Dr Lauren Kierans

    Law

    Lecturer/ Assistant Professor

    New House

    Biography

    Dr Lauren Kierans BL is a Lecturer in Law at Maynooth University since 2020, where she lectures on whistleblowing law at undergraduate level, as well as a Professional Certificate. She was awarded her PhD on the Irish Protected Disclosures Act 2014 in June 2019.  She has published articles and book chapters on protected disclosures and co-authored the Annotated Statute on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. She has also produced two country reports on protected disclosures and spoken on this topic at various conferences, CPD events, round-table panel discussions, and legislative briefings at both national and international level. Lauren was awarded the governmental project for the drafting of the protected disclosures procedures guidance for public bodies on behalf of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Lauren is the founder of the Irish Whistleblowing Law Society (IWLS) and an associate with Transparency International Ireland’s Integrity at Work programme, which provides training to organisations on whistleblowing/protected disclosures. The function of the IWLS is to foster knowledge, interest and awareness in all aspects of whistleblowing law.  Furthermore, Lauren is co-founder of the European Whistleblowing Institute (EWI) and the Director of Education at EWI. The aim of the EWI is to become the leading institute in Europe for advancing whistleblower empowerment, acceptance, and safeguarding. This will be achieved by focussing on the three pillars of education, research, and policy advice. Lauren’s monograph ‘Whistleblowing and the Protected Disclosures Act in Ireland: Law, Rights and Policy’ is due to be published in 2023 by Clarus Press.

    Research Interests

    Dr Lauren Kierans BL research interests lie in the field of whistleblowing law. 

    Research Projects

      Project Role Funding Body / Program Description Start Date End Date Award (€)
    Whistleblowing PI Norwegian Research Council / Researcher Project for Scientific Renewal Title: The tension between the employer’s right to manage and the right to free speech and whistleblowing for employees Our proposal aims to explore the following key question: To what extent do free speech and whistleblowing rights conflict/undermine managerial prerogative and demand for employee loyalty? The project will study management’s approach to whistleblowing in both the public and private sector by looking at arrangements in national health services (hospitals) and banking. These are services and industries where whistleblowing has attracted particular attention globally. An important feature of our proposal is that we want to conduct an international comparative study which examines countries with different labour market models – namely, the UK and Ireland (Anglo-Saxon model) and Norway and Denmark (Nordic model). Such research will enable us to make both cross-sectoral and cross-country comparisons. 01-OCT-21 31-DEC-25 50731.25
    Assessing national whistleblower protection legislation against the minimum standards contained in the EU Whistleblowers Directive and against internationally developed best practice principles. Co-PI Transparency International / 01-APR-20 01-SEP-20 1000
    Guidance for Public Bodies in the Performance of their Functions under section 21(1) of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. PI Department of Public Expenditure and Reform / Government State Bodies 23-AUG-15 12500
    Country Report Ireland, Providing an Alternative to Silence: Towards Greater Protection and Support for Whistleblowers in the EU. PI Transparency International / 24-FEB-13 1700
    Country Report Bulgaria, Providing an Alternative to Silence: Towards Greater Protection and Support for Whistleblowers in the EU. PI Transparency International / 01-FEB-13 500

    Books

      Year Publication
    2023 **Forthcoming Spring 2023** Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022.
    Lauren Kierans, Associate Prof. Anthony Kerr SC (2023) **Forthcoming Spring 2023** Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022. Dublin, Ireland: Round Hall. [Details]
    2017 Protected Disclosure Act 2014, Annotated.
    Anthony Kerr and Lauren Kierans (2017) Protected Disclosure Act 2014, Annotated. Dublin: Round Hall. [Details]

    Book Chapters

      Year Publication
    2017 'The Irish Approach to Whistleblower Protection: The Protected Disclosures Act 2014'
    Lauren Kierans (2017) 'The Irish Approach to Whistleblower Protection: The Protected Disclosures Act 2014' In: Disant and Pollet-Panoussis (eds). Les lanceurs d’alerte. France: LGDJ. [Details]
    2017 'Whistleblowing'
    Lauren Kierans (2017) 'Whistleblowing' In: Maeve Regan and Ailbhe Murphy (eds). Employment Law. Dublin: Bloomsbury Professional. [Details]

    Edited Books

      Year Publication
    2021 Selected papers from the International Whistleblowing Research Network conference at Maynooth University
    Lauren Kierans, David Lewis, Wim Vandekerckhove (Ed.). (2021) Selected papers from the International Whistleblowing Research Network conference at Maynooth University London: International Whistleblowing Research Network. [full-text] [Details]

