Dr. Aoife Lynam

Assistant Professor, Education

Biography

Dr Aoife Lynam is an Assistant Professor in Psychology of Education in the School of Education at Trinity College Dublin. She was awarded the Trinity Gold Medal (2009) for outstanding undergraduate performance and received a Trinity College Dublin Faculty Scholarship (2012). She is also a former Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences Scholar (2013"2015). Her doctoral research, which was supported by two scholarships, examined the experiences of bereaved young people in Irish primary and post-primary schools. Dr Lynam has over 18 years" experience in education and has worked full-time in higher education since 2015. She lectures in Psychology of Education, Research Methods, and Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE), and has extensive experience supervising pre-service teachers both on school placement and in the completion of their research dissertations. She serves as Programme Coordinator for the M.Ed. in Psychology of Education and as Dissertation Coordinator for the Research Methods module within the Professional Master of Education programme, contributing to programme development, student support, and postgraduate research supervision. Her research and collaborative work has spanned a number of institutions, including Trinity College Dublin, Stranmillis University College, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), Hibernia College, and Dublin City University (DCU). Dr Lynam is an Advisory Board Member of the Irish Childhood Bereavement Network (ICBN), a member of the Management Board of the Trinity Research in Childhood Centre (TRiCC), and serves on the management board of the Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities (TCPID). She is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Educational Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI). Dr Lynam has published and presented her research widely at both national and international levels.

Publications and Further Research Outputs

Peer-Reviewed Publications
Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications

