Alistair taught in further education for 20 years. His passion for giving students options, responsibility and independence led to the early adoption of e-learning across a large 6th form department. He moved into a national role with Becta in 2000 and in 2004 was appointed as a Senior Advisor for the Jisc TechDis service, advising the post-16 sector in using technology to support disabled students. Since 2000, he has supported every flavour of post-16 education from work-based learning to universities, offender learning to FE and adult community learning. He left Jisc in 2019 to work as an independent consultant.

Ellen van Veen works as a consultant at the Expert Centre on Inclusive Education (ECIO) in the Netherlands. She supports Dutch higher education institutions in their development towards inclusive education. Her projects are related to the implementation of the UN convention, UDL, accessible examination and student participation.

Renate Bosman, student Interdisciplinary Social Sciences. She is a board member of studying without limitations, a peer-to-peer student organisation for and by students with a disability. She coordinates the buddy programme for students with a disability, but also helped with conducting the wheelchair accessibility project at the university.

Denise Langreder studies Veterinary Medicine. She is also a member of studying without limitations, in which she has been involved since the foundation of this organization. She has helped with several projects and often shares her own experiences of studying with a disability.

Kieran is a Senior Occupational Therapist within the Disability Service in Trinity College Dublin and for the last two years has been a project officer within the Genio Funded project, Career Pathways. Kieran is also the lead on phase three activities within the Disability Service strategic plan, which focus upon the student’s transition to employment. Kieran holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy and is currently undertaking PhD Research into the development and efficacy of an occupation-focused self-management programme.

Jessica K is Autistic, an international researcher passionate about engaging in investigations on sensory perception. Jessica K has attained an honours B.A. in psychology. Jessica K works as a Project Officer at TCD Sense, an Assistant Psychologist at the Adult Autism Practice, A Director of Thriving Autistic and an Autism Consultant.

Declan has been working in Trinity since the Disability Service was set up in June 2000. He has responsibility for ensuring that the College embeds disability related issues into the core of all thinking and delivery to ensure that the College environment is as accessible to people with disabilities as possible. Declan has an extensive educational history which includes a B Sc. in Science for NUI Galway, a Master’s in Social Policy and Administration from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Post Graduate Diploma in Education, Trinity College Dublin. Declan is the Disability Officer for staff in College and for students who are D/deaf and Students with Autism Spectrum and Asperger’s Syndrome. Declan completed the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Generic (ADOS-G), a direct observational assessment used to assist in the diagnosis of autism, and the Advanced Postgraduate Certificate in Autistic Spectrum Disorder at Queen’s University Belfast.

Agnes Sarolta Fazekas (she/her) is Assistant Professor at Eötvös Loránd University Bárczi Gusztáv Faculty of Special Needs, Budapest, Hungary. Since 2019, Agnes has been leading the Inclusiveness Work Package of the CHARM-EU Alliance (https://www.charm-eu.eu/). She has also works as a programming team member and trainer with the Council of Europe Youth Department since 2014. 

Derina Johnson is project manager of the Trinity Inclusive Curriculum Project within the Equality Diversity and Inclusive Office, Trinity College Dublin. She is a team member of Work Package 6 Inclusiveness of the CHARM-EU Alliance. Her background lies in Psychology and Psychotherapy, and she holds a PhD from the School of Social Work and Social Policy, Trinity College Dublin. Her PhD explored the lives of young migrants and refugees growing up in extreme marginalisation and lack of legal documentation on the Thailand-Myanmar border, where Derina worked for a number of years.

Imelda Fitzpatrick is the Programme Director with Blossom Ireland, an educational service for young people with an intellectual disability. She has spent the past eighteen years working in the area of behavioural psychology and education. Imelda is passionate about equal opportunity in education for neurodivergent young people and inclusive educational practices. She also the proud mum to a neurodivergent child her best educator yet.

Maja is an Educational Programme Coordinator with Blossom Ireland, where she works with young people with intellectual disabilities, supporting them in their path to independence and personal development. She has a Master’s Degree in Psychology and a background in the educational and disability sectors. She’s a passionate human rights advocate, bookworm, and nature lover.