    Peer Reviewed Journals

      Year Publication
    2023 '**Forthcoming 2023** - It’s nothing personal: The ineffective exclusion of personal grievances in the Protected Disclosures Act 2014- Baranya v Rosderra Irish Meats Group Ltd'
    Lauren Kierans (2023) '**Forthcoming 2023** - It’s nothing personal: The ineffective exclusion of personal grievances in the Protected Disclosures Act 2014- Baranya v Rosderra Irish Meats Group Ltd'. Irish Supreme Court Review, [Details]
    2023 '**Forthcoming 2023** - Whistleblowing Litigation and Legislation in Ireland: are there lessons to be learned?'
    Lauren Kierans (2023) '**Forthcoming 2023** - Whistleblowing Litigation and Legislation in Ireland: are there lessons to be learned?'. Industrial Law Journal, [Details]
    2022 'La jurisprudence en matière de lancement d’alerte en Irlande (Case law on whistleblowing in Ireland)'
    Lauren Kierans (2022) 'La jurisprudence en matière de lancement d’alerte en Irlande (Case law on whistleblowing in Ireland)'. Revue de droit comparé du travail et de la sécurité social, 2 :84-93 [DOI] [Details]
    2022 'The Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022: Is Whistleblowing in Ireland on the Right Track?'
    Lauren Kierans (2022) 'The Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022: Is Whistleblowing in Ireland on the Right Track?'. IRISH EMPLOYMENT LAW JOURNAL, 19(1) (1):13-22 [Details]
    2022 'Whistleblowing Case Law in Ireland: Loss, Litigation, and Lessons Learned'
    Lauren Kierans (2022) 'Whistleblowing Case Law in Ireland: Loss, Litigation, and Lessons Learned'. Revue de droit comparé du travail et de la sécurité social, (4):162-171 [DOI] [Details]

    Other Journals

      Year Publication
    2016 'Full Disclosure'
    Lauren Kierans (2016) 'Full Disclosure' Law Society Gazette, . [Details]
    2014 'A Whistle-Stop Tour of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014'
    Lauren Kierans (2014) 'A Whistle-Stop Tour of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014' Accountancy Plus: The Official Journal of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland, . [Details]
    2014 'Whistling in the Wind'
    Lauren Kierans (2014) 'Whistling in the Wind' Law Society Gazette, . [Details]
    2013 'The Protected Disclosures Bill 2013'
    Lauren Kierans (2013) 'The Protected Disclosures Bill 2013' Law Society Gazette, . [Details]
    2016 'Using statutory guidance and codes of practice to build on whistleblowing legislation: the Irish experience'
    Lauren Kierans and David Lewis (2016) 'Using statutory guidance and codes of practice to build on whistleblowing legislation: the Irish experience' La Revue des droits de l’homme, . [Details]
    2015 'Whistle While You Work: Protected Disclosures Act 2014'
    Lauren Kierans (2015) 'Whistle While You Work: Protected Disclosures Act 2014' Irish Business Law Review, 2 (2) . [Details]
    2013 'An Analysis of the Current Sectoral and Approach and the Proposed Generic Approach to Whistleblowing Law in Ireland'
    Lauren Kierans (2013) 'An Analysis of the Current Sectoral and Approach and the Proposed Generic Approach to Whistleblowing Law in Ireland' Irish Business Law Review, 1 (1) . [Details]

