Biography

Dr Mary Kelly is Academic Dean of Hibernia College and a member of the College’s Executive Management Team. Dr Kelly has been a driving force in the strategic direction of research initiatives and innovation in academic development since she joined Hibernia College in 2012.

Most recently serving as Head of the School of Education, Dr Kelly provided academic leadership for the School of Education’s suite of programmes, including the Professional Master of Education (PME) in Primary Education, Professional Master of Education (PME) in Post-Primary Education, Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme.

Prior to her role as Head of School Education, Dr Kelly served as Director of Primary Education, Deputy Course Director and Head of School Experience. Dr Kelly has remained committed to ensuring Hibernia College continues to prepare, develop and support reflective teachers who are academically strong, pedagogically skilled and responsive to the needs of their students and wider society. During her tenure, Dr Kelly has helped establish Hibernia College as the leading provider of primary school teachers in the country.

Dr Kelly holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Education and Leadership from Dublin City University and a Master’s in Education from University College Dublin. She began her career as a primary school teacher and taught at all class levels in Ireland and abroad after earning her Bachelor’s in Education from St Patrick’s College Drumcondra and going on to earn an Advanced Certificate in Management Studies from Canterbury Christ Church College.

In 2001, Dr Kelly was seconded by the Department of Education to provide professional development in the area of Learning Support with the Primary Curriculum Support Programme (PCSP). She then went on to work in several roles before taking over as Deputy National Coordinator of PCSP with specific responsibility for the implementation of numeracy and literacy programmes under the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) initiative. She furthered her passion for literacy as a Literacy Consultant with the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI).

Her research interests include practitioner research, early childhood education and teacher education and she is highly skilled in curriculum development, educational technology and teacher training.

Dr Kelly served two terms of office on the Teaching Council and was a member of the Council’s Executive Committe. She represents Hibernia College externally, promoting and further developing links with educational providers, agencies, professional organisations, government bodies and the community at large. She brings a wealth of experience in academic leadership and research to her role as Academic Dean.