Cathal O’Connor is a Principal Data Scientist with 15 years at Microsoft and 25+ years industry experience. Cathal earned an honours bachelor's degree in computer engineering from Trinity College Dublin, and a master's degree in business administration (MBA) from FAU. Cathal is currently pursuing a PhD part-time in inclusive learning using intelligent technologies at UCD under the supervision of Assistant Professor Dr. Anthony Cronin.

Trevor Boland is an experienced Assistive Technology Officer working in Higher Education supporting Students with disabilities. He previously lectured in the Access programme for non-traditional students in TU Dublin.

Trevor was previously the Digital and eLearning Officer in AHEAD and has been involved in the National rollout of the UDL Badge with UCD and the Teaching and Learning Forum. 

Angela Stewart is a Project Manager in National Learning Network. She is currently managing the Inclusive Learning Project, a HEA funded initiative in Maynooth University (MU). With her background in psychology, behaviour analysis and research, Angela has provided a range of research, training, and consultancy services to state bodies, private companies, and not-for-profit organisations. She has led on the design and development of various technical projects and models of service to support the participation of underrepresented groups in further education and training, higher education, and work.   

Previously, Angela worked in several face-to-face, person-centered support services. This included Student Central in MU, where she provided psychology-led supports to students with a wide range of disabilities. Student Central is a specialist, face-to-face support service that uses psychological theory and practical techniques to assist students to overcome challenges they may face in maintaining wellbeing and developing their academic and social skills. Strand 1 of the Inclusive Learning Project is expanding existing Student Central supports, merging them with Assistive Technology supports, and turning them into digital learning resources that can be accessed by all MU students.  

Leah Kane is an Education Technologist working on the Inclusive Learning Project. Prior to working with National Learning Network and Maynooth University, Leah worked in Dublin City University's Ideas Lab in the National Institute for Digital Learning. She has worked across a broad range of disciplines, using her media skills to digitally enhance the learning experience for learners. Leah has a passion for education and inclusive design in e-learning. Leah has also previously worked and volunteered in DCU's Access service for many years during her time at university. Leah holds an MSc in Emerging Media and has a BA in English Literature and Media Studies from Dublin City University. Leah is currently pursuing a Higher Diploma in Interaction Design at DCU.

Treasa Mc Ginley has been the Professional Development & Technology Enhanced Coordinator in Donegal ETBs FET Service since October 2019, prior to that position, she worked in Donegal ETB's Literacy programme and Youthreach programme. Her background is in Psychology and recently she has developed a keen interest in educational technologies to enhance the teaching and learning experience for all students.

Dipankar is an adult tutor working in the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board. My organisation is part of the further education and training sector. His current role is that of learner support and active inclusion and involves supporting learners with physical and cognitive disabilities, learning difficulties, digital poverty and literacy and numeracy needs. His role also includes supporting tutors in technology enhanced learning methodology for better integration of digital learning. He has previously worked in Core skills dealing with adult basic education and family learning.

He is also a psychotherapist working with adults and adolescents suffering from mental health difficulties and challenging life circumstances.

Nevan Bermingham is a Lecturer in Computer Science, Engineering, Business and Information Technology at the Technological University Dublin. He has a technology background and over 15 years of senior management experience within the ICT and Telecommunications industries. His research areas include peer learning for improved engagement and developing bespoke mobile apps for first year orientation.

Ann Burns is a visual artist from North Cork. Her work explores sensory perception in VR through Rhythmanalysis. As part of CETB, she brings 25 years of teaching art in the disability and FE sector. She has a 1st class Hons in Visual Art and Masters in Art & Environment. 

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. 