    Conference Contributions

      Year Publication
    2022 Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022.
    Lauren Kierans (2022) Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022. [Oral Presentation], Legal Island Annual Review of Employment Law ROI 2022, Ireland [Details]
    2022 Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022.
    Lauren Kierans (2022) Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022. [Oral Presentation], CMG HR & Employment Law Conference, Ireland [Details]
    2022 Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and the Council of 23 October 2019 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law.
    Lauren Kierans (2022) Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and the Council of 23 October 2019 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law. [Oral Presentation], European Lawyers Foundation & the European Center for Whistleblower Rights, Ireland [Details]
    2022 It’s nothing personal: The ineffective exclusion of personal grievances in the Protected Disclosures Act 2014- Baranya v Rosderra Irish Meats Group Ltd.
    Lauren Kierans (2022) It’s nothing personal: The ineffective exclusion of personal grievances in the Protected Disclosures Act 2014- Baranya v Rosderra Irish Meats Group Ltd. [Oral Presentation], Irish Supreme Court Review, Ireland [Details]
    2022 The New Whistleblowing Laws of Ireland.
    Lauren Kierans (2022) The New Whistleblowing Laws of Ireland. [Oral Presentation], 2nd European Conference on Whistleblowing Legislation, University of Gottingen, Germany, Germany [Details]
    2022 New Whistleblowing Laws in Ireland.
    Lauren Kierans (2022) New Whistleblowing Laws in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Legal Island, Ireland [Details]
    2021 Whistleblowing Law in Ireland.
    Lauren Kierans (2021) Whistleblowing Law in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Legal Island Annual Review of Employment Law ROI 2021, Ireland [Details]
    2021 Irish prescribed persons as competent authorities under the EU Whistleblowers Directive.
    Lauren Kierans (2021) Irish prescribed persons as competent authorities under the EU Whistleblowers Directive. [Oral Presentation], Transparency International Secretariat, Ireland [Details]
    2021 The General Scheme of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2021.
    Lauren Kierans (2021) The General Scheme of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2021. [Oral Presentation], Transparency International Ireland Integrity at Work Annual Conference, Ireland [Details]
    2020 Irish prescribed persons as competent authorities under the EU Whistleblowers Directive.
    Lauren Kierans (2020) Irish prescribed persons as competent authorities under the EU Whistleblowers Directive. [Oral Presentation], The EU Whistleblowers Directive: Transposition Imperatives for Ireland, Ireland [Details]
    2020 Protected Disclosures and the EU Whistleblowers Directive.
    Lauren Kierans (2020) Protected Disclosures and the EU Whistleblowers Directive. [Oral Presentation], Office of the Attorney General: Annual Secondee Conference, Dublin Castle [Details]
    2020 Whistleblowing and Protected Disclosures: A Practical Guide to Irish Law.
    Lauren Kierans (2020) Whistleblowing and Protected Disclosures: A Practical Guide to Irish Law. [Oral Presentation], Chartered Accountants Ireland, Ireland [Details]
    2019 Whistleblowing.
    Lauren Kierans (2019) Whistleblowing. [Oral Presentation], Graphite Annual HR and Employment Law Conference, Ireland [Details]
    2019 Whistleblower Protection from the Irish Perspective.
    Lauren Kierans (2019) Whistleblower Protection from the Irish Perspective. [Oral Presentation], Empowering Public Interest Voice: Integrating Whistleblowing in the European Union Workshop, Maastricht University, Netherlands [Details]
    2019 Whistleblower Protection in the Armed Forces.
    Lauren Kierans (2019) Whistleblower Protection in the Armed Forces. [Oral Presentation], International Society for Military Law and the Law of War, ‘Silent leges inter Arma?’ Conference III, Bruges, Belgium, Belgium [Details]
    2019 I presented my research on the Irish prescribed persons’ system under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. I was also involved in a panel discussion on ‘The Using of Research in the Teaching of Whistleblowing Courses’.
    Lauren Kierans (2019) I presented my research on the Irish prescribed persons’ system under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. I was also involved in a panel discussion on ‘The Using of Research in the Teaching of Whistleblowing Courses’. [Oral Presentation], International Whistleblowing Research Network Conference, Ireland [Details]
    2019 My presentation addressed the key differences between the EU Whistleblowers Directive and the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.
    Lauren Kierans (2019) My presentation addressed the key differences between the EU Whistleblowers Directive and the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. [Oral Presentation], Integrity at Work Forum- ‘EU Whistleblowers Directive –what is in store for employers?’, Ireland [Details]
    2019 My presentation was entitled ‘Whistleblowing in the Healthcare Sector’ and was attended by workers in the health sector.
    Lauren Kierans (2019) My presentation was entitled ‘Whistleblowing in the Healthcare Sector’ and was attended by workers in the health sector. [Oral Presentation], UCD Health Sciences Centre Masterclass, Ireland [Details]
    2019 I provided training on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 for the third intake of Adjudication Officers of the Workplace Relations Commission as part of their training course.
    Lauren Kierans (2019) I provided training on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 for the third intake of Adjudication Officers of the Workplace Relations Commission as part of their training course. [Oral Presentation], National College of Ireland, Special Award in Adjudication Studies, Ireland [Details]
    2019 I gave a two-hour lecture on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 to students of the Professional Diploma in Employment Law at University College Dublin.
