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Dr. Julie Byrne
Assistant Professor, Social Studies

Biography

Julie is Assistant Professor in Online Education & Development at Trinity College Dublin. She was Trinity"s Academic Lead (2019-2021) on the national Enhancing Digital Teaching and Learning project and is currently part of European Commission funded Leading European Advanced Digital Skills consortium. She led the development of Trinity"s first fully online postgraduate programme and is a Lead in Trinity's Microcreds project offering an online micro credential in Digital Technologies in Human Services. Julie studied human resource management and development, at Dublin City University and University College Dublin. Her doctoral thesis at the University of Limerick focused on the meanings of success in professional careers. The career as a concept spans many occupations and professions and this has facilitated Julie's work with a variety of professions including lecturers, engineers, managers and health and social care professionals. Julie came to Trinity in 2009 to work in the National Institute for Intellectual Disability where she coordinated the successful €1.5 million euro grant from Atlantic Philanthropies and was also Acting Director. Julie was previously Director of Academic Programmes at National College of Ireland where she also lectured in Human Resource Management and Development and Business Management. Alongside her part-time academic role Julie provides consulting services to professional bodies and professional regulators on education, training and continuing professional development matters. Her research interests are online learning and education, digital technologies in human services, digital skills and maintaining competence in the professional career.

Publications and Further Research Outputs

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Doolan Maher, R., Flynn, S. and Byrne, J., Shifting Mindsets; A Critical Commentary on Child Protection and Welfare, Disability, and Online Risk Through Critical Literature Review, Child Care in Practice, 2024, phttps://doi.org/10.1080/135752 Journal Article, 2024 TARA - Full Text

Mechanisms of Power in the Digital Age: Surveillance, Privacy and Professional Boundaries in Social Work Practice in, editor(s)Antonio Lopez Pelaez, Gloria Kirwan , Routledge International Handbook of Digital Social Work, London, UK, Routledge, 2023, pp393 - 404, [Gloria Kirwan, Julie Byrne] Book Chapter, 2023

Flynn, S., Doolan Maher, R. and Byrne, J, ., Child protection and welfare risks and opportunities related to disability and internet use: Broadening current conceptualisations through critical literature review, Children and Youth Services Review, 157, 2023 Journal Article, 2023 DOI

Paula McFadden, Jana Ross, Julie Byrne, Niamh Flanagan, Rose Dolan,Gloria Kirwan, Eleanor Kelly, Caroline Shore, Orla McDonald,Elaine Wilson, Paula Slavin, Audrey Roulston, Claire McCartan, Markus Ketola, The role of social work education in relation to empathy and self-reported resilience: Results from entry to exit of social work education on the island of Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic., British Journal of Social Work, 2023, p1-20 Journal Article, 2023 URL

Social Work Education and Digitalisation: The Classroom in Transition in, editor(s)Antonio Lopez Pelaez, Gloria Kirwan , Routledge International Handbook of Digital Social Work, London, UK, Routledge, 2023, [Julie Byrne ] Book Chapter, 2023

"Vibrant, Open and Accessible" " Students" visions of higher education futures in, editor(s)Czerniewicz, L. and Cronin, C. , Higher Education for Good: Teaching and Learning Futures, Cambridge, UK, Open Book Publishers, 2023, pp335 - 352, [Flynn, S., Byrne, J., Devoy, M. Johnstone, J., Lowney, R., Magee, E., Molloy, K., Moloney, D., Munro, M., Ongolly, F., Ryan, J., Stone, S. Waters, M. and Wright, K.] Book Chapter, 2023 URL DOI

McCartan, C., Byrne, J., Campbell, J., Coogan, D., Davidson, G.,Hayes, D., Kirwan, G., MacDonald, M., McCaughren, S., McFadden, P.,McGregor, C.,Montgomery, L., Pentaraki, M., Roddy, S.,Roulston, A., Shore, C. Wilson. E., Social work students on the island of Ireland: a cross-sectional survey , Social Work Education, 41, (2), 2022, p228 - 247 Journal Article, 2022 URL