Dr. Rebekah Brennan is an experienced and widely published qualitative independent and postdoctoral researcher. She is the lead researcher on the SOAR project at UCC which seeks to improve access to higher education for underserved groups. Dr. Brennan is a lecturer/board member at Adult Continuing Education (ACE) on Level 7 Substance Use and Addiction Studies Diploma at University College Cork (UCC) and also Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Responding to Problem Gambling for Addiction Counsellors QQI Level 8. She is also a lecturer at An Cosan Higher Education, Tallaght, Dublin 24, who use a transformative education model for teaching and learning on the Level 7 Applied Addiction Studies and Community Development BA degree, where she also performs programmatic review and strategic planning for the development of the Higher Education team. She is an external panel lecturer in addiction at Ballyfermot Chapelizod Partnership, Dublin 10. Dr. Brennan holds a PhD by research in drug sociology from Waterford Institute of Technology (graduated October 2018). She is a former Irish Research Council Scholarship awardee (2013). She holds a BA (Hons) in Addiction Counselling (1.1). She has been a podcast guest for EPIC (Empowering People in Care) and her research has featured on RTE Brainstorm and the Irish Examiner. Her research interests include: substance use; community development; underserved groups and human rights. 

Julie is an Occupational Therapist (OT) with a background working in community mental health services. As an OT she has worked for the North East London Mental Health Trust, NHS and for Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Service, Queensland Health, Australia. Prior to training as an OT Julie worked in the print media industry in a variety of roles. Julie holds a BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy from Canterbury Christ Church University, UK (2006) and is a CIT graduate with a Diploma in Design for Printing (1997).

Julie has an interest in communication, design and advocacy and its role in service development as a result of working in mental health and homelessness services. She brings her educational and professional experiences to support the development of the MTU Enabling Transition project.

Claire is an occupational Therapist and Disability Officer who joined the Disability Service in November 2017. Clare graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a B.Sc. in Occupational Therapy in 2014 and has since worked in a range of healthcare areas including Adult Intellectual Disability, Acquired Brain Injury and Mental Health. Clare is the Disability Service lead on Pre-Entry to First Year Experience Activities and has also worked on initiatives to promote student partnership with the Disability Service, including leading the Disability Student Ambassador Programme and collaborating with the Trinity Ability Co-Op.

Courtney is the Graduate Intern for the Trinity Disability Service until June 2022. Courtney graduated with a B.A. Honours Bachelor's Degree in Business and Social Studies (B.E.S.S.) from Trinity College Dublin in 2021. Courtney has previously worked for the Disability Service as a Summer Intern in 2020.

As a person with profound hearing loss, Courtney has first-hand experience of what it is like to have a disability in higher education and has been involved in positions such as the Student's Union Officer for Students with Disabilities, and Chairperson of Trinity Sign Language society, to learn more about the obstacles students with disabilities face in university.

Courtney is particularly interested in the engagement of students with disabilities with wider campus life, as it is crucial for student development and to explore interests outside of academic work. Make an appointment to discuss Student Development and Engagement here.

Courtney is the co-founder of the Trinity Ability co_op, Board member of AHEAD and has a FETAC Level 4 certificate in Irish Sign Language.

Lorraine Gallagher has a Masters in Fine Art. She has worked in the area of disability equality for many years and is currently the Information & Training Officer for AHEAD. Prior to working for AHEAD Lorraine worked as research assistant and co-facilitator to Peter Kearns at The Workhouse. She also worked as the disability equality trainer on Music Map, a music management course run by the City Arts Centre.

Hannah (she/her) is the Student and Graduate Engagement Officer in AHEAD. Her role involves working to include the student voice in the work of AHEAD and creating inclusive environments for disabled students in extracurricular settings. As part of her role, she was the co-founder and now coordinator of the USI/AHEAD Students with Disabilities Advisory group. This group helps to inform the strategy and policy of AHEAD and USI concerning the inclusion of students with disabilities in HE and FE. Outside of her work with AHEAD, Hannah is a volunteer with Dublin Lesbian Line and is a public speaker, particularly in the areas of intersectionality and inclusion.

Eithne is an Occupational Therapist and Disability Officer with the Trinity Disability Service. Eithne graduated with a B.Sc. in Occupational Therapy from York St. John University in the U.K. in 2017 and has since worked in a range of healthcare settings to include complex inpatient Eating Disorders (mental health), and disability support in Higher Education (UCD & TCD).

