Biography
Julie is Assistant Professor in Online Education & Development and Director for Undergraduate Teaching and Learning in the School of Social Work and Social Policy. She has been part of two European Commission funded consortia under the Digital Europe Programme focused on meeting Europe's needs for Advanced Digital Skills (https://advancedskills.eu/). She was Trinity's Academic Lead (2019-2021) on the HEA funded project to enhance the digital skills of teaching staff in Ireland's university sector. She led the development of Trinity's first fully online postgraduate programme and was part of the first Microcreds pilot in Trinity 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 meaning of career success. The career as a concept spans many occupations and professions and this has facilitated Julie's work with a variety of professions including engineers, teachers, managers and health and social care professionals. However, promoting education and careers for all has been an enduring feature of Julie's work as evidenced in her commitment to building accessable education pathways via part-time, online, blended and microcredential forms. Julie came to Trinity in 2009 to work in the National Institute for Intellectual Disability. There she coordinated the successful €1.5 million euro grant from Atlantic Philanthropies and served as Acting Director of the Institute which offered the pioneering Certificate in Contemporary Living for people with intellectual disabilities. Julie was previously Director of Academic Programmes at National College of Ireland where she lectured in Human Resource Management and Development and Business Management. While there, she founded the Institute for Managers of Community and Voluntary Organisations, an initiative funded by POBAL. Alongside her academic role, Julie provides consulting services to professional regulators and professional bodies on education, training and continuing professional development matters. She was part of the working group to develop CORU's first principles based standards of proficiency framework and later part of the Independent Drafting Group applying this framework to the draft standards for Psychologists in Ireland. Her research interests are digital skills and policy, human services and technology and the regulation and competence of professionals.
Publications and Further Research Outputs
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Flynn, S., Doolan Maher, R., Byrne, J., Disability, Child Protection and the Internet: The Socio-Cultural Construction of Risk, Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies, 25, (1), 2025
Doolan Maher, R., Flynn, S. & Byrne, J., Through a Critical Realist Lens: Investigating Data Collection and Analysis Techniques in a Qualitative Study About Internet-Related Child Protection Risks for Children and Young People with Disabilities, International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 24, 2025
Flynn, S.,Caffrey, L.,Antosik-Parsons, K.,Whiting, S., Byrne, J. and Conlon, C., New-Materialist Bricolage: Presenting an Ontological Position for Qualitative Internet-Based Research, International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 28, (2), 2025, p179 - 192
Fu, N., Hoang, M., Salis, C. and Byrne, J., Leadsx2030 Annual Report Year 1, July, 2025
Moreno, A.M., Menasalvas, E. Moreno-Navarro, J.J., Kavanagh, S, Thibaudeau, F., Byrne, J. Welford. M., Leads Final Guidelines Report, June, 2024
Kavanagh, S., Byrne, J. and Thibideau, F., Advanced Digital Skills: Meeting the Education and Training Challenges, 2024
Rowan, B., Borotis , S., Byrne, J. Fu, N., Kypriotis, E., de Lama, N., Menasalvas, E., Moreno, A. Moreno, J.J. Nielsen, J., Consolidated recommendations for the development of Advanced Digital Skills in Europe, June, 2024
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
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]
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
Social Work Education and Digitalisation: The Classroom in Transition in, editor(s)Lopez Pelaez, A. and Kirwan, G. , Routledge International Handbook of Digital Social Work, London, UK, Routledge, 2023, [Byrne, J.]
McFadden, P., Ross, J., Byrne, J., Flanagan, N., Dolan, R., Kirwan, G., Kelly, E., Shore, C., McDonald, O., Wilson, W., Slavin, P., Roulston, A., McCartan, C. and Ketola, M., 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
"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.]
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
Byrne, J., Co-producing Interaction in Live Online Classes: Student and Educator Perspectives, Irish Learning Technology Association EDTECH Conference, Online, 27-28 May, 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]
Byrne, J. and Muldowney, L., 'Enhancing Interaction in Live Online Classes', The EDTL Approach (Enhancing Digital Teaching and Learning), Dublin, Irish Universities Association, 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]
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
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
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
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.]
