Jasmine joined the ERC as a Research Assistant in April 2024. She is currently working on the Progress in International Reading and Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2026, which examines reading achievement in 4th class pupils. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology, and an M.A. in Psychology, both from the University of Limerick.
Department: Research & Test Development Team
Natasha Toole
Natasha joined the ERC as a research assistant in March 2021 to work on the new online testing system for primary and post- primary schools. She holds a B.A. in Psychology & Sociology from the University of Limerick and a M.Sc. in Government and Politics from University College Cork.
Keishia Taylor
| Role/Grade | Research Assistant |
| Team | Test Development (DTEN/DTEL) |
| Research Interests | Test development, psychometrics, numeracy, educational disadvantage, Irish language, speakers of English as an additional language, child wellbeing, spatial inequalities, health behaviours, lifecourse studies. |
| Professional profile | Keishia joined the ERC as a Research Assistant in October 2022. She holds a M.Sc. in Applied Social Research from Trinity College Dublin and has studied at the Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London. |
| Researcher Profiles | www.researchgate.net/profile/Keishia-Taylor |
Eva Moran
| Role/Grade | Research Assistant |
| Team | Test Development |
| Research Interests | Test Development
Literacy Educational Disadvantage Digital Learning Evaluation
|
| Professional profile | Eva has been a member of staff at the ERC since 2008. She currently works as a member of the Test Development team, on the PPAD-E test (Post-Primary Assessment and Diagnosis- English). She has previously worked on the evaluation of the Digital Learning Framework and has also worked on the evaluation of the SSP (Schools Support Programme) under DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools). She holds a B.Sc. in Psychology from the University of Ulster, and a M.Sc. in Evidence based Social Intervention from the University of Oxford. |
Muireann Bergin
Muireann is a Research Associate in the ERC. She has a B.A. in Modern Irish and French from University College Dublin (UCD), and an M.A. in Early and Medieval Irish from University College Cork (UCC).
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
|
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.
Theresa Walsh
Theresa Walsh has worked at the ERC since February 2018. Her responsibilities include training and technical support for DOTS (Drumcondra Online Testing System), standardisation of the Spatial Abstract Reasoning Test, and preparation of both online and paper-based standardised tests. Prior to joining the ERC, she worked in the CSO and in Inland Fisheries Ireland. She has a B.A. (Mod.), Postgraduate Diploma in Statistics and M.Sc. by research from Trinity College, Dublin, a H.Dip. in Education and a H.Dip. in Data Science and Analytics from NUI Maynooth.
Dr Vasiliki Pitsia
| Role/Grade | Research Associate |
| Team | Quantitative research methodology and statistical analysis specialist (cross-project) – SET, NAMER, IJE, TIMSS, PIRLS |
| Research Interests | Research methodology, Statistical analysis, Psychometrics, Measurement, Assessment |
| Professional profile | Vasiliki is a Research Associate at the ERC, specialising in quantitative research methodology and statistical analysis techniques. She is involved in national and international large-scale assessments, including the National Assessments of Mathematics and English Reading (NAMER), the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), and the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). Additionally, she is an Associate Editor of the Irish Journal of Education and contributes to the international FLIP+ IRT and Psychometrics working group. Vasiliki has acquired a broad range of research experience through her roles as a researcher, data analyst, and psychometrician on various projects in Ireland and Greece, and as a consultant at the World Bank Group. She also has extensive teaching experience, delivering lectures on research methodology, statistics, measurement, and assessment to postgraduate students and staff at academic institutions across Europe and workshops on statistics within the ERC. Her research has attracted grants, including the Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship, and awards, such as the AEA-Europe Kathleen Tattersall New Assessment Researcher Award, and it has been published in peer-reviewed academic journals and presented at national and international conferences. Vasiliki holds a BEd in Primary Education from the University of Ioannina, Greece, an MSc in Quantitative Methods and Statistical Analysis in Education from Queen’s University Belfast, and a PhD in Educational Assessment from Dublin City University. Her research interests and areas of expertise include research methodology, statistical analysis, psychometrics, measurement, and assessment. |
| Researcher Profiles | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8172-0397
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=hegyJCYAAAAJ&hl=en LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/vasiliki-pitsia ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Vasiliki-Pitsia?ev=hdr_xprf |
George Piccio
| Role/Grade | Research Associate |
| Team | Test Development |
| Research Interests | Literacy, Numeracy, Test Development, International Assessment (TIMSS) |
| Professional profile | George is a Research Associate, working on test development. He joined the ERC in July 2020 where he worked on the new online testing system for primary and post-primary schools, the Drumcondra Online Testing System (DOTS). George has also worked on the Digital Learning Framework (DLF) evaluation and the administration of PISA 2022. He previously worked as an ESL teacher in Ireland and abroad. He holds a B.A. in English and Psychology from UCC and an M.Sc. in Applied Psychology from DBS. |
| Researcher Profiles | ORCID – 0009-0004-8686-5351
|
Brendan O’Neill
| Role/Grade | Research Associate |
| Team | PIRLS |
| Research Interests | educational disadvantage, early literacy and numeracy, research methodologies.