Having first-hand experience of disability support in HEIs, Eithne has particular interest in the OT supports of students with ASD and has further continued her studies in this area since graduation, completing Sensory Integration modules 1 and 2 with Ulster University (2018-2019), and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - 2 (ADOS-2) training (an instrument used to support the diagnosis and assessment of autism) with the Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin (2019). Eithne hopes to bring this experience into her everyday work with students with a wide variety of occupational needs. Of recent, Eithne has focused her work on the area of transition to employment for students with disabilities and has lead the Disability Inclusion Programme in collaboration with Trinity Careers Service. 

Eithne is a member of the AOTI (Association of Occupational Therapists in Ireland) and is registered with CORU, the regulatory body for health and social care professionals.

Sinead has worked across Tech industry for over 16 years helping brands from Vodafone to Huawei grow in the Consumer space. She set up Epic Global with co-founder Trev Keane, to help brands, rightsholders and athletes navigate the world of esports and gaming. Clients include Jesse Lingard, Munster Rugby Gaming and now Rehab Group.

Anne Marie McDonnell is Head of Service Design with Rehab Group. She is a qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counsellor with over 20 years’ experience in delivery and management of inclusive training and employment services. She also worked as a consultant in MENA on the introduction of Disability Inclusive Public Employment Services.

Laura Coleman has worked as MTU Cork Disability Officer for 12 years and manages a dedicated team of staff in the DSS. Laura is a member of the board of directors of AHEAD and numerous groups for DARE. Laura is currently studying the MA in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and has an BA Hons Degree in Applied Social Studies in Social Care.

Olga Mitchell is a Career Advisor with the Careers Service in MTU Cork. Olga works to support students to reflect on and develop their career pathway and set self-directed goals with intention. She is invested in supporting all abilities in recognising the amazing strength diversity offers any organisation. Olga holds an MA in Applied Psychology and a Professional Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy, among other qualifications in science and engineering.

Damien has 20 years’ experience in training & delivery in both the Public and Private sectors with particular focus on training unemployed people and people with a disability. He is a firm believer in learning through Gamification and engaging students in their learning world. He currently delivers and manages a highly successful programme for 18 – 25 tear olds called Skills for Life and incorporates the gaming and Digital Media world into his training. This Skills for Life programme in Mullingar was created and developed by Damien and has now gone Nationwide across various National Learning Centres throughout Ireland.

Ronan has vast experience in training delivery, digital media, digital marketing, music production and podcast production. He is also a qualified digital marketer. Ronan has a particular interest in the Irish gaming industry and streams and creates content for a highly successful gaming company called Legion Arena. Ronan has been teaching young people how to pursue a career in digital media for several years. He now delivers and manages an innovative programme for young adults between the age of 17 to 25 called Skills Bridge which supports young people with disabilities to gain independent living skills with a fun person-centred approach using of digital media.

Barbara Waters is the Project Lead on the Reasonable Accommodations, Professional Placements (RAPP) Project, Barbara was Chief Executive of Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities, UK. 1996- 2010. Barbara represented Skill nationally on policy issues in education and disability related to post 16 education, training and employment. Since 2010 Barbara has worked as a researcher on further and higher education and disability. She was part of the LINK European network concerned with disabled students in higher education and has undertaken research on competence standards and learning outcomes in higher education for the Equality Challenge Unit, UK, published in 2015, looking particularly at Nursing, Teaching, Foreign Languages and STEM subjects. She was the evaluator of the Erasmus + programme on Universal Design for Learning completed in October 2016, and rapporteur for AHEAD Ireland in the MappED access programme with the Erasmus Student Network in 2017. Currently, she is the editor of the peer to peer Journal for AHEAD Ireland. She has an MA in Business and Public Sector Strategy and received an honorary doctorate from the Open University, UK.

