School of Social Work and Social Policy

Contact Us School of Social Work & Social Policy
Room 3063, Arts Building
Trinity College Dublin
Dublin 2
Ireland

Phone: 01 896 2001

View the contact page for more contact and location information

swsp@tcd.e Gaeilge
Dr. Simone Mc Caughren

Dr. Simone Mc Caughren

Assistant Professor, Social Studies

Publications and Further Research Outputs

  • Claire McCartan, Julie Byrne, Jim Campbell, Declan Coogan, Gavin Davidson, David Hayes, Gloria Kirwan, Mandi MacDonald, Simone McCaughren, Paula McFadden, Caroline McGregor, Lorna Montgomery, Maria Pentaraki, Shaun Roddy, Audrey Roulston, Caroline Shore, Elaine Wilson, Social work students on the island of Ireland: a cross-sectional survey, Social Work Education, 2020Journal Article, 2020, DOI
  • The Fate of the 'Illegitimate' Child: An Analysis of Irish Social Policy, 1750-1952 in, editor(s)Niamh Howlin, Kevin Costello , Law and the Family in Ireland, 1800-1950 , 2017, pp195 - 214, [McCaughren, S. & Powell, F.]Book Chapter, 2017
  • McCaughre, S. & McGregor, C., Reimagining adoption in Ireland: a viable option for children in care?, Child Care in Practice, 24, (3), 2018, p229 - 244Journal Article, 2018
  • F. Ó Súilleabháin, K. Burns, S. McCaughren, Online Social Work Tools: Collaborative Educational Responses to Remote-Based Social Work Practice, ICERI2020 Proceedings, 3th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, Online Conference, 9-10 November, 2020, pp4744 - 4753Conference Paper, 2020
  • Adoption in Ireland: Exploring the Changing Context in, editor(s)Alastair Christie, Brid Featherstone, Suzanne Quin and Trish Walsh (eds) , Social Work in Ireland Change and Continuities, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2015, [McCaughren, S.,Muireann Ní Raghallaigh]Book Chapter, 2015
  • McCaughren, S. & Lovett, J., Domestic adoption in Ireland: A shifting paradigm?, Adoption & Fostering, Vol 38, (3), 2014Journal Article, 2014
  • Parkes, A. & McCaughren, S,, Viewing Adoption through a Children's Rights Lens: Looking to the Future of Adoption Law and Practice in Ireland', Irish Journal of Family Law, 4, (1), 2014, p99 - 111Journal Article, 2014
  • Parkes, A. & McCaughren S, Ireland and the Global Landscape of Adoption: The Adoption Act 2010-A Missed Opportunity?, Irish Journal of Family Law, 2012Journal Article, 2012
  • McCaughren, S. & Sherlock, C., Inter-country Adoption in Ireland: Law, Children's Rights and Contemporary Social Work Practice, Ethics and Social Welfare, 2, (2), 2008, p133 - 149Journal Article, 2008
  • Contact Time for very Young Children: A Review of the Literature in, editor(s)Carmel Devaney & Rosemary Crosse , International Perspectives on Parenting Support and Parental Participation in Children and Family Services, London, Routledge, 2023, pp24 , [Holt, S., McCaughren, S., Parkes, A., Gregory, S.]Book Chapter, 2023
  • McCaughren, S. (Presenter), Holt, S., Parkes, A. & Gregory, S., The Voice of the Child " Do children really get heard in decisions affecting their welfare? The Voice of Young Children in Contact Arrangements, 12th European Conference of Social Work Research - ESWRA, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, April, 2023Oral Presentation, 2023
  • McCaughren, S., Parkes, A. & Holt, S., Rethinking Court Appointed Experts as a Medium through which to Hear the Voice of the Child in Family Law Cases in Irish Journal of family Law, Irish Journal of Family Law, 26, (2), 2023Journal Article, 2023
  • Parkes, A., McCaughren, S. & Holt, S., The Voice of the Child? The Child has no Voice. An Irish Study Exploring the Voice of Young Children in Decisions regarding Contact, European Social Work Research Journal (special issue call for papers social work research trough and towards human relationships), 2023Journal Article, 2023
  • McCaughren, S., (Presenter), Holt, S. (Presenter), Parkes, A. & Gregory, S., Research Evidence: What Works for contact/access time for young children in separated families?, Webinar oral presentation One Family, Building a Family Law System for Separating Families, Online, 5th December, 2022Oral Presentation, 2022
  • McCaughren, S., Parkes, A. & Holt, S., Not Seen and Not Heard? An Irish Study Exploring the Voice of Young Children in Decisions regarding Parental Contact, The Prevention and Early Intervention Summit, Thomond Park, 22nd September, 2023Oral Presentation, 2023
  • McCaughren, S. & Nevin, C., Inter-disciplinary teaching and learning in practice: Enhancing student learning across the disciplines of social work and nursing, Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference 2021 (THEconf2021): 'Transforming healthcare in a changing world: new ways of thinking and working', Trinity College Dublin, 2021Oral Presentation, 2021
