Dr Thomas Walsh

Biography
Dr Thomas Walsh is an Associate Professor in the Department of Education. Tom joined the Department in 2014 having previously worked as a primary school teacher, an education researcher and a primary school inspector at the Department of Education and Skills.
He holds a B.Ed from St Patrick’s College Drumcondra, and an M.Ed and PhD from the National University of Ireland Maynooth. His doctoral thesis focused on the development and implementation of successive primary school curricula between 1897 and 1990. His book, Primary Education in Ireland 1897-1990: Curriculum and Context, was published by Peter Lang International Academic Publishers in 2012. More recently, he completed an Advanced Diploma in Law and Education in Kings Inns.
Tom teaches on a range of programmes in the Department on aspects relating to his research interests, including history of education, education policy and legislation, and team teaching. He has written a range of chapters and articles in these areas and is involved in a number of research projects (e.g., a SCoTENS project on constructions of childhood and a Teaching Council project on team teaching). Tom also supervises the research work of PME, M.Ed, Ed.D and PhD students. He is a member of the NCCA Advisory Panel for the redevelopment of the primary school curriculum. For 2023-24 academic year, Tom is on sabbatical during which time he will be a visiting Fulbright Scholar at Northwestern University, Chicago.
Research Interests
Book Chapter
Year | Publication | |
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2023 | Walsh, T. (2023) 'Alignment and Coherence in the Context of Policy and Curriculum Development in Ireland: Tensions, Debates, and Future Directions' In: Handbook of Curriculum Theory and Research. Switzerland : Springer Nature. [Link] | |
2022 | Walsh T. (2022) 'Key actors and organizations in the development and evolution of early childhood education and care provision in Ireland in the twentieth century' In: Early Childhood Education and Care in Ireland: Charting a Century of Developments 1921-2021. United Kingdom : Peter Lang. | |
2022 | Walsh T.; Hayes N. (2022) 'Introduction' In: Early Childhood Education and Care in Ireland: Charting a Century of Developments 1921-2021. United Kingdom : Peter Lang. | |
2022 | Hayes N.; Walsh T. (2022) 'Conclusion' In: Early Childhood Education and Care in Ireland: Charting a Century of Developments 1921-2021. United Kingdom : Peter Lang. | |
2022 | Walsh, T. (2022) 'Primary Curriculum Policy Development in Ireland 1922–1999: From Partisanship to Partnership' In: Education Policy in Ireland Since 1922. United Kingdom : Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-91775-3_2 | |
2021 | Walsh, T. (2021) 'Primary curriculum policy development in Ireland 1922-1999: From partisanship to partnership' In: Education Policy in Ireland 1922 to the Present. UK : Palgrave MacMillan. | |
2021 | Walsh, T. (2021) 'The Redeveloped Primary School Curriculum: An Opportunity for Continuity and Coherence in Early Childhood Education' In: Ireland's Education Yearbook 2020. Galway : Education Matters. [Link] | |
2019 | Walsh, T; Mc Daid, R (2019) 'RACE DISCRIMINATION AND THE MANAGEMENT OF ETHNIC DIVERSITY AT WORK: THE CASE OF ELEMENTARY TEACHERS IN IRELAND' In: RACE DISCRIMINATION AND MANAGEMENT OF ETHNIC DIVERSITY AND MIGRATION AT WORK: EUROPEAN COUNTRIES' PERSPECTIVES. BINGLEY : EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LTD. [DOI] | |
2020 | Walsh, T. (2020) 'Childhood and the Schooling of the Young' In: Springer Handbook of Historical Studies in Education: Debates, Tensions, and Directions. Singapore : Springer. [Link] https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0942-6_14-2 | |
2018 | Walsh, T (2018) 'Concepts of Children and Childhood from an Educational Perspective 1900-1940: Context, Curriculum and Experiences' In: CONSTRUCTIONS OF THE IRISH CHILD IN THE INDEPENDENCE PERIOD, 1910-1940. BASINGSTOKE : PALGRAVE. [DOI] | |
2017 | Walsh, T. (2017) '2017: A Year of Progress and Promise (Early Childhood Education)' In: Ireland's Yearbook of Education: Mapping the Past - Forging the Future. Galway : Education Matters. | |
2016 | Walsh T. (2016) 'The national system of education, 1831-2000' In: Essays in the History of Irish Education. UK : Palgrave. [DOI] | |
2006 | Duignan, M., Fallon, J., O’Dwyer, M., Schonfeld, H. and Walsh, T. (2006) 'Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education in Ireland' In: The Education Matters Yearbook 2006. Galway : Education Matters. | |
2016 | Walsh, T. (2016) 'Early Childhood Care and Education in Ireland 2016' In: Education Matters Yearbook 2016-17. Dublin : Education Matters. | |
