Hi, I am a 48 year old mature student studying a degree program in Spatial Planning with DIT, Dublin. I was asked to participate as a student in the submission for the MACJANNET PRIZE and was delighted when the program was awarded third-place. I am honoured to be the student representative of the team attending The Talloires Conference along with Dr. Tommy Cooke and Dr. Catherine Bates.

I graduated from the Mature Student Access Course 2009/10 which is part of Community Links Program at the Dublin Institute of Technology (Ireland) and is an institute-wide program whose goals are to aid in the alleviation of educational disadvantage, widen participation and enhance civic engagement, particularly in inner city Dublin, although some of the programmes operate at national and international levels.

I consider myself a ‘Dub’ living in various areas within the city but also spent some time in Canada where my daughter Niamh was born. David, my partner, is a sculptor who gives me my love art and means that most holidays are spent in Gallery’s in various cities in Europe and USA. I enjoy various types of music and books but presently love being part of the student body of DIT. I am involved with the Students Union both as class rep, governing councillor and mature student ambassador.

I am blogging for the first time ever and although the above is rather formal, I hope to bring an informal tone to my blog. I am looking forward to meeting a varied bunch of people and letting you know all about them. Hearing inspirational speakers and relaying the effect they have on me. Finding out how we can all get more involved with the Talloires Network within our own sphere as well as on a global scale.