Laura Bowler is a theatre director and educator with extensive experience in directing, teaching, and mentoring. She lectures in Theatre and Film Practice at Dundalk Institute of Technology, where she has developed modules such as Women in Theatre and Devising Practices, and regularly directs student productions.
In addition to her academic work, Laura mentors Chalk on the Wall Theatre Company, a young collective in residence at An Táin Arts Centre. Her mentorship involves guiding the company in all aspects of professional theatre-making, from rehearsals to production management, and providing directorial support to emerging artists.
Through her work, Laura focuses on the intersection of creativity, education, and social engagement in contemporary theatre practice.
 

Elizabeth Hitches is an advocate for accessible and inclusive practice, holding workshops with universities, government departments, and communities of practice internationally. Her research is currently exploring academic stress in higher education, and how this can be reduced in inclusive and accessible ways through a UDL lens. Her research interests lie in inclusive education at a national and international level, as well as equity, achievement, and wellbeing for students with disability and/or accessibility requirements (Explore Elizabeth's research here). Elizabeth is a co-host of the ADCET ILOTA Things podcast exploring accessibility and universal design for learning (ULD) in the age of AI. She is a PhD candidate at the Institute for Social Science Research, University of Queensland, Australia. She is also a sessional academic teaching inclusive education across various universities, and a teacher of research methods at the University of Queensland. Elizabeth is a staff member of ADCET, a national faculty member of CAST, and an associate fellow of the higher education academy.

Susan Horgan is a Learning Technologist in the MTU Kerry campus with a diverse background across the design industry spanning almost 20 years. She brings a practice-led, learner-centred approach to educational content and systems. Throughout her career, Susan has led large-scale projects, supported start-ups, and worked across multidisciplinary teams, combining strategic oversight with hands-on design practices. She has also spent time lecturing, bridging industry and education. Her work focuses on improving inclusiveness, while actively addressing gaps and confusion across these areas to support clearer, more inclusive digital learning experiences.

Donald Ewing has worked as an educational psychologist for twenty years in a variety of settings including early years, primary and secondary school and third-level settings. He holds an accredited postgraduate professional qualification in Educational Psychology from the University of Dundee and is a Chartered Psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland. Donald is a previous chairperson of the Psychological Society of Ireland’s Division of Educational Psychology and is an associate fellow of the British Psychological Society.

Donald trained at post-graduate level in primary education at the University of Edinburgh and has worked as a teacher in a range of settings in the UK, Ireland and Japan. He has worked with the Dyslexia Association of Ireland (DAI) since 2012. Donald has worked in policy roles in central government with the Department of Education and Skills in the Scottish Government; and the Department of Children and Youth and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in Ireland.

Siobhan Nolan B.Ed, M.A. Graduated in 1996 with a teaching qualification in Home Economics and Biology. Completed a Masters in Digital Media, Technology in Education. Taught for 25 years, in College of Commerce as further Education Teacher. Tutor in Higher Education. 

Léan Lynch is a dedicated and experienced educator holding a BA and HDip, with specialist training in educational assessment, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), mental health first aid, equality and inclusion, and consent education. She taught for three decades and serves as Assistant Principal with responsibility for student vetting. She currently works with Active Inclusion Services in Cork ETB, supporting inclusive practice and student wellbeing.

Dr. Jack Saad is a Lecturer in Automation and Robotics at Atlantic Technological University (ATU), teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Automation and Digital Manufacturing. His background combines hands-on industrial robotics and simulation tools, with previous industry experience as an R&D Engineer at CGControls and research collaboration with CSIRO (Australia) on 3D laser scanning for autonomous systems. Beyond technical teaching, Jack is actively engaged in innovative and inclusive learning initiatives. He leads ATU’s participation in the global “Invent for the Planet” (IFTP) design sprint and is the founder of Aristo Academy, a STEAM initiative promoting robotics and creative engineering education for young learners in Egypt. His work connects engineering, innovation, and inclusive education practice.

Maureen Haran, Lecturer, PhD(c), SFHEA, manages the UDL Centre of Excellence at Atlantic Technological University (ATU). Maureen has over 23 years of experience in inclusive education in the Irish and American public education systems. She is the programme chair and lecturer on the Post Graduate Certificate/MA in UDL. Currently, Maureen is in the final stages of a PhD study in Education at Queens University Belfast. A national UDL leader, Maureen works with educational development teams to design and implement inclusive education practices at regional and national levels. Maureen was the Project Lead on the National ALTITUDE Charter development project.

Trudi Barnett is an independent Education and Quality Assurance specialist working across tertiary education. A QQI Report Writer and External Authenticator, she supports providers to design, validate, and strengthen programmes through accessible, learner-centred approaches informed by Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Her work brings together quality assurance, creative pedagogy, and participatory methods, including LEGO® Serious Play® and her developing Things Lab approach; using objects, metaphor, and making to help educators rethink teaching, learning, and assessment brick by brick. Trudi is currently completing an MA in UDL with Sligo ATU, an M.Ed with Maynooth University, writes for the international LEGO® Serious Play® Magazine and collaborates with ETBs, providers, and national stakeholders to translate policy into meaningful practice that supports participation, belonging, and authentic learning experiences.