Far Right Rhetoric Education Ireland and Impications for Educators

The rise of far-right rhetoric and activity in Ireland, in which tactics are used that seek to ‘other’ marginalised groups and scapegoat them for social grievances, has led to increasing challenges for those working in the area of education and research. Educators are having to navigate increasingly prevalent tensions emerging in their classrooms as a result of greater polarisation between groups and the normalisation, particularly in online spaces, of racist discourse . This has created a situation which places educators, particularly those from underrepresented groups, in challenging and vulnerable positions. Drawing on recent research and lived experience this interactive event will allow for a reflection on our current climate and the possibilities for building solidarity through education and research as bulwark against far-right racism and division.
This engaging online discussion is about the implications of far-right rhetoric in higher education in Ireland.
Suzanne Kyle is a PhD researcher at Maynooth University and a recipient of the John and Pat Hume Doctoral Scholarship. Her PhD research examines the factors which enable community education practitioners to embed inclusive, democratic and social justice focused values in their work at a time of rising far-right extremism. She has worked in the area of community development and education for over twenty years at local, regional and national levels.
Dr Lilian Nwanze migrated from Nigeria many years ago, where she qualified and worked as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Her experience in education in Ireland triggered her interest in issues of inclusion, social justice, cultural competence and anti-racism in the classroom. After completing a Masters in International and European Business Law in Trinity College, Lilian moved to Maynooth University where she completed a Higher Diploma in Further Education and has recently completed her Doctoral studies. Her Doctoral research inquired into the experiences Black migrant women in Ireland have had with racism and she used the insights from the women to propose a culturally responsive anti-racist pedagogy for use in Irish Adult Education. Her broader research interests include social justice in adult learning spaces, the inclusion of underrepresented groups in educational spaces, anti-racist, critical and culturally relevant pedagogies, lifelong learning and exploring diverse ways of knowing. Lilian currently serves as co-Director of the Higher Diploma in Further Education with Maynooth University and sits on the Higher Education Authority Anti-Racism Advisory Group.
Priyanka Borpujari is a PhD researcher at Dublin City University, and has been a journalist for 18 years, reporting on issues of human rights and justice, from across Japan, Argentina, El Salvador, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Indonesia and India.