Welcome to our virtual education expo

Dr. Fergal O'Brien

Assistant Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies at Kemmy Business School, UL

Dr. Fergal O’Brien is Assistant Dean Graduate & Professional Studies at the University of Limerick and Senior Lecturer in Finance at the Kemmy Business School. He holds a PhD in finance from Lancaster University.

Dr. O’Brien is currently working on a number of research projects including the role of tacit knowledge in organisations and risk management strategies in agriculture.

He has been recognised for his teaching by being awarded the Jennifer Burke Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning as part of a University of Limerick team.

Connal Heussaff

Analyst, Commission for Regulation of Utilities

Conall is a science graduate from Dublin. He finished his Leaving Cert in 2013 and went to UCD to study Physics. He completed his degree in 2017 and graduated with a BSc in Theoretical Physics. After a year working in Dublin, he then went on to study Climate Sciences at the University of Bern in Switzerland. Conall is now beginning a career in Irish energy policy, hoping to contribute to the Irish sustainable energy transition in the years to come.

Dr. Paddy Tobin

Head of School, Design & Creative Arts, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology

Dr. Paddy Tobin is the Head of School of Design & Creative Arts at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. The school includes three departments; Creative Arts & Media, Furniture Design & Technology, and Creative Education, at the GMIT Cluain Mhuire (Galway) and Letterfrack campuses.

Paddy joined GMIT in 1996 and has previously been in lecturing, programme chair, and head of department roles. He is also involved in a arrange of other activities, including research projects, industry engagement, social/community projects, new programme development, strategy development, international collaboration, work-integrated learning, and entrepreneurship and regional development initiatives.

Prior to working in GMIT he worked in a variety of industry sectors and positions in Ireland and the USA. He is also a recipient of the GMIT Presidents Award for Teaching Excellence.

Dr. Orla Donoghue

Science Outreach Manager, UCD

Orla Donoghue has a PhD in Chemistry from University College Dublin and thirty years of work experience in areas including pharmaceuticals, clinical trials, biotechnology, IT, science communications and outreach. In this talk, Orla will discuss Science in our everyday lives and how qualifications in Science map to different career opportunities.

John Sweeney

Senior Contracts Manager, Collen Construction

John is a Senior Contracts Manager with Collen Construction and has 40 years’ experience in the construction industry, having worked on various types of projects including schools, offices, residential, industrial, commercial and refurbishment, for both the private and public sectors. John has gained a wide range of practical knowledge, having progressed through the ranks in Collen Construction since his joining in 1981 as an apprentice carpenter. He has experience with tender prequalification submissions and completed tender documentation and is committed to achieving the best possible outcome for both the client and Collen at all times. His excellent communication and listening skills enable a flexible approach towards building a positive rapport with design teams. John has been involved in many award-winning projects over the years, including the IADT project, which received the 2014 Irish Concrete Society Award for Building. He is also responsible for the recruitment and training of apprentice carpenters, with a view to producing home based trade background Site Managers and developing career paths for Collen Site Management team members.

John is a Chartered member of CIOB and past Chairperson of the CIOB Dublin Hub Committee. He has been involved in the management of the CIOB Student Challenge Ireland for the past 6 years and a member of CIOB Ireland Construction Manager of Year Awards (CMYA) organising committee for the past 8 years. He also acts as PR Champion for those in the final stage of their Professional Reviews for CIOB Chartership. He holds an Edexcel Level 7 NVQ Diploma in Construction for Senior Management and Diplomas in Building Technology and Front-Line Management. He sits on the CIF Education, Training and Skills Committee, is a CIF representative on the Solas Carpentry and Joinery Curriculum Review Group and is a Member of the CIF Steering Group for Construction Professionals Skillnet.

Joanne O’Riordan

Activist and Irish Times Sports Journalist

Joanne O’Riordan studied criminology in UCC and is only one of seven people in the world living with a rare physical disability known as Total Amelia. This means she was born without all four limbs and even though there is no medical explanation as to why this happened Joanne or indeed her family has never allowed it to hold her back.

Joanne first gained attention for skipping school to confront then Taoiseach Enda Kenny about his proposed plan to reduce disability funding during his election. In April 2012, she spoke before the UN and challenged the body to create technology to help disabled people such as herself. She was named Young Person of the Year at the People of the Year awards in 2012. Joanne is an activist for people with disabilities, a motivational speaker and a sports columnist with The Irish Times. She appears in the 2013 documentary No Limbs No Limits.

