All posts by Graeme Duffey

Career Reflections

Dublin Career Reflection

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Despite only staying in Dublin for eight days, the trip holds memories that will last a lifetime. Outside of academic and career-building opportunities, the trip formed a bond with my classmates stronger than I ever believed was possible. Every step of the way, the 16 of us were side by side exploring the city. From hiking the cliffs of Howth to grabbing late-night pints together, this trip was one for the ages.

We somehow captured the perfect blend of fun and learning (which often ended up being fun too!).

Something that kept coming back to me when thinking about my career was that you don’t necessarily have to love the industry you’re working in. It is more so the environment an organization and its employees foster that makes the difference.

At first, I shrugged off the idea of meeting with Allied Irish Bank. I tried to stay open-minded, but I couldn’t ignore the thought that banking wasn’t for me. But if we truly think about it, who grows up desperately wanting to work at a bank? Almost no one.

I learned to keep my options open and to connect with whoever caught my attention. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the flashy agency work of Thinkhouse, but those positions will be hard to come by.

My other big takeaway came from our conversation with Maisie Lynch of Alice PR. Her work on the “Game Changer” campaign with Ruhama and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).

Just because two organizations have very different goals does not mean they don’t have a similar target audience and an opportunity to do good. Using the same male audience aged 18–35, Alice PR, Ruhama, and the GAA leveraged the positive values of Gaelic sports to raise awareness about gender and sex-based violence. The genius connection of sportsmanship and protecting/caring for one another is as authentic as it gets.

Finally, I’d like to return to the idea of authenticity—the foundation of this entire course. When an organization takes pride in the work they are doing and ensures it’s specific and measurable, the results follow. All of the professionals we met with had examples of this.

Thinkhouse noted that they turned down a substantial offer from Shein, as a fast-fashion brand could never truly align with their values.

Allied Irish Bank emphasized that they did not want to simply check a box to satisfy regulations but instead had a genuine desire to take positive environmental steps.

These are just a few of the examples.

In short, our trip to Ireland was a personal and professional success. I made great friends along the way and met with some of the most inspiring organizations I’ve come across. I look forward to keeping in touch with everyone in the future!

– Graeme Duffey

Dublin On Your Own

Inked in Dublin

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One of the things I love most is getting tattooed. This may sound weird because most people dread getting tattooed, but I find the process to be beautiful in a way. It’s definitely painful; however, it’s part of the art.

I immediately researched tattoo culture, shops, and artists in Ireland once our trip was confirmed. I found a plethora of shops in the nearby Temple Bar area. Some were good. Most were bad.

I only get American Traditional tattoos, so finding an artist who specializes in this was harder than I initially anticipated. Irish tattooing has deep cultural roots with very specific imagery. I bet most of you have seen or know someone with a Celtic cross tattoo. Celtic tattoos can be traced back to ancient times and still live on today.

Luckily, I found a fantastic artist who specializes in American traditional tattooing: Rodrigo Gomes of Stay True Tattooing. Rodrigo often includes Irish imagery, but does not shy away from a classic trad design. I messaged Rodrigo, and he fit me into his books for Tuesday, August 12.

The day of my appointment quickly approached. We had just listened to a wonderful presentation at Allied Irish Bank, and now it was time to get euros and a bite to eat beforehand.

Conveniently enough, Stay True Tattooing is only a five-minute walk from our hostel. I scarfed down a burger and was on my way.

I stepped into the shop and was quickly greeted by Black, the shop owner’s beautiful greyhound.

Just look at this good boy!

Rodrigo had to take some time to get his station in order, but I was happy to wait in the lobby and give Black some belly rubs.

Taking a look around the shop was a magnificent combination of American traditional flash, Japanese art, and pieces of Irish pop culture.

Check out this authentic Kneecap balaclava!

The wait was now over, and I still hadn’t decided what I was going to get. As a heavily tattooed person already, this is fairly common. Many people pick flash off the wall the day of the appointment. I think it’s nice to have somewhat of an idea, but seeing the hand-painted designs always hooks me.

Rodrigo had recently painted a Guinness-themed flash sheet, and I originally planned on getting something from it. However, I instantly fell in love with a Hannya mask he had just finished painting that day.

We got it stenciled up on my left leg, making it time to get started. We began getting to know each other and bonded over our fondness for the cool Irish weather.

Rodrigo moved to Ireland just last year from Brazil, which sure is hot. He has set out on a plan to tattoo around the world, with Ireland being his first stop. We discussed traveling around the world, the tattoo culture in Ireland, the best pubs in town, and his favorite restaurants in the area.

He recommended a Turkish street food spot just down the road called Chiya. A few of my classmates and I gave it a try the next day. We loved it so much, we went back the next day!

We were nearing the end of the appointment, and we were both stoked on how the tattoo was coming out. First, the lines, then the black shading, and finally the vibrant red and yellow.

After about an hour and 15 minutes, the tattoo was complete. He snapped a few photos, and I was on my way. Here’s the result!

Rodrigo and I have kept since our session, as he hopes to come tattoo in America soon. I’m so glad I took the chance with a new artist and made a buddy along the way. I hope to see Rodrigo again in the future!

– Graeme Duffey

CSR in the Wild

CSR, Advocacy or Sustainability Communication Scavenger Hunt

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Finding the right image for this task was not easy. On just about every walk through Dublin, I noticed some kind of CSR or sustainability initiative. While some were much stronger than others, the approach felt distinctly different from that in the U.S.

