JOB DESCRIPTION
Assistant Professor in Inclusive and Special Education
School of Inclusive and Special Education
DCU Institute of Education
Fixed Term Contract (Three Years)
Dublin City University
Dublin City University (DCU) is a young, ambitious and vibrant university, with a mission ‘to transform lives and societies through education, research, innovation and engagement’. Known as Ireland’s ‘University of Enterprise’, DCU is a values-based institution, committed to the delivery of impact for the public good. DCU was named Sunday Times Irish University of the Year 2021.
DCU is based on three academic campuses in the Glasnevin-Drumcondra region of north Dublin. More than 18,000 students are enrolled across five faculties – Science and Health, DCU Business School, Computing and Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences and DCU Institute of Education.
DCU is committed to excellence across all its activities. This is demonstrated by its world-class research initiatives, its cutting-edge approach to teaching and learning, its focus on delivering a transformative student experience, and its positive social and economic impact. The university continues to develop innovative programmes in collaboration with industry, such as the DCU Futures suite of degrees, which are designed to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge required in a rapidly evolving economy.
DCU’s pursuit of excellence has led to its current ranking among the top 2% of universities globally. It is also one of the world’s Top Young Universities (QS Top 100 Under 50, Times Higher Top 150 Under 100). In the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings 2021, DCU ranked 23rd in the world for its approach to widening participation in higher education and its ongoing commitment to eradicating poverty, while it ranks 38th globally for its work in reducing inequality and 89th globally for gender equality.
The university is ranked 23rd in the world and first in Ireland for its graduate employment rate, according to the 2020 QS Graduate Employability Rankings. Over the past decade, DCU has been the leading Irish university in the area of technology transfer, as reflected by licensing of intellectual property.
Overview of the department
The School of Inclusive and Special Education is one of six schools within DCU Institute of Education. It is the first such school in an Irish university. It has a critical mass of expertise in areas of inclusive education and special education and is dedicated to assisting the rights of all children and young people to an appropriate education and to learning for all. It has a strong research focus with staff and research students both full and part-time creating a vibrant community of inquiry.
The School of Inclusive and Special Education provides a full range of continuing professional development programmes for teachers working in inclusive and special education roles, including a Graduate Diploma in Inclusive Education, Learning Support and Special Education, Masters in Special Educational Needs, Masters in Specific Learning Disabilities (Dyslexia), Graduate Certificate and Master of Education in the Education of Pupils on the Autism Spectrum and an online Professional Diploma in Inclusive and Special Education. It also contributes to the University’s initial teacher education programmes and taught doctorate.
Role Profile
The School of Inclusive and Special Education is seeking to recruit an Assistant Professor to work collectively with members of the School and the Institute of Education. They will make a substantial contribution to the design, development, and management of present and future initiatives addressing the needs of learners with additional/special educational needs. Continuing the School’s historic engagement in the development of policy in Ireland in the area of inclusive and special education, the appointees will be expected to participate in research and policy networks and engage with key system stakeholders.
Duties and Responsibilities
Teaching and Learning
The successful candidate will be required to contribute significantly to course development, teaching, assessment and administration across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes both on campus and online. Part of this work will include practicum visits and assisting evaluative reports.
They will also be expected to contribute to the wider work of the DCU Institute of Education, particularly in the provision of continuing professional development in inclusive and special education, and other areas of education as appropriate.
Research and Scholarship
The successful candidate will be dedicated to high-quality impactful research and publication in the field of inclusive and special education on a personal and a collaborative basis. They will contribute to the scholarship and intellectual life of the University by conducting and publishing research which will enhance its reputation as a research-led teaching institution and which will make a significant contribution to the development of the DCU Institute of Education’s research reputation. Application for competitive grants, as collaborators or as principal investigators will be expected.
Service and Contribution to the University and Society
The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the overall strategy of Dublin City University through participation in University-wide initiatives. Academics are expected to participate in school and university meetings, meetings related to programmes and to represent the School in marketing and other public events and in the recruitment of students.
The appointee will also be expected to be active in the organisation of seminars and conferences and in developing relationships with stakeholders across the University and in the education sector more generally.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
- Primary degree (NFQ Level 8) in a relevant area and a postgraduate qualification in areas related to Inclusive and Special Education,
- Three years’ relevant experience in an educational setting, ideally in teacher education or allied field.
- Knowledge of the Irish education system and policy relevant to inclusive and special education.
The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications and experience
- A Doctoral qualification related to Inclusive and Special Education,
- Contribution to the field by way of conference presentations and/or publications in peer-reviewed or professional journals.
- Previous experience of in-career development work with teachers of students with special educational needs, Experience of working with learners with additional / special educational needs, Strong social and team-work skills, excellent administrative and organisation skills, An established profile in the ISE sector, nationally and / or internationally,
- Expertise in one or more of the following areas is desirable: post primary education / education of learners with a visual impairment / literacy and Dyslexia.