Dr Ger Coffey has published an article titled 'An Investigation into the Essence of Short-Term Experiential Learning Field Trips to an Operational Prison'

Dr Ger Coffey of the Centre for Crime, Justice and Victim Studies, School of Law, has published an article titled "An Investigation into the Essence of Short-Term Experiential Learning Field Trips to an Operational Prison" in (2026) 13(4) Athens Journal of Education, 675-702, a Scopus-indexed journal.

This article addresses an empirical gap in Irish higher education regarding the efficacy of short-term field trips as an experiential learning strategy for criminal justice students. While legal and criminal justice pedagogy heavily relies on traditional academic seminars, theoretical instruction can often feel disconnected from operational realities. 

This study aims to bridge this pedagogical divide by evaluating student learning experiences during a site visit to an operational prison. Utilising a thematic analysis of qualitative data gathered from semi-structured student interviews, the findings demonstrate that immersive, active learning environments serve as a catalyst for developing a nuanced and adaptable understanding of the discipline, achieving a level of contextualisation that conventional academic seminars cannot replicate. 

Finally, the article navigates the unique methodological and logistical challenges of conducting research within high-security environments, detailing constraints such as limited duration and strict security protocols that restricted conventional active-learning documentation methods.