The Inclusive Education SIG was convened by Dr. Margaret Egan with partners, representing all HEIs in Ireland, including its current Executive Committee members, Dr. Kevin Cahill (UCC), Prof. Ml. Shevlin (TCD), Deirdre Forde (Froebel College, MU), Dr. Johanna Fitzgerald (MIC), and Dr. Miriam Colum (Marino IoE). Our IE SIG aims to clearly highlight an educational research focus and provide a communal space for collaboration and communication. The IE SIG seeks to engage in discourse on ‘access, social justice, creativity, knowledge sharing, innovation, and capacity building (Hug, 2015, p. 72). An Inclusive Education SIG at ESAI is both timely and necessary as it reflects and considers the global movement towards full inclusive education and the corresponding policy changes. The varying definitions of inclusion have expanded and the IE SIG will aim to reflect such diversity in education. We propose that our IE SIG will hold at least two events/meetings or workshops each year (outside of ESAI annual conference), which will convene all those interested in the SIG. The Inclusive Education SIG will present on its work at ESAI’s Annual Conference(s).
SIG Convenor: Margaret Egan
Inclusive Education Special Interest Group (IE SIG) Annual Report 2023
The formation of our IE SIG emerged from a call from the ESAI, in November 2019, to form SIGs. Colleagues, within each of the HEIs in Ireland, were contacted by Margaret Egan MIC, to consider forming a SIG that related directly to Inclusive Education. Recognising the complexities involved within this arena, the IE SIG has and continues to represent a communal space for collaboration and communication in our area(s) of interest. The IE SIG now has a significant national and international membership. The current Executive Committee Officers are: Margaret Egan MIC (Chair) Michael Shevlin, TCD (Vice Chair); Kevin Cahill, UCC (Secretary); Deirdre Forde, Froebel College, MUI (Treasurer); Miriam Colum, Marino IoE (Editor of Newsletter) and Johanna Fitzgerald, MIC (Executive Officer).
The IE SIG is delighted to announce the appointment of our new Chairperson, Dr Miriam Colum. Miriam is a Senior lecturer in Education and the Head of Department of Inclusion, Religious Education and Student Life in Marino Institute of Education. Her research interests are in inclusive education, school leadership for inclusion, and Foucauldian theory. Margaret Egan will remain on the Executive Committee and she and the entire membership wish Miriam, who will be an inspirational leader, every success in this role. Miriam looks forward to presenting on our IE SIG at the ESAI Conference 2024 and to meeting its members and to welcoming newcomers.
We are proud of the evolution of our Newsletter over the past year to now establishing itself as the IE SIG Research Bulletin. It is a peer-reviewed publication for Early Career Researchers, in particular. The IE SIG Research Bulletin reflects the agreed mission of the SIG and its key principles are as follows:
- To invite inclusive education researchers from across all domains in education to publish and promote research;
- To endorse an understanding of inclusive education research;
- To create a space for the sharing of teacher research in the field of inclusive education;
- To provide a platform for early researchers, generally, in the field;
- To identify current issues in inclusive education;
- To encourage dialogue around inclusive education policy, practice and pedagogy;
- To disseminate inclusive education research to the wider community of practitioners and policy-makers.
The current edition includes research articles from: Ciara Howe, Sarah Gallagher, Aoife Munroe, Nicola Mannion and Aileen Roche.
Our IE SIG Expert Lecture Series, included presentations from Prof. Lani Florian, ‘On the Necessary Co-Existence of Special and Inclusive Education’; Professor Richard Rose and Professor Michael Shevlin detailing Researching the Experiences and Outcomes for Students with Special Educational Needs in Irish Schools (Project IRIS); Dr Peter Hick on Initial Teacher Education for Inclusion, and the final presentation in the series was from Professor Melanie Nind, on the Spaces for Inclusion and Exclusion in Schools. In keeping with our purpose and mission, we are continuing to engage Early Career Researchers with those who are more established in the field and we are currently hosting the IE SIG Spring Spotlight Series, highlighting interesting research from across the SIG. The Series began with a lunchtime session on January 31st with Miriam Colum and Annmarie Collins entitled, Building Bridges: The transformative impact of occupational therapist / primary school teacher collaboration for inclusive learning. The presentation highlighted the importance of OT / teacher collaboration in primary schools, based on recent research. It outlined some practical OT activities that foster inclusive education for children of all ages. Annmarie Collins is a paediatric occupational therapist, and a primary school teacher. She is currently undertaking doctoral studies (PhD) in Trinity College Dublin that examines the role of the OT in supporting the educational experiences and occupational lives of children from minority communities. We are delighted to forecast the next presentation in the series from Prof. Emer Ring, MIC, based on the upcoming publication of her research and book, commissioned by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). Emer will focus on exploring the evolution of special education in Ireland from 1922-2022. The presentation will reflect on highlight key elements of the major reform agenda that have impacted on the experiences of children and young people with special educational needs. Kevin Cahill will issue an invitation to all members for May 1st at 1pm.
