Mira Dobutowitsch

Mira Dobutowitsch serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Arts, Mathematics, PE, and Early Childhood Education at Maynooth University. She teaches core modules across the B.Sc. in Early Childhood Education (EC8102 Dispositions and Play, EC8203 Understanding Childhood in Context, EC8302 Interactions and Relationships, EC8311 Research Proposal), B.Sc. in Education (ES8107 Introduction to Educational Psychology), and Professional Master of Education (PM9108 Psychology and Early Childhood Education), demonstrating extensive curriculum leadership.

Her academic foundation includes a PhD (Arts) in Education and a BA (Hons) in Psychology, providing dual expertise in educational theory and psychological development. These qualifications directly inform her research on childhood experiences in digital and physical environments.

Dr. Dobutowitsch's research examines contemporary childhoods through mixed-methods approaches, with concentrated focus on play dynamics, screen time impacts, and trauma-informed educational practices. She investigates how teacher compassion influences trauma-responsive care while addressing socio-emotional wellbeing determinants in children, particularly through analysis of Growing Up in Ireland datasets.

Publication trends reveal three dominant research trajectories: (1) screen time effects on middle childhood development using mixed-methods designs, (2) socio-emotional wellbeing determinants linked to resilience and social support systems, and (3) teacher wellbeing and compassion as catalysts for trauma-informed educational environments. Her work consistently bridges academic research with practical educational applications.

She actively contributes to professional communities as a PSI Trauma and Adversity SIG committee member, Museum of Childhood Ireland Education Team participant, and Children’s Research Network affiliate, extending her impact beyond campus through policy-relevant research dissemination.