Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and the Teaching Council announce landmark research study on teaching in Ireland

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and the Teaching Council today (2 April) announced the commencement of a ground breaking research study on teaching in Ireland that aims to ensure teachers have the best possible start to their careers. Teachers’ Professional Journeys: The First Decade is a longitudinal research study that has been jointly commissioned by the Department of Education and the Teaching Council. It will explore teachers’ early career experiences, as they complete initial teacher education and become established in the profession. Running to 2030 at an overall cost of €2.8 million (incl. VAT), this is a very significant study which will inform and shape policy in a range of areas including initial teacher education, induction into the profession and early professional development. It will encompass primary, post-primary and further education teacher graduates from the classes of 2019, 2022, 2025 and 2026, as well as other key stakeholders. The research will be conducted by a consortium comprising the University of Limerick (UL), the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and Mary Immaculate College (MIC), under the leadership of Professor Paul Conway from University of Limerick, Professor Emer Smyth from the ESRI and Professor Aisling Leavy from Mary Immaculate College. Minister Foley said: “The research study demonstrates the strong commitment of both the Department and the Teaching Council to listen to the voices and experiences of teachers in a way that can shape and reshape future policy on teaching and teacher education. I hope that all teachers in the relevant cohorts and other education stakeholders will see the value in contributing to this study, which is the first of its kind for this country.” Read full article here >