Vivian is the Organiser of the National Disabled Postgraduate Advisory Committee and the TCD Forum for Disabled Staff and Postgraduate Students. Vivian is an academic, a human and disability rights advocate and a change maker. He is currently an Adjunct Teaching Fellow in Trinity College Dublin (TCD) School of Education and the Research Officer with the Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD). His Ph.D, titled the “social engagement experiences of disabled students in higher education in Ireland”, focused on the areas of disabled student social engagement, transitions, voice and belonging.  

Geraldine is an Associate Professor, Educational Developer and is Programme Director of the accredited programmes in University Teaching and Learning in UCD. She worked for two years in the National Forum leading the Assessment Enhancement theme. Her key role is to support staff in the design, implementation and evaluation of their programmes and modules. She has particular practical and research expertise in the area of inclusive assessment and feedback.

Dr Lisa Padden has worked in University College Dublin (UCD) since 2012 and her current role is as Programme Manager for UCD’s University for All initiative, based in UCD Access & Lifelong Learning. University for All is UCD’s whole-institution approach to student inclusion encompassing strategy and policy, teaching, learning and assessment, student supports and services, the built environment and technological infrastructure. Lisa worked with AHEAD to develop the Digital Badge for Universal Design in Teaching & Learning as part of the National Forum's Professional Development Framework. Lisa has been lead editor on three collections of UDL Case Studies and co-wrote the Toolkit for Inclusive Higher Education Institutions. Lisa’s research interests include Universal Design for Learning, widening participation, equitable access to education, and student inclusion

Frederic's research and practice both focus on Inclusion and UDL. Frederic has been offering Masters level courses in Education for six years now.  He focuses on both offering UDL expertise in his courses and modelling UDL in his own course design.

Siobhán O’Neill is a Research Support Officer in the Centre for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning at UCC. Siobhán is currently working on inclusive assessment initiative which aims to develop a professional development offering for teaching staff. Siobhán’s research interests include exploring innovative and creative approaches to teaching, learning, and assessment.

Dr Laura Lee is the Research Manager in the Centre for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL).

Dr Brian Butler works with the Disability Support Service and is the Advisor for Inclusive Learning and Teaching at UCC. He is also a Teaching Fellow working with the Centre for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL) where he teaches on two online programmes for staff of the university. Brian and Laura have co-facilitated the Digital Badge in Universal Design for Learning for three years. 

Dara Ryder is Chief Executive Officer of AHEAD, having previously managed AHEAD’s digital presence and developed a suite of online CPD programmes relating to inclusive practice in his role as Digital Media and eLearning Manager there.

After graduating from Queens University in 2005, Dara joined Dun Laoghaire College of Further Education as a lecturer, where he became interested in inclusive education when working first-hand with students with disabilities in his classroom.  When the opportunity arose in 2008, he joined AHEAD where he has been working ever since on creating inclusive environments in education and employment for people with disabilities.

Jesse Stommel, Ph.D. is a faculty member in the Writing Program at University of Denver. He is co-founder of Digital Pedagogy Lab and Hybrid Pedagogy: the journal of critical digital pedagogy, and he earned his Ph.D. from University of Colorado Boulder. Stommel is co-author of An Urgency of Teachers: The Work of Critical Digital Pedagogy, co-editor of Disrupting the Digital Humanities, and co-editor of Critical Digital Pedagogy: a Collection. He is best known for his work as a champion of teachers and students in higher education, and he is an affiliate of the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice founded by Sara Goldrick-Rab, Ph.D. to support #RealCollege students.

An award-winning teacher, Stommel has taught for over 20 years in humanities disciplines in eight departments at six institutions, and he has designed over 30 courses in a range of subjects, including literature, writing, documentary film, and digital studies. Stommel’s work has drawn national and international attention: he has been invited to give keynotes and plenary talks by the Higher Education Academy, Coventry University, Duke University, Stanford University, BCcampus, Open University, and presented workshops at the Digital Humanities Summer Institute (DHSI), Lewis and Clark College, Guilford College, LaSalle College of the Arts in Singapore, University of Warwick, and more. Stommel has also published over 15 articles in peer-reviewed books and journals.