  • McCaughren, S. & Nevin, C., Inter-disciplinary teaching and learning in practice: Enhancing student learning across the disciplines of social work and nursing, Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference 2021 (THEconf2021): 'Transforming healthcare in a changing world: new ways of thinking and working' , Trinity College Dublin, 2021, 2021Oral Presentation, 2021
  • McCaughren, S., The Use of Digital Technology for Teaching and Learning " A Pilot Study of Social Work Students" Experience of Using a Recording Studio for Role-play, The 3rd EuroSoTL Conference 2019, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain, 13th-14th June, 2019Oral Presentation, 2019
  • McCaughren, S., The Use of Digital Technology for Engaging Mature Student Learners, Teaching and Learning for Social Justice in a Digital Age SPEEDS Symposium, University College Cork Centre for Executive Education, 9th May, 2019Poster, 2019
  • McCaughren, S., The use of digital technology for teaching and learning, Byte-sized Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) session, University College Cork, 28th November , 2018Oral Presentation, 2018
  • McCaughren, S., Using technology for the teaching of practice skills, SPEEDS Digijam seminar, University College Cork, 8th June, 2018Oral Presentation, 2018
  • McCaughren, S., A Study of Open Adoption in Ireland through the Narratives of Adoptive Parents, invited keynote address, Contact and Identity in Adoption Annual Conference, Millennium Centre Cardiff, 12th-13th April , 2011Invited Talk, 2011
  • McCaughren,S. , A Study of Open Adoption in Ireland through the Narratives of Adoptive Parents, Council of Irish Adoption Agencies, Ashling Hotel Dublin , 2011Invited Talk, 2011
  • McCaughren, S., Navigating Open Adoption: Narratives from Adoptive Parents in Ireland, International Conference on Adoption Research (ICAR3), Leiden Netherlands, 2010Oral Presentation, 2010
  • McCaughren, S., Using Narrative as a Methodology in Social Work Research, Joint Social Work Educators Forum, University of Ulster, 2011Oral Presentation, 2011
  • McCaughren, S., Fantasy to Fact: Exploring how a new era of openness can impact on adopted children and their families, Youth Needs in the 21st Century, University College Cork,, UCC, May, 2010Oral Presentation, 2010
  • Lynch, D., Bantry-White, E. & McCaughren, S., Professional Formation on the Master of Social Work: An exploration from students' perspectives, Joint Social Work Education Conference, July 2011, 2011Oral Presentation, 2011
  • Parkes,A., McCaughren, S. & Holt, S., `The voice of the child? The child has no voice": an Irish study exploring the voice of young children in decisions regarding contact, European Social Work Research, 2024, p1 - 20, p1-20Journal Article, 2024, DOI
  • Simone McCaughren, Embracing New Ways of Learning and Teaching, Advances in educational technologies and instructional design book series, 2021, p137 - 148, p137-148Book Chapter, 2021, DOI
  • Parkes, A., McCaughren, S. & Burns, K., The Operation of the In Camera Rule in Family Law Proceedings, Department of Justice, 28th April, 2025Report, 2025
  • 'Adoption of children from state care in Ireland: in whose best interests? [Japanese Edition]' in, editor(s)Pösö, T., Skivenes, M. & Thoburn, J. (eds.). , Adoption from Care: International Perspectives on Children"s Rights, Family Preservation and State Intervention. Pösö, T., Skivenes, M. & Thoburn, J. (eds.). Akashi Press, New York, 2025, [Burns, K. & McCaughren, S.]Book Chapter, 2025
  • McCaughren, S., (2025), 'Influencing and Supporting Policy' [pdf], Trinity College Dublin, TCD/HEAImpact Case Study, 2025
  • Holt, S., McCaughren, S. & Parkes, A., The voice of the child in family law proceedings in Ireland: The challenges of achieving first-world principles within a third-world infrastructure, Research Handbook on Family Justice Systems. Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd., 2023, p155 - 175Journal Article, 2023
  • Burns, K., Parkes, A. & McCaughren, S., Developing an evidence base to guide the reform of family law proceedings: A comprehensive study on the operation of the in camera (privacy rule) in family law courts in Ireland, European Conference on Social Work Research: Social Work and Interdisciplinary Research: researching and facilitating evidence informed practice and policy', Aberdeen, United Kingdom, 16th April, 2026Conference Paper, 2026
  • McCaughren, S., Parkes, A., Burns, K., What you need to know about the in-camera rule and child care proceedings: findings from a national study, Tusla Research Webinar, Ireland, Online, 24th March, 2026Invited Talk, 2026
  • McCaughren, S., Burns, K., Parkes, A., Doing inter-disciplinary research in warp time & on the dime: Key messages from a family law research study, Social Work Educators' and Reseachers' Forum, Sligo, Ireland, 2026Conference Paper, 2026
