The MA in Geography: Spatial Justice is designed for students who wish to deepen their understanding of critical geographical ideas and themes and apply this knowledge to the most pressing societal and environmental challenges of the 21st century. Students will be empowered to think geographically, to develop their critical thinking skills, undertake independent research in an area of specialist interest, and significantly enhance their professional skills.
Through this Programme, students will become familiar with a range of geographical perspectives on justice, including spatial, environmental, health and place-based justice. Through cutting-edge research modules, they will apply these perspectives to specific problems and case studies, including decarbonisation, migration, mobility and housing.
Through its publicly engaged research, the department has developed an extensive network of public engagement partners. The MA provides unique public engagement opportunities with these civil society partners through its innovative and immersive modules. Student will work together with these partners to collaborate and develop real-world projects. Our research-led and community-partnered teaching and learning approach has been recognised nationally by the Irish University Association.
Career Options:
Our graduates acquire valuable research, analytical and critical, spatial thinking, ethical and professional skills. This Masters programme provides students with a range of communication, research and other transferable skills that will be valuable in many careers including in administration, education, services, creative industries, and working with NGOs and local government authorities. A high proportion of our graduates go on to pursue fully-funded PhDs. This is what our former students thought:
The Spatial Justice programme was a highly informative, pragmatic and rewarding experience which I would recommend to anyone interested in social and environmental issues at play both in Ireland and around the world. Despite coming from a media studies background the course structure provided a great base of theoretical knowledge applicable to both Irish and international contexts. With wide-ranging research directions found in the Geography department and the diligent support of staff there is great freedom to develop your personal academic interests across different methods and mediums. In this sense it also aligns with those coming from activist, journalistic or creative backgrounds who would like to extend their knowledge through a spatial lens. Pursuing a final research thesis was an incredibly rewarding experience. This has provided me with a solid springboard for funded PhD applications which I am currently pursuing. At the same time it has informed new directions for critical artistic practice I would like to explore.