Stommel is a documentary filmmaker and teaches courses about pedagogy, film, and new media. He experiments relentlessly with learning interfaces, both digital and analog, and his research focuses on higher education pedagogy, critical digital pedagogy, and assessment.

In 2011, Stommel founded the Hybrid Pedagogy 501(c)(3) nonprofit. In addition to acting as executive director, his work for Hybrid Pedagogy has included creating educational outreach and professional development opportunities for new and experienced teachers. In 2015, he co-founded Digital Pedagogy Lab (DPL), a series of on-ground intensives focused on critical digital pedagogy. Through DPL, he has offered 2-, 3-, and 5-day pedagogical development events at the American University in Cairo, University of Prince Edward Island, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Delaware, University of Mary Washington, University of Colorado, University of Warwick, Open University, and more.

An Urgency of Teachers: The Work of Critical Digital Pedagogy (with Sean Michael Morris), considers how technology (both digital and analogue) changes the work of education. Ultimately, the book argues that education should look to community over content delivery, dialogue over algorithms, human teachers over teaching machines. Along the way, it explores the history of educational technology, innovative teaching practices in higher education and beyond, education as a social good, and the need for inclusive pedagogies. Stommel co-edited with Dorothy Kim Disrupting the Digital Humanities. It includes academic and non-academic writing about the intersections and frictions between the digital humanities, inclusive pedagogies, accessibility, feminist theory, queer theory, and critical race theory.

Stommel has taught undergraduate and graduate students at large research institutions, liberal arts colleges, and a community college, as well as non-traditional adult students and teachers at all levels of education. He has taught face-to-face, hybrid, online, and several MOOCs, including a Coursera MOOC with over 25,000 students from 161 countries.

Stommel has done faculty development work since 2003. Most recently, he has taught courses for teachers, technologists, and administrators in higher education pedagogy, critical digital pedagogy, writing about teaching, and assessment. He has an extensive background in education administration beginning in 2003. He has designed and worked to implement several new undergraduate and graduate programs.

Stommel was most previously a faculty member at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Stommel has a rascal pup, Emily, a clever cat, Loki, and a badass daughter, Hazel.

Jennifer Pusateri is the Universal Design Consultant for the University of Kentucky's Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT) where she fosters the advancement of accessibility and inclusive teaching practices across campus. Jennifer previously served as the co-chair and charter member of the international UDLHE (UDL in Higher Ed.) Network. She is also a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Kentucky, studying Educational Sciences with a concentration on Curriculum & Instruction.

As a member of the prestigious CAST National Faculty, Jennifer regularly presents UDL workshops and webinars for school districts, college faculty, and state boards of education across the United States. Pusateri has also been featured as a guest UDL specialist in podcasts such as Think UDL and Teaching in Higher Ed.

Before arriving at the University of Kentucky, Jennifer worked for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) where she served as an education consultant and specialist in differentiated learning and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Jennifer taught Arts & Humanities for grades K-8 at a nationally recognized school for students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) in Louisville, Kentucky.

Ruth Murphy has worked with the MTU Disability Support Service (DSS) in Cork for over 11 years. This has included developing post-entry supports for students with disabilities, and pre-entry initiatives such as introducing the DARE scheme to the university. Her qualifications include an MSc in Information and Library Studies, Diploma in Disability Studies, Diploma in Autism Studies (to be completed in 2021), Certificate of Competency in Educational Testing and is currently studying an MA in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education in MTU. Her research interests include students with disabilities and access and progression in higher education.

Deirdre Casey is coordinator of the MTU Academic Learning Centre since 2019 and part of the MTU Raising Awareness around Dyscalculia project. Previously she worked as a Maths lecturer and support tutor in MTU. Deirdre has a Postgraduate Diploma in Education and an MSc in Mathematical modelling and Scientific Computing.

National Learning Networks mission is to promote equality by providing world-class training, education and employment access services, and by actively influencing the creation of a more inclusive society. The Hobby shed is a collaboration of staff and students from National Learning Network Athlone. The Hobby shed promotes inclusion and a safe port for students and staff to showcase their talents.

