Five minutes with… Ben Mallon
We have many postgraduate and early stage DSAI members who are helping to advance development research from various disciplinary angles. To showcase the innovative and exciting research being undertaken by these DSAI members, we will be introducing a postgraduate or early stage researcher each month by asking them five questions that give an insight into their research experiences. This month, we asked Benjamin Mallon about his research. Ben is a PhD Candidate in St. Patrick’s College (Dublin City University) and Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholar.
How did you get into development research?
Working as a secondary school teacher in London I had spent seven years addressing development issues within the classroom, and was involved in supporting young people who had arrived in the UK from areas of conflict. I wanted to find out more about the research behind some of these issues, and completed a Master’s in Education at University College Dublin. This gave me the chance to explore the relationship between development and education in more depth. I really enjoyed the MA and began my PhD, focusing on education and conflict, in October 2011.
What are you working on at the moment?
My current research explores school-based development education programmes on the island of Ireland that address violent conflict. We know that conflicts are complex and often have deep rooted issues at their core, and that there are a number of theories which try to explain why conflict happens and how they might be addressed. We also know that young people think learning about conflict is important but we don’t know a huge amount about how conflict is taught – there is a gap between theory and classroom practice. After conducting a series of interviews and observations, I’m now in the process of analysing the data I’ve collected. My findings chapters are starting to take shape!
What impact do you hope your research will have?
I hope that my research will fill some of the gap between theory and practice, and help us better understand how conflict is taught in schools. I also hope that it will illuminate some of the perspectives and experiences of young people who are learning about conflict.
Which book or writer has most influenced your career?
If I have to pick one, Education and Conflict: Complexity and Chaos by Prof. Lynn Davies has been an important reference point, both throughout my Masters and my PhD. It covers numerous aspects of the relationship between education and conflict, opening up many avenues for further critical inquiry.
What one recommendation would you have for anyone interested in postgraduate study and a research career in development studies?
As someone who returned to study after seven years of work, the financial constraints have been challenging at times. However, both the Masters and PhD have been immensely rewarding, so I would say that my one recommendation is to ensure you enjoy it and see the value in your research topic/area, whatever that may be.