MAP is committed to developing institutional and national polices to identify barriers and support widening participation.  The Director of Access is a member of the Maynooth University Teaching and Learning Committee and the Equality Working Group.  The MAP team are engaged internally and across the sectors in progressing policy through NAO, HEA, DES, DSP, the Further Education sector, DAWN, MSI and AMA. 

    Maynooth University Access Programme is also involved in research and regularly presents at conferences, seminars and training events. Please contact us if you would like to collaborate on research in the areas of widening participation and access. The following lists the recent activity of the MAP team.

    2018

    • College Connect is a collaborative initiative between Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin City University, Dundalk Institute of Technology, and Maynooth University and community partners in the Midlands East and North Dublin (MEND) region. College Connect aims to enhance educational aspirations for the region’s most socio-economically disadvantaged people through a participative and sustainable suite of activities and resources to illuminate pathways and provide opportunities into, through and beyond higher education.

    2017

    • The Travellers in Higher Education Seminar Report is based on consultation with more than 30 stakeholders, including Traveller graduates, and addresses the opportunities and barriers that Travellers face in accessing higher education while also setting out a roadmap for supporting better access. 

    2016

    • July 2016 - RESNA/ NCART Conference - Arlington, VA. Simon Ahern paper presentation on the use of smart pen technology to support students with disabilities at third level.

    2015

    • February 2014 – February 2015, Sheerin, E. (Project Lead), Review of NUI Foundation Certificates in Science and Engineering.   Theme:  Study into the NUI Foundation Certificates in Science and Engineering - commissioned by MAP and carried out by Camilla Fitzsimons and Jerry O'Neill in the Department of Adult and Community Education, Maynooth University.  Aim:  To present a clear picture of the NUI Foundation Certificates in Science and Engineering programmes at Maynooth University in terms of student profile, participation, performance and progression and to explore the costs and benefits of the Certificate programmes to both students and the University, through the compilation of both quantitative and qualitative data. Report pending.
    • August 2013 – February 2015, Brandes M. (Project Lead), Review of Access Post-Entry Supports at Maynooth University.  Theme:  Study into Maynooth University Post-Entry supports for HEAR students (personal, financial and social) with a particular look at Launchpad (flagship orientation programme) – commissioned by MAP and carried out by Dr. Delma Byrne and Dr. John-Paul Byrne in the Department of Sociology, Maynooth University.  Aim: To present a clear picture of the post-entry support programme for HEAR students at Maynooth University in terms of student profile, participation, performance and progression and to explore the costs and benefits of the Launchpad orientation programme to both students and the University, through the compilation of both quantitative and qualitative data. Report pending.

    2014

    • Kennedy, S., & Stewart, A., presentation on: Supporting students with mental health conditions, ASD and ADHD: the impact of psychology-led supports and evidence based interventions in a third level institution. Annual PSI Conference, the general theme was mindfulness and wellbeing. Kilkenny, Ireland.
    • Lynch, G., Regional Approaches to Widening Access:  widening disability supports at NUI Maynooth to include part-time undergraduate students, in: 
    • Hill, M. et.al., Widening Access to Higher Education in Divided Communities, Education and Community Partnerships, University of East London, England.
    • Delany, D., Boran, L., McGarrigle, L., McElvaney, T., McCarthy, S., & Stewart, A., presentation on: Modelling Sole´-Padulle´s Cognitive Reserve Questionnaire: Construct Validity and Association with Cognitive Function. Irish Journal of Medical Science 62nd Annual and Scientific Meeting.  The theme was Science for Health and Active Ageing. Galway, Ireland. 
    • Ahern S., presentation on: The Launchpad Orientation Programme, presented at: National Student Induction Workshop, University of Warwick, England 
    • Ahern S., presentation on: Mainstreaming of Student+, at the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning's National Seminar Series in Maynooth University.
    • Kennedy S., presentation on: Mainstreamed approach to supporting students with dyslexia at AHEAD seminar on Supporting Students with Dyslexia in Higher Education. Dublin
    • Ryan R. Contribution to Disability Seminar: Joining the Dots: An integrated approach to supporting people with disabilities in education, employment and society.  The Seminar aimed to review the various strands of the National Disability Strategy and examined policy developments in Ireland and other jurisdictions.  The Seminar explored opportunities to develop integrated strategies to advance the social inclusion of people with disabilities.  The event was supported by the Irish Institute, Boston College Centre for Irish Programmes, AHEAD, the Higher Education Authority, and the National Disability Authority, and was delivered in the Mansion House Dublin, Ireland.
    • Ahern S. and Gormley B., presentation on: The Student+ success story, presented at: Educational Studies Association of Ireland annual conference. The theme was Imagining and Innovating for Sustainable Futures; education in challenging times. Athlone, Ireland
    • Ahern S. and McGuigan B., presentation on: The real world impact of digital smart pens at the AHEAD annual Conference 2014.  The theme was: Into the real world.  What does the best higher education experience for a student with a disability look like? Dublin, Ireland
    • Kennedy, S., &  Stewart, A. presentation on: An innovative programme of Academic Support for Students with Mental Health Difficulties at Maynooth University. AHEAD annual conference. The theme was: Into the real world.  What does the best higher education experience for a student with a disability look like? Dublin, Ireland