2016 | Walsh, T. (2016) 'The Primary School Curriculum in Ireland: Looking at the Past - Learning for the Future' In: Education Matters Yearbook 2016-17. Dublin : Education Matters. | |
2016 | McDaid, R. and Walsh, T. (2016) 'Challenging the Homogeneity of the Elementary School Teaching Force in Ireland' In: Diversifying the Teaching Force in Transnational Contexts: Critical Perspectives. Rotterdam : Sense Publishers. | |
2023 | Walsh, T. (2023) 'The Publicness of Primary Education in Ireland: Tracing its Historical Lineage' In: The New Publicness of Education: Democratic Possibilities After the Critique of Neo-Liberalism. London : Routledge. | |
2023 | Walsh, T. (2023) 'The Evolving Status of Elementary Teachers in Ireland (1831–1921): From ‘Feckless and Impoverished’ to ‘Respectable’' In: New Turns in the History of Education in Ireland. London : Routledge. |
Edited Book
Year | Publication | |
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2022 | Hayes, N. and Walsh, T (Ed.). (2022) Early Childhood Education and Care in Ireland: Charting a Century of Developments (1921-2021). United Kingdom: Peter Lang, [DOI] | |
2019 | Walsh, T. and Dolan, R (Ed.). (2019) Pushing Boundaries, Expanding Vistas: Celebrating the Work of John Coolahan. Maynooth: Maynooth University Department of Education, |
Peer Reviewed Journal
Year | Publication | |
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2021 | O’Toole L.; McClelland D.; Forde D.; O'Keeffe S.; Purdy N.; Säfström C.A.; Walsh T. (2021) 'Contested childhoods across borders and boundaries: Insights from curriculum provisions in Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State in the 1920s'. British Educational Research Journal, 47 (4):1021-1038. https://doi.org/10.1002/berj.3708 [Full-Text] | |
2022 | Walsh, T (2022) 'The evolving status of elementary teachers in Ireland (1831-1921): from 'feckless and impoverished' to 'respectable''. History of Education, 53 (3). [DOI] [Full-Text] | |
2019 | Walsh T.; Dolan R. (2019) 'Changing identities and practices: transitioning from the role of supervisor to placement tutor in initial teacher education in Ireland'. Professional Development in Education, 45 (4):527-538. [DOI] [Full-Text] | |
2019 | Rickard A.; Walsh T. (2019) 'Policy, practice and process in team teaching: a pilot project with co-operating teachers and student teachers on school placement'. Irish Educational Studies, 38 (3):309-326. [DOI] [Full-Text] | |
2016 | Walsh, T. (2016) 'Recent Policy Developments in Early Childhood Education (ECE): A Jigsaw with too many pieces?'. An Leanbh Óg, 10 :69-94. [Full-Text] | |
2016 | Walsh T. (2016) '100 years of primary curriculum development and implementation in Ireland: a tale of a swinging pendulum'. Irish Educational Studies, 35 (1):1-16. [DOI] | |
2007 | Duignan, M., Fallon, J.,O’Dwyer, M., Schonfeld, H. and Walsh, T. (2007) 'Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education in Ireland '. International Journal of Learning, 13 :17-24. | |
2007 | Walsh, T. (2007) 'The Revised Programme of Instruction, 1900-1922'. Irish Educational Studies, 26 :127-143. [Full-Text] | |
2005 | Walsh, T. (2005) 'Constructions of Childhood in Ireland in the Twentieth Century A View from the Primary School Curriculum 1900-1999'. Child Care in Practice, 11 :253-269. [Full-Text] | |
2004 | Walsh, T. and Kiernan, G. (2004) 'The Changing Nature of Early Childhood Care and Education in Ireland'. Irish Educational Studies, 23 :1-18. [Full-Text] | |
2023 | Walsh, T. (2023) 'Revival or Bilingualism? The Impact of European Nationalist Thinking on Irish Language Curricular Policy around the Advent of Political Independence in Ireland'. Paedagogica historica, 59 (2):250-263. https://doi.org/10.1080/00309230.2020.1856154 [Full-Text] | |
2022 | Walsh, T. (2022) 'Promoted widely but not valued’: Teachers’ perceptions of team teaching as a form of professional development in post-primary schools in Ireland'. Professional Development in Education, 48 (4):688-704. https://doi.org/10.1080/19415257.2020.1725596 |
Conference Publication
Year | Publication | |
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2021 | Walsh, T. (2021) INTO Education Conference 2019 . In: INTO eds. Primary Curriculum in Ireland: The Past, The Present, The Possibilities | |
2006 | Walsh, T. (2006) OMEP Insights on Quality: A National Review of Policy, Practice and Research Relating to Quality in Early Childhood Care and Education in Ireland 1990-2004 (in) Hayes, N. (Ed.) (2006). Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood Education and Care: Proceedings of the OMEP (Ireland) Conference 2005, pp. 184-192 [Full-Text] | |
2005 | Walsh, T. (2005) CECDE Quality A Global Issue? An International Review of Quality in Early Childhood Care and Education in Ireland 1990-2004 (in) Schonfeld, H., Walsh, T. and OBrien, S. (Eds.) (2005). Questions of Quality Conference Proceedings. Dublin: Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education, pp. 162-177 [Full-Text] | |