Byrne, J., Co-producing Interaction in Live Online Classes: Student and Educator Perspectives, Irish Learning Technology Association EDTECH Conference, Online, 27-28 May, 2021 Oral Presentation, 2021

Digital Learning and Teaching Post COVID-19: Learning from the Enhancing Digital Teaching and Learning (EDTL) Approach in, editor(s)Keane, M., McAvinia, C. and O'Sullivan, Í. , Emerging Issues in Educational Development IV: Changing Times, Changing Context , Ireland, EDIN, 2021, pp86 - 96, [Flynn, S., Munro, M., Byrne, J. et al] Book Chapter, 2021 URL

Byrne, J. and Muldowney, L., 'Enhancing Interaction in Live Online Classes', The EDTL Approach (Enhancing Digital Teaching and Learning), Dublin, Irish Universities Association, 2021, - Protocol or guideline, 2021

The History of Technology in Social Work in, editor(s)David Alonso, Andrés Arias Astray, & Andoni Alonso , Social Work in Digital Societies: Challenges for Innovative Research and Practice, London, McGraw-Hill, 2021, pp49 - 62, [Gloria Kirwan, Julie Byrne] Book Chapter, 2021

McFadden, P., Byrne, J and Kirwan, G., All Ireland Social Work Student Survey: Phase One Results, December 2018. Preliminary Data, IFSW Global Social Work Online Conference, Online , 12-15 July 2020, edited by IFSW , 2020 Oral Presentation, 2020

Byrne, J., Hamill, D. and O'Connor, K, Enhancing digital teaching skills in higher education: using pedagogy over technology in professional development', 14th annual International Technology, Education and Development Conference, Valencia, Spain, 2-4 March, 2020, edited by L. Gómez Chova, A. López Martínez, I. Candel Torres IATED Academy , IATED Academy, 2020, pp8074 - 8079 Conference Paper, 2020 DOI

Byrne, J., Reaching across the void - boosting interaction in synchronous online classes', 14th annual International Technology, Education and Development Conference, Valencia, Spain, 2-4 March, 2020, edited by L. Gómez Chova, A. López Martínez, I. Candel Torres IATED Academy , IATED Academy, 2020, pp8068 - 8073 Conference Paper, 2020 DOI

Social Work Education in Ireland in, Sajid S.M., Rajendra Baikady, Cheng Sheng-Li, Haruhiko Sakaguchi , The Palgrave Handbook of Global Social Work Education, UK, Palgrave Macmillan, 2020, pp275 - 291, [Byrne, J.,Holt, S. and Kirwan, G.] Book Chapter, 2020 URL

Flynn, S., Purser, L. Bowles,N., Byrne,J., Hamill,D., O'Connor, K., Lowney, R., Stone, S., Molloy, K., Moloney, D.,Munro, M., O'Connor, M., O'Reilly, M., O'Mara, T. and O'Callaghan, C., Enhancing Digital Capacity in Teaching and Learning in Ireland: a national approach, European University Association European Learning & Teaching Forum, Utrecht, Netherlands, 13-14 February, 2020, EUA, 2020 Conference Paper, 2020 URL

Byrne, J., Kirwan, G. & Mc Guckin, C., Social Media Surveillance in Social Work: Practice Realities and Ethical Implications, Journal of Technology in Human Services, 37, (2-3), 2019, p142 - 158 Journal Article, 2019 URL

Byrne, J. & Kirwan, G., Relationship-Based Social Work and Electronic Communication Technologies: Anticipation, Adaptation and Achievement, Journal of Social Work Practice, 33, (2), 2019, p217 - 232 Journal Article, 2019

Kirwan, G. and Byrne, J., The Power Switch: Equipping Social Work Students To Practise in a World of Technological Surveillance Possibilities, Book of Abstracts, Annual Conference, European Association of Schools of Social Work, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain, 4-7 June 2019, I. Amaro, F. de Lucas, European Association of Schools of Social Work , EASSW, 2019, pp202 - 202 Published Abstract, 2019

Kirwan, G. and Byrne, J. (2019) Educating Professionals: The Role of Regulatory Standards in Programme Development, L. Gómez Chova, A. López Martínez, I. Candel Torres(ed.), 12th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, ICERI2019 Proceedings, Seville, Spain, ISBN 978-84-09-1475, 11-13 November 2019, IATED, 2019, 8302-8307 p Proceedings of a Conference, 2019

