Academic biography

I have wide and diverse experience of leading and implementing initiatives aimed at improving educational outcomes for children and young people and working towards inclusive schools.

For 15 years, within Tusla Education Support Service, I led the development and implementation of a range of prevention and implementation programmes across 10 DEIS primary and post-primary schools, supporting educational and socioemotional outcomes for children and young people who are most at risk of exclusion from formal education. From this role, I was seconded to a national role in Tusla Education Support Service to support the scale-up and adaptation of a LifeSkills Programme across 120+ primary schools in Ireland.

Throughout my career I worked with stakeholders from across the education system, and across sectors and disciplines, establishing and implementing many intersectoral initiatives, for example Speech and Language Therapy in Schools Project in collaboration with Trinity College and HSE Primary Care. I have dual qualifications in both Education (PhD, DCU) and Health (CORU registered Speech and Language Therapist).

I have expertise and qualifications in the field of Implementation Science (PGCert, TCD) and a genuine interest in addressing the ‘implementation gap’ in education, knowledge translation, evaluations of the processes by which outcomes are achieved, and an overall analysis of implementation structures, barriers, and enablers. As an Associate Quality Specialist with Childhood Development Initiative, I have worked on various national evaluations and reviews, and in designing and delivering national training in quality implementation for professionals in child and family sector.  

I have experience and interest in promoting and conducting collaborative, engaged research and promoting new ways for people to work and new ways for people to work together.