Tara (BA Hons, PGCE, PgDip, NPQH, MRES) studied BA Hons in Fine Art at Glasgow School of Art, and following a PGCE at Oxford University, later ​became a qualified Teacher of the Deaf. She has taught in mainstream and special schools before moving into leadership in special schools and alternative provision.

Tara is both the education officer for children with medical needs in Wandsworth and the Headteacher of two outstanding hospital schools (mental health and general medical at SWLSTG Trust in south London) and extended outreach services for children and young people out of school due to medical and/or mental health conditions including EBSA (Emotional based school avoidance). The dual role has allowed unique insight into barriers to education, and an ability to enact solutions for some of the most vulnerable and disengaged children and young people. This has included completing recent Masters level academic research on ‘school-based’ causal factors of students non-attendance and non-engagement with school.

As a school leader and consultant in special education Tara has worked with a range of organisations in developing curriculums, pedagogy and learning environments to engage and enable all learners. These include whole school wellbeing curriculums and enterprise programmes, real life learning projects ‘Enquiring Minds’ and excellence in SEN teaching (the first gifted and talented strategy applied in special schools). Since 2017 Tara has initiated and developed new educational provisions for students struggling with their mental health within Wandsworth and regularly delivers training to schools and other professional organisations on meeting the needs of students with medical and mental health conditions.

Leading education which ensures that young people attain academic achievement or secure alternative pathways to success, while nurturing a love of learning and a love of life is a lifetime passion.

Maria began her career in education as a primary school teacher and primary school principal. She joined the School of Education, St. Angela’s College, Sligo, as lecturer in 2000 and is currently, Director of Graduate Programmes. She lectures on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and has worked on collaborative international research projects in Europe and Africa over the past twenty years. Her research interests and publications reflect her interest in social justice, and focus on education and groups minitorised by society, on teacher identity development, Global Citizenship Education and the the reconceptualisation of Teacher Education. Her current research includes a collaborative project with colleagues in Finland on education for sustainability; an exploration of ways to support children in hospital schools who are ‘distanced’ from peers and family; and, an examination of the identity development of teacher-researchers who are supported to publish.  

Maria was invited by NOKUT (the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education) to deliver workshops to Norwegian teacher educators in 2018, following the introduction of the five years master’s programme for primary teachers in Norway. She was Southern Chair of the cross-border body for teacher education on the island of Ireland – the Standing Conference for Teacher Education North and South (SCoTENS 2019-2023).

Michele Capurso is an Associate Professor in Educational Psychology at the University of Perugia, Italy. He started his career as a schoolteacher and then worked as a hospital teacher. He was Head of the Practical Teacher Training programs at the University of Perugia.

Capurso has published several books and articles on children’s fears and coping, understanding of illness, didactics, and communication. He has been a member of the Board of HOPE (Hospital Organization of Pedagogues in Europe) for eight years, and President for two. He is the founder and current chief editor of the journal Continuity in Education.

Deirdre Harvey (PhD, M.Ed., PG Cert., B.A.) is Co-ordinator of Graduate Programmes in the School of Education at ATU St Angelas, Sligo, Ireland. She lectures on undergraduate and graduate education programmes, specialising in psychology of education and education research methods. Deirdre’s research activities focus on teacher collaboration, wellbeing of learners, student teachers and teachers, including stress, resilience, sleep and health behaviours. Some of her current research is examining the supports needed by student teachers, hospital school teachers and school teachers to empower and enable agency and resilience among learners attending hospital schools. Deirdre regularly publishes and presents her work at national and international conferences.

Prof. Meirav Hen is a practicing clinical psychologist, an associate professor and the dean of social sciences and humanities faculty in Tel-Hai academic College in Northern Israel. She has been associated with Tel-Hai college for the last 25 years and served as the head of the education department, psychology department, and master’s program in educational psychology. She integrates practice, research and teaching and specializes in the fields of adult psychopathology, child psychopathology, life -domain procrastination, hospital schools and social emotional learning in different academic and social settings. She publishes her studies in well known international journals, presents in international psychology conferences and is devoted to developing the knowledge and the practice of hospital pedagogues all over the world.   

