Academic Coordinator

It is a pleasure to write a short note accompanying the fifth edition of the SOCIAL SCIENCES STUDENT JOURNAL of the SSESW.

Since taking over the role as Academic Coordinator I saw the growing interest of students in contributing to this – their own – journal and the continued effort of Kelly Razey to communicate with students, me and our reviewers to keep the ball rolling. It is sad to see Kelly moving on as it was wonderful working with her. Thanks so much, Kelly, without you the Journal would not be in the very good state it is!

But after years of devotion, it is time to pass on the pen to another student. The good news, Saffron Baker, who was assisting Kelly all along, will be the new editor. Welcome, Saffron!

A special thanks also goes to all my colleagues, who as peer reviewers helped to advice the individual student on how to improve their work further turning them into readable publications. And, of course, thanks to our Head of School, Professor Daniel Mujs, for supporting the project!

Just as a reminder, the idea of this journal is to showcase what our students achieve in their courses; the themes range from ‘the situation of disabled people and they way they are treated in society’, to ‘the overcrowding in prisons and its impact on the safety of staff in Northern Ireland’, for example.

I hope you enjoy reading the different pieces and we wish that our readers, you students, are encouraged to submit your essays, too, for future editions.

Dr Ulrike Vieten  

9th June 2025