Meet The Team

Linda Darbey

Assistant Academic Secretary

Linda Darbey is the Assistant Academic Secretary: Academic Affairs with responsibility for implementing the remit of Academic Affairs in respect of undergraduate and graduate education. Linda ensures that Academic Affairs realises its remit and acts as a centre of expertise, and delivers on Trinity’s strategic priorities and objectives.

Linda holds an M.Ed. and a PG Dip. in Technology and Learning from Trinity, and a B.A. (Psychology) from UCD. Linda has 27 years’ experience working in the education sector with over 20 years’ experience of leading initiatives and projects at EU and national levels. Linda joined Trinity in January 2019.

Ewa Sadowska

Administrative Officer

Ewa Sadowska joined Trinity in September 1995 and holds an M.Phil. (Warsaw), M.Litt., Grad. Dip. Bus. St. (N.C.E.A.), Dip. H.E.P. As an administrative officer Ewa provides support to the Dean of Graduate Studies as Secretary to GSC, and as advisor to Schools in the development of postgraduate course proposals and agreements. Ewa advises the Assistant Academic Secretary: Academic Affairs on matters relating to graduate education.

Ciara Conlon

Education Support Manager

Ciara joined Academic Affairs in November 2021. She is Secretary to both the Undergraduate Studies Committee and Trinity Electives Sub-committee and provides support in the development of undergraduate course proposals and undergraduate policy and regulations. She holds a MSc in Applied Social Research from Trinity College Dublin and a BA (Hons) in Anthropology from the University of Sussex.

Lizzie Whitcher

Education Policy Developer (Academic Affairs)

Lizzie joined Academic Affairs in March 2023. She has responsibility for the management and oversight of Academic Affairs activities relating to Academic Integrity and Misconduct, academic policy and regulation development, review, and implementation. She is also Secretary to the GSC Sub-Committee on HCI Pillar 3 Micro-Credentials. Lizzie has almost a decade of experience in academic policy development, with a particular focus on academic integrity. She holds a BA (Hons) in Linguistics from the Open University.

Liz Donnellan

Education Policy Developer

Liz joined Academic Affairs in April 2023, having previously worked in the Quality Office and in Graduate Studies. Her areas of responsibility include the annual Academic Affairs work programme for academic policy and regulation review, and the management, development, and review of Calendar Part II regulations. She is also responsible for the management of the Associated College Degrees Committees (ACDC). Liz holds a B.Sc. (Hons) and Ph.D. in Plant Science from University College Dublin.

Michael Cleary-Gaffney

Education Support Officer

Michael joined Academic Affairs as Education Support Officer in September 2023. His responsibility lies in managing the administration of the Associated College Degree Committees of Trinity’s Linked Providers (RIAM and MIE), and the Trinity Electives Sub-Committee. Michael also supports the Linked Providers in the development of their academic policies, regulations, and programme proposals. Michael completed a BA, MSc by Research and PhD in Psychology at Maynooth University. Michael also holds a Certificate in Teaching and Learning. Michael previously worked as a lecturer in Research Methods and Statistics. Prior to joining Trinity, Michael worked as a Quality and Enhancement Specialist for an Independent College.