Lucy Hearne

Dr. Lucy Hearne is a Lecturer in the Department of Education at South East Technological University (SETU), formerly Waterford Institute of Technology. She is actively engaged in research, teaching, and supervision, with a focus on lifelong learning, adult education, and career guidance. She is accepting PhD students and serves as Principal Investigator on a national research project.

Education:

• PhD: Towards an Understanding of the Measurement of Individual Progression in Adult Guidance (Awarded: 11 January 2010)

Her research interests center on lifelong learning, adult and community education, career development, reflective practice, and the co-creation of curriculum with adult learners. She investigates how recognition of prior learning (RPL), vocational identity, and student support systems influence educational access and equity. Her work contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goal of Quality Education.

Dr. Hearne's recent publications reflect a strong trend in participatory educational research, policy evaluation, and practitioner development. Her work spans empirical case studies, grounded theory, and policy reviews, with a focus on adult learner agency, curriculum innovation, and systemic support structures in post-primary and lifelong learning contexts.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• International Fellow of the National Institute of Career Education and Counselling (NICEC), UK

Dr. Hearne advises doctoral students and leads the SERD-funded project An Investigation of the Role of Adult Learners in the Co-Creation of Curriculum Design in Lifelong Learning Contexts in SETU (2022–2026). This project emphasizes collaborative curriculum development and learner empowerment. While specific grant amounts are not listed, her active project indicates ongoing research funding and institutional support.

She is embedded in a network of educational researchers in Ireland, collaborating on topics such as student support, vocational identity, and policy impact. Her work is increasingly focused on building inclusive, responsive, and co-designed lifelong learning systems.