I have a long-standing interest in intercultural communication, multilingualism, migrant education, and the development of skills for life through education. These interests closely align with European policy goals that emphasise multilingualism, multiculturalism, and the preparation of learners with the skills needed to participate fully in contemporary society.. This work is driven by a sustained commitment to enhancing the quality of teaching and learning and to supporting the development of confident, competent teachers for excelling in diverse school settings.

My recent work in the area of artificial intelligence focuses on the ethical and pedagogical use of AI tools in schools and teacher education. This research examines how AI can support lesson planning, differentiation, and reflective practice while enhancing teacher professional judgement, learner equity, and academic integrity. Grounded in critical digital pedagogy and aligned with emerging European and Higher Education policy debates, this work informs professional learning for teachers navigating the opportunities and challenges of AI in contemporary educational contexts.

Alongside this, I have a strong research interest in the experiences of student teachers with disabilities during school placement. This work examines access, supports, and belonging within school and higher education contexts. It highlights how support for student teachers with disabilities is often fragmented across institutions and placement settings and identifies inclusive, collaborative practices that can strengthen initial teacher education and contribute to more equitable and inclusive school placement systems.

Another aspect of my research explores how teachers can thrive and become the best educators they can be, focusing on the link between teacher pedagogical well-being and teaching, learning and assessment practices. My work has a specific focuse on teacher wellbeing in multilingual and multicultural classrooms, exploring how these environments impact both teachers and students.

My research on Digital Teaching and Learning seeks to develop innovative and inclusive pedagogies. Recent projects investigate technology's role in enhancing intercultural communication competence, global citizenship and teacher education. I collaborated on several European eTwinning projects as well as a recent Erasmus (TRIP) project, a key initiative that seeks to advance inclusive internationalisation at home educational approaches in Higher Education, particularly in the area of eLearning. The project is centred around fostering intercultural communication competence and promoting an inclusive international campus culture.

Global Citizenship Education is at the core of my research in the field of teacher education, where I emphaise the importance of critical consciousness and teacher agency in teacher education. The global citisenship education initiatives I develop are all collabroative and international in nature, involving partners from multiple countries and fostering cross-boarder cooperation and learning.

I have expertise in the field of inclusion, focusing on the education and training of educators working with students with additional needs. My journey in this area began in 2008, when I first underwent specialised training to support students with disabilities. Since then, I have pursued advanced training at the University of Southern California, deepening my expertise in inclusive practices. My work emphasises equipping educators, students and their parents with the skills and understanding necessary to foster inclusive learning environments. Inclusion remains a key area of my research and professional commitment.

For over 25 years, I have been researching strategic competency development in learners across the curriculum, with a focus on developing  autonomous learners. I equip future teachers with research-based strategies to foster strong literacy skills, supplying them with practical tools to improve student engagement and success across a range of subject disciplines.

As a member of research centres at the University of Limerick, including CALS; the Centre for Irish-German Studies; and the Centre for European Studies (CEUROS), I collaborate on projects that address pressing issues in language, cross-cultural relations, and European integration.  

I teach modules on foundation studies in education, encompassing key areas such as the history of education, contemporary issues, intercultural education, global citizenship, language-sensitive teaching, educational policy, and curriculum studies. Through these modules, I strive to foster a deep understanding of the socio-cultural, political, and historical contexts that influence education systems and practices. Through my work, I also  contribute to enhancing global competencies in teacher education, ensuring globally competent teachers, and fostering inclusive international learning environments.

Throughout my teaching career, I had the opportunity to work with a wide range of learners, from large lecture groups to smaller, more focused seminars. My teaching experience spans working with young and mature students, as well as international learners, all of whom bring diverse perspectives to the classroom. As a teacher educator, I prioritise inclusivity and best practices, ensuring that every student feels supported and empowered to succeed.

My teaching integrates Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) principles, ensuring all students feel empowered. Recognised for excellence in inclusive pedagogy, I received the 2024 European Language Label Award, the 2025 eTwinning National Quality Award, and eTwinning Thematic Prize 2025 for Citizenship Education.

I have a Ph.D. in Intercultural Communication & Understanding and Foreign Language Pedagogy from the University of Kassel, Germany (magna cum laude).

My Master’s degree is in Applied Linguistics from University College Dublin, Ireland. My thesis explored autonomous learning and strategic competencies for learner success).

I have secondary school teaching qualifications and a degree ​in German and History from the University of Galway, Ireland. I hold qualifications in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), Information and Communication Technology for Education Purposes (ICT), and Communication Studies. ​In addition to my educational qualifications, I am multilingual, with fluency in English, Gaeilge, German and French. I have several language-related qualifications from higher education institutions such as Cologne University, Bochum University, Goethe Institut, and Kassel University in Germany.

Before working in academia, I taught German, History, and ICT at post-primary level for over 13 years, where I held an Assistant Principal post within the school. I have also served as a long-standing examiner with Ireland’s State Examinations Commission. As a teacher, I received several national awards, including an eTwinning award (European Commission) for innovative pedagogy by enhancing learning through digital technologies and an award for an initiative for developing multicultural curricula.

​​I am the eTwinning/Erasmus Ambassador for Initial Teacher Education in Ireland. In this capacity, I promote the eTwinning programme to teachers and teacher educators, providing pedagogical and technical support to schools and teachers. eTwinning facilitates international exchanges, peer learning, multidisciplinary learning, and innovative pedagogy. It contributes to the development of intercultural and digital skills, aligning with several core priorities of national and international education policies seeking to harness the potential of digital technologies to enhance education and citizenship.