Collaborators and External Advisors

Adjunct Faculty

Visiting Academics and Researchers

Dr Annelies Kamp

Professor Annelies Kamp is a distinguished educator and researcher with extensive experience in educational leadership, community and work-based learning, and further education and training (FET) teacher education. Formerly based at Dublin City University (DCU), she played a pivotal role in developing community and work-based learning initiatives that significantly influenced the design of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) for FET teachers in Ireland. Her work at DCU contributed to shaping innovative FET teaching methodologies, embedding real-world learning experiences into professional training programmes.

Currently, Professor Kamp is an Associate Professor of Leadership at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, where her research focuses on collaborative leadership, critical youth studies, and educational policy. She remains a valued advisor and friend to FETRC, offering ongoing insights into policy, practice, and research developments in vocational and further education. Her work continues to inspire FET educators and policymakers, particularly in the areas of applied learning, industry engagement, and learner agency.

Professor Silvia Nikolaeva

Professor Silvia Nikolaeva is the Head of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation in Non-formal Education at the Faculty of Education, Sofia University. She is an expert in foundations of non-formal education, European educational policy, and programme development. Her research focuses on the intersections between formal and non-formal learning, with a particular emphasis on connectivity, continuity, and the evolving role of alternative education pathways. As part of the BSc in Education and Training programme, Professor Nikolaeva delivered a guest lecture for FETRC on Dynamics of Connectivity and Continuity Between Formal and Non-Formal Education: The Case of Bulgaria. Her session explored historical traditions and emerging trends in Bulgarian education, highlighting how synergies between formal and non-formal education can empower learners and enhance lifelong learning opportunities. She also examined current paradigms in connectivity and continuity, offering insights into innovative approaches for integrating diverse learning experiences.

Claudia Trajan 

In 2016, Claudia Trajan, an educator from West Palm Beach, Florida, visited the Further Education and Training Research Centre (FETRC) at DCU to explore Ireland’s education system, particularly in the areas of further education, teacher training, and work-based learning. Her visit aimed to exchange insights on educational policy and practice, with a focus on how FET pathways in Ireland could inform discussions on vocational and technical education in the United States.

During her time at FETRC, Claudia engaged in discussions with academic staff and researchers, learning about the Initial Teacher Education (ITE) model for FET teachers, the role of community-based learning, and Ireland’s evolving approach to access, transfer, and progression (ATP). In turn, she shared perspectives on the U.S. education system, curriculum development, and student engagement strategies.

The visit reinforced the importance of international collaboration in education, fostering greater mutual understanding between FET in Ireland and vocational education in the U.S.. The exchange contributed to ongoing discussions on bridging global education models, ensuring that best practices can be shared across borders to support both educators and learners.

Dr Karin Pekarchik

Dr Karin Pekarchik, a researcher and educator at the University of Kentucky, has been engaged in discussions with FETRC at DCU about potential collaborations in the areas of work-based learning (WBL), education abroad programmes, and lifelong learning. In 2016, she met with Dr Justin Rami and Dr Trudy Corrigan to explore synergies between vocational education, technical systems management, and experiential learning models in Ireland and the U.S. Following their initial discussions, Dr Pekarchik has continued to develop innovative educational initiatives, including digital storytelling-based study abroad programmes and research on female equestrian health and wellness across the lifespan. She has also been involved in international collaborations related to technology-enhanced learning and applied research in gerontology. Her work aligns with FETRC’s commitment to interdisciplinary and applied research, particularly in the context of vocational training, lifelong learning, and international partnerships. While no formal projects have been initiated, the potential for future collaboration remains open, particularly in areas such as work-based learning, digital education, and applied research in sports science and wellness.

Professor Matt O’Leary 

Leads the research centre on Practice and Culture in Education (CSPACE) at Birmingham City University. His research focuses on education policy, professional learning, and teacher development, particularly within further and higher education (FE and HE). He is internationally recognised for his groundbreaking work on classroom observation, which has influenced education policy and practice in the UK and beyond, leading to significant reforms such as the removal of graded lesson observations from Ofsted’s inspection framework.

In October 2017, Professor O’Leary was invited by FETRC at DCU to deliver a keynote address at the FET2HE Conference on Learning from the Further Education Sector in the UK. His presentation provided critical insights into best practices in the UK’s FE sector, particularly regarding progression pathways, quality assurance, and policy developments relevant to Ireland’s efforts to bridge FET and HE.

Beyond his role as a keynote speaker, Professor O’Leary co-authored a seminal book chapter with Dr Justin Rami titled: Rami, J., O’Leary, M. (2017) 'The Impact of Austerity in Further Education: Cross-Cultural Perspectives from England and Ireland' in Brendan Bartram (Ed.) International and Comparative Education. United Kingdom: Taylor and Francis/Routledge (Chapter 7), ISBN 9781138681583.

This chapter examines the effects of austerity on further education in both England and Ireland, highlighting the financial constraints, policy shifts, and structural changes that have shaped vocational education in both jurisdictions. The research offers a comparative perspective, contributing to international discussions on education reform, funding challenges, and policy-driven transformations in vocational education.

Professor O’Leary remains a trusted advisor and collaborator with FETRC, supporting its research on vocational education, teacher development, and assessment practices. His work continues to inform evidence-based policy and practice in both Ireland and the UK, ensuring that FE practitioners and policymakers benefit from internationally recognised research and innovation.

Dr Andrew McCoshan 

Dr Andrew McCoshan has over 30 years of experience as a researcher, consultant, and facilitator in vocational education and training (VET). He works as an independent consultant at the European level, advising EU institutions on VET policy, innovation, and digitalisation. He has contributed to key European Commission working groups on apprenticeships, teacher training, and work-based learning and played a leading role in the mapping of Centres of Vocational Excellence across Europe.

Dr McCoshan has collaborated with FETRC at DCU on research related to VET policy, skills development, and the future of work. His expertise in learning outcomes, apprenticeships, and green skills aligns with FETRC’s focus on further education and its links to higher education and industry. He remains an advisor and key collaborator, contributing to evidence-based policy and best practices in vocational education.

During 2025, Dr Justin Rami is collaborating with Dr McCoshan as a respondent in the Cedefop Learning Outcomes Project, which aims to develop European-level guidelines for policymakers and practitioners. This initiative seeks to enhance professional development, refine learning outcomes design, and influence education policy across Europe.

Dr McCoshan holds a PhD from the London School of Economics (LSE) and an MA from the University of Cambridge.

Dr Dermot Stokes 

Dr Dermot Stokes served two terms as Adjunct Professor with FETRC at DCU, where he contributed extensively to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, research, and policy development in Further Education and Training (FET). A highly regarded expert in FET and vocational education policy, he played a pivotal role in shaping Ireland’s FET sector, particularly through his leadership of the Youthreach programme from its inception in 1988 until his retirement in 2012.

His inaugural Adjunct Professor lecture in February 2016, titled Where the High Road Meets the Low Road: Reflections on Policy, Practice, and Research in FET in Ireland, remains a seminal contribution to FET scholarship, widely cited in policy and research circles across Ireland and Europe. His career has spanned roles as a teacher, curriculum developer, researcher, and advisor to national and international bodies, including the OECD and the European Commission.

Dr Stokes' expertise continues to influence the evolution of FET policy and practice, particularly in areas such as youth transitions, work-based learning, and lifelong education. His long-standing association with FETRC has been instrumental in advancing evidence-based policy and research to enhance access, equity, and progression within the education system.