NCSE Research

Research

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Research

Research Overview


One of our key statutory roles is to carry out research in special education.  
Our research programme aims to strengthen our knowledge and understanding of best practice in educational policy and provision for students with special educational needs. 
 
We work to: 
 – Build a strong evidence base through commissioning or carrying out high-quality peer-reviewed  research 
– Use research to help us develop our practice advice for schools and policy advice for the Minister 
– Involve stakeholders to advise us  
– Share best practice in  special education with parents, teachers and other stakeholders 
– Help to strengthen the research infrastructure around special and inclusive education. 

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Research

Research Team

Our Research Team is made up of:  
 – Our Head of Finance, Research and Governance 
– Two research officers 

Our research programme has been ongoing since 2008 guided by our Research Committee. 
 
Members of the Committee include: 

 Peter Archer, former CEO of the Educational Research Centre  
– Dharragh Hunt, Senior Policy & Public Affairs Advisor at the National Disability Authority  
– Catherine Cross, Deputy CEO with the National Parents Council 
– Yvonne Kennedy, Regional Director, National Educational Psychological Service  

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Research

Annual Research Conference


The NCSE hosts an annual research conference, usually in November each year. This event is open to all stakeholders including teachers, parents, researchers, and policy makers. 
 
The conference features presentations on our commissioned research projects, as well as international keynote speakers on a variety of topics.  

To join our conference mailing list, please email  research@ncse.ie.

You can find out more about our research conference including details from previous conferences at the link below. 

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Research

Research Reports

You can view a collection of our published research reports. 

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Research

NCSE Practice Based Research Programme

The NCSE’s Practice-Based Research Programme (PBR) supports practitioners within schools or clusters of schools to engage in research on topics relating to inclusion and special education.  
 
The programme has a number of aims:  
– Build the research capacity and skills of educators  
– Improve inclusive and special education teaching and learning experiences for teachers and learners through research and evidence  
– Develop relationships between higher education institutes (HEIs) and schools 
– Develop a collection of research evidence and shared learning based on real practice. 
 
We have collaborated with several HEIs to provide training to practitioners to support them in research within their schools. Currently there are 7 HEIs involved. 

Please contact research@ncse.ie for further information

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Research

Current Research Projects

Find out more about our current research at the link below. 

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Research

Research Tenders

We commission our research projects in line with the public procurement guidelines.  As new tenders arise, they will be advertised on this website and the government’s eTenders website.