Role/Grade Research Fellow
Team Test Development
Research Interests Early numeracy and mathematics education more widely; measúnú Gaeilge (Irish language assessment); test development and psychometrics; experimental research designs; mental health literacy.
Professional profile Rachel is a Research Fellow at the ERC with an academic background in Psychology and Mathematics (B.A. Mod)) and Health Services Research (M.Sc). She returned to work at the ERC in 2015, having previously worked at the Centre from 2007 to 2009. In the interim, she studied and worked in research in the UK. Rachel has previously worked on national and international surveys of mathematics, science and reading achievement, as well as evaluation studies, but now specialises in Test Development. She co-authored the Drumcondra Post-Primary Test – Maths and managed the redevelopment of the Drumcondra Primary Mathematics Test (standardised in 2018). As a Research Fellow, she currently oversees the redevelopment of the Drumcondra Tests of Early Literacy and Numeracy, a study which involves the development of these assessments as Gaeilge for the first time. Rachel also oversees the Test Development aspects of ERC DOTS, the ERC’s e-assessment platform, as well as the redevelopment of the Triail Ghaeilge Dhroim Conrach.