She has used technology to enhance her abilities in both her education and through the wider social environment. She has conquered enormous challenges at home, in school and around her local community. Joanne adapted her life in such a way that it has given her both national and international acclaim. Joanne is now an example to all able bodied and disabled bodies to live very happy, independent, fulfilled lives.

Joanne has challenged the most advanced minds in the world to build her a robot that would become her hands and legs. The challenges she faces everyday get bigger and far greater to overcome. Joanne is an inspiration to others.

David Kenny

Associate Professor of Law, Trinity College Dublin

Dr. David Kenny is an Associate Professor of Law and Fellow at Trinity College Dublin, teaching and researching Irish and comparative constitutional law. He is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, Harvard Law School, and the Honourable Society of the King's Inns, and is an alumnus of the US State Department's Fulbright Programme. He has given expert constitutional testimony to many parliamentary committees and the Citizen's Assembly, and regularly comments on matter of constitutional law in the media.

Joanne Cluxton

Head of Group HR, Mercury

Following the completion of her Leaving Certificate in 2001, Joanne Cluxton was unsure of what course to complete after school and ultimately decided to try a PLC course in Business.

Joanne continued studying for three years, ultimately obtaining a Diploma in Business Management. This course was a great eye opener to all of the various sub-sections of business including Human Resources, Finance, Marketing, Economics etc. While studying, Joanne secured a job in the Property Management sector, working for an Estate Agent. Having spent six years in Property Management, Joanne decided to pursue a career change to HR and commenced a part-time honours degree in Human Resource Management (HRM).

After completing the first year of the HRM course, Joanne successfully applied to Mercury as a HR Administrator. Joanne’s continued professional development was fully supported by Mercury and she moved on to multiple roles within the HR Department, ultimately being promoted to the Head of Group HR. Separately to Joanne’s internal developments, she has also completed a Diploma in Employment Law from the Law Society of Ireland and an Executive MBA from DCU.

As Head of Group HR at Mercury, Joanne is responsible for leading and managing the HR Team to support almost 3,000 employees in over 10 different countries across Ireland, UK, and continental Europe. Joanne’s current role covers all aspects of Human Resources for the Group including Leadership Development, Talent Management, Succession Planning, Labour Relations, Employment Law Compliance, Employee Relations, Training & Development, Compensation and Performance Management.

Dr. Seán T. Ruane

Lecturer, Shannon College of Hotel Management

Dr Seán T. Ruane is employed as a lecturer in Management, Strategy, and Tourism at Shannon College in Ireland. In his position as an academic, he plays a key role in developing and nurturing young talent. He is the current Head of Food & Beverage Studies at Shannon College. He is also Head of the Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management (ADHM). This programme is delivered in the Republic of Seychelles on behalf of Shannon College and the National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), in academic partnership with the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA).

Dr Ruane is a strategic thinker with a passion for tourism and has a keen interest in people and travel. He is always looking for the next challenge and enjoys spending time around likeminded people. Dr Ruane has a Master’s in Hospitality Management and was awarded a PhD in Tourism by Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) in 2014. His research interests are in the areas of consumer behaviour in travel and tourism and he has published and presented papers on these topics at international conference.

Dr Ruane is a member of the Executive Board of the Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA). He is a past-president of the European Chapter of TTRA and is the current Chairman of the European Chapter Board. During his presidency, he helped to grow the membership of the European Chapter, as well as, contributed to the rebranding of TTRA International.

Sam Sykes

Professional Development Executive, UCAS

Sam joined UCAS in 2016 as a Professional Development Executive. She leads training for teachers, careers advisers and students; and develops training resources to support face-to-face and online learning. Sam is a qualified teacher and prior to joining UCAS worked in secondary education as both a classroom teacher and Head of Department.

Sam is part of a team that has extensive experience of providing training on key issues that impact on progression to higher education. This includes delivering sessions for admissions and recruitment staff working in higher education institutions, sessions for those advising applicants through the admissions process including teachers and careers advisers, and providing sessions to parents and young people on the applications process.