Kirwan, G. and Byrne, J., The Power Switch: Equipping Social Work Students To Practise in a World of Technological Surveillance Possibilities , European Association of Schools of Social Work, Madrid, Spain, 4-7 June , edited by I. Amaro and F. de Lucas , ISBN 978-84-09-13160, 2019, pp202 - 202 Published Abstract, 2019

ICEP(ed.), Enhancing Digital Capacity in Teaching and Learning in Irish Universities, Limerick, Ireland, 2019 Proceedings of a Conference, 2019

Daly, L. and Byrne, J., The Ramifications of Using Panel Recruitment to Fill Social Work Posts, Irish Journal of Management, 2019 Journal Article, 2019

Byrne, J. and Kirwan, G., Book Review Linda Cundy (2015) Love in the Age of the Internet: Attachment in the Digital Era, London: Karnac Books., Journal of Social Work Practice, 33, (2), 2019, p247 - 249 Review Article, 2019

Byrne, J. (2019) Building Vibrant Classes in Online Higher Education: What Works for Educators? L. Gómez Chova, A. López Martínez and I. Candel Torres (ed.), 12th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, ICERI2019 Proceedings, Seville, Spain, ISBN 978-84-09-1475, 11-13 November, 2019, IATED Academy, 2019, 5719- 5725. p Proceedings of a Conference, 2019

Male, S. and Byrne, J., Educating Social Workers for Multi-Disciplinary Hospital Discharge Planning , European Association of Schools of Social Work, Madrid, Spain, 4-7 June , edited by I. Amaro and F. de Lucas , ISBN 978-84-09-13160, 2019, pp172 - 172 Published Abstract, 2019

Byrne, J., Opening a Bridge to Social Work Education Through Online Learning , European Association of Schools of Social Work, Madrid, Spain, 4-7 June , edited by I. Amaro and F. de Lucas , ISBN 978-84-09-13160, 2019, pp181 - 181 Published Abstract, 2019

Byrne, J., Bringing the Fully Online Class to Life in a Higher Education Programme, 28th ICDE World Conference on Online Learning, Dublin, Ireland, 3-7 November, 2019 Published Abstract, 2019

Byrne, J. & Kirwan, G., Learning in Transition: Workplace Learning for Newly Qualified Social Workers, ICERI2018 Proceedings, 11th International Conference on Education, Research and Innovation., Seville, Spain, November 2018, edited by L. Gómez Chova, A. López Martínez, I. Candel Torres , (ISBN 978-84-09-0594 ), IATED Academy, 2018, pppp. 6676-6683 Published Abstract, 2018 TARA - Full Text URL

Byrne, J., Kirwan, G. and Flavin, E., Groupwork with people who have experienced political oppression: context and challenges, Groupwork, 28, (1), 2018, p77 - 99 Journal Article, 2018

L. Gómez Chova, A. López Martínez, I. Candel Torres(ed.), Developing Accredited Online Higher Education in a University Setting: A Change Management Case Study, Seville, Spain, ISBN 978-84-09-0594, 12-14 November 2018, IATED Academy, 2018 Proceedings of a Conference, 2018

Kirwan, G., Mc Guckin, C., Byrne, J., Positive Connections: the views of recent social work and teacher graduates on their use of social media., Abstract Book: SWSD2018, Joint World Conference of Social Work, Education and Social Development: , Dublin, July 2018, edited by IFSW , IFSW, 2018, pp373 - 373 Meeting Abstract, 2018 URL

Byrne, J., Developing Accredited Online Higher Education in a University Setting: A Change Management Case Study, ICERI2018 Proceedings, 11th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, Seville, Spain, 12-14 November 2018, edited by L. Gómez Chova, A. López Martínez, I. Candel Torres , , 2018, , IATED Academy, 2018, pppp6650 - 6655 Published Abstract, 2018