    Lauren Kierans (2019) I gave a two-hour lecture on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 to students of the Professional Diploma in Employment Law at University College Dublin. [Oral Presentation], UCD Professional Diploma in Employment Law, Ireland [Details]
    2019 This presentation was entitled ‘The Prescribed Persons’ system in Ireland: A Comparative Perspective’.
    Lauren Kierans (2019) This presentation was entitled ‘The Prescribed Persons’ system in Ireland: A Comparative Perspective’. [Oral Presentation], University of Edinburgh, School of Law ‘Whistleblowing and the Public Interest: Regulatory Standards and Sectoral Variation’, Edinburgh [Details]
    2018 The Public Interest Disclosures Act 1998- celebrating twenty years of whistleblowing legislation in the UK- success or failure?.
    Lauren Kierans (2018) The Public Interest Disclosures Act 1998- celebrating twenty years of whistleblowing legislation in the UK- success or failure?. [Oral Presentation], Thirty-sixth Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime, UK [Details]
    2018 This presentation addressed key issues relating to whistleblowing in the charity sector under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and the Charities Act 2009.
    Lauren Kierans (2018) This presentation addressed key issues relating to whistleblowing in the charity sector under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and the Charities Act 2009. [Oral Presentation], CMG Irish Charity Compliance Conference- ‘Whistleblowing in the Charity Sector’, Ireland [Details]
    2018 I was involved in a panel discussion on whistleblowing with Sissel Trystad (FAFO, Oslo), Wim Vandekerckhove (University of Greenwich) and Ewen MacAskill (The Guardian).
    Lauren Kierans (2018) I was involved in a panel discussion on whistleblowing with Sissel Trystad (FAFO, Oslo), Wim Vandekerckhove (University of Greenwich) and Ewen MacAskill (The Guardian). [Oral Presentation], Middlesex University, London- ‘Twenty years of PIDA: What should the next decade bring?’, UK [Details]
    2018 I gave a guest lecture on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and on best practice for the assessment and investigation of protected disclosures.
    Lauren Kierans (2018) I gave a guest lecture on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and on best practice for the assessment and investigation of protected disclosures. [Oral Presentation], Law Society of Ireland- Diploma in Regulation Law and Practice, Ireland [Details]
    2017 This forum consisted of a panel discussion on the differences between, and common features, of protected disclosures, employee grievances, and contractual disputes.
    Lauren Kierans (2017) This forum consisted of a panel discussion on the differences between, and common features, of protected disclosures, employee grievances, and contractual disputes. [Oral Presentation], Integrity at Work Forum- Assessing Employee Grievances and Protected Disclosures, Ireland [Details]
    2017 I gave a two-hour lecture on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 to students of the Professional Diploma in Employment Law at University College Dublin.
    Lauren Kierans (2017) I gave a two-hour lecture on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 to students of the Professional Diploma in Employment Law at University College Dublin. [Oral Presentation], UCD Professional Diploma in Employment Law, Ireland [Details]
    2017 I was a member of a panel that discussed the challenges and opportunities for employers in complying with the provisions of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.
    Lauren Kierans (2017) I was a member of a panel that discussed the challenges and opportunities for employers in complying with the provisions of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. [Oral Presentation], Integrity at Work Annual Conference, Ireland [Details]
    2017 This presentation addressed the key decisions under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.
    Lauren Kierans (2017) This presentation addressed the key decisions under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. [Oral Presentation], Employment Law Associates Network, Ireland [Details]
    2017 This presentation consisted of an overview of the provisions of the UK whistleblowing legislation, the Public Interest Disclosures Act 1998, an outline of the strengths and weaknesses of the legislation, and suggestions for reform.
    Lauren Kierans (2017) This presentation consisted of an overview of the provisions of the UK whistleblowing legislation, the Public Interest Disclosures Act 1998, an outline of the strengths and weaknesses of the legislation, and suggestions for reform. [Oral Presentation], Guilt Colloquium IV- Whistleblowers, Birkbeck, University of London, Ireland [Details]
    2017 The seminar provided an overview of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and its implications for public bodies. The focus of the presentation was on the challenges facing public bodies in dealing with protected disclosures received from external whistleblowers to prescribed persons and addressed the management of protected disclosures made by employees of public bodies.
    Lauren Kierans (2017) The seminar provided an overview of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and its implications for public bodies. The focus of the presentation was on the challenges facing public bodies in dealing with protected disclosures received from external whistleblowers to prescribed persons and addressed the management of protected disclosures made by employees of public bodies. [Oral Presentation], Whistleblowing - The Challenges Facing Public Bodies, Ireland [Details]
    2017 I provided training on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 for the second intake of Adjudication Officers of the Workplace Relations Commission as part of their training course.
    Lauren Kierans (2017) I provided training on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 for the second intake of Adjudication Officers of the Workplace Relations Commission as part of their training course. [Oral Presentation], National College of Ireland, Special Award in Adjudication Studies, Ireland [Details]
    2016 This event was Transparency International's first Integrity at Work Forum. I participated in a panel discussion of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 in action.
