228. SJI Interviews Ep.136: Alternatives to Violence Project Ireland with Lisa Oelschlegel and Robert Cullen

Lisa Oelschlegel is the Coordinator of the Alternatives to Violence Project in Ireland, where she supports volunteers delivering workshops in Irish prisons on conflict transformation and nonviolent approaches. She has a background in peace and conflict studies and psychology, and brings over ten years of experience working across international development cooperation, local NGOs, and the academic sector across Europe and Latin America, with a focus on mental health and psychosocial support, migration, gender, inclusion, and diversity. Her work centres on supporting inclusive, community-led approaches to social change.

Robert Cullen is a past participant of the AVP Project. He is currently studying towards an MA in Criminology at UCC and is the project lead for Success Stories in Ireland. 

They chat with Susanne Rogers about the work of AVP and the transformative impact it has on individuals and communities. They discuss the systemic and individual responses to how masculinity is to be expressed, how patriarchy and violence interact and how alternatives can be found. 

We also touch on Robert's separate work with Success Stories and recent research with the IPRT.  

The Alternatives to Violence Project AVP Ireland

Robert was peer researcher on this project with the Irish Penal Reform Trust: From Punishment to Prevention: Poverty, Inequality and Pathways into the Irish Criminal Justice System