CSAReps project presented at the Research Ireland – European Research Council Forum
Listen to the 10-minute recording of the presentation on our Spotify or by clicking the play button at the end of this page.
On June 24th, 2026, Dr. Ailise Bulfin, CSAReps project’s Principal Investigator, presented at the “Forum on the Future and Impact of European Research, Science and Technology”.
Organized by Research Ireland, this important event hosted the President of the European Research Council (ERC) and welcomed the Scientific Council of the ERC to Ireland for the first time, ahead of Ireland taking up the EU Presidency this year. The event brought together Ireland-based ERC principal investigators (PIs), research professionals and industry leaders for a discussion on the trajectory of European research and innovation. Dr. Bulfin was invited to contribute one of a series of flashtalks given by ERC PIs during the event. She was delighted to have the opportunity to introduce the team, comprising Caroline Dunne, Victoria Pöhls, Dr. Giulia Scapin, and Olivia Susilo, and present our project’s vital mission and preliminary findings to this multidisciplinary audience.
Addressing a Crisis in the Digital Age
During her presentation, Dr. Bulfin highlighted the urgency surrounding child sexual abuse (CSA) and the high volume of cases globally. While prevention efforts have evolved, the rapid advancement of technology has introduced complex challenges. To illustrate the scale of this issue, Dr. Bulfin shared a worrisome statistic from a recent study:
Dr. Bulfin pointed out that despite this increasing prevalence, society is still not willing to engage with CSA and do the vital prevention work that is needed. This is exactly where the CSAReps project aims to bridge the gap, as one place we do engage with CSA is in cultural works. CSA is widely represented across contemporary fiction which actively engages with both myths and realities surrounding CSA and its impact on victims/survivors. By analyzing these cultural representations, CSAReps aims to provide critical insights into how society perceives CSA and resources for advocacy work.
The Ripple Effect of ERC Funding
Beyond the financial support, Dr. Bulfin shared about how securing an ERC grant can open doors to an array of possibilities, including:
– Connecting Multidisciplinary Researchers: Creating a collaborative network where stakeholders and researchers from various fields can explore and respond to complex social issues together.
– Enriching Cultural Understanding: Dr. Bulfin discussed how a number of Irish-based literary and cultural ERC projects are deepening our insight into how social and cultural ideas are represented and received through literature and media.
Looking Ahead
The Research Ireland Forum was a powerful reminder that addressing complex societal harms requires a collective effort. Through the support of the ERC and the dedication of our research, practice and lived experience communities, CSAReps aims to not only contribute to the academic community, but to foster more support for CSA victims/survivors.
We warmly thank Research Ireland for hosting this important event, and all the attendees who shared their research insights and reflections.
Written by Olivia Susilo | Research Assistant and Dr. Ailise Bulfin | Principal Investigator