|
| Professional profile | Brendan has been a researcher in the ERC since December 2021, and is currently working as National Research Coordinator for PIRLS 2026. He has a B.A. in International Marketing & Languages (German & French) from DCU, as well as a Higher Diploma in Social Policy from UCD, where he has also lectured in social policy. He is currently researching a PhD on early childhood education and care policy in Ireland. |
| Researcher Profiles | ORCID – https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5703-5390
|
Adrian O’Flaherty
Adrian works as a Research Associate at the Educational Research Centre (ERC). His work focusses on aspects of the computer-based testing system DOTS (Drumcondra Online Testing System), mainly around test development and new DOTS system functionalities. His primary research interests are development and delivery of online assessments, and he was part of a team that oversaw the development of the ERC DOTS online testing platform, which was made available to Irish schools in 2021 and was nominated for numerous eAssessment Awards. Adrian has previously worked on several international projects (PISA and TIMSS), and also on an evaluation study of a national school support programme (DEIS – Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) aimed at addressing educational disadvantage in Irish schools. He is a member of the FLIP+ international e-assessment community, which is currently developing a shared online library of test items.
Dr Sharon Nelis
| Role/Grade | Research Associate |
| Team | NAMER |
| Research Interests | Literacy, Numeracy, Well-being and Educational Disadvantage
|
| Researcher Profiles | ORCID – https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9055-3837 |
Gráinne McHugh
| Role/Grade | Research Associate |
| Team | TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) |
| Research Interests | · Mathematics education
· Numeracy · Teaching and instruction practices · Students’ attitudes and experiences |
| Professional profile | Gráinne is the National Research Coordinator (NRC) for TIMSS 2023 and TIMSS 2027 at Fourth Grade (Fourth Class in Ireland). She is one of seven members in the mathematics expert group within the TIMSS Science and Mathematics International Research Committee (SMIRC). She led and coordinated a team in the ERC for the partnership with the International Study Centre at Boston College developing items and problem-solving inquiry tasks for TIMSS 2027.
At the ERC, she has worked across each of the international large-scale assessments including reporting on PISA 2018, the administration and reporting on PIRLS 2021, and reporting on TIMSS 2019.
Prior to joining the ERC, she worked as a post-primary mathematics, applied mathematics and music teacher and has experience teaching at all levels of Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Music from National University of Ireland Maynooth, a Professional Masters in Education from National University of Ireland Galway, a Higher Diploma in Data Analytics from National College of Ireland, and is currently undertaking a PhD in the School of STEM Education, Innovation & Global Studies at Dublin City University.
|
| Researcher Profiles | ORCID – https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1129-0846
LinkedIn – Gráinne McHugh | LinkedIn |
Dr Órla McGurk
| Role/Grade | Research Associate |
| Team | Test Development (Triail Litrithe Gaeilge) |
| Research Interests
|
· Irish-medium Education
· Additional Needs and Inclusion · Immersion Education and Family language planning · Indigenous Education and Community Activism · Educational Philosophy · Promotion of Educational and Social Justice |
| Professional profile
|
Órla began working at the Educational Research Centre a research assistant on an Scéim Aitheantas Scoileanna Gaeltachta (The Gaeltacht Schools Recognition Scheme) in May 2024 before taking on her current role as project manager for the development of the Irish language standardised spelling test (An Triail Litrithe Gaeilge). Prior to working with the ERC, Órla was involved with Irish language community development research in her hometown, Belfast.
