Dr. Julie Byrne

Dr. Julie Byrne

Assistant Professor, Social Studies

Biography

Julie is Assistant Professor in Online Education & Development 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 has provided 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

  • 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 - 249Review Article, 2019
  • Byrne, J., Developing Accredited Online Higher Education in a University Setting: A Change Management Case Study, ICERI 2018, Seville, Spain, 12-14 November 2018, edited by L. Gómez Chova, A. López Martínez, I. Candel Torres , ISBN 978-84-09-0594, IATED Academy, 2018Conference Paper, 2018
  • Kirwan, G., Mc Guckin, C. and 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, 4-7 July 2018, edited by IFSW , IFSW, 2018, pp373 - 373Conference Paper, 2018, URL
  • Byrne, J. and 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. 6676-6683Conference Paper, 2018, URL , TARA - Full Text
  • Byrne, J. and 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 , 2018Conference Paper, 2018, URL
  • 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 - 158Journal Article, 2019, DOI , URL
  • Byrne, J. and Kirwan, G., Relationship-Based Social Work and Electronic Communication Technologies: Anticipation, Adaptation and Achievement, Journal of Social Work Practice, 33, (2), 2019, p217 - 232Journal Article, 2019
  • Byrne, J., Creating Career Narratives through the Career History Method, 5th Irish Narrative Inquiry Conference, Dublin, Ireland, 2-3 May, 2019Conference Paper, 2019
  • Byrne, J. and Kirwan, G., 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 , 2019Conference Paper, 2019
  • Byrne, J., Kirwan, G. and Flavin, E., Working with people who have experienced political oppression: messages from the literature for groupworkers, Groupwork, 28, (1), 2019, p77 - 99Journal Article, 2019
  • Kirwan, G. and Byrne, J., Educating Professionals: The Role of Regulatory Standards in Programme Development, ICERI2019 Proceedings, 12th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, Seville, Spain, 11-13 November 2019, edited by L. Gómez Chova, A. López Martínez, I. Candel Torres , ISBN 978-84-09-1475, IATED, 2019, pp8302-8307Conference Paper, 2019
  • Flavin, E., Kirwan, G. and Byrne, J., 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 , 2019Conference Paper, 2019
  • Byrne, J, Building Vibrant Classes in Online Higher Education: What Works for Educators?, ICERI2019 Proceedings, ICERI, Seville, Spain, 11-13 November, 2019, edited by L. Gómez Chova, A. López Martínez and I. Candel Torres , ISBN 978-84-09-1475, IATED Academy, 2019, pp5719- 5725.Conference Paper, 2019
  • Byrne, J and Male, S., Review of The Psychology of Oppression E.J.R. David and Annie O. Derthick, Groupwork, 28, (1), 2018, p100 - 103Review Article, 2018
  • 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, 2019Conference Paper, 2019
  • 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 Irish Universities, International Conference on Engaging Pedagogy, Limerick, Ireland, Dec. 12 and 13, 2019, edited by ICEP , 2019Conference Paper, 2019
  • 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 - 181Conference Paper, 2019
  • 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 - 172Conference Paper, 2019
  • 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.]Book Chapter, 2020, URL
  • 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, edited by I. Amaro, F. de Lucas, European Association of Schools of Social Work , EASSW, 2019, pp202 - 202Conference Paper, 2019
  • 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 , 2020Conference Paper, 2020
  • 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 - 247Journal Article, 2022, URL
  • 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 - 8073Conference Paper, 2020, DOI
  • 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 - 8079Conference Paper, 2020, DOI
  • 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, 2020Conference Paper, 2020, URL
  • Byrne, J. and Muldowney, L., 'Enhancing Interaction in Live Online Classes', The EDTL Approach (Enhancing Digital Teaching and Learning), Dublin, Irish Universities Association, 2021, -Protocol or guideline, 2021
  • Byrne, J., Co-producing Interaction in Live Online Classes: Student and Educator Perspectives, Irish Learning Technology Association EDTECH Conference, Online, 27-28 May, 2021Conference Paper, 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]Book Chapter, 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]Book Chapter, 2021, URL
  • 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]Book Chapter, 2023, DOI
  • 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, p1-20Journal Article, 2023, DOI
  • 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.]Book Chapter, 2023, DOI
  • '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.]Book Chapter, 2023, DOI , URL
  • 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, 2023Conference Paper, 2023
  • 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, 2024Journal Article, 2024, DOI , TARA - Full Text
  • 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, 2024Journal Article, 2024, DOI
  • 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 - 192Journal Article, 2025, DOI , URL , TARA - Full Text
  • 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), 2025Journal Article, 2025, DOI , TARA - Full Text
  • 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, 2025Journal Article, 2025, DOI , TARA - Full Text
  • Fu, N., Hoang, M., Salis, C. and Byrne, J., Leadsx2030 Annual Report Year 1, July, 2025Report, 2025, URL , TARA - Full Text
  • Moreno, A.M., Menasalvas, E. Moreno-Navarro, J.J., Kavanagh, S, Thibaudeau, F., Byrne, J. Welford. M., Leads Final Guidelines Report, June, 2024Report, 2024, URL
