Susan Kirwin has been Coordinator of the Student Learning Development Team in Trinity College since 2013. The purpose of the coordinator role is to manage the scale and delivery of Trinity’s academic learning skills services and to equip Trinity students with world-class academic and graduate skills in their studies and beyond. She provides senior level leadership within SLD and vision and strategic direction across the SCS service, contributing to the University’s objectives in terms of academic skills, transition, and the student experience.
A key component of the role is promotion and partnership of the service across the University to provide a centre of expertise and advice. With a focus on research, evidence-based strategies and approaches to teaching and learning, SLD enables students to improve their academic performance and successfully complete their studies while at University. In 2020 Susan led the pilot for the University’s first Academic Writing Centre for Students.
Susan holds a Masters degree in Technology and Education from Trinity College Dublin, a degree in Computer Engineering and a degree in Mathematics.
Tamara has worked with the Student Counselling Service since 1995.She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She also has a Masters in Education from Trinity College and a Doctorate in Educational Psychology from the University of East London.
She uses her knowledge and experience of psychological and educational principles to help students improve the way they study and learn. She has worked with students across a wide range of ages and abilities as well as in a variety of educational and business settings.
Tamara has a special interest in positive psychology and the role of emotions in learning. She loves to read, travel, ski, hike and drink wine.
Maeve’s background is in Psychology, and has a PhD from the the School of Education, Trinity College Dublin (2022) on the topic of learners’ experiences of completing a PhD on a part-time basis. She has a post doctorate from Dublin City University (2022) on open learning and online educational resources.
In 2024 she published a book to support doctoral students called ‘Designing your PhD Journey: The MOSAIC approach to success.’ Maeve is interested in student inclusion, personal development and wellbeing and the quality of the learner’s experience.
Caroline originally qualified as an Occupational Therapist and following a number of years in clinical practice she moved into the area of training and became head of a training centre for young adults with intellectual disabilities. She returned to university as a mature student and attained a first class honours degree in Sociology and Anthropology from NUI Maynooth, and two MScs from Trinity College (‘Global Health’ and ‘Technology and Learning’).
Caroline’s approach to improving student academic performance is to create an empowering environment for students where they can develop confidence in their ability to be self-directed learners, coupled with providing a range of proven strategies in the area of academic performance enhancement.
Grace completed her PhD in English Literature at the University of Liverpool, during which time she also worked as a University Teacher (English Literature), an Academic Writing Tutor, and a Postgraduate Research Administrator.
Following her PhD, she worked as Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Liverpool for the research methods scheme Engage@liverpool. She then obtained a position at Maynooth University teaching English Literature, before taking up the role of Student Learning Development Adviser at Trinity College Dublin.