Órla holds a B.A. undergraduate degree in Irish and Celtic Studies and a M.Ed degree in Special Educational Needs and Inclusion from Queen’s University, Belfast. Órla was in receipt of a Department for Economy scholarship which led her to completing a PhD in 2021 at Queen’s University, Belfast based on Educational Inequality in the Irish-medium Education Sector in the North of Ireland, using a Bourdieusian theoretical framework. Órla has also completed a Postgraduate Diploma from Fiontar Scoil na Gaeilge at DCU in Management and Digital Business. Órla is a fluent Irish language speaker and her research interests include Irish-medium and indigenous language education, educational philosophy and the promotion of educational and social justice. |
| Researcher Profiles | Orla McGurk – Google Scholar |
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.
Joanne Kiniry
- Role/Grade: Research Associate
- Team – Test Development
- Research Interest
- Assessment Development
- Cognitive basis of reading comprehension
- Reading comprehension assessment
- Literacy development
- Accessible assessment
- Online Assessment
- Large scale assessments
- The role of assessment in policy development
- Joanne is a Research Associate specialising in reading literacy and assessment development. She has made substantial contributions to the Educational Research Centre’s National Assessments, contributing to the 2009 and 2014 cycles and, as project manager, leading the 2021 National Assessments of Mathematics and English Reading (NAMER).
She has also played a role in the development of many other assessments, including the Drumcondra Post-Primary Tests (DPPT-READ, DPPT-MATHS) and the Drumcondra Tests of Early Literacy and Numeracy (DTEL, DTEN 2008). She is a member of the international FLIP+ working group to develop an online library of items that test English language proficiency.
Her principal research interests include the development and assessment of reading comprehension, with a focus on the theoretical foundations that underpin its measurement. Her work aims to ensure the construction of valid, meaningful, accessible and reliable assessments that contribute to teaching and learning.
In parallel with her role at the ERC, Joanne is undertaking doctoral studies at Dublin City University’s Institute of Education, where she explores the cognitive foundations of reading comprehension in children using large-scale assessment data.
She holds a BA in Applied Psychology from University College Cork and an MSc in Global Health from Trinity College Dublin.
- Research Profiles: Scopus ID: 57222593211, ORCID 0009-0009-8406-0599
Dr Aífe Hopkins-Doyle
Aífe Hopkins-Doyle is a Research Associate at the ERC who is currently Project Manager for the National Assessments of Mathematics and English Reading (NAMER). Aife holds a B.Sc. in Psychology from the Maynooth University, Ireland, an M.Sc. in Social and Applied Psychology, and Ph.D. in Social Psychology both from University of Kent, Canterbury, England. Before joining the ERC in November 2024, Aífe was an Assistant Professor/Lecturer at the Universities of Surrey and Kent in England. Her research interests include equality and diversity in education, prejudice and stereotyping, and how to reduce these, and the influence of group identities (including gender group) on life outcomes. Aífe has published papers in peer-reviewed academic journals and presented at various international conferences.
Dr Sylvia Denner
| Role/Grade | Research Associate |
| Team | TIMSS |
| Research Interests | Large Scale Assessments, Educational Disadvantage |
| Professional profile | Sylvia is the National Research Coordinator (NRC) for TIMSS 2027 at Eighth Grade (Second Year in Ireland). Since joining the ERC in 2013 she has worked on the evaluation of DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools), PISA (Programme of International Student Assessment) and TIMSS 2023. Sylvia previously worked in the ESRI as a research analyst in the survey unit. She has received an M.Soc.Sc (Sociology) from University College Dublin and a PhD (Education) from Dublin City University. |
| Researcher Profiles | https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9233-9948
|
Mary Delaney
Mary Delaney is a Research Associate at the ERC, involved in the data management of TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) at primary level. She has also worked on the administration of PISA 2018 (Programme for International Student Assessment), and on analysis of PIRLS 2016 (Progress in International Reading Literacy) data. Prior to joining the ERC in 2017, Mary worked as a researcher in the areas of health psychology and health services provision and policy. She has a B.A. in Psychology from University College Dublin and an M.Sc. in Applied Social Research from Trinity College Dublin.