Lillian Byrne

Dr. Lillian Byrne is a Lecturer at the South East Technological University (SETU), based at the Wexford Campus. She contributes to the Early Childhood and Social Care programmes and leads the socialCORE initiative. Her roles include board memberships with Wexford Children and Young Persons Services Committee, Wexford Women's Refuge, and Wexford Childcare Committee. She is also an External Examiner at Munster Technological University and other institutions.

Dr. Byrne holds a PhD in Social Care Placement-Based Learning (2021) from Atlantic Technological University, a Master's in Teaching and Learning (2021) from SETU, and a Master's in Practice Placement in Social Care (2000) from Cork Institute of Technology.

Her research focuses on occupational identity formation, academic literacy, and social justice in early childhood education and social care. She explores SDG 4 (Quality Education), eco-art, and participatory research methods. Notable projects include investigating the uptake of the Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme among Traveller families (2023–2027).

Her work emphasizes applied and evaluative research, aiming to bridge academic knowledge and practical societal impact. She organizes interdisciplinary workshops on ethics, eco-social justice, and engaged research, fostering collaboration across academic and community sectors.