Education - Research

The two research centres are:



• The Cultures, Academic Values in Education (CAVE) research centre focuses on the area of higher education both nationally and internationally.



• The Centre for Research in Information Technology in Education (CRITE) is a collaborative initiative between the School of Education and the School of Computer Science and Statistics.



The four research groups are:



• Inclusion in Education and Society (IES) has a high profile in special needs education, psychology of aggression and prejudices and related fields.



• Research in School Education (RISE) focuses on teaching, learning and assessment in primary and post-primary education, exploring areas such as learning environments, reform of Junior Cycle, and the work of Lev Vygotsky.



• The Arts Education Research Group (AERG), has a focus on music, drama and arts education.



• Science, Technology, Engineering Mathematics: Education, Research and Communication (STEM¬_ERC) is developing a research agenda in the area of STEM learning, both formal and informal across all sectors of education.



The School has, for a number of years, been highly active in offering a programme of events ranging from workshops, lunchtime and one-day research seminars to international conferences which, alongside its publications, has helped establish the School as the leading centre for educational research in Ireland.

Deadlines for application for admission to the Ph.D. register in September 2023:



30th April 2023 for candidates who wish to be considered for the award of a School or Faculty scholarship. The School has one postgraduate scholarship to allocate annually (the 1252 scholarship) and may also submit a candidate for consideration for the Ussher scholarship which is open to competition within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.



31st July 2023 for standard admission in September 2023.

A full application including all necessary supplementary documentation is required by the deadline date for the application to be considered by the applications committee. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Next Intake: September 2024

School Description:


The School has approximately 80 students in research across our structured PhD and D.Ed. programmes. The School plays a leading role in educational research in Ireland and has also developed a strong international profile. Our research covers a wide range of areas including: policy and practice in primary and post-primary education; higher education policy; inclusion in education; STEM, language, arts and music education; technology and innovation in education.


The School has a thriving and vibrant research culture organised around two College research centres and four research groups. The two research centres are:


•The Cultures, Academic Values in Education (CAVE) research centre focuses on the area of higher education both nationally and internationally.


•The Centre for Research in Information Technology in Education (CRITE) is a collaborative initiative between the School of Education and the School of Computer Science and Statistics.


The four research groups are:


•Inclusion in Education and Society (IES) has a high profile in special needs education, psychology of aggression and prejudices and related fields.


•Research in School Education (RISE) focuses on teaching, learning and assessment in primary and post-primary education, exploring areas such as learning environments, reform of Junior Cycle, and the work of Lev Vygotsky.


•The Arts Education Research Group (AERG), has a focus on music, drama and arts education.


•Science, Technology, Engineering Mathematics: Education, Research and Communication (STEM­_ERC) is developing a research agenda in the area of STEM learning, both formal and informal across all sectors of education.


The School has, for a number of years, been highly active in offering a programme of events ranging from workshops, lunchtime and one-day research seminars to international conferences which, alongside its publications, has helped establish the School as the leading centre for educational research in Ireland.