    Lauren Kierans (2016) This event was Transparency International's first Integrity at Work Forum. I participated in a panel discussion of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 in action. [Oral Presentation], Panellist: Transparency Ireland, Integrity at Work Forum- ‘Protected Disclosures Act in Action’, Ireland [Details]
    2016 I gave a two-hour lecture on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 to students of the Professional Diploma in Employment Law at University College Dublin. .
    Lauren Kierans (2016) I gave a two-hour lecture on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 to students of the Professional Diploma in Employment Law at University College Dublin. . [Oral Presentation], UCD Professional Diploma in Employment Law, Ireland [Details]
    2016 I participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by the IBA Legal Policy and Research Unit and the European Economic and Social Committee. The purpose of this event was to learn about the initiatives that stakeholders are undertaking in Europe to improve whistleblower protection and to explore ways to resolve common issues of contention in whistleblower frameworks.
    Lauren Kierans (2016) I participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by the IBA Legal Policy and Research Unit and the European Economic and Social Committee. The purpose of this event was to learn about the initiatives that stakeholders are undertaking in Europe to improve whistleblower protection and to explore ways to resolve common issues of contention in whistleblower frameworks. [Oral Presentation], Panellist: European Economic and Social Committee/ International Bar Association-The Protection of Whistleblowers in Europe: A Legal Framework, Ireland [Details]
    2016 This presentation addressed key issues relating to whistleblowing in the charity sector.
    Lauren Kierans (2016) This presentation addressed key issues relating to whistleblowing in the charity sector. [Oral Presentation], CMG Irish Charity Compliance Conference- ‘Whistleblowing in the Charity Sector’, Ireland [Details]
    2016 I gave a two-hour lecture on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 to students of the Professional Diploma in Employment Law at University College Dublin.
    Lauren Kierans (2016) I gave a two-hour lecture on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 to students of the Professional Diploma in Employment Law at University College Dublin. [Oral Presentation], UCD Professional Diploma in Employment Law, Ireland [Details]
    2016 My presentation was entitled 'The Public Sector Guidance and the Workplace Relations Code of Practice on Protected Disclosures Procedures'.
    Lauren Kierans (2016) My presentation was entitled 'The Public Sector Guidance and the Workplace Relations Code of Practice on Protected Disclosures Procedures'. [Oral Presentation], Legal-Island: Protected Disclosures, A Practical Guide to Whistleblowing Procedure and Investigating Disclosures, Ireland [Details]
    2016 I gave an overview of the draft Public Sector Guidance and the Workplace Relations Commission Statutory Code of Practice for protected disclosure procedures and compared the two, highlighting the fundamental ingredients that all employers should include in their protected disclosure procedures.
    Lauren Kierans (2016) I gave an overview of the draft Public Sector Guidance and the Workplace Relations Commission Statutory Code of Practice for protected disclosure procedures and compared the two, highlighting the fundamental ingredients that all employers should include in their protected disclosure procedures. [Oral Presentation], Legal-Island: Protected Disclosures, A Practical Guide to Whistleblowing Procedures and Investigating Disclosures, Ireland [Details]
    2015 I gave an overview of the key provisions of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and discussed the strengths and weaknesses of the legislation.
    Lauren Kierans (2015) I gave an overview of the key provisions of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and discussed the strengths and weaknesses of the legislation. [Oral Presentation], Graphite Annual Review of Employment Law 2015, Ireland [Details]
    2015 This class examined the impact and potentiality of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.
    Lauren Kierans (2015) This class examined the impact and potentiality of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. [Oral Presentation], Employment Law Masterclasses 2015, Handling Employment Law Issues, Ireland [Details]
    2015 I gave a lecture on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 to students of the Professional Diploma in Employment Law at University College Dublin.
    Lauren Kierans (2015) I gave a lecture on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 to students of the Professional Diploma in Employment Law at University College Dublin. [Oral Presentation], UCD Professional Diploma in Employment Law, Ireland [Details]
    2015 My presentation was entitled ‘A Whistle-Stop Tour of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014’. The other speakers at this event were Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin and John Devitt, Chief Executive of Transparency International Ireland. Marguerite Bolger SC chaired the event.
    Lauren Kierans (2015) My presentation was entitled ‘A Whistle-Stop Tour of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014’. The other speakers at this event were Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin and John Devitt, Chief Executive of Transparency International Ireland. Marguerite Bolger SC chaired the event. [Oral Presentation], Irish Whistleblowing Law Society Inaugural Event: ‘Blowing the Whistle-The Protected Disclosures Act 2014: One Year On’, Ireland [Details]
    2015 In my presentation, I highlighted the key provisions of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 relevant to health care professionals and contrasted these with the existing sectoral approach regarding protected disclosures under the Health Act 2004.
    Lauren Kierans (2015) In my presentation, I highlighted the key provisions of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 relevant to health care professionals and contrasted these with the existing sectoral approach regarding protected disclosures under the Health Act 2004. [Oral Presentation], CMG Fitness to Practice Conference 2015, Ireland [Details]
