Dr. Jane O'Kelly

Dr. Jane O'Kelly is Head of School of Policy and Practice in the DCU Institute of Education. Her research interests include further education and training, professional practice in teaching adults, neurodiversity and Autism. She lectures in research methodologies and approaches, sociology and professional practice in education. She was the Chair of the BSc in Education and Training from 2018 to 2024. She has strong ties to European Commission funded VET programmes through twenty years of administration, management, evaluation and report writing in the Leonardo da Vinci, Lifelong Learning and Erasmus+ programmes. She has a deep interest in Autism and Neurodiversity and the experience of autistic people in education and employment. She is committed to the development of the further education sector in Ireland through research and evaluation on pedagogy, peer support and learner-centred practice, both to support the continuing professional development of educators and trainers, and to improve outcomes for adult returners and older learners.