasc in the development of their research.

A former Teagasc Walsh Scholar Dr Jack McCarthy, along with Dr Shane Conway, will individually present their research to the GSI on Wednesday to compete for the overall prize.

The research

McCarthy’s PhD explored collaboration and co-operation amongst farmers and rural policy stakeholders involved in the EIP-AGRI initiative.

Dr David Meredith of Teagasc’s Rural Economy and Development Programme and Dr Christine Bonnin of UCD’s School of Geography supervised the research.

Conway’s doctoral research focused on generational renewal in Irish farming and was completed under the guidance of Dr John McDonagh and Dr Maura Farrell at the rural studies unit of NUI Galway.

As part of this research, Conway collaborated with Teagasc’s transferring the family farm clinics and the land mobility farm survey.

Senior research officer with Teagasc and adjunct fellow at UCD’s school of geography Dr David Meredith said: “Teagasc continues to work with leading geography departments to advance this line of research.”

“These contributions to knowledge demonstrates the important role that human geography can play in expanding understandings of the challenges and opportunities facing farmers, farm households and rural communities.”

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My Farming Week: Shane Conway, Caltra, Co Galway