Colette Colfer

Background

About Colette Colfer

Lecturer in world religions, critical thinking, and social ethics at South East Technological University (SETU), Ireland. Former journalist. Award winning radio producer. Member of the Heterodox Academy. Research MA thesis: ‘Islam in Ireland: Adaptation & Integration’. Fasted for Ramadan in Dublin in 2013 and spoke and wrote widely about the experience on national print and broadcast media. Organised one hugely successful World Hijab Day in Waterford Institute of Technology (2017) and participated in another - with the aim to build bridges between communities. Contributor to ‘Yearbook of Muslims in Europe, Volume 7’ (wrote the chapter on Ireland). Organised national launch of a Muslim peace and integration organisation. Completed two post-grad certificates on the Holocaust (one with UCD in 2022-2023 and one with Trinity College Dublin in 2011-2012), both in association with Holocaust Education Ireland. Organised public talk of Holocaust survivor Tomi Reichental at WIT and produced a series of radio documentaries (broadcast on WLRfm) to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The series was based on interviews with Tomi. Articles on a range of topics published in the Irish Times, Irish Examiner, Broadsheet.ie, Village Magazine, The Critic, Genspect. Documentaries broadcast on, and news reporter with, WLRfm, Newstalk, South East Radio. Broadcast journalist for a time with Tippfm. Poetry published in print and online publications. New Irish Writing March 2019 winner. Runner-up Patrick Kavanagh Award 2019. Recipient ‘Mary Raftery Journalism Fund’, 2013. Recipient ‘Certificate of Media Initiative: Media and Multicultural Awards’ (MAMA) 2005 for radio programme ‘African Voices’. Broadcasting Commission of Ireland ‘New Adventures in Broadcasting Award’ 2005 for radio series ‘Waterford Faces and Faiths’ (six-part series broadcast on WLRfm) Phonographic Performance Ireland (PPI) Award 2004 (Community Focus) for radio programme ‘How are EU?’ Broadcast on WLRfm Former managing editor of The Event Guide (Dublin)(1990s). Podcast Spokes - presenter and co-producer - 2020-2021. Organiser and host of Spokes Open Mic and Poetry nights at Phil Grimes pub, Waterford city c.2018-2022. Poems: Poetry Ireland Review, Southword, The Moth, Crannóg, The Irish Times New Irish Writing, Skylight 47, The Poets’ Republic, Stony Thursday Book, The Poetry File on Lyric FM, Dreich, Flare, Unbridled (women’s poetry anthology edited by Magi Gibson).