Luke A.J. O'Neill

Professor (Chair of Biochemistry), TCD

Luke O’Neill is Professor of Biochemistry in the School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. He is a world expert on innate immunity and inflammation. His main research interests include Toll-like receptors, Inflammasomes and Immunometabolism. He is listed by Thompson Reuters/ Clarivates in the top 1% of immunologists in the world, based on citations per paper. Professor O'Neill is co-founder of Sitryx, which aims to develop new medicines for inflammatory diseases. Another company he co-founded, Inflazome was recently acquired by Roche.

He was awarded the Royal Dublin Society / Irish Times Boyle Medal for scientific excellence, the Royal Irish Academy Gold Medal for Life Sciences, The Society for Leukocyte Biology (SLB) Dolph O. Adams award, the European Federation of Immunology Societies Medal and in 2018 the Milstein Award of the International Cytokine and Interferon Society. He is a member of the Royal Irish Academy, EMBO (European Molecular Biology Organisation) and a Fellow of the Royal Society.

Luke also has a passion for communicating science to the public. He has a weekly radio slot on the Pat Kenny show on Newstalk. In 2018 he published with Gill the best-selling ‘Humanology: a scientist’s guide to our amazing existence’ and in 2019 Gill published ‘The Great Irish Science Book’, a Science book for 10-12 year olds. His latest book, also published by Gill is called ‘Never Mind the B#ll*cks Here’s the Science’ which won the 2021 Popular Non-Fiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards.

Dr. Anne O'Brien

Head of Department of Media Studies, Associate Professor, Maynooth University

Dr. Anne O’Brien is an Associate Professor in the Department of Media Studies at Maynooth University. She has published a number of articles on the representation of women in radio and television, on women workers in creative industries and examined why women leave careers in screen production. She has undertaken research on community media, examining its social benefit and governance needs in funded projects for the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. She has written about how media produce content on mental ill health, suicide, intimate partner homicide and domestic violence. Her 2019 book explores ‘Women, Inequality and Media Work’ (Routledge) and her most recent co-edited collection explores ‘Media Work, Mothers and Motherhood’ (Routledge, 2021). She has just completed a report for the BAI on Diversity and Inclusion in Irish media industries.

Daniel CM Browne

Founder of the Autistic Spectrum IT/Cyber Security Recruitment Initiative

Daniel graduated with a degree in Information Systems.

After several years of searching for the area of Information Technology that really suited his interests, he is pursuing a career in Information Security.

Daniel is enrolled in the Immersive Labs Cyber Academy as a student with pre-existing qualifications of Systems Security Certified Practitioner/Certified Ethical Hacker with an impressive portfolio of successes and technical toolbox focused on positively impacting operational quality through strategic allocation of IT resources. Daniel has a special insight into people on the Autistic Spectrum who are intrinsically disadvantaged in education and employment.

David Maxwel

Managing Director, Boojum

David has twenty seven years of restaurant experience in the US, UK and Ireland. His first job was collecting glasses in a bar in Belfast and since then he has worn every hat in the business, gaining valuable experiences that have helped him hugely in his current role.

He is currently the MD of Mexican fast casual brand Boojum with locations in Belfast, Dublin, Galway, Cork and Limerick. His team have successfully grown Boojum from 5 locations to 17 locations over a 3 year period and become a recognised national hospitality brand with a strong digital led proposition. David spends at least one hour of every day reading and studying what's happening in the everchanging industry. He challenges himself daily to innovate and continue to improve.

David is the proud dad to Archie, Leo and Lana and when not in Boojum, most often found supporting or coaching his kids’ sports teams.

Lisa Hayden

Digital Content Manager, GAA

Lisa Crean is the Digital Content Manager at the GAA and the driving force behind the development of GAANow and the GAA's social and online media. A graduate in English and Sociology from UCD her career in sport began with Rowing Ireland where she developed the 'Get Going...Get Rowing!' schools programme. Lisa then moved to World Rowing's HQ in Switzerland before the London 2012 Olympics. She returned to Ireland in 2014 and joined the Communications team at the GAA, a perfectly timed move ahead of the transformation of the Association’s digital content into the current portfolio of clip rights and live programming.

Dearbhla O'Gorman

Associate Solicitor, Arthur Cox

Dearbhla is a solicitor and Chartered Tax Adviser. She studied Law (BCL) at University College Dublin, then went on to complete her Chartered Tax Adviser qualification through the Irish Tax Institute and trained with Arthur Cox to become a solicitor. She now works in the Tax Department of Arthur Cox in Dublin.