    2015 As part of the training programme for investigative journalists in RTÉ, I was invited to deliver a workshop on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. This workshop included a seminar on the provisions of the Act and an interactive whistleblowing scenario.
    Lauren Kierans (2015) As part of the training programme for investigative journalists in RTÉ, I was invited to deliver a workshop on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. This workshop included a seminar on the provisions of the Act and an interactive whistleblowing scenario. [Oral Presentation], RTÉ Investigative Training Programme - Great Storytelling, Ireland [Details]
    2015 My presentation was entitled ‘The Characteristics of Good Protected Disclosures Procedures’.
    Lauren Kierans (2015) My presentation was entitled ‘The Characteristics of Good Protected Disclosures Procedures’. [Oral Presentation], Legal-Island ‘Whistleblowing and Compliance-How to Comply with the Protected Disclosures Act and Avoid Expensive Claims’, Ireland [Details]
    2015 My presentation was entitled ‘The Characteristics of Good Protected Disclosures Procedures’. The other speakers at this event were Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin, Norah Mason of the Health Service Executive and Noel Tallon of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
    Lauren Kierans (2015) My presentation was entitled ‘The Characteristics of Good Protected Disclosures Procedures’. The other speakers at this event were Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin, Norah Mason of the Health Service Executive and Noel Tallon of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. [Oral Presentation], Department of Public Expenditure and Reform ‘Protected Disclosures Act 2014- Consultation on Draft Guidance for Public Bodies’, Ireland [Details]
    2015 I gave a lecture on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 to the students of the Professional Diploma in Employment Law at University College Dublin.
    Lauren Kierans (2015) I gave a lecture on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 to the students of the Professional Diploma in Employment Law at University College Dublin. [Oral Presentation], UCD Professional Diploma in Employment Law, Ireland [Details]
    2015 I provided training on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 for the newly appointed Adjudication Officers of the Workplace Relations Commission as part of their training course.
    Lauren Kierans (2015) I provided training on the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 for the newly appointed Adjudication Officers of the Workplace Relations Commission as part of their training course. [Oral Presentation], National College of Ireland, Special Award in Adjudication Studies, Ireland [Details]
    2014 I outlined the key provisions of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 to members of the Prime-Time team at the Irish national broadcaster RTÉ.
    Lauren Kierans (2014) I outlined the key provisions of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 to members of the Prime-Time team at the Irish national broadcaster RTÉ. [Oral Presentation], Prime Time team at RTÉ, Ireland [Details]
    2014 My presentation was entitled: ‘Whistleblowing legislation: implications for media professionals.’.
    Lauren Kierans (2014) My presentation was entitled: ‘Whistleblowing legislation: implications for media professionals.’. [Oral Presentation], Cleraun Media Conference, Ireland [Details]
    2014 My paper was entitled ‘Protected Disclosures Act 2014 - Implications and Challenges’.
    Lauren Kierans (2014) My paper was entitled ‘Protected Disclosures Act 2014 - Implications and Challenges’. [Oral Presentation], Bar Council of Ireland ‘Blowing the Whistle in the Workplace - Challenges and Protections’, Ireland [Details]
    2014 This presentation was entitled ‘Protected Disclosures Act 2014’.
    Lauren Kierans (2014) This presentation was entitled ‘Protected Disclosures Act 2014’. [Oral Presentation], Employment Law Association of Ireland, Ireland [Details]
    2014 My presentation was entitled ‘Understanding Key Provisions of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014’.
    Lauren Kierans (2014) My presentation was entitled ‘Understanding Key Provisions of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014’. [Oral Presentation], Legal-Island ‘Whistleblowing and Compliance-How to Comply with the Protected Disclosures Act and Avoid Expensive Claims’, Ireland [Details]
    2014 This presentation was entitled ‘Whistleblowing Law in Ireland’.
    Lauren Kierans (2014) This presentation was entitled ‘Whistleblowing Law in Ireland’. [Oral Presentation], International Society for Labour and Social Security Law XI European Regional Congress ‘Whistleblowing’, Ireland [Details]
    2014 I presented my paper ‘Key Provisions of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014’.
    Lauren Kierans (2014) I presented my paper ‘Key Provisions of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014’. [Oral Presentation], Employment Bar Association of Ireland ‘Whistleblowing and the Law’, Ireland [Details]
    2013 Prior to the government debates on the Protected Disclosures Bill 2013, I was invited to Parliament to give a presentation entitled ‘Key Provisions of the Protected Disclosures Bill 2013’ to opposition members of Government.
    Lauren Kierans (2013) Prior to the government debates on the Protected Disclosures Bill 2013, I was invited to Parliament to give a presentation entitled ‘Key Provisions of the Protected Disclosures Bill 2013’ to opposition members of Government. [Oral Presentation], Leinster House Cross-Party Briefing ‘Protected Disclosures Bill 2013’, Ireland [Details]
    2012 I presented my paper ‘An Analysis of the Current Sectoral Approach and the Proposed Generic Approach to Whistleblowing Law in Ireland’.
    Lauren Kierans (2012) I presented my paper ‘An Analysis of the Current Sectoral Approach and the Proposed Generic Approach to Whistleblowing Law in Ireland’. [Oral Presentation], Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference, Ireland [Details]