L. Gómez Chova, A. López Martínez, and I. Candel Torres(ed.), Learning in Transition: Workplace Learning for Newly Qualified Social Workers, Seville, Spain, ISBN 978-84-09-0594, 12-14 November 2018, IATED Academy, 2018 Proceedings of a Conference, 2018

Byrne, J., Kirwan, G. & Mc Guckin C., Positive Connections: the views of recent social work and teacher graduates on their use of social media, Joint World Conference of Social Work, Education and Social Development:, Dublin, Ireland, 4-7 July 2018, 2018 Oral Presentation, 2018

Byrne, J. & Kirwan, G., Situated Learning: The Transition of Social Workers from Professional Education into Practice, 26th International Conference on Learning, Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland, 24-26 July 2019, edited by Common Ground , 2018 Published Abstract, 2018 URL

Byrne, J and Male, S., Review of The Psychology of Oppression E.J.R. David and Annie O. Derthick, Groupwork, 28, (1), 2018, p100 - 103 Review Article, 2018

Kirwan, G., Mc Guckin, C., Byrne, J., Positive Connections: the views of recent social work and teacher graduates on their use of social media., Abstract Book: SWSD2018, Joint World Conference of Social Work, Education and Social Development: , Dublin, July 2018, edited by IFSW , IFSW, 2018, pp373 - 373 Published Abstract, 2018 URL

Byrne, J., Subjective and Objective Dimensions of Careers in Small Irish Organisations, University of Limerick, 2007 Thesis, 2007

In Search of Contemporary Careers in Small Irish Enterprises in, editor(s)A. Bron, Kurantowicz, E., Salling Olesen, H. and West, L. , Old and New Worlds of Adult Learning, Wroclaw, Wydawnictwo Naukowe, 2005, pppp. 294-307 , [Julie Byrne] Book Chapter, 2005

Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications

Byrne, J.,, Designing a sustainable interface between industry & higher education: Lessons for advanced digital skills, European Big Data Value Conference, Valencia, Spain,, 27-29 October, 2023 Oral Presentation, 2023

Byrne, J., Co-Producing Interaction in Live Online Classes: Insights from Students and Educators, Professional Development Series, Online, 10 March, 2021, Dundalk Institute for Technology, Centre for Teaching and Learning Invited Talk, 2021

Byrne, J., Learning from experience: what works in online classes?, School Learning Forum, School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences, 9 April, 2021, SLSCS Invited Talk, 2021

Byrne, J., Working together to enhance interaction in live online classes , Learning online: a roundtable discussion with students and educators, University College Cork, 25 March , 2021, UCC Invited Talk, 2021

Byrne, J., Enhancing Interaction in Live Online Classes: What Works for Students?, Irish Universitites Association Webinar Series - Enhancing Digital Teaching and Learning, 25 January 2021, 2021 Invited Talk, 2021

Byrne, J., Enhancing Interaction in Live Online Classes: Digital Pedagogy Guidance for Educators, Social Work Research and Educators Forum, 7 - 8 January 2021, 2021 Oral Presentation, 2021

Gloria Kirwan Julie Byrne,, Educating Professionals: The Role of Regulatory Standards in Programme Development,, 12th Annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, ICERI2019 , Seville, Spain, 11-13 November 2019, edited by IATED , 2019 Oral Presentation, 2019

Edwina Flavin, Gloria Kirwan, Julie Byrne, Working in a Culturally Competent Way? Exploring the Perceptions of Social Workers Engaging with Children and Their Families from Minority Ethnic Groups, 7th National Child Protection and Welfare Social Work Conference , University College Cork, 24 October 2019, edited by SWCONF , 2019 Oral Presentation, 2019

Gloria Kirwan Julie Byrne,, EDUCATING PROFESSIONALS: THE ROLE OF REGULATORY STANDARDS IN PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT, ICERI2019: 12th International Conference on Education, Research and Innovation , Seville, Spain, 11-12 November 2019, edited by IATED , 2019 Oral Presentation, 2019

Julie Byrne, Gloria Kirwan, Situated Learning: The Transition of Social Workers from Professional Learning into Practice, The Learner Conference, Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland, 24-26 July, edited by Common Ground , 2019 Oral Presentation, 2019

