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.
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.
Krzysztof has a PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he also worked as a lecturer. Prior to coming to Student Learning Development, he taught Polish Studies and Comparative Literature in Trinity. His research deals with theories and representations of failure in 20th-century literature, film, and performance, resistance studies, and cultural memory.
As an educator, Krzysztof is interested in student inclusion and horizontal teaching practices. You can find out more on his research and teaching at www.krzysztofrowinski.com.
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.