Niamh Gaynor
Biographic Data
| ID | 382848 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Niamh Gaynor |
| GIVEN NAMES | Niamh |
| FAMILY NAME | Gaynor |
| SIGNATURE | GAYNOR N |
| AFFILIATIONS | Dublin City University |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-5645-7032 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 16 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 45 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 16 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2009 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
Race, gender, and the immigrant student: Aspiring decolonisation in Irish universities
The growth in international students in the context of the global ‘internationalisation’ agenda within academia offers significant opportunities for broadening and deepening multicultural exchange, understanding and learning within universities. However, to do so effectively means acknowledging the reality that many universities around the world remain colonial strongholds of white, male, middle-class privilege. Drawing from our respective experi…
Africa’s lion economies and their gendered impacts: Lessons from Asia
This Debate addresses the ‘Eastern turn’ in policy and direction among Africa’s fast growing lion economies. It focuses in particular on recent recommendations in the African political economy literature for a reorientation in investment towards low-wage, labour-intensive manufacturing industries. Drawing on relevant empirical studies from Asia, it argues that there are significant gendered implications to this Eastern turn which, to date, have l…
Governing austerity in Dublin: Rationalization, resilience, and resistance
Often hailed as "the poster child of Europe" for its discipline and compliance in managing austerity despite the severity of the cuts meted on its population, Dublin presents an interesting case in austerity governance. This article focuses on the specific mechanisms whereby such compliance and public acquiescence have been achieved. Drawing on field research conducted from 2015 to 2017, it identifies three key practices of austerity governance: …
Community radio, democratic participation and the public sphere
Community radio is unique when compared to its commercial and public service counterparts in that, as a non-profit activity, it is owned, managed and controlled by local communities, In theory therefore, community radio offers the potential for more broad-based participation in deliberation and debate within the public sphere engaging multiple voices and perspectives and contributing towards progressive social change. Drawing on a study of four c…
Shopping to save the world? Reclaiming global citizenship within Irish universities
Patterns and causes of poverty and underdevelopment have shifted considerably over the last two decades. Growing global inequality within and between nations is now inextricably linked to both the exigencies and impacts of the global economy. In this article I argue that our universities, while developing students’ core skills and competencies to work within this global economy, fall short in providing them with the contextual competencies to cri…
Beneath the veneer: Decentralisation and post-conflict reconstruction in Rwanda
In 2000, the Rwandan government began the phased introduction of a decentralisation programme throughout the country. The programme aimed at countering citizen’s exploitation and marginalisation – a principal driver of the 1994 genocide – through broad-based participation in local development planning. This article analyses the extent to which Rwanda’s evolving decentralisation process is meeting this aim. Tracking a shift in emphasis from local …
Poverty amid plenty: Structural violence and local governance in western Congo
The protracted conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has drawn sharp criticism regarding the model of liberal peacebuilding employed in the country. Critics emphasise the importance of local ownership of peacebuilding mechanisms at sub-national as well as national levels. This raises questions in relation to the popular legitimacy and efficacy of local mechanisms. Drawing on field research conducted in the relatively affluent pro…
A nation in a hurry’: The costs of local governance reforms in Rwanda
Almost 20 years on from the horrors of the genocide, Rwanda is drawing considerable international attention as it emerges as a leading African success story. Its strong economic performance, with growth rates averaging 8% over the last 10 years, has led some to argue that it represents a new form of African developmental state. This article draws on fieldwork conducted in 2013 to examine the political impact of the government's developmental refo…
Voice of the people? Objectives versus outcomes for community radio in Ireland
Research has neglected to address the question of whether practitioners and the community groups served by community radio see it as a conduit of community empowerment and social change. This article explores this question through in-depth analysis of four community radio stations in Ireland. The central finding is that, while community stations subscribe to most of the ideals of community radio, practitioners do not generally see the stations as…
The Global Development Project Contested: The Local Politics of the PRSP Process in Malawi