Following almost 20 years in Higher Education, Siobhan Magner moved to Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) and the Further Education and Training sector in 2017 to support ETBs in the area of new apprenticeship design and development.  

In 2019 she moved to Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board where she holds the post of National Programme Manager for the Sales Apprenticeship. She was recently promoted to Assistant Manager of Sligo Training Centre with strategic and operational management of new apprenticeships in MSLETB. 

Her research interests include work-based learning initiatives, innovative assessment strategies and entrepreneurial education. 

Edel is passionate about the flexible learning opportunities technology can bring to communities. She was first drawn to blended learning because of the opportunities it afforded rural areas. She has over 15 years of experience working within the technology industry most significantly with Hibernia College, an early leader in blended education in Ireland. Her areas of interest include finding creative solutions to problems, student-centred learning, universal design for learning and digital portfolios.

She has an MSc in Applied eLearning from Dublin Institute of Technology and a BA (Hons) Business and Marketing from the University of Wales.

She has recently completed a Level 9 Certificate in Programme Design and Validation for FET with Maynooth University and is a Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE). She was the regional winner of the Employee Rising Star Award at the Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2021. She is also currently taking part in the UCD Professional Certificate in Creativity & Innovation for Education.

Lorraine Devaney works as an e-Mentor with MSL ETB providing day-to-day support, setup and training in the use of instructional and educational technologies and services.     

With over 20 years’ experience working in the education sector, she has worked extensively as an IT Trainer delivering both traditional classroom and blended courses to a range of diverse learners. Previously Lorraine worked as a Content Writer, working as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop a variety of e-learning courses.

She was awarded a Masters in Multimedia Technology from University College Cork, a Higher Diploma in Education from University College Dublin, as well as Foundation Diploma in Training and Education, and Assessment Theory and Practice from NUI Galway.

Ron B. Rogers, Ed.D works with the finest educators in the U.S. Ron leads Ohio’s UDL Collaborative, the #UDLchat on Twitter and Co-hosts “10 Minutes with Barb and Ron” an educationally centered YouTube channel. Presently Ron is the Program Director for the UDL Center at OCALI.

Colleen Kornish is an educational consultant and coach with Ohio’s State Support Team in Region 9. Her role focuses on leadership and team development, as well as, inclusive instructional practices to ensure that each child in Ohio has access to a high-quality education. Colleen is passionate about Universal Design for Learning because it honors and celebrates the diverse interests and unique talents of ALL. She is a member of the Ohio UDL Collaborative and provides professional learning opportunities for educators on UDL. Before joining SST9, Colleen was an elementary school principal. She is a mom to two middle schoolers, Owen and Bea. She loves learning, coffee, connecting with others, and morning hikes with her dog, Frank. 

Dr. Brian Beatty is Associate Professor of Instructional Technologies in the Department of Equity, Leadership Studies and Instructional Technologies at San Francisco State University. Brian’s primary areas of interest and research include social interaction in online learning, flipped classroom implementation, and developing instructional design theory for Hybrid-Flexible learning environments. At SFSU, Dr. Beatty pioneered the development and evaluation of the HyFlex course design model for blended learning environments, implementing a “student-directed-hybrid” approach to better support student learning.

Previously (2012 – 2020), Brian was Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Operations at San Francisco State University (SFSU), overseeing the Academic Technology unit and coordinating the use of technology in the academic programs across the university. He worked closely with IT professionals and leaders in other units to coordinate overall information technology strategic management at SFSU. Prior to 2012, Brian was Associate Professor and Chair of the Instructional Technologies department in the Graduate College of Education at SFSU. He received his Ph.D. in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University Bloomington in 2002. Dr. Beatty also holds several CA single-subject teaching credentials, an M.A. in Instructional Technologies from SF State and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University. Dr. Beatty has more than 25 years’ experience as a classroom teacher, trainer, and instructional designer at schools, businesses, and the US Navy.