Micheál L. Collins

Micheál L. Collins serves as Assistant Professor of Social Policy and Head of Social Policy at University College Dublin's School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice. His academic leadership extends to roles including Member of School Executive, Programme Director for B.SocSc (Social Policy & Sociology), and Deputy Assistant Dean. As Fellow of the UCD Geary Institute for Public Policy and coordinator of the European Social Survey Round 11 in Ireland, he maintains significant institutional affiliations.

• BA from NUI Galway
• MA from University College Cork
• PhD from Trinity College Dublin

Dr. Collins' research centers on the critical intersection of taxation and social policy, with particular expertise in income distribution, poverty measurement, fiscal welfare systems, and pension economics. His interdisciplinary approach bridges economics and social policy to examine how taxation structures influence social outcomes, especially regarding gender disparities in pension systems and the public cost burden of poverty. Recent work analyzes the cost-of-living crisis through comparative UK-Ireland policy responses, revealing administrative challenges in targeted support systems.

His publication trends demonstrate consistent focus on taxation's role in social policy, with 2023-2025 works establishing frameworks for understanding tax expenditure impacts on poverty costs and gender pension gaps. Key contributions include estimating Ireland's annual public service cost of poverty at €3bn-€7bn and documenting how tax supports for pensions disproportionately favor males.

Professional engagement includes membership on Ireland's Commission on Taxation (2008-2009), Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare (2011-2014), and current roles with the EU-wide Cost Action PROFEEDBACK and European Social Policy Analysis Network. He serves on editorial boards for Journal of Social Policy and Social Policy and Society.

As an advisor, Dr. Collins has provided expert evidence to Oireachtas Select Committees and chaired roundtables on tax expenditure research agendas. His grant portfolio includes major projects like the European Social Survey Round 11 and research on low-paid workers across age groups. Teaching responsibilities span modules including Inequality in Irish Society and Applied Public Policy, reflecting his commitment to experiential learning approaches.