The systematic literature review method: Trials and tribulations of electronic database searching at doctoral level. in, 2016, pp51 , [O'Brien, A. M., & Mc Guckin, C. ]Book Chapter, 2016, DOI , TARA - Full Text
A case for developing normative bereavement suport through the SPHE curriculum in Irish primary and post-primary schools in, editor(s)Whitaker, T., Lynam, A.M., Buckley, K., and Cassidy, D. , Voices of educators in 21st century Ireland, Dublin, Ireland, Hibernia College Dublin, 2018, pp123 - 139, [Lynam, A.M. and Mc Guckin, C.]Book Chapter, 2018, TARA - Full Text
Lynam, A. M., McConnell, B., & Mc Guckin, C., BeSAD (Bereavement, Separation, and Divorce): The response of pre-service teachers to pupil well-being. A Report for the Standing Conference on Teacher Education North and South (SCoTENS), First., Armagh, Northern Ireland., The Centre for Cross Border Studies., 2018, 79ppBook, 2018, TARA - Full Text
Lynam, A., McConnell, B., & Mc Guckin, C., BeSAD . . . "it was truly an awful experience": An exploration of pre-service teachers' experiences and training needs to support pupils experiencing issues of bereavement, separation and divorce., Pastoral Care in Education., 38, (1), 2020, p64 - 82Journal Article, 2020, DOI , TARA - Full Text
Selina McCoy, Lynam (O'Brien), How field experience shapes pre-service primary teachers technology integration knowledge and practice, Teacher Development, 26, (4), 2022, p567--586Journal Article, 2022, DOI
Selina McCoy, Aoife Lynam, Mary Kelly, A CASE FOR USING SWIVL FOR DIGITAL OBSERVATION IN AN ONLINE OR BLENDED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, International Journal on Innovations in Online Education, 2, (2), 2018Journal Article, 2018, DOI
Selina McCoy, Aoife M. Lynam, Video-based self-reflection among pre-service teachers in Ireland: A qualitative study, Education and Information Technologies, 26, (1), 2021, p921--944Journal Article, 2021, DOI
Lynam, A.M., Mc Guckin, C., `People ignore you because they are afraid " ": retrospective school and life experiences of individuals who were bereaved in childhood, Pastoral Care in Education, 2025Journal Article, 2025, DOI
Creating Inclusive University Experiences in, editor(s)C. Rogers-Shaw, T. Williams Park, K. Mohney, & K. Sheward , Fostering a Community of Success for Neurodivergent Collegiate Students, IGI Global, 2025, pp151 - 186, pp151-186 , [Aoife Lynam, Conor McGuckin, Jennifer Banks, Marie Devitt, Michael Shevlin, Des Aston, Barbara Ringwood, Eileen A. Murphy, Sadbh Feehan, Owen Barden, Vivian Rath, John Kubiak, Angela Mazzocco, Jill Woodnutt]Book Chapter, 2025, DOI
Kate Carr Fanning, Aoife Lynam, Tom Nicholson, Conor McGuckin, From ADHD Diagnosis to Meaning: Does Grief Theory Enhance Our Understanding of Narrative Reconstruction?, Brain Sciences, 15, (10), 2025, p1045 - 1045, p1045-1045Journal Article, 2025, DOI
Aoife Lynam, Conor McGuckin, Lucie Ehiwe, Decolonising Ireland"s education system remains vital despite the country"s wealth and privilege, 2025Journal Article, 2025, DOI
Sinéad McNally, Lisa Keenan, Aoife Lynam, Christina O"Keeffe, Mary Rose Sweeney, `I Don"t Mind if You Ask Me": Methodological Insights From Conducting Inclusive Interviews With Autistic Students About Their School Experiences, International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 24, 2025Journal Article, 2025, DOI
Using qualitative research methods in education research in, editor(s)D. Fahie & S. Bergin , Doing research in education: A beginner's guide, University College Dublin Press, 2022, pp64 - 81, [Lynam, A., Kelly, M., & Mc Guckin, C.]Book Chapter, 2022, TARA - Full Text
Creating inclusive schools: Enhancing educational opportunities for migrant and refugee children in Ireland in, editor(s)B. Mooney , Education matters: Ireland's yearbook of education 2024, Dublin, Ireland, Education Matters., 2024, pp341 - 344, [Zheng, B., Lynam, A. M., & Mc Guckin, C.]Book Chapter, 2024, TARA - Full Text
Unlearning colonial perspectives in psychology of education. in, editor(s)A.M. Lynam & C. Mc Guckin , Contemporary issues in the psychology of education, IGI Publishers, 2026, pp35 - 54, [Lynam, A. M., Ehiwe, L., Mc Guckin, C., McCarthy, P., & Fitzgerald, G.]Book Chapter, 2026, DOI , TARA - Full Text