As a solicitor specialising in tax, Dearbhla’s day-to-day work involves advising clients on various different types of complex transactions, including corporate sales and acquisitions, mergers, corporate restructurings and many types of financial transactions. Her clients are primarily large domestic and international companies, banks, and other financial institutions.

Due to the large volume of changes recently made to international tax rules – and still changing! – Dearbhla’s work also involves monitoring these changes and engaging with relevant tax authorities, such as the Irish Revenue and the OECD, on how these rules will work in practice.

Prof. Gianpiero Cavalleri

Professor of Human Genetics, RCSI

Gianpiero Cavalleri is a Professor of Human Genetics RCSI. He is also Deputy Director of the SFI FutureNeuro Research Centre. Gianpiero received his Ph.D. in human genetics at University College London in 2006. Prior to joining RCSI in 2008, he worked at Stanford in California, and Duke University in North Carolina. His key breakthrough discoveries include 1) the identification of the strongest signature of natural selection detected in the human genome to date, which partially explains how the Sherpa perform so well at high altitude and 2) identifying genetic causes of epilepsies and tests to guide safer treatment of seizures. His work has been published in leading international journals including Nature and the New England Journal of Medicine.

Loretta Brady

College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, University College Cork

Loretta is the Recruitment Projects Officer in the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, University College Cork. A passionate supporter of the Humanities and Education, she is responsible for promoting and recruiting to Arts courses within UCC and has many years of experience supporting students in making the right choices and finding the best course for them. Loretta has a Diploma in Sociology, a BA in History and English, an MA in English and a Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary School Teaching.

Eimear Ní Bhroin

Language Affairs Officer, European Commission

Eimear has been working at the European Commission’s Representation in Ireland since 2011, first as a Political Reporter and then as a Language Affairs Officer. In her current position, Eimear is responsible for encouraging Irish people to learn languages and to apply for jobs in the European Union institutions.

Prior to working at the European Commission, Eimear was a Press Officer with the European Parliament Office in Ireland between 2006 and 2011.

Eimear also worked for the Embassy of Malta in Ireland and before that, she was European Affairs and Communications Manager at European Movement Ireland and Secretary General representing Ireland within the European Movement International.

Eimear has a BA in European Studies from Trinity College Dublin, a Diplome International de Sciences Politiques et Sociales from the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po) and an MA in International Relations from Dublin City University.

Brigid Walsh

Project Director & Co Founder, Solar Evolution Ltd.

In 2003, Brigid Walsh decided to revisit her ambition to pursue a career in engineering when she was in her 30s. She was offered a place on a Vocational Training and Opportunities Scheme, which led to her completing her Junior Cert maths the following year and her Leaving Cert in 2005. From there, Brigid went to Carlow IT to study engineering at third level and now she’s managing some of the biggest renewable energy projects around Ireland. Throughout these years in education, and having left a full-time job to pursue this new path, Brigid was also raising two young children and juggling home life in addition to her studies. Her story is one of grit combined with fantastic success.

Dr. Colin Keogh

Engineer, Academic & STEPS Ambassador

Last year, Dr Keogh of UCD started a global open source response to the global ventilator shortage, building out a team to design and develop open-source ventilators to help in the fight against Covid-19. He works in the innovation space and his research and work focuses on applying technology and innovation to solve global problems. He has used his training and research to directly deploy new innovative ideas and processes with companies, communities and volunteers to help tackle problems in a variety of sectors, including healthcare, climate and business. In his work with the Rapid Foundation, which he co-founded, he has also engineered 3D printed prosthetics for children with missing or 'non-standard' limbs. You can also find out more about Colin and his achievements, such as being listed within the Forbes 30 under 30 accolades, here.

