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School of Applied Social Studies annual second level students’ human rights conference

4 Jun 2026

The School of Applied Social Studies held its annual human rights conference for students, welcoming over 180 Transition Year students from Cork Educate Together Secondary School, Coachford College and Millstreet Community School

This year’s conference was fully organised by a student committee who renamed the event in honour of Frederick Douglass to highlight the continued relevance of his work in contemporary Irish society. Students also invited external workshop facilitators, including Financial Justice Ireland and the Cork Migrant Centre, to deliver sessions alongside student-led workshops on topics such as gender inequality and advocacy in relation to the Occupied Territories Bill.

The conference opened with an address from Head of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, Dr Stephen Graham, who reflected on the enthusiasm and capacity of the students. Dr Margaret Buckley also spoke on the importance of the social sciences, while Dr Shirley Martin outlined the significance of the conference and its ongoing relationship with the School of Applied Social Studies.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Kiruba Munusamy, a Dalit activist and lawyer before the Indian Supreme Court. She spoke on the intersection of gender and caste and encouraged students to uphold human rights principles in their everyday lives.

Two first-year Social Science students provided logistical and administrative support throughout the day, including Caoimhe Kelleher, who also attended the inaugural conference in 2022.