School of Inclusive and Special Education
DCU Institute of Education

• (Two X 3-Year Fixed Term Contracts)

Introduction

The DCU Institute of Education is the newest faculty of Dublin City University. It is based in a €70 million purpose built facility on the DCU St Patrick’s Campus in Drumcondra in Dublin. Established in 2016 as Ireland’s first University faculty of Education, it has a staff of more than 140 full-time academics and a student body in excess of 4,000. The Institute brings together students of education across all sectors from early childhood, to primary and post-primary, and further and higher education. As well as providing a range of undergraduate programmes in education, the Institute offers a rich menu of taught and research-based post-graduate programmes, at doctoral, masters, diploma and certificate levels. As a centre of expertise and excellence in teacher education and education more generally, the Institute hosts a range of research centres in key areas of priority and has an ambitious and growing programme of research.

With internationally-recognised experts in education policy, inclusive and special education, curriculum and pedagogy, assessment, literacy, evaluation and teacher education, the Institute provides a dynamic learning and working environment. Staff can expect to encounter opportunities for multi-disciplinary work, not just in the Institute, but across the University. As one of the world’s leading young Universities, DCU has established its fifth and newest faculty out of a conviction that studies and research in education and the preparation and support of teachers are central to the transformation of lives and communities. Dedicated to academic excellence and innovation, the DCU Institute of Education is confident its students and staff, and its graduates can flourish and lead in the challenging and complex contexts of 21st century education.

School of Inclusive and Special Education

The School of Inclusive and Special Education is one of six schools within DCU Institute of Education. It is the first such school in an Irish university. It has a critical mass of expertise in areas of inclusive education and special education and is dedicated to supporting the rights of all children and young people to an appropriate education and to learning for all. It has a strong research focus with staff and research students both full and part-time creating a vibrant community of inquiry.

The School provides a full range of continuing professional development programmes for teachers working in inclusive and special education roles, including a Graduate Diploma in Inclusive Education, Learning Support and Special Education, Masters in Special Educational Needs, Masters in Specific Learning Disabilities (Dyslexia), Graduate Certificate and Master of Education in the Education of Pupils on the Autism Spectrum and an online Certificate/Diploma in Special and Inclusive Education. It also contributes to the College’s initial teacher education programmes and taught doctorate.

Assistant Professor in Inclusive and Special Education

The School of Inclusive and Special Education is seeking to recruit two Assistant Professors to work collaboratively with members of the School and Institute.

They will make a substantial contribution to the design, development, and management of present and future initiatives addressing the needs of learners with Autism, general learning disabilities and other needs. Continuing the School’s historic engagement in the development of policy in Ireland in the area of special and inclusive education, the appointees will be expected to participate in research and policy networks and engage with key system stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The post will have a range of responsibilities including but not limited to the following:

Teaching and Learning

The successful candidates will be required to contribute significantly to the development, teaching, assessment and administration across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs at primary and post-primary levels.

The persons appointed will contribute as appropriate to the above programmes and be expected to contribute to the teaching of other areas of Education (as requested by the Head of School) in addition to the specialist areas, and to contribute to the wider work of the DCU Institute of Education.

They will engage in practicum school visits and write evaluative reports to support teachers’ planning and practice.

Research and Scholarship

The successful candidates will be committed to high-quality impactful research and publication in the field of inclusive and special education on an individual and a collaborative basis. They will contribute to the scholarship and intellectual life of the University by conducting research which will enhance its reputation as a research-led teaching institution and which will make a significant contribution to the development of the DCU Institute of Education’s research agenda.

Service and Contribution to University and Society

The successful candidates will be expected to participate in school and university meetings, engage in meetings related to programmes and represent the School in marketing and recruitment of students. The appointee will also be expected to be active in the organisation of seminars and conferences and in developing relationships with stakeholders across the University and in the education sector more generally.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Primary degree (NFQ Level 8) in a relevant area and a post-graduate qualification in areas related to Inclusive and Special Education, preferably at Doctoral level.
• Three years’ relevant experience

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications and experience

• Post graduate qualification in Inclusive and Special Education,
• Previous experience of in-career development work with teachers of students with special educational needs would be an advantage, particularly related to Autism and general learning disabilities
• Experience of working with learners with Autism and/or general learning disabilities
• Applications are welcome from teachers with a background and post graduate qualification in Inclusive and Special Education and from professionals and researchers in cognate areas,
• Strong social and team-work skills, excellent administrative and organisation skills.