  • 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, 2024Report, 2024, DOI
  • Kavanagh, S., Byrne, J. and Thibideau, F., Advanced Digital Skills: Meeting the Education and Training Challenges, 2024Report, 2024, DOI
  • Fu, N., Byrne, J., Flaque Garcia, J., Guckian, C. and Salis, C., LEADSx2030 ADS Annual Report Year 2, v1, May, 2026Report, 2026, DOI
  • Byrne, J., Principles-Based Framework Standards of Proficiency for CORU Council and Boards, 2024Policy Report, 2024
  • Byrne, J., 'Output of Independent Drafting Group for Standards of Proficiency for Psychologists, convened by CORU on behalf of the Psychologists Registration Board.', 2025, -Protocol or guideline, 2025
  • Protection with(out) participation: Reframing child protection and welfare in the digital lives of children with disabilities in, editor(s)Hansson, K. , The Routledge International Handbook of Disability Studies and the New Digital Society, London, Routledge, 2026, [Doolan Maher, R., Flynn, S. and Byrne, J.]Book Chapter, 2026
  • Conlon, C., Antosik-Parson, K., Flynn, S., Caffrey, L., Byrne, J. and Whiting, S., Lessons from pivoting to online interviewing: ethical and technical considerations for qualitative researchers following the Covid-19 pandemic, 2023Working Paper, 2023
  • 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]Book Chapter, 2005
  • Byrne, J., Subjective and Objective Dimensions of Careers in Small Irish Organisations, University of Limerick, 2007Thesis, 2007
  • 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, 2003Conference Paper, 2003
  • 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, 2021Invited Talk
  • Byrne, J., Enhancing Interaction in Live Online Classes: Digital Pedagogy Guidance for Educators, Social Work Research and Educators Forum, 7 - 8 January 2021, 2021Invited Talk
  • 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 LearningInvited Talk
  • 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, UCCInvited Talk
  • Byrne, J., Learning from experience: what works in online classes?, School Learning Forum, School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences, 9 April, 2021, SLSCSInvited Talk
  • Byrne, J., Framework Model for Continuing Professional Development, commissioned by CORU Council, CORU, 2018Policy Report
  • Byrne, J., Europe"s Gateway to Supercomputing Training: Building a Talent Pipeline, EuroHPC User Days, Dublin, 22 September, 2026, European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU)Invited Talk
  • Clarke, A., Kirwan, G. and Byrne, J., Post Qualification Perspectives of Newly Qualified Social Workers, Journal of Irish Association of Social Work, April, 2012Journal Article
  • 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, 2009Report
  • Byrne J, Evaluation of the KEY and LET Programmes 2012/13, Belfast, Young Enterprise Northern Ireland/Junior Achievement Ireland, 2014Report
  • Byrne, J, Occupational Standards for Managers in the Community and Voluntary Sector, Dublin, IMCV, 2010Report
  • Byrne J, Student Retention in Science and Engineering Programmes at an Institute of Technology, Dublin, 2003Report
  • Byrne, J, Analysis of Training Needs of Female Employees in RTE, Dublin, 1998Report
  • Byrne, J. , The Challenge of Developing the Contemporary Career , People Focus, (January), 2005Journal Article
  • Byrne, J., Self Directed Career Development in the Small Firm Setting , Irish Academy of Management Conference, Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology, September, 2005Conference Paper
  • 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, 2004Conference Paper
  • Byrne, J and McGreevy, S, Learning to Live Together and Learning to Be , 6th International Lifelong Learning in Europe Conference, Helskini, Finland, September 2003, 2003Conference Paper
  • Byrne, J, Subjective Dimensions of Career: The Small Firm Context , Irish Academy of Management Conference, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland., September 2004, 2004Conference Paper
  • Keenan, E and Byrne, J. , Realising the Potential: Supporting Managers of Community and Voluntary Organisations in Ireland, Dublin, 2011Report

Research Expertise

  • 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
    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
    All Ireland Study of Social Work Students
    Summary
    Date From
    2018
    Date To
    2022
  • 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
    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
    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

Sociology and related studies, Economics and Business Administration,

Recognition

  • Excellence in Research Student Supervision nominated 2024
  • Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development 2013
  • Journal reviewer for eight international journals: o British Journal of Social Work (2020-2026); o European Journal of Social Work (2020-2026); o Journal of Technology in Human Services (2017-2025); o International Journal of Qualitative Methods (2021); o European Research on Management and Business Economics (2020); o Journal of Social Work Practice (2018-2024); o Groupwork (2019); o International Review of Open & Distance Learning (2017-22) 2017-2026
  • TCD Representative on the IUA Enhancing Digital Teaching and Learning Project Team 2019
  • Expert Academic Reviewer for QQI Accreditation Panel - Business Management in the Community & Voluntary Sector 2017
  • Consortium coordinator of the All Ireland Social Work Student Survey 2021
  • TCD Representative All Ireland Social Work Student Survey 2018
  • Founding Board member, Institute for Managers of Community & Voluntary Organisations in Ireland (IMCV) 2008