Dr Nicola Mannion
More information
Biography
Prior to joining the Department of Educational Psychology, Inclusive and Special Education in 2019, Nicola worked as a special education teacher and special class teacher in a mainstream post-primary school, Youthreach and special school setting in Galway. Nicola also previously worked with Oide (formally JCT) as an Associate for the L1LP/L2LP. Nicola is involved in the delivery and design of initial teacher education as well as professional learning for teachers as Post-Graduate level. She is also the current co-chair of the Children's Research Network Child and Youth Participation Special Interest Group.
Research Interests
Children's Rights, Student Voice, Participatory Research, Intellectual Disabilities, Relationship and Sexuality Education, Inclusive Pedagogies, Literacy Difficulties for Older Struggling Readers.
Publications
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
Mannion, N., Fitzgerald, J. and Tynan. (in press). Students with Intellectual Disabilities' Participation in Decision- Making in Irish Post-primary Schools. International Journal of Student Voice.
Mannion, N., Fitzgerald, J. and Tynan, F. (2025) Amplifying Marginalised Voices: Multi-Modal Approaches to Student Participation in Decision-Making. The Journal of the Irish Learning Support Association (LEARN), 46, 9-26.
Mannion, N., Fitzgerald, J. and Tynan, F. (2024) Photovoice Reimagined: A Guide to Supporting the Participation of Students with Intellectual Disabilities in Research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 23, 1-16.
Mannion., N. (2023) Student Voice in Ireland; Voices of the Unheard. How Can we Listen? Educational Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI) Inclusive Education Special Interest Group Newsletter, 2.
Mannion, N., Fitzgerald, J. and Tynan, F. (2022). Developing Inclusive Pedagogy with Students with Intellectual Disabilities as Co-Researchers. Future of Education Conference Proceedings.
Mannion., N. and Fitzgerald. (2018) Addressing the Wellbeing of Learners with Complex Special Educational Needs: Using Junior Cycle Level Two Learning Programmes for explicit teaching of wellbeing for wellbeing. The Journal of the Irish Learning Support Association (LEARN), 40, 27-40.
Conference Papers
Dunleavy, M., Mannion, N., Dervan,M., Gallagher, S., Maher, K., McIIrath, L., O’Rourke, M., Hearity, D., Moran, C., Ali, R. and Healy, M (2026, June). Supporting Neurodivergent Students as they navigate intimate relationships and Consent in Higher educational institutes (HEI). Paper presented at the 11th International Conference on Advanced Research in Education, Teaching, and Learning, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Mannion, N. and Dervan, M. (2026 March) Strengthening Teachers’ Research Skills for More Inclusive Classrooms: Insights from a School–University Collaboration in the Republic of Ireland. Poster Presentation at the 20th annual International Technology, Education and Development Conference, Valencia, Spain.
Mannion, N. and Dervan, M. (2025 November). Developing Practice-Based Research Skills to Enhance Inclusive Education: A Collaborative School-University Partnership in the Republic of Ireland. Paper presented at the 18th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation Seville, Spain.
Mannion, N., Fitzgerald, J. and Tynan, F (2025, March) Capturing Marginalised Voices: Rights, Voices and Multi-Modal Approaches to Supporting the Participation of Students with SEND in Decision Making in Schools. Paper presented at the Irish Learning Support Association (LEARN) Spring Conference, Dublin, Ireland.
Mannion, N., Fitzgerald, J. and Tynan, F (2025, June) Students with Intellectual Disabilities in Decision-Making Processes in Mainstream Post-Primary Schools in Republic of Ireland. Poster presentation at the 17th annual International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies, Palma, Spain.
Mannion, N. (2024, November) Supporting Students with ID to Voice their Experiences and Perspectives of Participation in Mainstream Post-Primary Schools in the Republic of Ireland: Through Photovoice. Paper presented at the 17th International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, Seville, Spain.
Mannion, N. (2024, January) ‘Leading the Way’: Listening to the Voices of Students with Intellectual Disabilities to Enhance Inclusive Practice in Schools. Paper presented at the International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement (ICSEI), Dublin, Ireland.
Mannion, N (2023, September) Photovoice as a participatory research methodology. Paper presented at the International Creative Research Methods Conference, Manchester, England.
Mannion, N., Fitzgerald, J. and Tynan, F, Voices of the Seldom Heard: (2023 October) Experiences and Perspectives of Students with Intellectual Disabilities in Mainstream Post-Primary Schools in Ireland. Poster presentation at the Irish Learning Support Association (LEARN) Annual Conference, Carlow, Ireland.
Mannion, N., Fitzgerald, J. and Tynan, F (2022, July) Developing Inclusive Pedagogy with Students with Intellectual Disabilities as Co-Researchers. Paper presented at the Future of Education International Conference, Florence, Italy.
Mannion, N., Fitzgerald, J. and Tynan, F (2022, May) Making Children Visible: Photovoice as a Participatory Research Methodology. Paper presented at the 9th International Research Methods Summer School, Limerick, Ireland.
Commissioned Reports
Dunleavy, M., Mannion, N., Dervan,M., Gallagher, S., Maher, K., McIIrath, L., O’Rourke, M., Hearity, D., Moran, C., Ali, R. and Healy, M (2026). Supporting Neurodivergent Students as they navigate intimate relationships and Consent in Higher Educational Institutes (HEI). Limerick, Mary Immaculate College.
Supervision of Doctoral Research
Completed
Maeve McDonagh. (Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology, 2026) Exploring Autistic Post Primary Students’ Experiences of Emotionally Based School Avoidance.
Supervision of Master’s Research
Completed
Nóirín Ní Mhaoldhomhnaigh (Master’s in Special Education,2025) How do current transition practices support children with additional educational needs as they move from mainstream primary to mainstream secondary education in Ireland?
Evan Gorrell (Master's in Education in Middle Leadership & Mentoring 2025) An Investigation into the effectiveness of student councils in Post-Primary school settings in Ireland from both students' and school leaders' perspectives.
Tamara Horgan (Master’s in Special Education,2022) The Effectiveness of Micro Pigs as Therapy Animals for Autistic People.
Sarah Lambe (Master’s in Special Education,2021) An exploratory study of the continuing professional development (CPD) needs of senior leadership (Principals and Deputy Principals) in relation to inclusive and special education in the context of post primary (PP) schools in Ireland.
