Miriam Colum

Miriam Colum is a Senior Lecturer in Education and Head of the Department of Inclusion, Religious Education and Student Life at Marino Institute of Education (MIE), Dublin. She directs the TOBAR project supporting Traveller communities in teacher education, serves as Editor of REACH Journal of Inclusive Education in Ireland, and convenes the MIE UDL Network. Her work bridges academic research, policy advocacy, and practical teacher training.

Her educational qualifications include:

• PhD in Education, University of Galway (2023)
• MA in Special Educational Needs, National University of Ireland
• Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs, NUI
• Higher Diploma in Primary Education, MIE/Trinity College Dublin
• Master of Philosophy in History of European Painting, Trinity College Dublin
• Diploma in Journalism, UCD/Academy of Journalism
• BA in English & History Teaching, National University of Ireland

Colum's research employs Foucauldian theory to examine power dynamics in school leadership, particularly regarding inclusion of children with emotional-behavioral difficulties and Traveller students. She investigates distributed leadership models, SENCO roles, and systemic barriers in special education policy. Her work combines qualitative methodologies with practical frameworks for teachers, emphasizing student voice and cultural representation. Current projects focus on co-designing curricula with children and expanding diversity in teacher education pipelines.

Recent publications (2023-2025) reveal three dominant trends: (1) Advancing Traveller representation through TOBAR's mentorship model, (2) Innovating inclusive curriculum development via child consultation methods, and (3) Reimagining school leadership through distributed approaches. Her work increasingly integrates international perspectives, evidenced by Erasmus+ collaborations and cross-national leadership studies.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Teaching Hero Award from National Forum for Teaching Enhancement and Union of Students in Ireland (2021)
• AHEAD UDL Badge for Universal Design for Learning implementation (2022)

Colum supervises Master's dissertations in inclusive education and leads major funded projects: TOBAR (HEA-funded, €290,035 for Phase 1; ongoing Phase 2), Supporting Inclusion and Diversity in Teaching (SIDiT, Erasmus+, €48,000), and Child's Voice (NCCA, €29,000). Her grants consistently target practical tools for educators, policy reform, and community partnerships with Traveller organizations.

She actively shapes inclusion through the TOBAR project team (supporting Traveller student teachers), MIE UDL Network (promoting accessible pedagogy), and REACH Journal editorial board. Her committee work with NCSE Consultative Forum and ESAI Inclusion SIG drives national policy on special education and diversity.