The inaugural Wellbeing Research for Education Conference to be hosted by Mary Immaculate College (MIC) will have the theme of 'Well what? Interrogating wellbeing across the education continuum'.
The one-day event—taking place on Saturday 7 June—welcomes anyone with an interest in wellbeing including participants from both inside and outside of education—educators, students, researchers, and others keen to share their views or research in this area. It will provide a platform for the exchange of ideas, perspectives, and personal research findings, and serves as an opportunity for critical reflection and discourse.
The keynote speakers are Donna Dey, senior lecturer in primary education at the University of Dundee, and Dr Fionnuala Tynan, lecturer at MIC. Donna brings extensive experience in social justice and health and wellbeing in Scottish education, with a focus on curriculum development and teacher education. Fionnuala is recognised for her work in inclusive education and wellbeing, particularly her research leadership on Williams Syndrome. Together, they will offer insights into how wellbeing can be meaningfully integrated into school curricula.
The conference will open with an address by the Dean of Education at MIC, Prof. Emer Ring, and will feature a wide range of papers, research posters and workshops. Participants will also have the chance to take part in sessions focused on wellbeing—including activities around music and creating a sense of calm.
Speaking ahead of the event, Dr Gerard Farrelly, Lecturer in Education and Programme Coordinator of the M Ed in Leadership of Wellbeing in Education at MIC, highlighted the importance of creating space for open discussion around wellbeing and how it “is constantly evolving and changing at a societal and individual level, and all of us conceptualise it differently”.
“This conference is an opportunity to bring people together with an interest in wellbeing, to reflect and engage in dialogue about wellbeing, and what it means for each of us, and how it positions itself within education in particular.”
The conference aligns with the M Ed in Leadership of Wellbeing in Education, a two-year part-time Level 9 programme launched by MIC in 2019. Delivered in a blended format, the programme prepares students for leadership roles in promoting wellbeing across education and the wider community. Dr Farrelly emphasised that developing positive culture and climate in schools is hugely important. Since its foundation, 36 students have graduated with either a full M Ed or Graduate Diploma and the programme has been endorsed by Oide, reflecting strong and growing interest.
As part of MIC’s broader contribution to this area, Dr Gerard Farrelly—alongside Dr Richard Bowles (Lecturer in Physical Education) and Dr Margaret Nohilly (Lecturer in Education and Programme Coordinator of the Professional Master in Education - Primary Teaching)—is also currently involved in the development of the new curriculum for Social, Physical and Health Education (SPHE) in conjunction with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA).
Registration for Wellbeing Research for Education Conference 2025 is now open. You can find further information on the event hosted by MIC here or register for your place here.
For more information about the M Ed in Leadership of Wellbeing in Education programme, click here.