Ruth O'Herlihy

Director, McCullough Mulvin Architects

Ruth O’Herlihy studied architecture in UCD, graduating in 1997. While studying she did a number of stages in Europe including working and travelling in Italy, where she studied the works of Carlo Scarpa during an internship in the studio of Sergio Los, long time collaborator with Scarpa. Other placements followed in Germany and in The Netherlands where she worked with Wiel Arets. Following graduation she worked in OPW before joining McCullough Mulvin Architects in 1999 and became a director in 2006. Along with the team, Ruth has worked on numerous award winning buildings in Ireland as well as currently leading the team with Valerie Mulvin on Thapar University in India. Ruth has lectured on the work of the practice in Ireland, Poland, UK, Scotland, Czech Republic, Canada (Newfoundland), Tenerife and India. She has been involved in teaching at the Department of Architecture, University College Dublin, School of Architecture DIT, Queens University, Belfast, School of Architecture University of Limerick and at the University of Dundee. She is currently a Design Fellow at UCD, working in final year, and examines on the Professional Practice Diploma course. The work of the practice has been exhibited widely and published extensively: In 2015, the work of the practice was documented for an international audience by the publication of a monograph by TC Cuadernos ‘McCullough Mulvin Arquitectura 2004-2015’. Ruth lives with her family in a modernist house designed by her grandparents.

Catherine Cocoman

General and Psychiatric Nurse, NMBI

Catherine is a registered General and Psychiatric nurse who always knew that nursing was for her. She gained valuable experience in a nursing home while she was in 5th year in school that cemented her desire to become a nurse. Catherine studied General Nursing in Trinity and believes that nursing is a very rewarding career. She feels privileged to work with people, helping to make their life a little easier when they are unwell or on the road to recovery.

Catherine furthered her studies by completing a postgraduate in Mental Health Nursing in DCU and is currently working in an acute psychiatric unit. She says, ’each day brings new opportunities to learn and no two days are the same. There may be many highs and lows, but I love nursing and for me, there is no other career as rewarding’.

Courtney Farrell

General Nursing Graduate, WIT

Recently graduated from General Nursing at Waterford Institute of Technology, Courtney completed her Leaving Certificate in 2016 and fell just 10 points short of the requirements for nursing. Determined not to let that hold her back, she began the BSc in Applied Health Care. She excelled in her first year, earning her place in General Nursing in 2017 where she graduated this year with first class honours. Courtney is currently going through the registration process with the NMBI and will shortly commence work in Wexford General Hospital.

During her studies, Courtney really enjoyed the Public Health element and has ambitions to become a Public Health nurse in the future.

Sarah Tyrrell

Children's and General Nursing

Sarah completed her Leaving Certificate in 2015 and went on to study integrated Children’s and General Nursing Degree at UCD, graduating in 2020 with first class honours. Sarah is currently working in St Michael’s Ward, Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin Hospital, an acute medical unit for children with Diabetes, Rheumatology, Cystic Fibrosis, Haematology, Neurology and Psychiatry conditions. She says, the wide variety of conditions treated means that no two days are the same.

During her studies and career, Sarah has developed a keen interest in student and staff nurse education and would love to undertake further qualifications in this area.

Susan Folan

Coordinator, MA in Conference Interpreting, NUIG.

Susan Folan was born and raised in Galway City. Her love or Irish began at a young age and she developed a love for French while learning it at school. It was a love of both languages that saw her pursue them at degree level via Arts in NUIG and as luck would have it an opportunity arose just as she completed an MA in Irish to attend the University of Westminster in London to train as a conference interpreter with a view to working for the European Union. She founded the MA in Conference Interpreting at NUI Galway to offer the same training opportunities to students at home in Ireland and has been training conference interpreters and working for the European Union as an interpreter ever since

Rugadh agus tógadh Susan Folan i gCathair na Gaillimhe. Bhí grá aici don Ghaeilge ón gcliabhán agus don Fhraincis ó thosaigh sí a fhoghlaim ar scoil. Bhain sí céim amach sa dá ábhar sin mar gur thaitnigh siad léi agus tar éis di máistreacht a bhaint amach sa Ghaeilge bhí deis ann di tabhairt faoin staidéar ateangaireachta in Ollscoil Westminster, Londain agus súil aici ar institiúidí an Aontas Eorpaigh mar láthair oibre. Bhunaigh sí an MA san Ateangaireacht Chomhdhála in Ollscoil na hÉireann Gaillimh chun nach mbeadh ar Éireannaigh dul thar lear a thuilleadh chun an traenáil chéanna a fáil agus tá sí ag obair d'Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge agus mar ateangaire sínsear don AE ó shin.