2003 | Walsh, T. (2003) OMEP An Overview of Research in Ireland Pertaining to Early Childhood Education and Care 1990-2003 (in) Hayes, N. and Kernan, M. (Eds.) (2003a). Transformations: Theory and Practice in Early Education: Proceedings of the OMEP (Ireland) Conference 2003. Cork: OMEP (Ireland), pp. 299-315 [Full-Text] |
Conference Contribution
Year | Publication | |
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2022 | Walsh, T. (2022) Teacher Education in Ireland: Chequered Past, Contested Present, Creative Possibilities Association of Teacher Educators in Europe (ATEE) Spring Conference: Teacher Education and Practice: Foresight and Hindsight Marino Institute of Education, Dublin, . | |
2022 | Walsh, T. (2022) Lesson Books in 19th Century Ireland: A Socio-Political Analysis History of Education Society (UK) 2022: Histories of Education as Curation: Methods, Interpretations and Technologies in an Age of Global Upheaval Exeter, UK, . | |
2022 | Walsh, T. (2022) Lesson Books as Pedagogical, Political and Social Objects in Elementary Schools in 19th Century Ireland International Standing Conference of History of Education (ISCHE): Histories of Educational Technologies Milan, . | |
2022 | Walsh, T. (2022) From Subordinate to Preeminent: Irish Language Curriculum Policy for Primary Schools in the 1920s Irish in Outlook: A Hundred Years of Irish Education Trinity College Dublin, . | |
2021 | Walsh, T. (2021) A Historical Panopticon: The Social Regulation of Teachers’ Lives in Ireland (1845-1855) International Standing Conference of History of Education Online, . | |
2021 | Walsh, T. (2021) The Impact of the ‘12 Practical Rules’ (1845) on the Social Regulation of Teachers in Ireland History of Education Society UK Online, . | |
2021 | Walsh, T. (2021) Policy Alignment and Coherence in Ireland: Implications for Curriculum Development Educational Studies Association of Ireland Online, . | |
2019 | Walsh, T. and Rickard, A. (2019) “Promoted widely but not valued”: Teachers’ perception of team teaching as a form of professional development in Irish post-primary schools ESAI Annual Conference 2019: Education in times of change, choice and challenge Sligo, . | |
2019 | Walsh, T. (2019) Primary Curriculum in Ireland: The Past, The Present, The Possibilities Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO): Education Conference on the Review of the Primary Curriculum Kilkenny, . | |
2019 | Walsh, T. (2019) From periphery to centre stage: Using the Irish language in schools to build national identity and nationhood in Ireland in the 1920s History of Education Society Conference (UK) UCL, London, . | |
2019 | Walsh, T. (2019) The building of national identity through elementary education: Post-Independence curricular provision for the Irish language in primary schools in Ireland International Standing Conference of History of Education: Spaces and Places of Education Porto, Portugal, . | |
2019 | Walsh, T. (2019) Coming full circle: Tracing key milestones in the early childhood education and care policy provision for young children in Ireland 1919-2019 The State of Outdoor Play in Ireland Symposium Maynooth, . | |
2019 | Walsh, T. (2019) From periphery to centre stage: The changing role of the Irish language as a curriculum subject in primary schools in Ireland in the 1920s EuroACS Conference on Curriculum Studies Maynooth, 07/06/2019-08/06/2019. | |
2018 | Walsh, T. (2018) Centuries of Childhood: A Conference on the History of Childrena nd Childhood in Ireland and Beyond Concepts of Children around the time of Political Independence in Ireland – A View from the Primary School Curriculum DCU, . | |
2018 | Walsh, T. (2018) Elementary Teachers in Ireland (1830s-1920s): The Transformation of the Role by Church and State History of Education Society Annual Conference 2018 Limerick, . | |
2018 | Walsh, T. (2018) Patronage and the position of Religion in National Schools in Ireland: An Historical Overview ETBI Community National Schools: 10 Years On Dublin, . | |
2018 | Walsh, T. (2018) The Nature of Elementary Teachers in Ireland (1830s-1920s): From ‘feckless and impoverished’ to ‘respectable’ International Standing Conference of History of Education: Nature and Education Berlin, . | |
2017 | Walsh, T. (2017) Excavating Concepts of Children and Childhood in Ireland (1900-1940) from an Historical Educational Policy Perspective Narrating Policy: Exploring narrative in policy and policy analysis (Leeds Social Sciences Institute) University of Leeds, . | |
2017 | Walsh, T. (2017) From Apollonian to Dionysian: The Changing Conceptualisation of Children in the Primary School Curriculum upon the Advent of Political Independence in Ireland History of Education Society Conference Winchester, UK, . | |
