The School of Education’s Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities was delighted to welcome an international research group from Japan as part of their ongoing fieldwork on inclusive higher education. 

The visit was initiated by Dr Owen Barden, and formed part of a wider programme of international engagement by the visiting group. Led by Satoru Takahashi of Tokai Gakuin University (also Professor Emeritus at Tokyo Gakugei University), the researchers have previously conducted fieldwork in Iceland and are committed to bringing international perspectives into research and policy development in Japan. 

 During their time at Trinity College Dublin, the group met with Prof Conor Mc Guckin, Dr Michèle Kehoe, Des Aston, and Sadbh Feehan from TCPID. What followed was a rich and reflective discussion exploring both the philosophy and day-to-day practice underpinning the Centre’s work. 

A central theme that emerged from the visit was the idea of inclusion as fundamental, not an add-on or a charitable gesture, but something at the very core of what a university is and should be. This perspective prompted a shift in how the visiting group reflected on higher education, moving beyond questions of access towards deeper considerations about the purpose of the university as a public good. 

 The visitors also reflected on how TCPID’s work challenges universities to examine their own assumptions. As Dr Subaru Noda noted: 

 “We were deeply moved by the point that TCPID has asked the university to examine its own hidden assumptions: who counts as a learner, what counts as knowledge, how success is defined. That, to us, is what makes this work genuinely academic.” 

 The visit provided a valuable opportunity for shared learning and exchange, with both TCPID staff and the research group benefiting from the openness and depth of the dialogue. There was a clear sense of mutual learning throughout, and strong interest in continuing the conversation beyond this initial visit. 

 TCPID looks forward to building on this connection and supporting ongoing collaboration as the group brings insights from Ireland into their work in Japan. 

 We extend our sincere thanks to the visiting researchers for their engagement, generosity, and thoughtful contributions, and we wish them well for the remainder of their time in Ireland.