I am an Artist! What do I Know about Business?

What has business to do with art? Should artists understand business? This research is concerned with the world of the artist who must operate in a business world. In the words of the late singer, Luciano Pavarotti (2003), artists must „be heard and be seen‟ to be successful. Commercial entities expose their products and services to clients to survive, and for the artist, this is no different. The paper examines if there is a need to ensure that our artistic graduates are „market ready‟, and specifically examines this concept in the context of an Irish Institute of Technology (IT). Artists generally do not view the world in terms of business and commerce, only as a creative space, so investigation is warranted if there is a need for a special purpose award that would allow already qualified or working artists who have missed out on business education to take business modules at any stage in their careers. A post-positivistic qualitative method was applied to gather the empirical data. This consisted of eleven face to face interviews using a semi-structured interview guide, and one additional focus group. The findings of this study reveal that a disconnection exists between the artistic world and the business one. Artists do indeed require business education for their future careers, and it will be necessary to ensure inclusion of business modules at undergraduate level in the future. The findings of this study recommend that new entrant undergraduate performing and visual art students should be able to take business modules throughout their studies, starting initially by facilitating these subjects as electives, and after an initial review of one year, including businesses modules as compulsory subjects. For presently working musicians, this study advocates the development of a Special Purpose Award with business subjects for all artists who are working in this field. These can include artists who have no previous Higher Education qualifications, but this specific cohort would need to take an initial bridging course to ease their return to education. Finally, working and surviving as an artist can be difficult, therefore enabling a route to education through any means for the artist could be a vital bridge to eliminate the disconnect between art and business. This will in the future ensure that artists can be better informed, and be able to differentiate and market themselves in a competitive commercial world

Managing the American Tourist Experience in Ireland: An Emotional Context

The special relationship that exists between the United States of America and the island of Ireland has its origins predominantly in emigration. Through several centuries, the interaction generated by familial ties has steadily developed into a strong and lasting bond irrevocably linking both nations. The relationship between the United States of America and Ireland has provided the impetus for a continual flow of traffic across the Atlantic. This movement of people and vessels to and fro, engaged in the varied tasks of commerce, family interaction, and leisure, created a new energy for the tourism industry sector in Ireland which continues to flourish into modern times. This paper presents new findings on the Irish tourism industry, with particular reference to the American tourist’s emotional relationship. The paper seeks to outline the historical framework governing the development of the relationship between the United States and Ireland, and identifies the emotional and connectional factors that bind the two nations

What impact does the learning environment have on self-concept?

D. App. Ed. Psy.Self-concept is a subjective construct at the individual phenomenological level which represents perceptions of one's own attributes, skills and knowledge. With the suggestion that positive self-concept is integral to emotional wellbeing as well as associated with academic success, it has significant relevance within the field of educational psychology. While understanding of the formation, structure and impact of self-concept continues to grow, it also lacks consensus. There is general acceptance, however, that self-concept is nested within social contexts and that significant others such as parents and peers play an integral role. Based on the proposal that self-concept is formed through experience with the environment (Shavelson, Hubner & Stanton, 1976), this review explores the impact of the learning environment on self-concept in adolescence, an age premised to signify the greatest exploration and development of sense of self (Erikson, 1950). When taken in synthesis, the evidence from ten published studies suggests practices within the educational environment may have significant impact on self-concept. The majority of studies (N=7) focused on the impact of ability grouping / setting with evidence suggesting that such practices may result in adverse changes in self-concept. However, this review suggests it is not possible to draw definitive conclusions on the impact of the learning environment on self-concept due to issues of self-concept definition and methodological concerns. It is therefore proposed that there is a need to focus further study at the phenomenological level and seek wider exploration of factors moderating across domains of self-concept

The Challenge of Research Supervision: The Experience of Lecturers in Various Academic Disciplines

[EN] Research supervision is the highest level of teaching for academics. Yet, in many cases, academics are allocated supervision without any formal training. For many supervisors, their supervision approach will be a mirror of what they have experienced themselves at post-graduate levels. Many supervisors consider that this form of teaching is stressful and onerous due to the responsibility placed on it by the Higher Education Institution and the student ultimately. What can be done to support supervisors in their supervisory journey? There is a void in the academic literature on research supervision with scant aids available to the supervisor (Cullen, 2009). Brew and Boud (1995) outline the importance of instructor knowledge; however, supervisors only gain extensive supervisory experience over the years. The aim of this study is to better understand the supervisory process. Data was gathered from 12 lecturers engaged in supervision across various disciplines. Findings indicate that supervisors need to adopt and continually change to differing circumstances and different student personalities while supervising. It is essential that formal supervisory training be provided for all supervisors. The findings from this evaluation are novel and will be beneficial to research supervisors across various disciplines. Keywords: Research Supervision, Multi-Disciplinary, Reflection.Wright, A. (2020). The Challenge of Research Supervision: The Experience of Lecturers in Various Academic Disciplines. En 6th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'20). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. (30-05-2020):1445-1452. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAd20.2020.11234OCS1445145230-05-202

Electric Vehicles in Ireland: The Future?