Children come to school with more than the bags on their back. Discussing grief support in Irish schools in, editor(s)B. Mooney , Ireland's education yearbook 2023, Dublin, Ireland, Education Matters, 2024, pp177 - 180, [Lynam, A., & Mc Guckin, C]Book Chapter, 2024, TARA - Full Text
Childminding's role in early childhood education and care. Creating societal awareness in, Ireland"s education yearbook 2023, Dublin, Ireland, Education Matters, 2024, pp109 - 113, [Moran, S., Lynam, A., & Mc Guckin, C.]Book Chapter, 2024, TARA - Full Text
Complicated conversations: Decolonising psychology of education in, editor(s)B. Mooney , Education matters: Ireland's yearbook of education 2024, Dublin, Ireland, Education Matters, 2025, pp285 - 289, [Lynam, A. M., Ehiwe, L., Mc Guckin, C., McCarthy, P., & Fitzgerald, G.]Book Chapter, 2025, TARA - Full Text
Lynam, A.M., & Mc Guckin, C, Contemporary issues in the psychology of education, IGI Publishers, 2026Book, 2026, DOI , URL
McNally, S., Butler, S., Keenan, L., Lynam, A. M., & Sweeney, M. R., "I couldn't tell the teachers about it": Autistic students' experiences of bullying and exclusion in post-primary schools, International Journal of Bullying Prevention, 2026Journal Article, 2026, DOI , URL , TARA - Full Text
Stella Wai-Wan Choy, Conor Mc Guckin, Miriam Twomey, Aoife Lynam, & Geraldine Fitzgerald, To Fill the Gap: A Systematic Literature Review of Group Play-Based Intervention to Address Anxiety in Young Children with Autism, Education Thinking, 2024Journal Article, 2024, URL , TARA - Full Text
The systematic literature review method: Trials and tribulations of database searching at doctoral level. In SAGE cases in methodology: A unique collection of over 500 case studies for use in the teaching of research methods. in, SAGE cases in methodology: A unique collection of over 500 case studies for use in the teaching of research methods, Sage, Sage, 2015, [O'Brien-Lynam, A. M. & Mc Guckin, C.]Book Chapter, 2015, URL
Mc Guckin, C., & O"Brien-Lynam, A. M., Lest we forget: Lessons learned from Ireland following Budget 2012., Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 2013Journal Article, 2013
Whitaker, T., Lynam, A., & Buckley, K, Voices of Educators in 21st Century Ireland, Doggett Publisher, 2018Book, 2018, TARA - Full Text
A Case for Developing Normative Bereavement Support through the SPHE Curriculum in Irish Primary and Post-Primary Schools in, Voices of Educators in 21st Century, Doggett Publisher, 2018, [Lynam, A. M. & Mc Guckin, C.]Book Chapter, 2018
McNally, S., Butler, S., Keenan, L., Lynam, A. M., & Sweeney, M. R., Experiences of bullying and exclusion among autistic students in Ireland: Neuro-affirming recommendations for bullying prevention., DCU Anti-Bullying Centre., 2025Report, 2025, URL , TARA - Full Text
McNally, S., Sweeney, M.R., Keenan, L., Lynam, A.M., Ramsbottom, C., & Radhakrishnan, A., A Framework for an Autism-Friendly School Informed by Autistic Students., Dublin City University, 2025Report, 2025, URL , TARA - Full Text
McNally, S., Sweeney, M.R., Keenan, L., Lynam, A.M., Ramsbottom, C., & Radhakrishnan, A., Autism-Friendly Schools: Including the Voices of Autistic Students in Primary and Post-Primary Education in Ireland., Dublin City University, 2025Report, 2025, URL , TARA - Full Text
Lynam, A. M., McConnell, B., & Mc Guckin, C., BeSAD (Bereavement, Separation, and Divorce): The Response of Pre-service Teachers to Pupil Well-being, Doggett Publisher, 2019Report, 2019, URL
Complicated Conversations: Decolonising Psychology of Education. in, Education matters: Ireland's yearbook of education 2024, Education Matters: Ireland's Yearbook, 2025, [Lynam, A.M., Ehiwe, L., & Mc Guckin, C.]Book Chapter, 2025, URL
Creating inclusive schools: Enhancing educational opportunities for migrant and refugee children in Ireland. in, Education Matters, Dublin, Ireland, 2025, pp341 - 344, [Zheng, B., Lynam, A. M., & Mc Guckin, C.]Book Chapter, 2025, URL
Children are coming to school with more than the bags on their back. in, Education Matters Yearbook, 2024, pp177 - 180, [Lynam, A.M. & Mc Guckin, C]Book Chapter, 2024, URL