In summary, the IE SIG continues to create opportunities for sharing information and research, developing initiatives, identifying new colleagues and in general, has made itself visible in the field, nationally and internationally. The IE SIG welcomes new membership and looks forward to meeting all members at ESAI Conference in 2024. Our Executive Committee and all members are actively and passionately involved, which enables the IE SIG to fulfil its mission. There are a number of new projects in its pipeline, which we look forward to announcing at the ESAI Conference. We are passionately committed to developing our work in 2024.
Inclusive Education Special Interest Group (IE SIG) Annual Report 2024
In 2024, the honorary Inclusive Education Special Interest Group (IE SIG) continued its efforts to add to the discourse on inclusive education by promoting and fostering dialogue and critical thought among those in the space of education, research and policy. Some of the key events of the IE SIG in 2024 include:
March 2024: Executive Committee restructure
Dr Margaret Egan stepped down from her role as IE SIG Chairperson after dedicating five years in which she meticulously planned, organised and provided opportunity for many national and international conversations on inclusive education. On behalf of the IE SIG, we express our sincerest gratitude to Margaret for convening and diligently committing to the SIG, without her, this would not exist. The restructured Executive Committee are, Margaret Egan MIC (Executive Officer) Michael Shevlin, TCD (Vice Chair); Kevin Cahill, UCC (Secretary); Deirdre Forde, MU (Organising Member); Johanna Fitzgerald MIC / ETBI (Executive Officer) and Miriam Colum, Marino IoE (Chair).
April 2024: ESAI Annual Conference 2024
Maynooth University hosted the ESAI Annual Conference in April 2024. The conference theme, “Education for more just societies: the roles of imagination, innovation, and collaboration,” resonated with the SIG’s objectives. Dr Miriam Colum delivered an overview of the SIG’s activities, highlighting ongoing research and initiatives aimed at enhancing inclusivity in educational settings.
May 2024: Prof. Emer Ring addresses the SIG
Prof. Emer Ring, MIC, gave a spectacular introduction to her new book “Special Education in an Independent Ireland 1922-2022: Insights from a Journey through the Century” commissioned by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). This hugely valuable work provides an in-depth analysis of policy developments, achievements, and barriers to the landscape of special education in Ireland over the past century.
October 2024: Northern Networks: An Exploration of Inclusive Education
In October, Dr Margaret Egan represented our IE SIG at the online “Northern Networks: An Exploration of Inclusive Education.” This was a collaborative event between the Scottish Educational Research Association (SERA) and the Nordic Educational Research Association (NERA). This event facilitated a conversation on inclusive education among networks from Ireland, Scotland, and the Nordic countries.
2025 plans for the IE SIG:
IE SIG Online Spotlight Series for 2025:
We continue with the work of the online spotlight series and are delighted to announce the line up for this year: All sessions are online at 1pm:
- 6 March 2025: Dr Elizabeth Flanagan will present her research: “They have the Right to be Included: A Neuro-Affirmative Approach to Including Autistic Pupils with a Significant Learning Disability Alongside their Peers”
- 1 May 2025: Mr Brendan Doody, Assistant Chief Inspector, Department of Education will address the SIG on the new behaviour resource for schools: “Understanding Behaviours of Concern and Responding to Crisis Situations Guidelines for Schools in Supporting Students”
- October 2025: Dr Johanna Fitzgerald, Dr Sarah Gallagher and Dr Miriam Colum will address the development of the role, or lack thereof, of Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCos) in both primary and post primary settings in Ireland. (date TBC)
Dr Kevin Cahill will issue invitations for all three sessions nearer the time.
Research Bulletin
Our IE SIG newsletter was renamed as a “Research Bulletin” in 2024, and Deirdre Forde graciously took up the new role as Editor and is preparing the current edition for publication in Autumn 2025. We are continuously looking for articles for the bulletin. All articles are peer reviewed. Please email ienewsletter7@gmail.com to have your article included in the upcoming edition.
ESAI Annual Conference 2025
Deirdre and Miriam will present on the work of the IE SIG at this year’s ESAI conference in the Sheraton Hotel in Athlone. They will also have an Expo Stand displaying past events and will provide information about our current projects and initiatives and encourage new members to come join us. Make sure to look out for us on the day!
The IESIG will remain steadfast in its commitment to promoting inclusive practices in education and continue to contribute to the conversation on inclusion across all educational sectors.