Sarah Hales

Student Recruitment Coordinator, University of Cambridge

Sarah Hales is the Student Recruitment Co-ordinator responsible for international students, based in the UK at The University of Cambridge. It is her role to support students who are interested in applying to Cambridge and to be the first point of contact for any questions from potential students, their families, schools and other student support.

Sarah graduated with a degree in Biomedical Science from Kingston University and spent a year as an international student in the USA, she then completed her MBA at Birmingham University.

Prior to joining Cambridge she worked as the Marketing Manager for a Russel Group University in Dubai and as a Teacher of English as a Foreign Language at a language school in the UAE.

Having lived, worked and studied overseas, she understands the enormous benefits that an international outlook can have for students, not just in education and life experience, but on subsequent career development.

Ronan Murphy

Apprentices Training Manager, Sisk

Ronan joined John Sisk & Son in September 1983 as an Apprentice Carpenter & Joiner, following my father into the company and becoming a fifth generation Carpenter. As I gained experience and skill I rose within the company to become a Site Manager and after more than thirty years on sites, I moved to our head office to apply my experience in different ways for the company. Recently I have taken on the management of the Sisk Training Centre, which, for nearly 60 sixty years has trained Apprentice Carpenter & Joiners. Sisk carpenters are held in high regard throughout the industry and frequently enjoy great success at national and international competition.

Joe Stokes

Associate, McCullough Mulvin Architects

Joe Stokes studied architecture in UCD, graduating in 2013. During his time studying, he spent his Erasmus at the KTH in Stockholm and travelled widely for both the study of architecture and for work. Joe completed his Professional Diploma in Architectural Practice in TU Dublin (formerly DIT) in 2016.

After graduating from Architecture in 2013, Joe exhibited in the Describing Architecture and Dubtopia exhibitions, both of which were held in Dublin. He moved to London in the same year to work at B&R Architects, where he took part in competitions and worked on commercial projects. He later returned to Dublin to take up a role with McCullough Mulvin Architects, where he continues to work today.

In his role as an Associate with the practice, he has been involved in a wide range of projects in the residential, educational, cultural, healthcare, hospitality, and domestic sectors, for both public and private clients. These projects include the Medieval Mile Museum in Kilkenny, which was shortlisted for the Mies van der Rohe award, the Learning Laboratory for Thapar University in India, which won the Detail Magazine Public Choice Award, and the Military Archives in Dublin, which won the Plan Award (Italy) in the Renovation category. Under the guidance of Niall McCullough and Valerie Mulvin, who have written widely on the history of architecture in Ireland, he has had the opportunity to work on many historical buildings of significance, including on the campus of Trinity College, Dublin and on national monuments around Ireland.

Joe was invited back to TU Dublin as an examiner on the Professional Diploma in Architectural Practice course and subsequently to teach on it. He also teaches in Architectural Design Studio in TU Dublin in second year. He is currently undertaking a Certificate in Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the Munster Technological University.

Guy Flouch

Director, EUNICAS

Guy Flouch is the founder of EUNICAS. An Anglo-Frenchman, with a career stretching from his experience as a Lawyer in London to his recent Masters in Guidance Counselling in University of Limerick, he has a long and varied international career. Through EUNICAS, he has brought awareness to Ireland of the excellent opportunities available to students to study through English, in continental Europe.

The support services offered through EUNICAS can bring clarity and reassurance to students, and their families, as they embark on a journey that brings them exciting learning and personal development experiences, as they prepare for an independent life in a fast-changing world

Dr. Mary-Liz Trant

Executive Director for Skills Development in the FET authority, SOLAS

Dr Mary-Liz Trant is Executive Director for Delivery in the further education and training authority SOLAS. Her brief includes expansion of the national apprenticeship system; Skills to Advance and upskilling in the Irish workforce; enterprise engagement; technology-enhanced learning and the national eCollege platform; learner support and a new 10-year strategy on adult literacy, numeracy and digital skills. Previously Mary-Liz held senior posts in the Higher Education Authority, leading on enterprise engagement and equity of access to higher education, including the Springboard+ initiative. Earlier in her career Mary-Liz taught at second and third-level and worked with early school leavers in Dublin and Limerick. Mary-Liz holds a doctorate in Education; Masters’ Degrees in Education and in French; and a Higher Diploma (HDip) in Education.