The above photo was taken during our tour of Airfield Estate. While the setup is simple, the details in the messaging make it a strong example of sustainability. We’ve all seen sorted trash before, but what makes this different?

Firstly, it is clear to the user which items should be disposed of in each bin. The graphics and color coding reduce the risk of improper disposal.

Additionally, there is an underlying message about the goods Airfield Estate promotes to its visitors. The ‘Black Bin’ carries a negative message, highlighting the amount of waste people in Ireland produce each year. In contrast, the ‘Brown Bin’ emphasizes a positive outcome, noting that compostable items can break down into soil within 180 days.

As a sustainable farm, this messaging ties back to Airfield Estate’s sustainable business goals. The more compostable items visitors consume, the more nutritious the soil for the farm.

It’s better for the farm, the visitors, and the environment.

Professional Visits, Workshops, etc.

Authentic CSR in Action: Our Visit with Alice PR

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“I think this might be the most people we’ve ever had in this boardroom!” said Niamh Breathnach, Deputy CEO of Alice PR. It was then that I realized how impactful a small team of motivated comms people can truly be. With just 13 core employees, Alice PR has made remarkable strides in the non-profit and charity sector of public relations.

On Wednesday, August 13 2025, our class had the privilege to meet with Alice PR in Dublin, Ireland. When moving through each campaign the team completed, I was stunned by the variety and cohesiveness of their work. Despite collaborating with so many different organizations, they all have a common theme that relates back to the values of those who work there. I noticed a consistent tone and voice in every campaign they produced—something I look forward to honing in my own work.

The “Game Changer” campaign was a brilliant example of authentic corporate social responsibility (CSR), combining the draw of Gaelic sports with a social issue deeply relevant to the Gaelic Athletic Association’s (GAA) core audience. Allowing GAA fans to learn about gender violence while they enjoy the games they love is the definition of good CSR.

We concluded our visit by developing three national awareness campaigns based on a provided brief, which perfectly aligned with what we had been learning over the past few weeks. Working under a time constraint and pitching our ideas proved to be an incredibly valuable exercise with real-world scenarios. I was personally so happy to hear everyone’s different but well-thought-out suggestions.

Getting a glimpse into international agency work was fascinating to me, and I am thrilled to continue following their work and having Alice PR as a connection!

– Graeme Duffey

Professional Visits, Workshops, etc.

The Pressure Is On But The Rewards Are Endless: A Visit With Allied Irish Bank & Goodbody Clearstream

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Stepping through the largest revolving glass door I’ve ever seen, I was immediately struck by a wave of pressure. Allied Irish Bank (AIB), one of Ireland’s “big four” banks, has an imposing presence—but this isn’t the kind of pressure I’m referring to in the title.

The pressure comes from the extensive EU sustainability regulations organizations like AIB must follow, and the reward is the long-term benefit to our people and our planet.

We began our meeting with a discussion of the two major directives AIB follows: The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

While some organizations might panic and oppose such heavy legislation, I was inspired by how positively our speakers spoke of them. They were not just ticking a box; they wanted real change.

I asked Paul Kelly of AIB and Katie Heston of Goodbody Clearstream what change they would like to see in the next 10 years in terms of sustainability regulation in the EU. Their responses both mentioned having a genuine desire for sustainable practices and reporting, rather than simply following rules. This is something I’d love to be adopted into the U.S., as it’s clear a large chunk of our sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives are performative and not measurable.

Despite not necessarily seeing myself working in the banking industry, I left AIB with a stronger grasp on how to implement meaningful sustainability campaigns in other professional settings.

I Can’t wait for own next trip!

– Graeme Duffey

Meet Our Bloggers

Fáilte! – Graeme’s Blogger Intro

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Hi Everyone!

My name is Graeme Duffey, and I cannot wait to embark on our journey to Dublin, Ireland! I am a rising senior at Temple University, studying public relations. Having never traveled outside of North America, I am so excited for what is to come.

After declaring my major late later than most, I had little expectation of getting a full study abroad experience. However, Klein GO’s latest early start program, Fair Play: Corporate Social Responsibility + Sustainability in Dublin, reopened that door. I’ve always dreamed of visiting Ireland, and this opportunity allows me to explore how sustainability is approached overseas. As someone passionate about building a career in sustainable business practices, this trip aligns closely with both my academic and personal goals.

In my free time, I try to attend as many concerts as possible and spend quality time with my friends and family. These things have a tendency to overlap. Some of my favorite artists I’ve had the pleasure of seeing live include MJ Lenderman, Alex G, Wilco, and Dublin’s very own Fontaines D.C.! I hope to see some live music on our trip!

Outside of music, I have a passion for vintage clothing, specifically denim and workwear from the ’60s and earlier. Last semester, I started an Internship with Depop, a UK-based company focused on promoting sustainable second-hand fashion. This semester, you can catch me all around Temple’s campus again promoting Depop through sponsored flea markets and other creative events!

I’m also involved in two student organizations at Temple. I serve as the Assistant Conference Coordinator for Temple’s PRSSA chapter and as the Director of Editorial for the Fashion & Business Club.

Some of my plans in Dublin include visiting Howth, getting a fresh tattoo, and enjoying many pints of Guinness! Other than that, my plans are fairly loose. I look forward to updating you all along the way and seeing what everyone else has planned!

Sláinte!