Dr Danielle Douglas

Programme Leader, Lecturer, Year Tutor, Placement Lecturer and Doctoral Supervisor South East Technological University (2008-present)

 Preparation and delivery of lectures and tutorials at under and postgraduate level

Preparation of student assessments and feedback using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) techniques and blended approaches

One to one student academic and pastoral support

Contributing to course design and curriculum including writing modules on Social Care Programmes

Liaising with student representatives, academic, support and administrative staff internally and across other HEI’s

 Involved in preparation and planning for external reviews e.g., School review and seeking national accreditation with CORU

Assist with organising events such exam boards, student induction, open evenings, and guest seminars (academic, research and practice focused) for social care students

Supervision of students on Social Care work placements

External Examiner for Transfer Viva

Founder and Co-organiser of Annual Interprofessional Practice and Education week at SETU Waterford

Funding, Awards and Achievements

• 2023: Successfully competed for funding to complete the Aurora Leadership Programme 2023-2024 (ongoing)
• 2023 and 2022: Secured funding from the Student Transitions Access Fund (SETU) to host activities on BA (Hons) Social Care Practice that support students transitioning to HE
• 2022: Secured funding (with colleague) for PhD student under the Presidents Scholarship Fund at SETU
• 2022: Awarded the Digital Badge for Universal Design in Teaching and Learning from The National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
• 2021: Secured funding from the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Fund at SETU to organise event with EPIC featuring a panel of care-experienced guest speakers. A workshop on how to use video to help prepare CES for HE was also held in collaboration with colleagues in SETU Carlow.
• 2021: Awarded the National Forum Teaching Hero Award Digital Badge organised by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education in collaboration with the Union of Students in Ireland
• 2018: Presented with the International Achievement Award for Contribution to International Foster Care from Rainbow Fostering Services, UK
• 2012: Awarded second place in the Waterford Institute of Technology Research Day for presentation of MA research

Supervisory Experience

2022-present: Principal Supervisor for PhD project ‘Touching Distance (TO-DIST): A Biographic Narrative Study of Emotions and Transformations to Touch Practices in Irish Nursing Homes during Covid-19’ (Patricia Robinson)

2011-present: Undergraduate Thesis Supervisor on various programmes including Social Care Practice and Early Childhood Studies.

Publications:

Shier, A.M & Douglas, D. (2023). Adoption and Foster Care. In P. Share, T. Browne, & K. Lalor (Eds.), Applied Social Care, An Introduction for Students in Ireland.

Douglas, D. (2021). Domain 1: Standard of Proficiency 22. In D. Lyons & T. Brown (Eds.), Guide to the Standards of Proficiency for Social Care Workers (pp. 189-199). https://socialcareireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Guide-to-Domain01v3.pdf

Douglas, D. (2021).  Everyday Worlds in Foster Care: Exploring Children and Young People's Socio-Spatial Experiences and Identities [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University College Dublin.

Douglas, D. (2016) 'Access to Child Friendly Justice: The case of Alternative Care', in 'Access to Justice for Vulnerable Children', Conference Proceedings.

Douglas, D., (2015), ‘Fostering Resilience: An exploration of the link between resilience, outcomes and foster care in Ireland’, in Dougas, D and Kennedy, J.A (Eds) Ensuring the Rights of the Child and Family Based Services, Conference Proceedings

Douglas, D., (2012), ‘Fostering Resilience: An exploration of the link between resilience, outcomes and foster care in Ireland’, in Department of Children and Youth Affairs Scholarship Programme Research Briefing No. 18.

Coady, D., (2009), ‘Identity Issues in Foster Care’, in Irish Foster Care Association Newletter, Spring 2009: 12-14.

Conference Papers:

Douglas, D. (2023) ‘Thriving not Surviving: Re-framing Trauma and Disabilities through a Strengths-Based Approach’ Keynote Presentation at Resilience Healthcare Seminar, Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick, 5th Oct 2023.

Douglas, D. (2023) ‘Protecting Foster Care: An Insider’s Perspective’ Keynote Presentation at IFCA Conference, Mount Wolseley Hotel, Carlow, 23rd Sept 2023.

Douglas, D. (2023) ‘Relational Identities in Foster Care: Constructing ‘Selves’ through Interactions’ presented at Social Care Ireland Conference, Mount Wolseley Hotel, Carlow, 30th March 2023.

Douglas, D. (2022) ‘THRIVE: Celebrating the ordinary people making extraordinary differences in the lives of children and young people’ presented at Tusla Regional Conference, Hotel Kilkenny, May 17th 2022.