This study explores the merits of the Electric Vehicle (EV) as an alternative mode of transportation in Ireland. The EV has been produced for many decades, but never in a mass production capacity. EVs do not require fossil fuels to power them. With fossil fuels being in short supply and as global climate change is deteriorating each year; the EV will help reduce Ireland’s dependence on depleting fossil fuel resources. This current study seeks to establish if the EV can be part of the solution to prevent further un-repairable damage to the environment. The findings of this current study, demonstrate that EVs have the potential to contribute to significant CO2 reductions in the transport sector. This research also outlines the main advantages and disadvantages of the EV, and reviews the future development of EVs. This research study focuses on the technology development, infrastructure development, consumer acceptance and appropriate measures that will facilitate a more rapid utilisation of EV technology. The Irish Government have an existing strategy for the adoption of electric cars, and if successful, the commercial vehicle industry and large trucks may factor into the longer term electric transport strategy. Ireland has some of the best natural resources and the EV will allow Ireland the opportunity to use these resources to generate electricity. This current study seeks to establish if the EV can help Ireland build a successful renewable future for all. The EV is exciting to drive, efficient, has great performance and above all, is environmentally friendly with Zero CO2 emissions

I am an Artist! What do I Know about Business?

What has business to do with art? Should artists understand business? This research is concerned with the world of the artist who must operate in a business world. In the words of the late singer, Luciano Pavarotti (2003), artists must „be heard and be seen‟ to be successful. Commercial entities expose their products and services to clients to survive, and for the artist, this is no different. The paper examines if there is a need to ensure that our artistic graduates are „market ready‟, and specifically examines this concept in the context of an Irish Institute of Technology (IT). Artists generally do not view the world in terms of business and commerce, only as a creative space, so investigation is warranted if there is a need for a special purpose award that would allow already qualified or working artists who have missed out on business education to take business modules at any stage in their careers. A post-positivistic qualitative method was applied to gather the empirical data. This consisted of eleven face to face interviews using a semi-structured interview guide, and one additional focus group. The findings of this study reveal that a disconnection exists between the artistic world and the business one. Artists do indeed require business education for their future careers, and it will be necessary to ensure inclusion of business modules at undergraduate level in the future. The findings of this study recommend that new entrant undergraduate performing and visual art students should be able to take business modules throughout their studies, starting initially by facilitating these subjects as electives, and after an initial review of one year, including businesses modules as compulsory subjects. For presently working musicians, this study advocates the development of a Special Purpose Award with business subjects for all artists who are working in this field. These can include artists who have no previous Higher Education qualifications, but this specific cohort would need to take an initial bridging course to ease their return to education. Finally, working and surviving as an artist can be difficult, therefore enabling a route to education through any means for the artist could be a vital bridge to eliminate the disconnect between art and business. This will in the future ensure that artists can be better informed, and be able to differentiate and market themselves in a competitive commercial world

Postgraduate Supervision in a ChatGPT World: What’s Next?

[EN] This study explores the considerable challenges for research supervisors of postgraduate students in Higher Education. For experienced academics, the responsibility of assessing theses and dissertations has never been more critical. With the advent of ample search engine opportunities, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) technology, and adhering to proper academic integrity processes, how can supervisors navigate these complexities, unsupported by solid procedures, due to the rapidly changing nature of AI? If a supervisor is concerned as to the integrity of the presented work during the supervisory process, what options are available to the supervisor to address concerns with the student in an informed and protected way? This work draws from theoretical perspectives, discussions with research supervisors, including early career supervisors, collegial deliberations, and considerations. This paper will explore what research supervision is and the challenges associated therein. Recommendations for best practice will be presented for discussion during the proceedings.Wright, A. (2024). Postgraduate Supervision in a ChatGPT World: What’s Next?. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1-8. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAd24.2024.172441

The Research Journey: Through the Lens of the Adult Learner

This research provides an opportunity to reflect, evaluate and to implement better procedures for practice, specifically, the research supervision of post graduate students at the taught Masters Level. In this context, empirical data were gathered from recently graduated ‘taught masters’ students in the business arena in an Irish Third Level Institution. The main objective was to understand their specific research and learning needs better. This current research is novel, as an examination of the academic literature in relation to this area is scant. It is envisaged that this research will provide a ‘voice’ for the students in this field. A quantitative approach was applied and data were gathered from 62 adult graduates. The main finding of this study concerns the alignment of the programme as a whole, where it has become apparent and recommended that a taught module on the programme, ‘research methods’(a mandatory module) will need to be delivered just prior to the commencement of the research thesis module that this research paper appraises. Currently, it is delivered over a year before commencement of the research thesis proper to the students. Overall, the findings are positive and are discussed in detail in this research. The main aim of this evaluation of current practices is to establish where improvements can be made as a direct result of the recommendations from the recent graduates in this study. These recommendations will be considered, and relevant resultant changes will be made to improve future practice. It is envisaged that the findings of this research will better inform the author, the Department, and the Faculty of Business & Humanities for future programmatic reviews. The objective is that more effective methods will be established for future students to achieve their own learning and research objectives more effectively