Promoting Reflexivity in Masters Research: Reflections on a 20-Year Teaching Partnership between Maynooth University and the Irish Defence Forces

Abstract

This paper serves as an introduction to this second edition of the Journal of Military History and Defence Studies. It explains the origin and nature of the educational partnership that exists between the Irish Defence Forces and Maynooth University. In particular, it focuses on the MA in Leadership, Management and Defence Studies (LMDS), a masters level postgraduate qualification embedded into the Joint Command and Staff Course. It discusses the philosophy that underpins the programme, emphasising the ways in which it seeks to enhance the students' capacity for reflexivity and criticality, before introducing each contribution in this edition, all of which are based on research undertaken as part of the MA in LMDS.

Please note that the views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and should not be taken to represent the views of the Irish Defence Forces, the Command and Staff School or any other group or organisation.