Douglas, D. (2022) ‘Figuring Identities through Relational Spaces in Foster Care; Katie’s Story’ presented at European Association for Research with Adolescents (EARA), Trinity Collge Dublin, Dublin August 24th-27th 2022.

Douglas, D. (2022) ‘Everyday Worlds in Foster Care: Exploring Children and Young People’s Socio-Spatial Experiences and Identities’ presented at Social Care Ireland conference, Raddisson Hotel, Sligo April 4th-7th 2022.

Douglas, D. (2019) ‘Who am I when I’m not with you; Listening to children’s stories of their time in foster care and creating an a’where’ness of the role of space in Self construction’ presented at UCD Graduate Research Symposium, Dublin, May 2nd 2019.

Douglas, D. (2018) ‘Teleidoscope Identity: Listening to Children’s Stories of Their Time in Foster Care and Creating an A’where’ness of the Role of Space in Self Construction’ presented at European Scientific Association on Residential and Family Care for Children and Adolecents (EUSARF) XV International Conference, Porto, Portugal, October 2nd-5th.

Douglas, D. (2018) 'Including the voice of service users in the decision-making process', paper presented at Tusla Foster Care Committee Recognition Event, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

Douglas, D. (2017) ‘Improving Educational Outcomes for Care-Leavers’ seminar chaired and presented at the EPIC Conference ‘What’s Good Enough’ in Dublin Castle, October 13th.

Douglas, D. (2016) 'Access to Child Friendly Justice: The case of Alternative Care', paper presented at the 2nd National Conference on Child Wellbeing:'Access to Justice for Vulnerable Children', Malta, Oct. 21-22.

Douglas, D. (2015) ‘Kaleidoscope Identity; Listening to children’s stories of their experiences and interactions in foster care’ paper presented atthe International Foster Care Organisation's International Conference in Sydney, Australia, November 8-11.

Douglas, D. (2014),'Identity and Interactions in Foster Care' paper presented at 3rd International Conference of the International Childhood and Youth Research Network,  European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus   

Douglas, D. (2013), 'Listening to and learning from Care Leavers in Ireland' paper presented at Adoption Authority Ireland Annual Conference, Dublin.

Douglas, D. (2012), 'Listening to Children's Voices' paper presented at Eurochilds Annual Conference for children without parental care, Bulgaria.

Douglas, D. (2011),' Fostering Resilience: An exploration of the link between resilience, outcomes and foster care in Ireland’ paper presented at the Irish Foster Care Association's National Conference, Kildare, November.

Podcast Appearances

Barrett, N. (2023) ‘Dr Danielle Douglas’. Stories from Foster Care available at: Stories from Foster Care – Dr. Danielle Douglas | Nearcast

Mongan, T. Lane, P. (2021) ‘Episode 35’. The Care Experience Podcast available at: The Care Experience Podcast: The Care Experience Episode 35 (libsyn.com)

• 2023-present: External examiner for BA in Social Care at TU Dublin, Grangegorman campus
• 2008-present: Programme Leader of BA (Hons) in Social Care Practice, Lecturer in Social Care, Waterford Institute of Technology (see teaching experience above)
• 2009-present: Free-lance programme co-ordinator and lead facilitator at various national and international conferences and training events including but not limited to: Dublin 2024 (upcoming), Malta 2017, UK 2016, Sydney 2015, Ukraine 2014, Bulgaria 2012, Washington, USA 2012, Dublin 2009. Employers include HSE, Tusla, Eurochild, IFCA, IFCO, Partnership for Every Child, Ukraine, President’s Foundation for Wellbeing of Society, Malta, SOS Children’s Villages.
• 2007-2009: CHART, Support centre for students with disabilities, Waterford Institute of Technology
• 2006-2011: Relative Foster Carer, Health Service Executive, Ireland
• 2006-2008: Project worker, The Subla Centre, Waterford Young Traveller Training Programme, Tycor, Waterford.

Professional Associations

• 2023-present: Director of Social Care Ireland
• 2022-present: Member of the HEI Care Leavers Support Steering group
• 2022-present: Member of the Irish Association of Social Care Educators (IASCE)
• 2020-present: Member of the Irish After Care Network
• 2021-present: Member of the Analysing Social Change (ASC) research group at SETU, Waterford
• 2014-2023: Member of the Tusla Research Advisory Group (RAG)
• 2017-present: Member of Social Care Ireland (SCI)
• 2017-2020:  President of the International Foster Care Organisation.
• 2013-2020: Director of the International Foster Care Organisation-(Co-organised the 2014 International 4-day Conference at WIT with representatives from over 20 countries and adult, youth, and children’s programme)
• 2008-2011: Vice Chairperson for Quality Assurance Committee, Oak Lodge Fostering Services.