Recent news from Dublin City University in Ireland announced that Dr. Lucy Stone, an Assistant Professor in the School of English, has been awarded the 2025 Research Grant from the International Research Society for Children’s Literature (IRSCL). The grant will enable her to conduct in‑depth archival research for her monograph, “Picturing War: Children’s Representations of Lived Experiences of Displacement in the Nazi Era.” The award underscores the importance of historical child‑centric narratives and positions DCU as a leading institution for literary scholarship.
Scope of the Awarded Project
Dr. Stone’s project focuses on six major archives across Europe and the United States. By examining unpublished juvenilia—drawings, essays, and personal correspondence—from influential writers and illustrators such as Judith Kerr, Tomi Ungerer, Lore Segal, and Milein Cosman, the research seeks to reconstruct how displacement shaped child identity during a turbulent period. The study will compare visual and textual artefacts written in French, German, and English, offering a multilingual perspective on exile, memory, and creative resilience.
Why Children’s Literature Matters in Historical Research
- Children’s voices reflect immediate, lived experience—often unheard in adult‑centric war narratives.
- Artistic expression offers a non‑verbal record of trauma and adaptation that complements written testimonies.
- Historical insights into child authors/illustrators illuminate how personal upheavals influence broader literary trajectories.
How Dublin City University Supports Innovative Scholarship
DCU’s commitment to research excellence is evident in its robust infrastructure: world‑class libraries, multidisciplinary research centres, and a supportive policy framework for grant applications. The university’s network of faculty and students in the School of English fosters interdisciplinary dialogue, enabling projects like Dr. Stone’s to thrive.
Steps for Students Wanting to Replicate This Success
- Define a Narrow, Impactful Question: Dr. Stone’s focus on child‑produced artefacts provided a clear analytical lens.
- Build a Strong Proposal Draft: Outline objectives, methodology, and potential contributions to the field. Seek feedback from mentors early.
- Identify Suitable Funding Sources: Explore national bodies such as the Irish Research Council, EU Horizon programmes, and specialist societies like the IRSCL.
- Leverage Archival Resources: Contact archives in advance, request digitised holdings, and negotiate research visits.
- Draft Budget and Timeline: Provide realistic funding needs and a phased research schedule.
- Request Letters of Support: Academic supervisors and institutional stakeholders add weight to proposals.
Case Study: From Project Proposal to Grant Acceptance
Dr. Stone’s journey illustrates how a well‑structured plan can secure international funding. Notably, her proposal highlighted:
- A multi‑archival comparative analysis that added novelty to the existing literature.
- Explicit methodological steps for processing visual and textual data, ensuring reproducibility.
- Clear scholarly impact—both in terms of published monograph and conference presentations.
- Alignment with IRSCL’s mission to advance children’s literary studies.
During the IRSCL Congress in Salamanca, the committee identified the proposal’s originality and the potential for high‑quality outcomes. The funding success demonstrates the importance of clarity, scope, and institutional backing.
Practical Tips for Staged Research Planning
- Use a Gantt chart to track milestones.
- Plan buffer periods for unforeseen delays in archive access.
- Include data management protocols to comply with open‑access policies.
- Prepare a publication strategy: journal articles, conference papers, and a monograph outline.
Implications for the Future of Children’s Literature Studies
The project’s findings will contribute to several academic streams:
- Historical Memory: How displacement and war are encoded in child creative processes.
- World Literature: Cross‑cultural insights into narratives that transcend national borders.
- Pedagogical Applications: Incorporating historical child art into modern curricula to teach resilience.
Connecting with DCU’s Scholarship Ecosystem
Students and researchers interested in children’s literature should consider engaging with DCU’s extracurricular resources:
- Attend the annual Literature and Religion Symposium (7 November 2025).
- Participate in the School of English’s open seminars on child narratives.
- Explore internship opportunities through the INTRA programme for international exposure.
- Leverage the university’s digital archives for preliminary literature reviews.
Next Steps for Aspiring Scholars
Securing a research grant requires proactive planning, networking, and a strong academic profile. Draw lessons from Dr. Stone’s case and apply them to your own project development.
Learn more about the School of English and its programs that can support your research ambitions.
Have questions about crafting a competitive grant proposal? Write to us today.
Engage With the DCU Community
Share your research ideas or ask for mentorship in the school’s online forums.
Explore related articles on DCU research: Research at DCU and stay updated on upcoming grant calls.
Submit your application today if you aim to become part of Dublin City University’s pioneering research community.
