Department: Senior Management

Mr James Barry

James joined the ERC in 2025 and oversees Research Operations, Facilities, Health and Safety, Procurement, and the ERC’s Test Department.

He holds an MA in Child, Family and Community Studies from TU Dublin, a Specialist Diploma in Quality Management from the University of Limerick, and a BSc (Hons) in Physical Education Studies from Munster Technological University. James is also a Lean Practitioner at Black Belt level and holds a PRINCE project management qualification.

Before joining the ERC, James served as a senior manager within the HSE and held several leadership roles with Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health. His positions included Schools Mental Health Coordinator, Youth Engagement Coordinator, and Service Manager for Jigsaw Dublin City.

 

Ms Anne Comey

Anne is Head of Governance and Corporate Services, with overall responsibility for Governance, Finance, HR and Data Protection matters. She joined the ERC in 2015 ‎after working for the French Embassy and the Planning and Transport sector as an Accounts and HR ‎Manager. She has a Masters Degree in European and Public Law from the University of Le Havre ‎‎(France). ‎

Patricia Gaffney

Role/Grade Senior Manager – Governance and Corporate Services
Team Governance and Corporate Services
Professional profile On joining the ERC in 2016, Patricia held responsibility for data protection, procurement, health and safety, and facilities. In 2025, Patricia was appointed as Data Protection Manager with responsibility for data protection and data sharing, working as part of the Research Operations team. Prior to joining the ERC, Patricia held several roles while working for a multinational organisation, including 7 years as the European Business Partner with responsibility for implementing global strategy for the Document Management division. Patricia holds a B.A. in International Business Communication from the University of Ulster, a Graduate Diploma from DCU in Management of Operations and an Advanced Diploma in Data Protection Law from the Honorable Society of King’s Inns.

Peter Kennedy

Peter is the ICT Manager at the ERC, having been appointed in January 2021.  His role is to oversee all aspects of IT in the ERC. He has a BSc in IT Management as well as other IT related qualifications that include MCP, CCNA and ITIL.  He is also a Professional member of the Irish Computer Society. Peter had previously worked as IT Manager in the Teaching Council with 14 years’ experience in the role.  He also worked in IBM as an IT Specialist for 6 years.

Dr Rachel Perkins

Role/Grade Head of Research
Team Research and Test Development
Research Interests ·         Student well-being

·         Academic resilience

·         Educational disadvantage

·         Students’ self-beliefs and their academic achievement.
Professional profile Rachel is Head of Research at the ERC. She has previously led a number of international large-scale studies in the ERC including the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS), Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). She has also represented Ireland on the PISA Governing Board and the Board of Participating Countries for the Programme for the International Assessment of Adults’ Competencies. Rachel has an ‎M.Psych.Sc. in Health Psychology from the National University of Ireland, Galway and a Ph.D. from Dublin City University. Her doctoral research examined academic resilience among children experiencing poverty in Ireland.
Researcher Profiles ORCID: 0009-0000-7932-0143

Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rachel-Perkins-3?ev=prf_overview

LinkedIn: Rachel Perkins | LinkedIn

Dr John Regan

Role/Grade Chief Executive Officer
Team ERC Management Team
Professional profile Dr. John Regan is the Chief Executive Officer of the Educational Research Centre (ERC) in Dublin, Ireland, a role he has held since November 2023.

As CEO, John leads the ERC in its mission to enhance learning outcomes for all students by conducting high-quality research and by developing effective assessment tools that will support better learning and inform policy. The role of CEO is to provide strategic leadership, ensure efficient operations, and uphold the Centre’s mission in alignment with legislation and Government policy. The CEO is responsible for overseeing daily activities, managing personnel, and ensuring that the Centre meets its goals and objectives. This involves creating and implementing policies, managing budgets, and coordinating with other government bodies.

John holds a PhD in Economics from University College Dublin, where he developed a strong foundation in economic analysis and research methodologies.

Prior to joining the ERC as CEO, he served as Senior Manager at the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg where he was responsible for overseeing strategy and research initiatives. His work contributed to shaping policies and strategies within the communications sector. He has also worked as a Special Advisor to the Irish Government, where he provided strategic advice to a cabinet Minister, contributing to policy development and implementation in areas related to community, equality, drug strategy and the Irish language. He began his academic career as a lecturer in microeconomics at the University of Birmingham, where he taught and mentored students in economic theory and applications.

 
Researcher Profiles  

LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/johnreganirl

The ERC publishes a periodic newsletter, eolas ón ERC, to keep stakeholders updated on research publications, ongoing projects in schools and standardised testing.