    Electronic Article

      Year Publication
    2021 What protections do whistleblowers have under Irish and EU law?.
    Lauren Kierans and Kate Kenny (2021) What protections do whistleblowers have under Irish and EU law?. Electronic Article [Details]
    2020 Can organisations be kept honest during the pandemic?.
    Lauren Kierans nad Kate Kenny (2020) Can organisations be kept honest during the pandemic?. Electronic Article [Details]

    Gov. Report or Document

      Year Publication
    2015 Guidance for Public Bodies in the Performance of their Functions under section 21(1) of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.
    Lauren Kierans (2015) Guidance for Public Bodies in the Performance of their Functions under section 21(1) of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. Gov. Report or Document [Details]

    Media

      Year Publication
    2021 RTÉ Radio 1 News at One: Protected disclosures and the Department of Health whistleblower.
    Lauren Kierans (2021) RTÉ Radio 1 News at One: Protected disclosures and the Department of Health whistleblower. Media [Details]
    2020 RTÉ Investigates: Whistleblowers in Ireland.
    Lauren Kierans (2020) RTÉ Investigates: Whistleblowers in Ireland. Media [Details]
    2019 RTÉ Radio 1: Today with Seán O’Rourke: EU Whistleblowers Directive.
    Lauren Kierans (2019) RTÉ Radio 1: Today with Seán O’Rourke: EU Whistleblowers Directive. Media [Details]
    2014 RTÉ Radio 1: Drive Time, The Protected Disclosures Act 2014.
    Lauren Kierans (2014) RTÉ Radio 1: Drive Time, The Protected Disclosures Act 2014. Media [Details]
    2014 RTÉ Radio 1: Morning Ireland, The Garda Inspectorate Report ‘The Fixed Charge Processing System- A 21st Century Strategy’ and the Protected Disclosures Bill 2013.
    Lauren Kierans (2014) RTÉ Radio 1: Morning Ireland, The Garda Inspectorate Report ‘The Fixed Charge Processing System- A 21st Century Strategy’ and the Protected Disclosures Bill 2013. Media [Details]
    2014 Near FM: The Brief, The Protected Disclosures Bill 2013 and the Garda whistleblowers controversy.
    Lauren Kierans (2014) Near FM: The Brief, The Protected Disclosures Bill 2013 and the Garda whistleblowers controversy. Media [Details]
    2013 Near FM: The Brief, Whistleblower legislation in Ireland.
    Lauren Kierans (2013) Near FM: The Brief, Whistleblower legislation in Ireland. Media [Details]

    Monograph:- Non Peer Reviewed

      Year Publication
    2023 **Forthcoming Autumn 2023** - Whistleblowing and the Protected Disclosures Act in Ireland: Law, Rights and Policy.
    Lauren Kierans (2023) **Forthcoming Autumn 2023** - Whistleblowing and the Protected Disclosures Act in Ireland: Law, Rights and Policy. Dublin, Ireland: Monograph:- Non Peer Reviewed [Details]

    Newspaper Articles

      Year Publication
    2019 Sean Pollock, ‘‘Whistleblowers in Ireland ‘in dark on how to make complaint’’ The Sunday Times (Dublin, 6 January 2019): This article presented my research on the prescribed persons’ system under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.
    Lauren Kierans (2019) Sean Pollock, ‘‘Whistleblowers in Ireland ‘in dark on how to make complaint’’ The Sunday Times (Dublin, 6 January 2019): This article presented my research on the prescribed persons’ system under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. Newspaper Articles [Details]
    2014 Sunday Business Post: ‘Whistleblowers law brings obligations for employers’ Sunday Business Post (Dublin 20 July 2014) 15.
    Lauren Kierans (2014) Sunday Business Post: ‘Whistleblowers law brings obligations for employers’ Sunday Business Post (Dublin 20 July 2014) 15. Newspaper Articles [Details]

    Conference Hosted

      Year Publication
    2021 International Whistleblowing Research Network’s biennial conference: I organised the 7th biennial conference of the International Whistleblowing Research Network (‘IWRN’). This one-day conference was hosted virtually by Maynooth University Department of Law on behalf of the IWRN.
    Lauren Kierans (2021) International Whistleblowing Research Network’s biennial conference: I organised the 7th biennial conference of the International Whistleblowing Research Network (‘IWRN’). This one-day conference was hosted virtually by Maynooth University Department of Law on behalf of the IWRN. Conference Hosted [Details]
    2015 Irish Whistleblowing Law Society Inaugural Event: ‘Blowing the Whistle-The Protected Disclosures Act 2014: One Year On’: I organised an event to mark the one-year anniversary of the enactment of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. The other speakers at this event were then Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin and John Devitt, Chief Executive of Transparency Ireland. Marguerite Bolger SC chaired the event.
    Lauren Kierans (2015) Irish Whistleblowing Law Society Inaugural Event: ‘Blowing the Whistle-The Protected Disclosures Act 2014: One Year On’: I organised an event to mark the one-year anniversary of the enactment of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. The other speakers at this event were then Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin and John Devitt, Chief Executive of Transparency Ireland. Marguerite Bolger SC chaired the event. Conference Hosted [Details]

    Guidelines for Practice

      Year Publication
    2020 ASSESSING WHISTLEBLOWING LEGISLATION Methodology and guidelines for assessment against the EU Directive and best practice.
    Andy McDevitt and Marie Terracol. Contributors: John Devitt, Jan Dupák, Giorgio Fraschini, Dr Lauren Kierans BL. (2020) ASSESSING WHISTLEBLOWING LEGISLATION Methodology and guidelines for assessment against the EU Directive and best practice. Guidelines for Practice [Details]
    2017 Guidance on Protected Disclosures for the Charities Regulator.
    Lauren Kierans (2017) Guidance on Protected Disclosures for the Charities Regulator. Guidelines for Practice [Details]

    Statute

      Year Publication
    2023 **Forthcoming 2022 Version**. Irish Current Law Statutes Annotated - Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act, 2022, Annotations.
    Lauren Kierans, Associate Prof. Anthony Kerr SC (2023) **Forthcoming 2022 Version**. Irish Current Law Statutes Annotated - Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act, 2022, Annotations. Statute [Details]

    Webinar

      Year Publication
    2022 Whistleblowing and Legal Support: In conjunction with Cork University Business School and NUI Galway I organised a webinar series ‘Whistleblowing and External Partners’.
    Lauren Kierans (2022) Whistleblowing and Legal Support: In conjunction with Cork University Business School and NUI Galway I organised a webinar series ‘Whistleblowing and External Partners’. Webinar [Details]