Dr. Colleen Horn, DEd, is a Lecturer in Education at Marino Institute of Education, where she coordinates the Education Studies Work Placement and is an integral member of the School Placement Team. Dr. Horn holds a Doctorate in Education from Trinity College Dublin and a Masters in Inclusive Education from Roehampton University. 

Her professional interests and research focus on teacher education, place-based pedagogy, and inclusive education. She lectures in various professional studies modules and contributes to the academic community through her numerous publications and presentations at international conferences.

Sandra began her career as a teacher in special education before moving into hospital education in 2012. She has taught in three of Ireland’s hospital schools, her current school being the Children’s Ark School, University Hospital Limerick.

Sandra holds an M.Ed in Special Educational Needs from Trinity College Dublin, with her research thesis exploring the provision for education in Irish hospital schools. She is an active member of the HOPE organisation and has contributed her research to the journal, Continuity in Education.

Fergal has been involved in teaching children and young people with medical and/or mental health needs for over 20 years. He first began teaching in this setting at the Home and Hospital Instruction Schools program in New York City in 2002. He is now based at Solas Hospital School in Dublin, teaching since 2006 and assuming the role of Principal Teacher in 2020. 

Fergal holds an M.Sci. in Educational Leadership and Management and has published his research in Continuity in Education. He currently sits on the board of directors of HOPE and is an Associate Editor of the academic journal, Continuity in Education. 

Laura Thornton is a Lecturer in Visual Art Education in Froebel Dept. of Primary and Early Childhood Education and has 30 years’ experience as an educator. She studied fine art at undergraduate level and has a subsequent teaching qualification from the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. She holds a Master’s Degree in Special and Inclusive Education from Roehampton University, and has, and is continuing to train in Narrative Therapy. Laura has worked across multiple education sectors, from Early Years to Primary, Post-primary, Adult and Community Education. Laura has extensive experience working with children and young people in both mainstream and special educational contexts, and her career to date demonstrates a commitment to learners experiencing educational disadvantage and who are marginalised within the formal education system. Having taught in Ireland, she has also garnered significant international experience while teaching children of all ages, in Spain, Kenya and Kolkata, India.

Within the Froebel Department, Laura lectures on a broad range of programmes including Visual Art Education and Reflective Practice. A passionate advocate of the educational philosophy of German pedagogue Friedrich Froebel, her commitment to enacting the Froebel Department’s mission statement to meet the holistic educational needs of every child in a changing Ireland has led Laura to establish and nourish a range of partnerships with community outreach groups. She leads on a variety of different service roles and is the designated Student Liaison Officer for the Froebel Department. She works collaboratively and cross-departmentally with colleagues in the Department of Adult and Community Education and the MU Access Office to support students progressing within the Turn to Teach programme, which aims to promote diversity in the teaching profession through a series of social justice orientated widening participation opportunities. Laura coordinates the Alternative Service Placement to provide opportunities for Froebel undergraduate and postgraduate students to gain experience of working in non-stream education settings. She acts as the coordinator of the Arts Council’s Artist in Residence programme (Young People, Children and Education) in Froebel Department and seeks to support individuals as they find their voice through experiential engagement in visual art. 

Richard is currently the Principal of the Northern Health School, providing education for students with chronic illness across most of the North Island of New Zealand.  He has a background in Primary education and a Masters degree in Education Administration.  He has a strong interest in learning, pedagogy and building the capacity of teachers and leaders.  To this end he has presented locally and internationally in the area of Education for students will chronic illness, particularly at the European HOPE  and Australasian HELP conferences.  He is a foundation member and past chairman of HELP and an associate editor of the Continuity of Education Journal.  He has also travelled extensively in Europe, Canada and Australia looking for and sharing good practice in this area.