Donal O'Neill

Professor of Economics, Maynooth University

Donal O’Neill is a Professor of Economics at Maynooth University, a Research Fellow at the IZA Institute for the Study of Labor, Bonn and past President of the Irish Economic Association and is currently on the Labour Market Advisory Council. He obtained his Ph.D from the University of Iowa in 1993 and in 2000 was awarded the Barrington Medal for Economics in recognition of his contribution to research in the Social Sciences in Ireland. He has published articles examining the impact of labour market reform on unemployment, the determinants of inequality across countries, the gender and racial wage gap, missing data and measurement error, single-sex education and intergenerational mobility. His research has been published in leading international economics and statistics journals including the American Statistician, the European Journal of Health Economics, Economic Journal, Journal of Economic Inequality, Journal of Human Resources, Journal of Political Economy, Journal of Labor Economics, Labour Economics, Oxford Economic Papers, the Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, the Economics of Education Review and the IZA Journal of Labor Economics. He has also been involved in numerous research projects for government departments in Ireland. From 2015-2018 he served as labour market expert on the inaugural Low Pay Commission of Ireland, a statutory body whose principal function is, on an annual basis, to examine and make recommendations to government on the appropriate level of the national minimum wage and related matters.

Dr. T.J. Ó Ceallaigh

Director of Postgraduate Studies in Education, Mary Immaculate College

Dr. T.J. Ó Ceallaigh is the Director of Postgraduate Studies in Education at Mary Immaculate College (MIC), University of Limerick. His main research interests focus on the pedagogy required for the successful integration of language and content instruction and assessment, with particular reference to language immersion and bilingual contexts. Recent publications include articles in the International Journal of Bilingualism and Bilingual Education, Journal of Immersion and Content-Based Language Education, Educational Management, Administration and Leadership as well as a co-edited volume on teacher development for immersion and content-based instruction (Benjamins, 2020). T.J. participates actively in Irish and international immersion communities, serves as a consultant to immersion programs, and speaks regularly at conferences. T.J. is co-chair of Teacher Education and Digital Technology Research and Development Community for the Association for Teacher Educators in Europe (ATEE) and is a Board Director of Integrating Language and Content in Higher Education (ICLHE), an international association of scholars who are interested in and actively contribute to the multi-disciplinary field of content and language integration in higher education.

Is é an Dr T.J. Ó Ceallaigh Stiúrthóir na Staidéar Iarchéime san Oideachas i gColáiste Mhuire gan Smál (CMgS), Ollscoil Luimnigh. An phríomhspéis taighde atá aige is ea díriú ar an oideolaíocht atá ag teastáil chun teagasc na teanga agus an ábhair agus an measúnú a chomhtháthú go rathúil, go háirithe i gcomhthéacsanna tumoideachais agus dátheangacha. I measc na bhfoilseachán is déanaí leis, cuimsítear ailt in International Journal of Bilingualism and Bilingual Education, Journal of Immersion and Content-Based Language Education, agus Educational Management, Administration and Leadership, agus bhí sé ar dhuine de na heagarthóirí freisin ar imleabhar maidir leis an bhforbairt múinteoirí le haghaidh an tumoideachais agus an teagaisc ábharbhunaithe (Benjamins, 2020). Glacann T.J. páirt ghníomhach i bpobail tumoideachais in Éirínn agus thar lear, bíonn sé ina chomhairleoir ar chláir thumoideachais, agus is minic é a bheith ina chainteoir ag comhdhálacha. Tá T.J. ina chomhchathaoirleach ar an bPobal Taighde agus Forbartha maidir le hOideachas Múinteoirí agus an Teicneolaíocht Dhigiteach don Chumann Oideoirí Múinteoirí san Eoraip (ATEE) agus tá sé ina Stiúrthóir Boird de Chomhtháthú Teanga agus Ábhair san Ardoideachas (ICLHE), cumann idirnáisiúnta scoláirí a bhfuil spéis acu i réimse ildisciplíneach an chomhtháthaithe ábhair agus teanga san ardoideachas agus a bhíonn ag cur leis an réimse sin ar bhealach gníomhach.