Development, in an age of globalizations, has indeed become a global project. However, this project remains contested and contestable. While much attention has been given to this contestation at a macro-policy level, the dynamics of such contestations on the ground remain less studied. Noting that development projects, policies and programs are themselves products of power relations and social struggles, this paper focuses on the dynamics of thes…
Associations, Deliberation, and Democracy: The Case of Ireland’s Social Partnership
Over the past two decades there has been a burgeoning interest and research into experiments and innovations in participatory governance. While advocates highlight the merits of such new governance arrangements in moving beyond traditional interest group representations and deepening democracy through deliberation with a broad range of civic associations, critics express concern about the political legitimacy and democratic accountability of part…
Transforming participation: The politics of development in Malawi and Ireland
But you can't compare Malawi and Ireland!' - shifting boundaries in a globalised world
Although global influences – in the form of international finance coupled with discourses of partnership, participation, good governance, and democracy – exercise an increasing influence on national and local governance arrangements worldwide, comparative studies across the traditional South/North divide remain extremely rare. Drawing on findings from a comparative study of Malawi's PRSP and Ireland's national Social Partnership process, this art…
Between Citizenship and Clientship: The Politics of Participatory Governance in Malawi
In the twenty years since the post-Cold War wave of democratisation spread across Africa, experiments in participatory governance have revealed fundamental contradictions between their normative bases and their practical application on the ground. Responding to calls for a greater focus on ‘the politics of everyday life’ and drawing on the experiences and actions, over a six-year period, of the principal civic network involved initially in Malawi…
In-Active citizenship and the depoliticization of community development in Ireland
At a time of rising stress for communities, families, and individuals coupled with a growing disillusionment with government, the concept of ‘active citizenship’ has arrived as a salve to many of the social ills of our time. Emphasizing citizen's own responsibilities, and espousing values of solidarity, community, and neighbourliness, active citizenship embodies all that is good, rendering it somewhat immune from criticism. While agreeing that co…
Deepening Democracy within Ireland’s Social Partnership
Ireland’s social partnership process, now under attack from a number of quarters, has repeatedly been charged with being ‘undemocratic’ in that it undermines the sovereign position of elected political representatives, with key policy formulation and decision‐making taking place in forums outside the institutions of representative democracy. These critiques echo those against new forms of networked governance more globally. A key question therefo…
A nation in a hurry’: The costs of local governance reforms in Rwanda
Almost 20 years on from the horrors of the genocide, Rwanda is drawing considerable international attention as it emerges as a leading African success story. Its strong economic performance, with growth rates averaging 8% over the last 10 years, has led some to argue that it represents a new form of African developmental state. This article draws on fieldwork conducted in 2013 to examine the political impact of the government's developmental refo…
In-Active citizenship and the depoliticization of community development in Ireland
At a time of rising stress for communities, families, and individuals coupled with a growing disillusionment with government, the concept of ‘active citizenship’ has arrived as a salve to many of the social ills of our time. Emphasizing citizen's own responsibilities, and espousing values of solidarity, community, and neighbourliness, active citizenship embodies all that is good, rendering it somewhat immune from criticism. While agreeing that co…
Governing austerity in Dublin: Rationalization, resilience, and resistance
Often hailed as "the poster child of Europe" for its discipline and compliance in managing austerity despite the severity of the cuts meted on its population, Dublin presents an interesting case in austerity governance. This article focuses on the specific mechanisms whereby such compliance and public acquiescence have been achieved. Drawing on field research conducted from 2015 to 2017, it identifies three key practices of austerity governance: …
Beneath the veneer: Decentralisation and post-conflict reconstruction in Rwanda
In 2000, the Rwandan government began the phased introduction of a decentralisation programme throughout the country. The programme aimed at countering citizen’s exploitation and marginalisation – a principal driver of the 1994 genocide – through broad-based participation in local development planning. This article analyses the extent to which Rwanda’s evolving decentralisation process is meeting this aim. Tracking a shift in emphasis from local …
Associations, Deliberation, and Democracy: The Case of Ireland’s Social Partnership