  • Parkes, A., McCaughren, S., Burns, K., A rule or rules? Unravelling and unsettling what we know about the in camera rule in practice, Law Society Family and Child Law Conference, Law Society of Ireland, 14th November, 2025Invited Talk, 2025
  • McCaughren, S., Parkes, A., Burns, K., Secrecy not privacy is what the in camera [privacy rule] actually achieves": A Study on the Operation of the In Camera Rule in Family Law Courts in Ireland, European Scientific Association on Residential & Family Care for Children and Adolescence, Zagreb, Croatia, 9th September, 2025Conference Paper, 2025
  • Parkes, A., McCaughren, S., Burns, K., Enhancing transparency in Family Law proceedings: Lessons from research on the privacy rule, Cork Family Lawyers Symposium, Cork, 14th July, 2025, Cork Family Lawyers AssociationInvited Talk, 2025
  • Parkes, A., McCaughren, S., Burns, K., The Operation of the In Camera Rule in Family Law in Ireland, Family Justice Development Forumn, Department of Justice, 28th April, 2025Invited Talk, 2025
  • McCaughren, S., Burns, K., Parkes, A., An inter-disciplinary exploration of the in camera rule: The protection of children under Irish family law, Children's Research Network Conference, University College Dublin, 5th December, 2024Conference Paper, 2024
  • McCaughren, S., Parkes, A., Intercountry adoption (ICA) in Ireland study " Exploring the support needs of ICA families, 9th International Conference on Adoption Research, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal, 5th-10th July, 2026Conference Paper, 2026
  • McCaughren, S., Parkes, A., The Lived Experiences of children and young people (0-12 years) of intercountry adoption in Ireland: Insights from and Irish Study, 9th International Conference on Adoption Research, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal, 5th-10th July, 2026Conference Paper, 2026
  • Gallagher, N., Doyle, M., Mooney, J., Chen, X., Mc Caughren, S., Sweeney, L-A., Kirwan, G., Naylor, R., and Swords, C., An All-Ireland exploratory study of educators" understanding of interdisciplinary teaching and learning in social work., Journal of Social Work Education, 2026Journal Article, 2026
  • McCaughren, S., Privacy and transparency in family law proceedings in Ireland: striking the right balance, Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 2026, p1 - 19Journal Article, 2026
  • Adoption of children from state care in Ireland: In whose best interests? in, editor(s)Pösö, T., Skivenes, M. & Thoburn, J. , Adoption from Care: International Perspectives on Children's Rights, Family Preservation and State Intervention, Taylor and Francis Inc. Uk, 2021, pp49 - 65, [Burns, K. & McCaughren, S.]Book Chapter, 2021
  • McCaughren, S. & Parkes, A., Hearing Young Voices: Methodological Approaches to Studying Intercountry Adoptees (Ages 0-12) in Ireland, Children's Voices Conference, Charles Sturt University, online, 3rd September, 2026Invited Talk, 2026
  • McCaughren, S., Holt, S., Parkes, A., Gregory, S., Contact Time for Infants and Young Children in Separated Families, November, 2022, p1 - 184Report
  • McCaughren, S., Holt, S., Parkes, A., Gregory, S., Research Report on Guidance on Contact Time for Infants and Young Children in Separated Families, Trinity College Dublin, December, 2022, p1 - 180Report, DOI , TARA - Full Text
  • McCaughren, S. (Presenter), Holt, S., Parkes, A. & Gregory, S., An absent presence? The Voice of the Child in Family Law Proceedings, Annual District Court Judges Conference, Limerick, Ireland, 2023, 2023Oral Presentation
  • McCaughren, S., Holt, S, Parkes, A. & Connolly, D., Women"s Experiences of Judicial Separation and Divorce in Ireland: An Overview of Research Findings, Courts Service Family Law Reform Programme Team, Webinar, 2nd June 2022, 2022, Courts Service Family Law Reform Programme TeamInvited Talk
  • Embracing New Ways of Learning and Teaching: Sustaining Student Engagement in the Learning and Teaching of Practice Skills in, editor(s)Fovet, F. IGI Global Publications , Applying Universal Design for Learning Across Disciplines: Case Studies on Implementation, IGI Global Publications, 2021, [McCaughren, S.]Book Chapter
  • McCaughren, S., Enhancing Mature Student Learning: Redesigning Role-Play for Teaching and Learning Practice Skills, All-Ireland Social Work Education and Research , Ulster University Magee, Derry, January 2019, 2019Oral Presentation
  • McCaughren, S., Adoption Legislation: Recent changes and implications for adoption practice, Tusla, Adoption Service, Munster (invited talk), St. Stephen"s Hospital, Glanmire, Cork, 14th March , 2019Invited Talk
  • McCaughren, S. & Parkes, S., A Legal Analysis on Open Adoption in Ireland , Department of Children and Youth Affairs, September 2019, 2019Report