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
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
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
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
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
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
ICEP(ed.), Enhancing Digital Capacity in Teaching and Learning in Irish Universities, Limerick, Ireland, 2019
Daly, L. and Byrne, J., The Ramifications of Using Panel Recruitment to Fill Social Work Posts, Irish Journal of Management, 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
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
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
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
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
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
Byrne, J., Kirwan, G. and Flavin, E., Groupwork with people who have experienced political oppression: context and challenges, Groupwork, 28, (1), 2018, p77 - 99
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Byrne, J., Subjective and Objective Dimensions of Careers in Small Irish Organisations, University of Limerick, 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]
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
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
Byrne, J., Learning from experience: what works in online classes?, School Learning Forum, School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences, 9 April, 2021, SLSCS
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
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
Byrne, J., Enhancing Interaction in Live Online Classes: Digital Pedagogy Guidance for Educators, Social Work Research and Educators Forum, 7 - 8 January 2021, 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
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
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
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
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
Byrne, J., Creating Career Narratives through the Career History Method, 5th Irish Narrative Inquiry Conference, Dublin, Ireland, 2-3 May, 2019, 2019
Byrne J, Evaluation of the KEY and LET Programmes 2012/13, Belfast, Young Enterprise Northern Ireland/Junior Achievement Ireland, 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
Keenan, E and Byrne, J. , Realising the Potential: Supporting Managers of Community and Voluntary Organisations in Ireland, Dublin, 2011
Byrne, J, Occupational Standards for Managers in the Community and Voluntary Sector, Dublin, IMCV, 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
Byrne, J. , The Challenge of Developing the Contemporary Career , People Focus, (January), 2005
Byrne, J., Self Directed Career Development in the Small Firm Setting , Irish Academy of Management Conference, Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology, September, 2005
Byrne, J, Subjective Dimensions of Career: The Small Firm Context , Irish Academy of Management Conference, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland., September 2004, 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
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
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
Byrne J, Student Retention in Science and Engineering Programmes at an Institute of Technology, Dublin, 2003
Byrne, J, Analysis of Training Needs of Female Employees in RTE, Dublin, 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 professionalsProjects
- Title
- LEADSx2030
- Summary
- Leading Europe"s Advanced Digital Skills to 2030. This project examines advanced digital skills shortages across Europe and develops strategies to build sustainable talent pipelines. It connects education systems, industry needs and policy frameworks to strengthen Europe"s digital leadership capacity.
- Funding Agency
- European Commission
- Date From
- 2024
- Date To
- 2028
- Title
- LeADS
- Summary
- The demand for Advanced Digital Skills (ADS) has become the cornerstone of Europe"s digital future. LEADS is at the forefront, dedicated to providing invaluable insights into the ever-changing landscape of ADS demands. The project aimed to equip skills suppliers, encompassing education suppliers, with the knowledge, guidance, and best practices essential to mould the future of European ADS talent.
- Funding Agency
- European Commission
- Date From
- 2022
- Date To
- 2024
- 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
- 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
- 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
- All Ireland Study of Social Work Students
- Date From
- 2018
- Date To
- 2022
Recognition
Representations
Coordinator All Ireland Social Work Student Survey
Enhancing Digital Teaching and Learning Project Team - TCD Representative & Academic Lead
All Ireland Social Work Study Survey - School Representative
Reviewer - British Journal of Social Work
QQI Accreditation Panel - Business Management in the Community & Voluntary Sector
Reviewer - International Review of Open & Distance Learning
Reviewer - Journal of Technology in Human Services
Reviewer - British Journal of Social Work
Reviewer - European Research on Management and Business Economics
Reviewer - European Journal of Social Work
Reviewer - Journal of Social Work Practice
Reviewer - International Journal of Qualitative Methods
Reviewer - Groupwork
Founding Board member, Institute for Managers of Community & Voluntary Organisations in Ireland (IMCV)
Steering Committee - development by Irish Institute of Training & Development of Masters programme in Training & Development
Steering Committee - development by Dublin Docklands Development Authority of B.A. in Active Citizenship
Awards and Honours
Excellence in Research Student Supervision nominated
Memberships
Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development