NCSE Research

Research

Research

Research Overview


One of the NCSE’s statutory roles is to carry out research in the area of special education. The overall aim of the NCSE research programme is to strengthen our knowledge and understanding of best practice in educational policy and provision for students with special educational needs. Specifically the NCSE research programme:

– builds a robust evidence base through commissioning or conducting high quality peer-reviewed
research studies;
– identifies lessons for policy or practice arising from the evidence in order to inform the development
of NCSE policy advice to the Minister for Education and Skills;
– involves relevant stakeholders in an advisory capacity in our research activities;
– contributes to the dissemination of information about national and international best practice in
special and inclusive education to key stakeholders, including parents, teachers and others;
– contributes to strengthening the research infrastructure around special and inclusive education.

Research

Research Team

A Head of Finance, Research & Governance and 2 Research Officers comprise the Research Staff. The NCSE has established an extensive research programme since 2008 and a Research Committee, a subcommittee of the Council, guides and supports the research work. 

Members of the Committee include:
Peter Archer, former CEO of the Educational Research Centre (ERC)
Dharragh Hunt, Policy & Public Affairs Advisor at the National Disability Authority (NDA)
Catherine Cross, Services Manager with the National Parents Council
Yvonne Kennedy, Regional Director, National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS)

A group of people sitting around a table, assembling green and white puzzle pieces.
A large group of people seated in a conference room, facing a presentation screen at the front

Research

Annual Research Conference

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

If you are interested in being on the mailing list for the conference please send us an email at research@ncse.ie.

Find out More about our Research Conference including details and content from previous conferences.

Research

Research Reports

Visit our Research Reports webpage to view a collection of published research reports commissioned by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in Ireland.

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: to build the research capacity and skills of practicing educators; to enhance inclusive and special education teaching and learning experiences for teachers and learners through exploring, reviewing, conducing or applying research/research evidence; build and enhance relationships between Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) and schools; and to develop a repository of practice-based research evidence and shared learning and experiences.

The NCSE has collaborated with a number of Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) to provide training to practitioners to support them in conducting or using research within their school(s). Currently there are 7 HEI’s involved.

Please contact research@ncse.ie for further information

Research

Current Research Projects

NCSE have a number of Research projects that are underway. Find out more about these projects on our Current Research Projects webpage.

Notebook with the word "PROCUREMENT" on a desk with office supplies.

Research

Research Tenders

The NCSE commission research projects utilising public procurement guidelines. As new tenders arise, they will be advertised on this website and the government’s http://etenders.gov.ie/ website.