  • McCaughren, S. & McGregor,C., Overview: Implementation of Adoption as a Care Option: Themes, Challenges and Opportunities, Moving towards Implementation of Adoption as a Care Option in Ireland (seminar), University College Cork, 2016, 2016Oral Presentation
  • McCaughren, S., Adoption from care: contextualising potential change, Reimagining Adoption as a Viable Care Option in Ireland (seminar),, NUI Galway, 2013Oral Presentation
  • McCaughren, S. & Parkes, A., Adoption in a Digital Age: Social Media, Children"s Rights and Appropriate Responses", Redefining Adoption in a New Era: Opportunities and Challenges for Adoption Law and Social Work Practice, UCC, 2014Oral Presentation
  • McCaughren, S. & Parkes, A., ) Adoption " The Legislative Position: What Might Change? What Needs to Change, i, Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW), 2013Oral Presentation
  • McCaughren, S., Viewing Adoption through a Children"s Rights Lens: The Current Landscape of Adoption Law and Practice in Ireland, Adopting Change: The Future of Adoption Law and Practice, UCC, 2013Oral Presentation
  • Horgan, D., Martin, S. & McCaughren, S., The Retrospective Voice of the Institutionalised Child: An Exploration of Childhood Discourses in the Irish Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse , The Child and Childhood in Theory & Policy Conference, University of Leeds, 2010, 2010Oral Presentation
  • McCaughren, S., Parkes, A., Burns, K., The operation of the in camera rule in child care proceedings in Ireland, National Child Protection and Welfare Social Work Conference, University College Cork, 24th October 2025, 2025Conference Paper
  • McCaughren, S. Parkes, A., New study seeks input from Irish parents who have adopted children from outside of Ireland, 2025, -Miscellaneous
  • McCaughren, S. Parkes, A., DIVORCE: THE MESSY TRUTH; Urgent overhaul of archaic and damaging Irish system needed, 2025, -Miscellaneous
  • McCaughren, S., Parkes, A., Divorce and children: `It"s an unregulated Wild West" " How outdated court system is causing hurt and heartache, 2025, -Miscellaneous
  • McCaughren, S. & Parkes, A., The Lived Experiences of children and young people (0-12 years) of intercountry adoption in Ireland: Insights from and Irish Study, 9th International Conference on Adoption Research, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal, 5th-10th July, 2026Conference Paper
  • McCaughren, S. & McDonald, M., Protection and connection: sociolegal exploration of tensions between children"s UNCRC rights to identity, participation and safeguarding in adoption, 9th International Conference on Adoption Research, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal, 5th-10th July, 2026Conference Paper
  • Adoption with Children"s Rights at the Centre: Safeguarding Children"s Welfare, Identity, and Family Relationships in, editor(s)Paul McCafferty, Esther Mercado García, Davy Hayes, Gerry Marshall , Children's Rights in Social Work Practice, Routledge, 2026, [MacDonald, M. & McCaughren, S.]Book Chapter
  • Parkes, A., McCaughren, S. & Burns, K., Privacy at all costs? Children"s rights and the in camera rule in Irish family law proceedings, Child and Family Law Quarterly, 2026Journal Article
  • McCaughren, S., Adoption of Children in State Care: Balancing Parents' and Children's Rights and Hearing the Voice of the Child, International Children's Rights Seminar, Koc University Law School, Istanbul, 8th April 2025, 2025Invited Talk
  • McCaughren, S., Holt, S., Parkes, A. & Gregory, S., Children Post Separation - Research Guidance on Shared Access for Infants and Children 0-6 years, Sherie de Burgh Commemorative Event series - Contact with Children Following Separation: Practice to Policy NGO -TCD Research Collaborations, Trinity College Dublin, 13th February, 2025Conference Paper
  • Parkes, A., McCaughren, S. & Burns, K., Opening the Closed Door: Evaluating the Operation of the In Camera Rule"Findings and Recommendations for Reform", Family Law Courts Development Committee, Online, Ireland, 11th May, 2026Invited Talk
  • McCaughren, S., Parkes, A., The Voice of the Child in Adoption Assessments, Tusla National Adoption Committees Seminar, National Office Tusla Dublin, April 2024, 2024Invited Talk
  • McCaguhren, S. & Parkes, A., The Voice of the Child in Adoption Assessments, , Irish Council of Social Workers in Adoption, Online webinar, Online webinar, 17th October, 2024Invited Talk
  • McCaughren, S., The Voice of the Child in Adoption Assessments, PACT Adoption Services, Online Webinar, Online Dublin, 19th March, 2025Invited Talk
  • MCaughren, S., Hidden Perspectives and the Realities of Open Adoption, PACT Adoption Services Seminar, Online Webinar, 13th February, 2025Invited Talk
  • McCaughren, S., From Insight to Influence: Strategies for Researching Sensitive Topics and Media Messaging,, Tusla Research Day, School Seminar, Trinity College Dublin, November, 2025Oral Presentation

