Des Aston is the National & Schools Coordinator at the Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities (TCPID), School of Education, Trinity College Dublin. His research interests are inclusive education, post-school transitions to education and employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. Through his professional role with TCPID, he has established and is the current Chairperson of the Inclusive National Higher Education Forum (INHEF).

Dr Rath is a Research Fellow in TCPID, School of Education, TCD. He is currently coordinating a University wide piece of research on the belonging and social connectedness experiences of students in TCD. He co-coordinates the Disability Rights module and supervises masters students. He has a background and expertise in human rights, student leadership, success and in creating inclusive environments where everyone belongs. He is a Government of Ireland Ministerial appointee to the Board of the National Disability Authority and was a member of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Disability Advisory Committee. He is founder and Chair of the Trinity College Dublin Forum for Disabled Staff and the National Disabled Postgraduate Advisory Committee. He sits on the AHEAD/NDPAC #LaunchPAD Project Oversight Committee.