Catherine Kelly Mason

Dr. Catherine Kelly Mason is a Lecturer in the Department of Nursing and Healthcare at South East Technological University (SETU), Waterford campus. She serves as Programme Lead for the Certificate in Personal Development, a higher education initiative for students with intellectual disabilities. With a 30-year career as a Registered Nurse in Intellectual Disability, she has held diverse roles from frontline to senior management in community and voluntary organizations, including Deputy CEO of Walk. Her work aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in education and equality.

• Doctorate of Social Science (DSocSc), awarded March 2024
• MSc in Organisational Behaviour, Trinity College Dublin (2011)

Her research and practice focus on creating equitable pathways for people with intellectual disabilities into education and employment. She collaborates with public, civil, and private sectors through award-winning programs, driven by an equality and human rights agenda. She contributes to SDGs via inclusive academic frameworks.

Externally, she holds leadership roles in the Inclusive National Higher Education Forum (Executive Committee Member) and Waterford Area Partnership (Steering Committee Member), advancing systemic inclusion and community development.