Research Expertise

  • Title
    Silence in the Court Room, Silence in the Street? Women's Experiences of Family Law in Ireland
    Summary
    Funding Agency
    Benefactions award
  • Title
    Interprofessional Education All Ireland Study
    Summary
  • Title
    Intercountry Adoption Study
    Summary
    This research explores the experiences of adoptive parents and their children (under the age of 12 years) who have adopted internationally. It is an interdisciplinary study that involved mixed methods.
    Funding Agency
    Adoption Authority of Ireland
    Date From
    June 2025
    Date To
    September 2026
  • Title
    The Operation of the In Camera Rule In Irish Family Law
    Summary
    Funding Agency
    Department of Justice
  • Title
    Research report on guidance on contact time for infants and young children in separated families
    Summary
    Funding Agency
    One Family Ireland

Recognition

  • Article selected by the editors of European Social Work Research to feature in Editors Choice collection for the journal. 2025
  • President's Award for Teaching and Learning, University College Cork 2017
  • UCC Leadership Program Aspiring Leaders, Irish Management Institute & University College Cork 2018
  • Digital Badge, Social Policy Education: Enhancing Digital Skills (SPEEDS) Gold award first recipient (for exceptional level of excellence in personal, professional, and academic activities in a digital micro-credential), University College Cork 2018
  • Digital Badge, Universal Design in Learning, University College Cork 2019
  • Elected to Fellowship (Trinity College Dublin) 2025
  • Invited member Research Ethics Committee (REC) at Coimisún na Meán. Ongoing
  • Editorial board member of Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma Ongoing
  • Member of review board for Adoption Quarterly Journal Ongoing
  • Invited (by Department of DCDE) member of UNICEF Project Advisory Committee for TSI project To develop a best-practice framework and a roadmap of the domestic adoption system in Ireland Ongoing
  • Member of review board for Children and Youth Services Review Ongoing
  • Invited member of UNICEF Guiding Framework panel on Children's voices and participation in administrative and judicial adoption proceedings, including the determination of their best interests. Ongoing
  • Invited member of National Adoption Appeals Committee, National Adoption Service, Tusla Ongoing