The National Anti-Bullying Centre (ABC) hosted the World Anti-Bullying Forum 2019 in Dublin City University last week. Many of ABC’s staff and students showcased their latest research work and contributions to national and international anti-bullying policy.
Some of the world’s most renowned anti-bullying researchers and practitioners attended, presented and worked at the conference, which was a once in a lifetime event for Dublin to be the host city. This included some of the researchers at ABC.
Liam Challenor PhD (candidate) presented on his PhD topic that addressed the cyberbullying of teachers by pupils (see image above) and Dr. Angela Mazzone presented on her research around children’s experiences of bullying, victimization and feelings of shame and guilt. Dr. Seline Keating presented on her developed antibullying policy audit tool and promoted the Gender Equality Matters (GEM) international project with an informative stand (see below)
Helena Murphy PhD (candidate) presented on a case study of teacher empathy, school culture and bullying, in a DEIS boys’ primary school, and also sat on an industry session panel alongside Vodafone to discuss what cyberbullying actually is and what its implications are. Dr. Mairéad Foody presented multiple projects in the areas of sexting, the psychological impact of sibling bullying, and conceptions of cyberbullying and the whole school approach with Dr. Robert Slonje at a UNESCO special session (see image below).
ABC researchers and their European collaborators presented their workshop on the DisAbuse Project and Disablist Bullying at the World Anti Bullying Forum 2019. Lian McGuire (pictured) and Fiona Weldon of ABC, with IADT partners Dr. Irene Connolly and Marian McDonnell, provided participants with a series of interactive talks and a browse through the functionality of the DisAbuse Project technologies (i.e. websites and the YouTube Channel).
ABC’s Prof. James O’Higgins Norman hosted several UNESCO talks including introducing Christophe Cornu who presented some key findings from the new UNESCO global report on
the nature, scope, drivers and consequences of bullying. This report is the first of its kind that collates data from over 144 countries and territories to inform antibullying policy and legislation on a global scale.
Dr. Catherine Stapleton presented on her work around institutional and religious based bullying in schools.
Research and policy aside, the ABC and DCU awarded the distinguished Prof. Mona O’Moore with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Gala Dinner held in Clontarf Castle Hotel (see image below). Without Mona’s dedication to antibullying research, policy and practice, the ABC could not have thrived as a research and resource centre.
Several other industry and organisational sessions by Facebook, Vodafone, Webwise, Bulldog Solutions, McAfee and Comhairle na nÓg also delivered their input into how they tackle bullying and promoted online safety within their industries.
The World Anti Bullying Forum 2019 was indeed a successful and stimulating conference for all involved. The ABC thanked all other stakeholders involved including the conference organizers and the young people of Foróige and Larkin Community College at the closing ceremony. More updates and a picture gallery to come.
