Liam Coen
Liam Coen (BA, M.Litt) began working with the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre in 2006 and formally joined from the School of Political Science and Sociology in July 2007. Previously, Liam taught public and social policy at the National University of Ireland, Galway and the University of Limerick. Past research interests have included the Irish administrative system with specific reference to the reform of local government and the transition to local governance; and the governance of the Irish health system.
He currently participates in a number of Centre projects, including: an evaluation of a family preservation model being implemented in two Irish counties; an evaluation of a treatment foster care programme; a process evaluation of a child development initiative in Dublin; and examining the impact of the Youth Café Initiative in Ireland.
Liam's current research interests include the application of public administration and public policy concepts and their implications for debates about governance. Specific pieces of work include: co-production as a method of user participation; street-level bureaucracy and family support; outcomes and indicators as planning tools for policy makers and service deliverers; and the activation of welfare payment recepients in austere economic times. He has peer-reviewed international journal articles in many of these areas. His PhD research explores the concept of the street-level bureaucrat as it applies to family support workers, and activities undertaken by these actors when working in a policy area which is ambiguous.
Selected Publications
Coen, L. & Kearns, N (2013 in press) 'Co-Producing Innovation or Innovating Co-Production? Responding to the Contact Needs of Non-Resident Parents in the Republic of Ireland', Child & Family Social Work. Published online: 10.1111/j.1365-2206.2011.00823.x
Millar, M., Coen, L., Bradley, C. & Rau, H. (2012) "Doing the Job as a Parent": Parenting Alone, Work, and Family Policy in Ireland, Journal of Family Issues, 33 (1), pp. 29-51.
Canavan, J., Coen, L., Dolan, P. & White, L. (2009) Privileging Practice: Facing the Challenges of Integrated Working for Outcomes for Children, Children & Society, 23 (5), pp. 377-388.
Coen, L., Canavan, J. & Dolan, P. (2008) Literature Review for Integrated Planning for Improved Outcomes for Children and Families. Project commissioned by Cooperation and Working Together. Derry: Cooperation and Working Together (CAWT)'
Reports
Coen, L. & Canavan, J. (2012) Globe: All Ireland Programme for Immigrant Parents. Final Evaluation Report, Galway: UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, NUI Galway.
Forkan, C., Canavan, J., Dolan, P., Bradley, C., Brady, B., Carty, C., Coen, L., Devaney, C., Kearns, N., Kenny, A., Merriman, B. & O’Regan, C. (2010) Youth Cafés in Ireland: A Best Practice Guide. Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Dublin: The Stationary Office.
Coen, L. & Kearns, N. (2008) Time4Us, Evaluation Report, Galway: UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, NUI Galway and Time4Us Ltd.
Kearns, N., Coen, L. & Canavan, J. (2008) Domestic Violence in Ireland: an Overview of National Strategic Policy and Relevant International Literature on Prevention and Intervention Initiatives in Service Provision, Galway: UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, NUI Galway (Internal report for the HSE).
Coen, L. Canavan, J. & Dolan, P., (2008) Framework for Integrated Planning for Improved Outcomes for Children and Families. Project commissioned by Cooperation and Working Together. Derry: Cooperation and Working Together (CAWT).
Selected Conferences
Coen, L. and Kearns, N. (2011) The Right to Parent(s)? Non-Resident Parenting and Welfare State Provision in Ireland. European Social Policy Analysis Network (ESPANET) Conference, University of Valencia, Spain, September 8th-10th 2011.
Coen, L. and Kearns, N. (2010) A Service Response to Changes in Family Structures: the Case of an Innovative Model of Support for Separated Families in the Republic of Ireland. Paper presented at the 3rd International Conference of the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships, University of Edinburgh, 16th-18th June 2010.
Coen, L., Millar, M., Rau, H. and Bradley, C. (2008) Doing the Job of a Single Parent: Findings from Research into the Labour Market Needs of Those Parenting Alone in Galway City and County. Paper presented to the Sociological Association of Ireland annual conference, NUI, Galway 9th -11th May, 2008.