    Honours and Awards

      Year Title Awarding Body
    2021 Teaching Hero National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning and the Union of Students in Ireland

    Professional Associations

      Association Function From / To
    European Whistleblowing Institute (EWI) I am a co-founder of EWI and the Director of Education at EWI. EWI’s aim is to become the leading institute in Europe for advancing whistleblower empowerment, acceptance, and safeguarding. This will be achieved by focussing on the three pillars of education, research, and policy advice. 01-JAN-22 /
    Parrhesia Inc (π) Member of the Academic Council of Parrhesia Inc (π). A charity in the UK focusing on the promotion and advancement of research into whistleblowing and the protection of whistleblowers and their human rights. 01-APR-21 /
    Society of Legal Scholars (SLS) The SLS is the is the learned society for those who teach law in a university or similar institution or who are otherwise engaged in legal scholarship. 01-JAN-19 /
    International Whistleblowing Research Network (IWRN) The IWRN is an interdisciplinary research network specialising in the area of whistleblowing. 01-JAN-14 /

    Employment

      Employer Position From / To
    Transparency International Ireland Associate, 2017 - To date 01-MAY-19 /
    Maynooth University Lecturer in Law, 2019 - To date 01-SEP-19 /
    Self-Employed Barrister-at-Law, 2008 - To date 01-JAN-08 /
    University College Dublin Associated Lecturer in Law, 2019-2020 01-JAN-19 / 31-JUL-20
    Peninsula Ireland and Graphite HRM Associated Presenter, 2019-2020 01-JAN-19 / 31-JAN-20
    Maynooth University Associated Lecturer in Law, 2016-2018 01-SEP-16 / 31-AUG-18
    Middlesex University Lecturer in Law, 2015-2017 01-JAN-15 / 30-SEP-17
    American University in Bulgaria Assistant Professor in Business Law, 2012-2013 01-JAN-12 / 01-JAN-13

    Education

      Year Institution Qualification Subject
    2019 Middlesex University, London PhD An Empirical Study of the Purpose of the Irish Protected Disclosures Act 2014
    2012 Trinity College Dublin LL.M International and European Business Law International and European Business Law
    2009 Dublin Business School Diploma in Employment Law Employment Law
    2008 The Honorable Society of King’s Inns Barrister-at-Law Degree Specialisation: Employment Law; Immigration and Asylum Law
    2007 National University of Ireland, Galway Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) Law
    2006 National University of Ireland, Galway Bachelor of Arts Degree (International) Legal Science and English
    2004 Rijks University, Groningen, The Netherlands Erasmus International Law, European Law, and English.

    Consultancy

      Client Description
    Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach
    I made an oral submission before the on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach during their hearings on The General Scheme of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2021.
    National Disability Authority
    I was engaged by the National Disability Authority to re-draft their Protected Disclosures Policy.
    Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform
    ‘Draft Heads of the Protected Disclosures in the Public Interest Bill 2012’. I made a submission before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform entitled ‘Preliminary Observations to the Joint Committee on the General Scheme of the Protected Disclosures in the Public Interest Bill 2012’.
    Higher Education Authority
    I was engaged by the National Disability Authority to re-draft their Protected Disclosures Policy.
    An Garda Síochána
    I was engaged by An Garda Síochána to re-draft their Protected Disclosures Policy.
    Department of Justice/ Groups of States against Corruption (GRECO)
    Author: Gender Dimensions of Corruption.
    Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach
    I drafted a written submission on The General Scheme of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2021 to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Taoiseach.
    UK Whistleblowing All-Party Parliamentary Group
    I was a member of a six-member expert panel tasked with redrafting the Office of the Whistleblower Bill in the UK.
    Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
    I co-authored a policy paper titled ‘Transposing the EU Whistleblower Directive into National Law: What Every Policymaker Should Know’ with Dr. Meghan Van Portfliet, Prof. Kate Kenny, Dr. Vigjilenca Abazi, and Dr. John Cullen.

    Outreach Activities

      Description

    Transparency International Ireland (Transparency Legal Advice Centre). Former Director and Company Secretary (2015-2017).

    Transparency International Ireland. Legal Advisor. (2011-2014)

    Free Legal Advice Centre. Legal Advisor. (2014-2015)

    Teaching Interests

    Dr Lauren Kierans BL teaches Whistleblowing Law and Practice to final year LLB students. This is the first and only course on whistleblowing law delivered at a university in Ireland. Lauren also delivers a Professional Certificate in Whistleblowing Law, Practice and Policy for those who work or have a view to working in this area. For enquiries on this course, please email Lauren directly at lauren.kierans@mu.ie. Furthermore, Lauren teaches tort law to our first-year students here at Maynooth University. Lauren is currently enhancing her teaching skills by undertaking a Post-Graduate Diploma in Higher Education at the Maynooth University Centre for Teaching and Learning. Additionally, Lauren is currently undertaking the Advanced Diploma in Data Protection Law at The Honorable Society of King’s Inns.