Teaching, Learning, and Assessment during Covid-19, Education Matters: Irelands Education Yearbook 2020 in, Education Matters, 2021, [Kelly, M., & Lynam, A.M.]Book Chapter, 2021, URL , TARA - Full Text
Lynam, A.M., Sweeney, M. R., Keenan, L., & McNally, S., Autistic pupils' experiences in primary and post-primary schools: A scoping review and consultation with autistic pupils in Ireland, Autism & Developmental Language Impairments, 2025Journal Article, 2025, URL , TARA - Full Text
Lynam, A.M., Scaife, S. J., & Mc Guckin, C., Childhood grief and relational wellbeing: Insights for creating compassionate school communities., 12th European Conference on Positive Psychology (ECPP 2026), Dublin, Ireland, 1st-4th July 2026, 2026Conference Paper, 2026, URL
Lynam, A.M., Scaife, S. J., & Mc Guckin, C., Teaching the unspoken through the creative arts: What adult memories of childhood grief reveal for education and SPHE., From Legacy to Futures: Celebrating ESAI"s First Meeting of Scholars and 50 Years of Irish Educational Research, Galway, Ireland, 28th-30th May, 2026Conference Paper, 2026, URL
Lynam, A. M., McCarthy, P., Ehiwe, L., & Mc Guckin, C., ). Seeing inclusion differently: Educational experiences of blind and vision impaired children in Irish schools., From Legacy to Futures: Celebrating ESAI's First Meeting of Scholars and 50 Years of Irish Educational Research., Galway, Ireland, 2026Conference Paper, 2026, URL
McNally, S., Sweeney, M.R., Keenan, L., Lynam, A.M., Ramsbottom, C., & Radhakrishnan, A, "Being strict is not going to help": Using autistic students' school experiences to develop inclusive school cultures, 46th Annual Conference of the International School Psychology Association (ISPA 2025), Utrecht, Netherlands, 2025Conference Paper, 2025, URL
McNally, S., Sweeney, M. R., Keenan, L., Lynam, A.M., & Butler, S., Autistic pupils' experiences of bullying in schools in Ireland, World Anti-Bullying Forum (WABF), Florence, Italy, 2025, May, 2025Conference Paper, 2025, URL
Zheng, B., Lynam, A., & Mc Guckin, C., Creating inclusive schools: Enhancing educational opportunities for migrant and refugee children in Ireland, The 22nd IMISCOE (International Migration Research Network) Annual Conference "Decentering migration studies"., Paris"Aubervilliers and online (French Collaborative Institute on Migration (Institut Convergences Migrations, IC Migrations), Campus Condorcet, France), 1st - 4th July, 2025, 2025Conference Paper, 2025
Zheng, B., Lynam, A., & Mc Guckin, C., Educational psychology interventions for addressing trauma in refugee students: Insights from a systematic literature review., ESAI Conference 2025, Athlone Ireland, May 2024, 2024Conference Paper, 2024
Keenan, L., Ramsbottom, C., Lynam, A.M., Sweeney, M. R., McNally, S., Capturing the missing perspectives of autistic pupils in educational research through collaborative and versatile methodologies., ESAI Conference 2025, Athlone Ireland, 2024Conference Paper, 2024
McNally, S., Sweeney, MR., Keenan, L., Ramsbottom, C., & Lynam, A.M., Autism-Friendly Schools: Including the Voices of Autistic Pupils in Education in Ireland, SFI and IRC Research Summit, Cork, 2023Poster, 2023
Choy, S. W., Lynam, A.M, & Mc Guckin, C., An innovative school-based constructive play approach for young children"s well-being: Evidence from a 14 to 33-week study., The Educational Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI) Annual Conference: Education for More Just Societies: The Roles of Imagination, Innovation and Collaboration, Maynooth Ireland, 4th " 6th April 2024, 2024Conference Paper, 2024
Lynam, A.M., McNally, S., & Sweeney, M.R, Listening to the Voice of Autistic Children about their School Experiences., Liverpool, United Kingdom., 2023Book, 2023
Lynam, A.M., Grieving Students: Finding Ways to Provide Support, IGC National Conference, Online, 2021, 2021Conference Paper, 2021
McConnell, B., Lynam, A.M., & Mc Guckin, C., Supporting children not to BeSad: Role of educators., The 28th Annual European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) Conference, in partnership with University of Debrecen: "Early Childhood Education, Families and Communities", Budapest, Hungary, 2018Conference Paper, 2018