Over the past two decades there has been a burgeoning interest and research into experiments and innovations in participatory governance. While advocates highlight the merits of such new governance arrangements in moving beyond traditional interest group representations and deepening democracy through deliberation with a broad range of civic associations, critics express concern about the political legitimacy and democratic accountability of part…
Deepening Democracy within Ireland’s Social Partnership
Ireland’s social partnership process, now under attack from a number of quarters, has repeatedly been charged with being ‘undemocratic’ in that it undermines the sovereign position of elected political representatives, with key policy formulation and decision‐making taking place in forums outside the institutions of representative democracy. These critiques echo those against new forms of networked governance more globally. A key question therefo…
The Global Development Project Contested: The Local Politics of the PRSP Process in Malawi
Development, in an age of globalizations, has indeed become a global project. However, this project remains contested and contestable. While much attention has been given to this contestation at a macro-policy level, the dynamics of such contestations on the ground remain less studied. Noting that development projects, policies and programs are themselves products of power relations and social struggles, this paper focuses on the dynamics of thes…
Between Citizenship and Clientship: The Politics of Participatory Governance in Malawi
In the twenty years since the post-Cold War wave of democratisation spread across Africa, experiments in participatory governance have revealed fundamental contradictions between their normative bases and their practical application on the ground. Responding to calls for a greater focus on ‘the politics of everyday life’ and drawing on the experiences and actions, over a six-year period, of the principal civic network involved initially in Malawi…
Poverty amid plenty: Structural violence and local governance in western Congo
The protracted conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has drawn sharp criticism regarding the model of liberal peacebuilding employed in the country. Critics emphasise the importance of local ownership of peacebuilding mechanisms at sub-national as well as national levels. This raises questions in relation to the popular legitimacy and efficacy of local mechanisms. Drawing on field research conducted in the relatively affluent pro…
In-Active citizenship and the depoliticization of community development in Ireland
At a time of rising stress for communities, families, and individuals coupled with a growing disillusionment with government, the concept of ‘active citizenship’ has arrived as a salve to many of the social ills of our time. Emphasizing citizen's own responsibilities, and espousing values of solidarity, community, and neighbourliness, active citizenship embodies all that is good, rendering it somewhat immune from criticism. While agreeing that co…
Deepening Democracy within Ireland’s Social Partnership
Ireland’s social partnership process, now under attack from a number of quarters, has repeatedly been charged with being ‘undemocratic’ in that it undermines the sovereign position of elected political representatives, with key policy formulation and decision‐making taking place in forums outside the institutions of representative democracy. These critiques echo those against new forms of networked governance more globally. A key question therefo…
Transforming participation: The politics of development in Malawi and Ireland
But you can't compare Malawi and Ireland!' - shifting boundaries in a globalised world
Although global influences – in the form of international finance coupled with discourses of partnership, participation, good governance, and democracy – exercise an increasing influence on national and local governance arrangements worldwide, comparative studies across the traditional South/North divide remain extremely rare. Drawing on findings from a comparative study of Malawi's PRSP and Ireland's national Social Partnership process, this art…
Between Citizenship and Clientship: The Politics of Participatory Governance in Malawi
In the twenty years since the post-Cold War wave of democratisation spread across Africa, experiments in participatory governance have revealed fundamental contradictions between their normative bases and their practical application on the ground. Responding to calls for a greater focus on ‘the politics of everyday life’ and drawing on the experiences and actions, over a six-year period, of the principal civic network involved initially in Malawi…
The Global Development Project Contested: The Local Politics of the PRSP Process in Malawi
Development, in an age of globalizations, has indeed become a global project. However, this project remains contested and contestable. While much attention has been given to this contestation at a macro-policy level, the dynamics of such contestations on the ground remain less studied. Noting that development projects, policies and programs are themselves products of power relations and social struggles, this paper focuses on the dynamics of thes…
Associations, Deliberation, and Democracy: The Case of Ireland’s Social Partnership