Gloria Kirwan Julie Byrne,, The Power Switch: Equipping Students to Practice in a World of Technological Surveillance Possibilities., European Association of Schools of Social Work Annual Conference, Madrid, Spain, 4-7 June 2019, edited by EASSW , 2019 Oral Presentation, 2019

Byrne, J., Creating Career Narratives through the Career History Method, 5th Irish Narrative Inquiry Conference, Dublin, Ireland, 2-3 May, 2019, 2019 Oral Presentation, 2019

Byrne J, Evaluation of the KEY and LET Programmes 2012/13, Belfast, Young Enterprise Northern Ireland/Junior Achievement Ireland, 2014 Report, 2014

Clarke, A., Kirwan, G. and Byrne, J., Post Qualification Perspectives of Newly Qualified Social Workers, Journal of Irish Association of Social Work, April, 2012 Journal Article, 2012

Keenan, E and Byrne, J. , Realising the Potential: Supporting Managers of Community and Voluntary Organisations in Ireland, Dublin, 2011 Report, 2011

Byrne, J, Occupational Standards for Managers in the Community and Voluntary Sector, Dublin, IMCV, 2010 Report, 2010

Byrne, J. and Murphy, T., An Analysis of Current & Future Skills, Education and Qualifications of the HRD/Training Profession in Ireland, Dublin, Irish Institute of Training and Development, 2009 Report, 2009

Byrne, J. , The Challenge of Developing the Contemporary Career , People Focus, (January), 2005 Journal Article, 2005

Byrne, J., Self Directed Career Development in the Small Firm Setting , Irish Academy of Management Conference, Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology, September, 2005 Conference Paper, 2005

Byrne, J, Subjective Dimensions of Career: The Small Firm Context , Irish Academy of Management Conference, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland., September 2004, 2004 Conference Paper, 2004

Byrne, J, In Search of Contemporary Careers, 4th Conference of the European Society for Research into the Education of Adults, University of Wroclaw, Poland, September, 2004 Conference Paper, 2004

Byrne, J and McGreevy, S, Promoting Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland Through Enterprise Education , UNESCO Conference on Intercultural Education, University of Jyvaskkyla, Finland., June, 2003 Conference Paper, 2003

Byrne, J and McGreevy, S, Learning to Live Together and Learning to Be , 6th International Lifelong Learning in Europe Conference, Helskini, Finland, September 2003, 2003 Conference Paper, 2003

Byrne J, Student Retention in Science and Engineering Programmes at an Institute of Technology, Dublin, 2003 Report, 2003

Byrne, J, Analysis of Training Needs of Female Employees in RTE, Dublin, 1998 Report, 1998

Research Expertise

Description

Online learning in higher education and professional development; impact of technology and digitisation on human services; professional careers and continuing professional development, leadership and management of human service organisations, regulation of professionals