Lynam, A.M., McConnell, B., & McGuckin, C., BeSAD (bereavement, separation and divorce) in the classroom: Exploring how pre-service teachers across Northern and Southern Ireland support pupil well-being during placement., Stranmillis University College: Lunchtime Seminars., 2018Conference Paper, 2018
Lynam, A.M., McConnell, B., & McGuckin, C., BeSAD (bereavement, separation and divorce) in the classroom: Exploring how pre-service teachers across Northern and Southern Ireland support pupil well-being during placement., Education Studies Association of Ireland Conference 2018: Values and Purpose in Education, Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan, Dublin, 5-7th April, 2018., 2018Conference Paper, 2018
Lynam, A.M., McConnell, B., & Mc Guckin, C., BeSAD (Bereavement, Separation, and Divorce): The Response of pre-service teachers to pupil well-being., Northern Ireland Branch of the British Psychological Society 2018 Annual Conference: Psychology & Identity, The Ballymascanlon House Hotel, Dundalk, Co Louth, 22nd-23rd March 2018., 2018Conference Paper, 2018
Lynam, A.M., & Kelly, M., Exploring self-reflection through digital observation: A pilot study., Hibernia College Conference, Celebrating Innovation in Teacher Education, Mansion House, Dublin, 15th March, 2018., 2018Conference Paper, 2018
Lynam, A. M., Creating an online research community in Initial Teacher Education: Enhancing practice in contemporary Ireland and beyond., Education Studies Association of Ireland: Changing Research Working the spaces between education policy and practice., Cork, 20-22 April, 2017, 2017Conference Paper, 2017
Lynam, A. M., & Mc Guckin, C., Bereavement and SPHE in the classroom: How can Irish Educators support grieving pupils?, Education for all: issues for teacher education, Mary Immaculate College, 18-20 May, 2017, 2017Conference Paper, 2017
Lynam, A.M., Bereavement in the Classroom., Bridging the Gap between theory and practice. Hibernia College Conference, Chartered Accountants Ireland, 2016, 3rd November, 2016Conference Paper, 2016
Mc Guckin, C., Welch, E. M., Bartlett, M. J., & Lynam, A.M., 22q: Whats that then? Educational inclusion for pupils with rare disease., Northern Ireland Branch of The British Psychological Society 2016 60th Anniversary Annual Conference - 'Legacies and Futures'., 2016Conference Paper, 2016
Lynam, A.M., & Mc Guckin, C., Bubbleskool: A useful assistive technology for pupils with rare disease?, Northern Ireland Branch of The British Psychological Society 2016 60th Anniversary Annual Conference - 'Legacies and Futures'., The Ballymascanlon House Hotel, Dundalk, Ireland, 3rd-5th March 2016., 2016Conference Paper, 2016
Lynam, A.M., Hibernia College Primary Education Papers: Volume 2., 2018Conference Paper, 2018, URL
Lynam, A.M., Hibernia College Primary Education Papers: Volume 1, 2016Book, 2016, URL
Grieving students in Ireland: The response and support of Irish schools and services in, Journal of Postgraduate Research Volume XIII, 2014, [Lynam, A. M.]Book Chapter, 2014, URL
Choy, W. -w. S., Mc Guckin, C., Twomey, M., Lynam, A., & Fitzgerald, G., o fill the gap: A systematic literature review of group play-based intervention to address anxiety in young children with autism., 4, (1), 2024, p5-34Journal Article, 2024
Moran S., Twomey, M., Mc Guckin, C., & Lynam, A. M, The effectiveness of the supports available for promoting inclusion in three early childhood education and care settings in Ireland., An Leanbh Og " The OMEP Irish Journal of Early Childhood Studies, 16, (1), 2023Journal Article, 2023
O'Brien, A. M., & Mc Guckin, C. , Bereavement and grief support for students: The response of Irish schools., Trinity Education Papers, 2, 2013, p2 - 22Journal Article, 2013, TARA - Full Text
Bereavement: How Guidance Counsellors can support the grieving student in, editor(s)National Centre for Guidance in Education (Ed.) , The school guidance handbook, Dublin, Ireland, National Centre for Guidance in Education., 2013, [O'Brien, A. M., & Mc Guckin, C.]Book Chapter, 2013, TARA - Full Text
Mc Guckin, C., & O'Brien, A. M. , Lest we forget: Lessons learned in Ireland following Budget 2012., Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling (Applied Practices: Perspectives from the Field), 23, (2), 2013, p273 - 279Journal Article, 2013, DOI , TARA - Full Text