    2013

    • Gormley B. and McManus S., Student Central: An innovative programme to support students with mental health 46 difficulties at NUI Maynooth in:  HEA, 2013, How Equal?  Access to Higher Education in Ireland.  Research Papers. Dublin, Ireland 
    • Murphy, J., Bowe C., Keogh C., McLoughlin C., Lynch G., Bent M. and O’Connor D., An exploration of the impact of widening participation initiatives for Leaving Certificate students entering full time undergraduate (level 8) programmes in 2007 in five Irish universities in:  HEA, 2013, How Equal?  Access to Higher Education in Ireland.  Research Papers. Dublin
    • Ryan R., Disability and Disadvantage – a national study on the socio economic background of students with disabilities progressing to higher education in Ireland in:  HEA, 2013, How Equal?  Access to Higher Education in Ireland.  Research Papers. Dublin, Ireland
    • Kennedy S. presentation on:  Model of good practice for administering the SAF.  At the Department of Education and Skills’ Sharing of best practice seminar. Dublin
    • June 2013,  M., Edge G., Palmer A. and Sweeney F., presentation on:  Widening the base for high quality student recruitment, at the EAN annual conference.  The theme was: The evolution of access: adapt to survive? New challenges and opportunities in widening participation in higher education, Strasbourg, France. 
    • Network of Post-Entry Support Professionals (Mc Caldin M. and Lynch G. – members), presentation on: An exploration of the impact of widening participation initiatives on the retention rates of Access students entering full-time undergraduate (Level 8) programmes in 2007 in five Irish universities. At the Educational Studies Association of Ireland Annual Conference.  The theme of the conference was: Educational Policy in Changing Times: Consultation, Implementation and Impact. Limerick, Ireland 
    • Stewart, A. presentation on: The mediating role of cognitive reserve, personality and depression in neuropsychological functioning and successful cognitive aging, at the 34th Annual Congress of Psychology Students, Belfast, Ireland.

     

    • Rose Ryan, Director of Access, was one of 10 elected officials, educators, and advocates for the disabled from Ireland and Northern Ireland who were selected to examine policy for people with disabilities in education, employment, and  the community. The ten day study visit program took place in April 2013 in Boston, MA and Denver.  The programme was sponsored by the Irish Institute at the Centre for Irish Programs, Boston College, and the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

    2012

    • Ryan R., Ennis G., Sharing Experience for Future Change A Trans-Continental comparison of two diverse institutions The Irish & Australian Disability Services Model Pathways Conference Sharpening Ideas: Refining and Redefining: – co authored with Disability Officer, University of Sydney.  The Pathways11 Conference was organised by the Australian Tertiary Education Network on Disability (ATEND), the peak body for regional groups of service providers and consumers concerned with the education and employment needs of people with disabilities in postsecondary education in Australia. Adelaide, Australia.
    • Boran, L., McCarthy, S., Stewart, A., Delany, D. Cognitive Reserve in Healthy Individuals, Irish Gerontological Society 60th Annual Scientific Meeting, Cork, Ireland.  
    • Ryan R., National Change: A collaboration across the Irish Higher Education System to Increase the Participation of Students Underrepresented in Higher Education. Forum for Access and Continuing Education (FACE),  University of Ulster, Widening Access to Higher Education in ‘Divided Communities’, Derry, Northern Ireland.