Department: Research & Test Development – Data Managers
Dr Gemma Cherry
| Role/Grade | Data Manager |
| Team | PISA 2025, TIMSS 2027 |
| Research Interests | Assessment, educational inequalities, psychometrics and advanced quantitative methods. |
| Professional profile | Gemma is a Data Manager at the Educational Research Centre, currently contributing to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), and will also be part of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2027 team. With a strong background in quantitative social research, she brings expertise in the areas of educational assessment, psychometrics and the analysis of educational inequalities.
Prior to her current role, Gemma held academic positions at Queen’s University Belfast, where she worked as a Lecturer in Sociology and Quantitative Methods. Her academic career also includes roles at Dublin City University and the University of Cambridge, where she contributed to a range of research and teaching activities across the fields of sociology, education and quantitative methods. Gemma is a Fellow with the Higher Education Academy, reflecting her commitment to excellence in teaching and learning within higher education. She has published papers in peer-reviewed academic journals and has presented at various international conferences. |
| Researcher Profiles |
ORCID – https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4686-8545
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John Coyle
John started in the ERC as a computer support person in 1995, then in 1999 he became Systems Administrator, his current role is Data Manager. As well as looking after the data, he also helps with IT issues. He previously worked in IT for the National Rehabilitation Board. He completed a B.Sc. in Maynooth as well as post graduate diplomas in statistics and computer programming and administration.
Sarah McAteer
Sarah McAteer is a Research Associate at the ERC and is currently Data Manager for PIRLS 2026 (Progress in International Reading Literacy). Sarah has previously worked as part of the national team conducting PISA 2018 (Programme for International Student Assessment), and on analysis and reporting of PIRLS 2016 data. Sarah has a B.Sc. in Applied Psychology from the University of Ulster, a PG Cert in Media Psychology from the University of Salford and an M.Res. in Social Research Methods from Queens University Belfast.