Dr Thomas Walsh

Biography

Thomas Walsh has worked as a primary school teacher in a number of Dublin schools. He completed an M.Ed in 2001 when his major thesis focussed on educational disadvantage. Between 2002 and 2007, he worked as a Development Officer at the Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education (CECDE) in St. Patrick’s College of Education. While at the CECDE he published a number of reports on early childhood education and played a central role in the development of Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education. Thomas was awarded a PhD in education at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth in 2006. His doctoral thesis focused on the development and implementation of successive primary school curricula between 1897 and 1990. Between 2004 and 2006, he was awarded an INTO bursary, a Doctoral Studies Prize of Achievement in Arts and Humanities and Science and Engineering by the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, and the Dr. Mary L. Thornton Scholarship in Education from the National University of Ireland. He has written a number of articles on the history of education and on early childhood education and has presented at both national and international conferences. His book, Primary Education in Ireland 1897-1990: Curriculum and Context, was published by Peter Lang International Academic Publishers in 2012. He has previously lectured on the history of education in St. Patrick’s College of Education and Maynooth University. In addition, he has worked as a research consultant, as a supervisor of research students and as an external examiner. More recently, Thomas worked as an Inspector with the Department of Education and Skills. In addition to his work in schools, he contributed extensively to policy work within the Curriculum and Assessment Unit where he had particular responsibility around early childhood education. Within the Education Department of Maynooth University, Thomas is School Liaison Co-ordinator with specific responsibility for building partnership with schools. He is also involved in teaching elements on a range of courses in the Department.

Research Interest

Education