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Connors, Niall (2018) Education and the humanitarian space: is there a dissonance between military education and military practice in the Irish Defence Forces? EdD thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

This thesis is centred on education and the humanitarian space, specifically, an analysis of whether there a dissonance between military education and military practice in the Irish Defence Forces. In this context, the research audience is considered to be constituted of two distinct cohorts; military personnel within the Irish Defence Forces and individuals within the development sector, in particular those with responsibility for the education and ‘pre-deployment’ training of those within the humanitarian space.

Broadly speaking, the research is framed to examine education and the humanitarian space through the lens of the human security paradigm using qualitative research methods. To achieve this, a multi-layered strategy was employed focussed on the Strategic and Operational Practice levels using a thematic framework centred on the human security paradigm informed by both the gender and cultural perspectives. At the strategic level a number of published and unpublished documentary resources were analysed in order to explore how Irish identity and concepts of self are presented, while at the operational practice level a number of semi-structured interviews were conducted with an elite group of thinkers and decision makers within the Irish Defence Forces in order to get their unique perspective on policy interpretation, policy implementation and operational practice.

The research process identified that there are dissonances between military education and military practice in an Irish Defence Forces context, specifically in respect of military operations within the humanitarian space. The research also indicated that this has contributed to tension within the community of practice and suggests possibilities for further research, which may mitigate the risk of dysfunction within the humanitarian space.

Item Type:	Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (EdD)
Supervisors:	McGrath, Simon McLean, Monica
Keywords:	military education; military practice; Irish Defence Forces; humanitarian assistance
Subjects:	H Social sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
Faculties/Schools:	UK Campuses > Faculty of Social Sciences, Law and Education > School of Education
Item ID:	55390
Depositing User:	Connors, Niall
Date Deposited:	16 Jan 2019 10:28
Last Modified:	07 Feb 2019 18:46
URI:	https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/55390

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