Joe McGinley

Senior Athletic Performance Coach, Leinster Rugby

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Jonathan Holland

Market Engagement Officer, Ulster University

Jonathan is the Market Engagement Officer at Ulster University and is responsible for the coordination and delivery of key stakeholder engagement activities for post-primary schools throughout the island of Ireland. He has 20 years’ experience of working in higher education recruitment which includes roles in careers and employability.

Conor Creegan

Mechanical Project Engineer

Conor was part of the apprentice winning team in the 'Generation A' Ireland Competition 2018.

He has now moved into the management side of the Designer Group business and has developed his skills by working in various departments including Planning Engineering, QA/QC and more recently in the Mechanical Engineering / Project Management role. He is also studying for a Building Services Degree in TU Dublin.

Dr. Kirstie McAdoo

Head of Education and Research, Airfield Estate

Coming from Dublin with no experience of agriculture other than growing veg in her back garden, Kirstie completed a degree in Animal Science in UCD and then went on to achieve a PhD in methane reduction in beef cattle. During this time, she discovered her love of teaching and undertook her PgDE in Post-Primary Science Teaching in TCD. She has since gone on to become an advisor to the NCCA and JCT in the creation of both the Junior Cycle Science Specification and the teacher training around it. Working now as the Head of Education and Research at Airfield Estate, Kirstie has transitioned into the Social Enterprise world and contributes regularly to media, industry, and academia on the areas of leadership, human nutrition, food literacy, teaching and learning, curriculum creation and agricultures place in climate change.

Niall Hurson

Researcher, RTE Ear to the Ground

Niall completed his second level education at St Macartans College in County Monaghan and then undertook a degree in Animal Science at University College Dublin which he completed in 2020. During Niall's time on campus he held the position of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Editor with The University Observer and he also completed an Editorial Internship at the Irish Farmers Journal during his studies and with ABP in Clones, Co. Monaghan. Niall also received the the Simon Cumbers Media fund Student Scheme in his final year. Following completion of his undergraduate degree Niall took up the position as News Correspondent with the Irish Farmers Journal. Recently, Niall has changed position and he is now a researcher with RTE's very successful Ear to the Ground programme which reports on Rural, Countryside and Environmental Issues. Niall mentioned only recently the crew were filming at a cucumber farm in North Dublin which again might bring in Horticulture to the discussion if required. Another well known UCD Agricultural Science graduate Darragh McCullugh also works with Niall and is a presenter on the show.

Alan McGrath

Director of Apprenticeship, SOLAS

Alan McGrath is the Director of Apprenticeship in SOLAS. In this role Alan's focus is on managing the national apprenticeship system, working closely with key stakeholders such as education and training providers, industry, and Government departments. Alan previously worked as Director of Strategy in SOLAS and has extensive experience in the area of skills development having worked in the Higher Education Authority for 15 years.

Harry Angel

Apprentice Negotiator, DNG Property

Harry is a final year apprentice with DNG studying Auctioneering, Estate Agency and Property Management.

Harry is a final year apprentice with DNG studying Auctioneering, Estate Agency and Property Management.

Kevin Quinn

Head of Commercial and Marketing, Leinster Rugby

Kevin Quinn Kevin Quinn is a successful entrepreneur with over 30 years experience in Sports, Internet and Media sectors, enjoying a wide variety of management roles across commercial, technology, strategic, marketing and sponsorship disciplines.

Graduating in 1994 with a degree in Telecommunications from DIT Kevin Street, Kevin went to work as a video engineer for television post production services company Screen Scene. In 1997 Kevin moved in to his first managerial role as Operations Manager with Digital Space, the UK & Ireland’s first all-digital satellite broadcasting services company.

In 1998 Kevin founded Servecast, to develop and provide internet broadcasting services to the corporate, sports and media sectors. He lead and closed a €40m round of venture capital investment in 2001 and completed the sale of Servecast to NYSE listed telecommunications company Level 3 for €33m in 2007.

After Servecast’s sale, Kevin became VP European Strategy and Business Development for Level 3 before returning to college in 2010 to complete his master’s degree (MSc) in Innovation and Technology Management. In 2011 Kevin founded Ticéad to develop and deliver simple, smart event software to the Sports sector.

Kevin joined Leinster Rugby as Head of Commercial & Marketing in 2017 and is responsible for planning, developing and implementing Leinster Rugby’s commercial strategy with the main goal to support and accelerate growth for rugby throughout the 12 counties of Leinster.