February 2024
Tell me about the research you are working on?
I am completing a PhD thesis on cross-sectoral collaboration, with a primary focus on what makes cross-sectoral groups more effective in achieving their aims. I am specifically looking at local authority-led Housing and Disability Steering groups. My research has found that when a group has shared goals and mutual support between members, they are likely to be more effective. Also, members of the group must be personally committed to achieving the goals and working with others.
Why is this research important?
Collaborative, cross-sectoral groups have become increasingly prevalent in relation to the management of complex social issues. As societies face increasingly complex problems such as biodiversity loss, climate change adaptation, and emergency preparedness and management, among others, collaborative approaches will become increasingly important. Hierarchical or ‘siloed’ approaches to management will not work in these structures.
Have you come across any challenges in carrying out this research?
Much of the data collection was carried out as Ireland was emerging from Covid-19 lockdowns and the groups had not met in person for almost two years. There is plenty of evidence from existing studies to suggest that online groups can be productive and effective when the members of the group have already established an in-person working relationship. Evidence shows that groups are less likely to be effective when their first interaction is online.
How can this research be used to influence housing policy or practice?
To be effective, public managers, tasked with responsibility for cross-sectoral or interagency structures, need to go beyond a simple information-exchanging process. Groups need to engage at a deeper level, understand the importance of their contribution to the group, as well as the significance of their role in achieving better outcomes for stakeholders.
What is an interesting piece of housing research you have read recently? Irish or international.
I read a very interesting article about the experience of Portland (Oregon) in responding to a growing homeless crisis by gradually accepting and eventually embracing a model of informal housing that had developed in the city. Over time, public policies on homelessness, as part of the Street to Shelter Continuum, accepted a model of homeless villages. These ‘villages’ were each composed of a dozen tiny homes, equipped with on-site social services. They were initially considered as illegal but eventually became part of the shelter infrastructure, led by public authorities and operated by non-profits.
You can find this research piece here - Margier, A., 2023. The institutionalization of ‘tiny home’villages in Portland: Innovative solution to address homelessness or preclusion of radical housing practices?. Cities, 137, p.104333.
Sinéad’s research will be completed in Q2 2024. You can read some of her research which has already been published in Shannon, S. and Rhodes, M.L., 2023. The role of shared identity in effective governance networks. In A Modern Guide to Networks (pp. 166-190). Edward Elgar Publishing.