Lynam, A.M., The grief myth: it doesn't come in stages or follow a checklist, like love, it endures, The Conversation, 2026Journal Article, URL , TARA - Full Text
Lynam, A.M., Mc Guckin, C., & Ehiwe, L., Decolonising Irelands Education System Remains Vital Despite the Countrys Wealth and Privilege., 2025, -Miscellaneous, URL , TARA - Full Text
Lynam, A.M., What Bridget Jones teaches us about grief., 2026, -Miscellaneous, URL , TARA - Full Text
Lynam, A.M., Kelly, M., Supporting Educators with End of Year Events, 2020, -Miscellaneous, URL
Lynam, A.M., Column: Young people are the "forgotten mourners"., 2013, -Miscellaneous, URL

My research is defined by a sustained and high-impact focus on children and young people's experiences of education, with particular emphasis on grief. I am recognised as a national leader in Ireland and an internationally recognised expert in grief studies, advancing both theory and practice in educational contexts.

A central strand of my work develops new conceptualisations of childhood bereavement, moving beyond stage-based models to position grief as an ongoing, relational, and meaning-making process shaped by identity, context, and relationships. This work has informed national discourse and professional practice, particularly in how schools support bereaved students.

My research on neurodiversity extends this framework by examining how experiences of difference, exclusion, masking, and disrupted belonging can be understood through a grief-informed lens. For neurodivergent learners, these experiences may involve forms of ambiguous loss and identity negotiation, linking directly to processes of grief and meaning-making. This is reflected in my work on autistic students' school experiences and in my publication in Brain Sciences, which explores how grief theory enhances understanding of narrative reconstruction in ADHD.

I have also edited a recent book on contemporary issues in the psychology of education, situating grief and inclusion within broader systemic challenges.

Curriculum and pedagogy theory and development, Secondary education, Inclusive education, Primary education, Teacher education and professional development of educators, Curriculum and pedagogy, Child and adolescent development, Psychology of education, Educational psychology, Multicultural education, Teacher and student wellbeing, Applied and developmental psychology, Social sciences, Psychological methodology, design and analysis, Special education and disability,

Recognition

Nominated for the Excellence in Teaching Award 2024
Trinity Faculty Scholarship 2012-2015
Nominated for the Excellence in Supervision of Students Award 2025
Master of Arts 2013
Nominated for Inspiring Educator Award 2025-2026
Trinity Gold Medal 2009
Irish Research Council for the Humanities and the Social Sciences Scholarship 2013-2015

Management board member for the Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities (TCPID). Present
Member of the Educational Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI) Executive Committee Present
Member of the Teaching Council present
Member of Educational Studies Association of Ireland Present
Advisory Board Member of the Irish Childhood Bereavement Network (ICBN) Present
Member of the Trinity Research in Childhood Centre (TRiCC) Present
Board Director for Vision Ireland 2025

External Examiner, Dublin Business School (2022-present). This involves oversight of academic standards and programme quality in Social Science education 2022-2025
Advisory Board Member, Irish Childhood Bereavement Network (ICBN): Contributing to national strategy, policy, and resource development to support bereaved children and young people. 2016-present
Advisory Board Member, Irish Childhood Bereavement Network (ICBN). This is a National role contributing to policy, practice, and support frameworks for bereaved children and young people 2016-present
Board Director, Vision Ireland Services Board. This was a Governance role contributing to services and supports for individuals with visual impairment 2024-2025
Management Board Member, Trinity Research in Childhood Centre (TRiCC). This involves srategic input into interdisciplinary childhood research and knowledge exchange 2023-present
Professional Membership. Member, Educational Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI) 2012-present
Board Director, Vision Ireland Services Board (2024-2025), contributing to governance and service development for individuals with visual impairment 2024-2025
Thesis Committee Member (multiple PhD candidates). This involves ongoing academic service supporting doctoral research development. 2023-present
Advisory Board Member, Irish Childhood Bereavement Network (ICBN) (2016-present), contributing to national policy, practice, and supports for bereaved children and young people 2016-present
PhD Internal Examiner & Viva Chair (multiple occasions since 2023). This involves contribution to doctoral-level assessment and academic standards in the discipline 2023-present
Advisory Board Member, Irish Childhood Bereavement Network (ICBN), contributing to national policy, practice, and supports for bereaved children and young people. 2016-present
Editor of Special Issue for Brain Sciences: Mc Guckin, C., Carr-Fanning, K., Lynam, A. M. (Eds.). (2025). So, what? What does contemporary ADHD research tell us about lived experiences? [Special issue]. Brain Sciences, 15(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15030292 2025