I am lecturer at the Wexford Campus of South East Technological University (SETU) on their early childhood education and social care programmes. With a strong foundation in applied and evaluative research, my work focuses on supporting students take their place in their profession and in academia. I am involved at national level with initiatives to increase the professionalisation of the sector which have significantly impacted national educational practices and policies, in the social care and early years sectors. I collaborate with community and voluntary services to research has partner in research projects that are bespoke to their interests. This gives strong representation to the lived experience of those who avail of and provide social care and early years services
My academic journey started in WRTC where I completed a level 7 National Diploma in Childcare. This course gave me the foundation to undertake a BA (Hons) a Research Master's Degree in Cork Institute of Technology, a Master's Degree in Teaching and Learning with SETU, and a PhD with Atlantic Technological University Sligo, . My research interests are diverse, encompassing early years curriculum, social care practice, youth and community development, and social pedagogy. Of particular interest to me is work-balance and mutual flourishing.
As a person with upper left-limb dysmelia, I am passionate about social justice and empowerment, aiming to contribute to academic knowledge while providing practical benefits to students, local services and society. My research projects focus on occupational identity formation, academic literacy, and the educational experiences of first-generation students. I employ participatory approaches, narrative research, action research, and engaged research methods in my work.
I have extensive teaching experience in social care and early childhood education. Over the past three decades, I have been involved in direct social care practice, management, professional supervision, and training. My teaching philosophy emphasizes helping students become evidence-informed, self-regulating, and reflexive professionals. I integrate personal and social aspects of the learning environment, reflecting a post-modernist perspective on professional practice that prepares graduates to work within a neo-liberal market and a post-structural context of professionalism. I teach across a number of programmes and supervise research at undergraduate and post-graduate levels.
Research Interests
Social Pedagogy: Examining educational approaches that integrate care and education to support holistic development.
Early Years Curriculum: Exploring effective educational practices and frameworks for young children.
Social Care Practice: Investigating methods and strategies to improve social care services and outcomes.
Youth and Community Development: Studying ways to support and empower young people and communities.
Occupational Identity Formation: Understanding how social care professionals develop their professional identities.
Wellbeing and mentorship: Understanding how people in professional caring or education retain compassion and how mentorship creates a sense of community within the professional context.
Academic Literacy: Focusing on the development of academic skills and competencies, particularly among first-generation college students.
First-Generation Students' College Experience: Researching the unique challenges and experiences of students who are the first in their families to attend college.
I have a rich professional background spanning over three decades in the fields of social care and early childhood practice and education. Some highlights of my professional experience:
Direct Social Care Practice: Dr. Byrne has extensive hands-on experience in social care, working directly with individuals and communities to provide support and care services.
Management and Supervision: I have held various management roles, overseeing social care services, education programs, and providing professional supervision to other social care workers.
Training and Development: I have been actively involved in training and developing social care professionals and early childhood educators, ensuring they are well-equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge.
Academic Roles: As a lecturer at SETU, IT Carlow, and Carlow College, St. Patricks, I have been instrumental in shaping the curriculum and teaching methods for social care and early childhood education programs. My teaching philosophy emphasizes evidence-informed practice, self-regulation, and reflexivity.
Research and Publications: My research interests include early years curriculum, social care practice, youth and community development, and social pedagogy.
Board Membership: I have served as a board member of Wexford County Child Care Committee, Wexford Women's Refuge, and Wexford Children and Young Persons Services Committee, contributing to the development and implementation of policies and programs that benefit children and young people in the region.