Projects

  • Title
    • Enhancing the digital teaching capabilities of experienced online instructors and the digital learning capabilities of their students.
  • Summary
    • Online education requires both students and lecturers to acquire skills and display behaviours that fit the learning environment. While research has been conducted on the design and technical skills required in an online environment there has been relatively little research on the skills and behaviours required once an online course is 'live'. How students and lecturers can build a safe and vibrant online learning space which promotes student engagement is a growing area of study associated with student satisfaction and success. This project aims to address the gap by asking experienced online graduates and lecturers in Trinity to identify the behaviours they associate with good digital learning and teaching. Through focus groups with students as well as interviews with lecturers, the research will inform the development of online resources for students and add to the range of learning resources for those in higher education to develop their skills in line with the National Professional Development Framework in domains 3, 4 & 5
  • Funding Agency
    • National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning
  • Date From
    • April 2019
  • Date To
    • December 2020
  • Title
    • The transition of newly qualified social work graduates into professional employment
  • Summary
    • A review of the literature shows that there are numerous factors influencing the transition into employment for newly qualified graduates. This study aims to examine the factors influencing this career transition for new social workers. Understanding career transitions has become an important topic for study given increased concerns about the retention of social workers. The study adopts a qualitative approach involving individual interviews with social work graduates who entered professional social work employment
  • Date From
    • 2017
  • Date To
    • 2020
  • Title
    • Development of a continuing professional development (CPD) Strategy
  • Summary
    • The aim of this project was to develop a continuing professional development strategy for a professional body. The research involved both secondary research and interviews with professionals and comparable professional bodies in other countries.
  • Funding Agency
    • Professional body
  • Date From
    • 2014
  • Date To
    • 2014
  • Title
    • Development of occupational standards for managers in the community and voluntary sector
  • Summary
    • The aim of this project was to develop occupational standards for managers in the community and voluntary sector to support continuing professional development activities for the sector. The research involved secondary research to identify a framework for the standards and primary research with managers and their employers to identify the key competences for managers working in the community and voluntary sector.
  • Funding Agency
    • Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
  • Date From
    • 2009
  • Date To
    • 2010
  • Title
    • Identification of the skill, education and learning needs of HRD/Training professionals in Ireland
  • Summary
    • The aim of this project was to identify the current skills, education and training level of human resource development and training professionals and their future needs. The project involved secondary research and primary research using a questionnaire distributed to members of the Irish Institute of Training and Development. The project recommended a career development framework for the human resource development and training profession outlining the skills required at each level.
  • Funding Agency
    • FAS and the Irish Institute for Training and Development
  • Date From
    • 2008
  • Date To
    • 2009
  • Title
    • Subjective and objective dimensions of professional careers
  • Summary
    • Conceptual,theoretical and empirical gaps have arisen in the study of career because of a focus on its objective rather than subjective elements. This project addressed these gaps using a combination of qualitative work history interviews and factual questionnaires with a sample of owner and employee engineers working in small Irish firms. The findings revealed that the career is conceptualised as a planned journey with a clear sequence of progression, recognised as such by others. The study highlighted the doubt and insecurity that indivduals feel when their careers are judged against the 'standard' career template. The study extends the limited international research on engineers' career paths and orientations to the Irish setting and identifies entrepreneurial interest as a new career orientation for engineers. The small firm context was less influential than expected partly due to the strong structure of professional engineering work which transcends organisational boundaries.
  • Date From
    • 2003
  • Date To
    • 2007
  • Title
    • All Ireland Study of Social Work Students
  • Date From
    • 2018
  • Date To
    • 2022
  • Title
    • Leading Europe's Advanced Digital Skills
  • Summary
    • "LeADS, in the context of the Digital Europe Programme, aims to deliver insights into the changing Advanced Digital Skills (ADS) demands within a dynamic technological development context and current digital transformation to equip the education and training communities by providing roadmaps and guidelines. LeADS activities will ensure that all interventions related to advanced digital skills are in line with gaps present in the market, working closely with industries for the uptake of training, reskilling, and upskilling the workforce and communities."
  • Funding Agency
    • European Commission
  • Date From
    • 2022
  • Date To
    • 2024

Keywords

Career Education & Planning; CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT; Continuous Professional Development for Practising Teachers; digital education competences; digital pedagogy; Education and training; Nonprofit Management ; POSTGRADUATE TRAINING; PROFESSION; professional training policy (education and regulation); Training and Development

Recognition

Representations

Coordinator All Ireland Social Work Student Survey 2021

Enhancing Digital Teaching and Learning Project Team - TCD Representative & Academic Lead 2019

All Ireland Social Work Study Survey - School Representative 2018

QQI Accreditation Panel - Business Management in the Community & Voluntary Sector 2017

Reviewer - International Review of Open & Distance Learning 2017

Reviewer - Journal of Technology in Human Services 2017

Reviewer - British Journal of Social Work 2020

Reviewer - European Research on Management and Business Economics 2020

Reviewer - European Journal of Social Work 2020

Reviewer - Journal of Social Work Practice 2018

Reviewer - International Journal of Qualitative Methods 2021

Reviewer - Groupwork 2019

Founding Board member, Institute for Managers of Community & Voluntary Organisations in Ireland (IMCV) 2008

Steering Committee - development by Irish Institute of Training & Development of Masters programme in Training & Development 2008

Steering Committee - development by Dublin Docklands Development Authority of B.A. in Active Citizenship 2007

Memberships

Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development 1992 – 2013