Established in 2019, the Second-Level Officer is responsible for building greater links between the Sociological Association of Ireland and secondary school teachers and students. Our initiatives aim to support and engage students studying Politics and Society, or A-Level Sociology on the Island of Ireland. We are particularly interested in progressing new and exciting ways that schools and third level institutions can work together to advance politics, society and sociology at post-primary level? There are many lessons that can be learned by sharing insights from teachers, academics and subject level experts alike. Similarly, we believe it’s important to explore the kinds of research methods applied by professional researchers to investigate various aspects of sociological teaching and learning at post-primary level. The second-level officer works to collaborate and support teachers, teacher educators and associations who help promote sociology as a discipline at second level. The role is currently held by Dr Aimie Brennan (MIE).
Recent initiatives include:
The Young Sociologist of the Year award is an essay-based competition hosted by the Sociological Association of Ireland (SAI) and the Department of Sociology and Criminology, UCC. We are delighted to see that so many Leaving Cert students have chosen the Politics and Society option and so many Northern Irish students are pursuing A Level Sociology. We want to encourage and reward students who are learning to think about how the society we live in is structured and organised. The competition is an opportunity for students to address themes relevant within our Society today. The essay will be assessed by a panel of academics from the Department of Sociology and Criminology, UCC, the SAI Second Level Officer and representatives from the SAI. The essay that presents the most insightful analysis of a sociologically relevant theme will win. Top prize is a €500 voucher.
Young Sociologist of the Year Award
The Young Sociologist of the Year award is an essay-based competition hosted by the Sociological Association of Ireland (SAI) and the Department of Sociology and Criminology, UCC. We are delighted to see that so many Leaving Cert students have chosen the Politics and Society option and so many Northern Irish students are pursuing A Level Sociology. We want to encourage and reward students who are learning to think about how the society we live in is structured and organised.
If you are interested in societal structures, themes such as gender, class, migration, or development, or even if you would just like to have their essay read and assessed by a sociology academic, then this competition is for you!
Competition Prizes
In 2023 the top student entries could win the following prizes:
The teachers of the winning students were awarded:
Application Guidelines and Assessment Criteria
Strand 1: Power and decision-making
• Topic 1 Power and decision-making in school
• Topic 2 Power and decision-making at national and European level
Strand 2: Active citizenship
• Topic 3 Effectively contributing to communities
• Topic 4 Rights and responsibilities in communication with others
Strand 3: Human rights and responsibilities
• Topic 5 Human rights and responsibilities in Ireland
• Topic 6 Human rights and responsibilities in Europe and the wider world
Strand 4: Globalisation and localisation
• Topic 7 Globalisation and identity
• Topic 8 Sustainable development
This competition is an opportunity for students to address themes relevant within our Society today. The essay will be assessed by a panel of academics from the Department of Sociology and Criminology, UCC, the SAI Second Level Officer and representatives from the SAI. The essay that presents the most insightful analysis of a sociologically relevant theme will win.
Contact Details
Contact: Dr Aimie Brennan
Email: aimie.brennan@mie.ie
Phone: (01) 8057717
The 2023 Winners:
First Place: Jack Boland,
Second Place: Erin Cassidy,
Third Place: Caoimhe Greene
Third Place: Molly Nevin
Third Place: Aobha Murphy
This new conference brings together international educational research and teaching experts, to debate the importance of sociology in post-primary schools in Ireland and internationally. It will offer perspectives on the position of social and political education, including sociology, in the educational system of Ireland and of other countries. The conference explores the place and status of the discipline in the second level curriculum; curriculum design and development; pupil engagement with the subject matter; the position of sociology in teacher education and the challenges and opportunities for collaboration between teachers and third-level educators will be explored. The event examines the social, civic, political and ethical education delivered in schools. It produced rich reflection on how citizens are formed, social conscience is shaped, and how sociology expands its voice in society. Established as a biannual event by Dr Lisa Moran, Dr Aimie Brennan and Dr John O’Brien, in 2022 the conference was supported by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning and was hosted by Marino Institute of Education. Keynote speakers, Dr Roland Tormey and Dr Su Ming Khoo reflected on what is needed at second level to enable students to fulfil their potential, to become actively engaged in social issues, to become ethically conscious and to be contributors to social change in our global world.