Over the past two decades there has been a burgeoning interest and research into experiments and innovations in participatory governance. While advocates highlight the merits of such new governance arrangements in moving beyond traditional interest group representations and deepening democracy through deliberation with a broad range of civic associations, critics express concern about the political legitimacy and democratic accountability of part…
Voice of the people? Objectives versus outcomes for community radio in Ireland
Research has neglected to address the question of whether practitioners and the community groups served by community radio see it as a conduit of community empowerment and social change. This article explores this question through in-depth analysis of four community radio stations in Ireland. The central finding is that, while community stations subscribe to most of the ideals of community radio, practitioners do not generally see the stations as…
A nation in a hurry’: The costs of local governance reforms in Rwanda
Almost 20 years on from the horrors of the genocide, Rwanda is drawing considerable international attention as it emerges as a leading African success story. Its strong economic performance, with growth rates averaging 8% over the last 10 years, has led some to argue that it represents a new form of African developmental state. This article draws on fieldwork conducted in 2013 to examine the political impact of the government's developmental refo…
Poverty amid plenty: Structural violence and local governance in western Congo
The protracted conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has drawn sharp criticism regarding the model of liberal peacebuilding employed in the country. Critics emphasise the importance of local ownership of peacebuilding mechanisms at sub-national as well as national levels. This raises questions in relation to the popular legitimacy and efficacy of local mechanisms. Drawing on field research conducted in the relatively affluent pro…
Shopping to save the world? Reclaiming global citizenship within Irish universities
Patterns and causes of poverty and underdevelopment have shifted considerably over the last two decades. Growing global inequality within and between nations is now inextricably linked to both the exigencies and impacts of the global economy. In this article I argue that our universities, while developing students’ core skills and competencies to work within this global economy, fall short in providing them with the contextual competencies to cri…
Beneath the veneer: Decentralisation and post-conflict reconstruction in Rwanda
In 2000, the Rwandan government began the phased introduction of a decentralisation programme throughout the country. The programme aimed at countering citizen’s exploitation and marginalisation – a principal driver of the 1994 genocide – through broad-based participation in local development planning. This article analyses the extent to which Rwanda’s evolving decentralisation process is meeting this aim. Tracking a shift in emphasis from local …
Community radio, democratic participation and the public sphere
Community radio is unique when compared to its commercial and public service counterparts in that, as a non-profit activity, it is owned, managed and controlled by local communities, In theory therefore, community radio offers the potential for more broad-based participation in deliberation and debate within the public sphere engaging multiple voices and perspectives and contributing towards progressive social change. Drawing on a study of four c…
Governing austerity in Dublin: Rationalization, resilience, and resistance
Often hailed as "the poster child of Europe" for its discipline and compliance in managing austerity despite the severity of the cuts meted on its population, Dublin presents an interesting case in austerity governance. This article focuses on the specific mechanisms whereby such compliance and public acquiescence have been achieved. Drawing on field research conducted from 2015 to 2017, it identifies three key practices of austerity governance: …
Africa’s lion economies and their gendered impacts: Lessons from Asia
This Debate addresses the ‘Eastern turn’ in policy and direction among Africa’s fast growing lion economies. It focuses in particular on recent recommendations in the African political economy literature for a reorientation in investment towards low-wage, labour-intensive manufacturing industries. Drawing on relevant empirical studies from Asia, it argues that there are significant gendered implications to this Eastern turn which, to date, have l…
Race, gender, and the immigrant student: Aspiring decolonisation in Irish universities
The growth in international students in the context of the global ‘internationalisation’ agenda within academia offers significant opportunities for broadening and deepening multicultural exchange, understanding and learning within universities. However, to do so effectively means acknowledging the reality that many universities around the world remain colonial strongholds of white, male, middle-class privilege. Drawing from our respective experi…
Political science (15 works) · Politics (15 works) · Sociology (13 works) · Economics (11 works) · Law (11 works) · Political economy (9 works) · Corporate governance (7 works) · Democracy (6 works) · Public Administration (6 works) · Development economics (5 works)