2017 | Dolan R. and Walsh, T. (2017) What’s in a Name? Transitioning from the Role of Supervisor to Placement Tutor Teacher Education and Teacher Educator National Forum University of Limerick, . | |
2017 | Walsh, T. (2017) Exploring Concepts of Children and Childhood in Ireland (1900-1940) from an Historical Educational Policy Perspective ECER International Conference Copenhagen, Denmark, . | |
2017 | Walsh, T. (2017) Teacher Homogeneity in Primary Schools in Ireland: An Exploration of its Historical Origins ESAI Annual Conference UCC, . | |
2017 | Walsh, T. (2017) Looking Back: Changing Conceptualisations of Young Children in the Infant Classes of Primary Schools upon the Advent of Political Independence Early Childhood Ireland Research and Practice Seminar University College Dublin, . | |
2016 | Walsh, T. and Rickard, A. (2016) Facilitating team teaching among co-operating teachers and student teachers on school placement: Context, findings and future directions ESAI Annual Conference Galway, 01/04/2016-02/04/2016. | |
2016 | Dolan, R. and Walsh, T. (2016) Changing Identities and Practices? Transitioning from the Role of Supervisor to Placement Tutor in Initial Teacher Education ECER Annual Conference UCD, Dublin, . | |
2016 | Walsh, T. and McDaid, R. (2016) Excavating the Foundations of a Homogenous Primary School Teaching Force in Ireland ECER Annual Conference UCD, Dublin, . | |
2016 | Walsh, T. (2016) BA:ECCE - Preparing for professional practice in a complex sector Presentation at the Early Years Education - New Directions seminar in Mary Immaculate College of Education Limerick, . | |
2016 | Walsh, T. (2016) A Crowded Space: The Policy Development Landscape in Early Childhood Education Early Childhood Ireland Annual Conference Croke Park Conference Centre, 15/04/2016-16/04/2016. [Full-Text] | |
2015 | Walsh, T. and Rickard, A. (2015) Facilitating co-teaching Developing a professional learning community among co-operating teachers and student teachers on school placement ECER Annual Conference Budapest, 08/09/2015-11/09/2015. | |
2015 | Walsh, T, Rickard, A. and Clynes, M. (2015) Facilitating Effective Co-teaching among Co-operating Teachers and Student Teachers on Placement Féilte Teaching Council Conference RDS, Dublin, . [Full-Text] | |
2015 | Walsh, T. (2015) Recent Policy Developments in Early Childhood Education: A Jigsaw with Too Many Pieces? OMEP Ireland University College Cork, . | |
2015 | (2015) What’s in a name? Transitioning from the role of supervisor to placement tutor Educational Studies Association of Ireland Annual Conference Maynooth University, . | |
2007 | (2007) The Revised Audit of Research on Early Childhood Care and Education in Ireland 1990-2006 ESAI Annual Conference Cavan, . | |
2007 | (2007) Curriculum Quality – A View from the Primary School Curriculum, 1900-1999 ESAI Annual Conference Cavan, . | |
2006 | (2006) Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) Annual Conference Reykjavik, Iceland, . | |
2006 | (2006) The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation and the Primary School Curriculum, 1922-1971 ESAI Annual Conference National College of Art and Design, Dublin, . | |
2006 | (2006) Symposium on the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education International Froebel Society Second Biennial Conference Froebel College of Education, Dublin, . | |
2006 | (2006) The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education OMEP (Ireland) Annual Research Conference University College Cork, Cork, . | |
2005 | (2005) The National Quality Framework in Early Childhood Care and Education in Ireland – Context and Charac European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) Annual Conference Dublin Castle, Dublin, . | |
2005 | (2005) Insights on Quality – A Review of National Policy, Practice and Research in ECCE in Ireland OMEP (Ireland) Annual Research Conference St. Patrick's College of Education, Dublin, . | |
2005 | (2005) The Revised Programme 1900-1922 ESAI Annual Conference University College Cork, Cork, . [Full-Text] | |
2004 | (2004) Introduction to the Centre for Early Childhood and Development and Education National Disability Authority Conference National Disability Authority, Dublin, . | |
2004 | (2004) The Changing Nature of Early Childhood Care and Education in Ireland ESAI Annual Conference NUI Maynooth, . [Full-Text] | |
2004 | (2004) Quality - A Global Issue? An International Review of Quality in Early Childhood Care and Education Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education International Conference Dublin Castle, Dublin, . [Full-Text] | |
2004 | (2004) A Historical Overview of our Conceptualisation of Childhood in Ireland in the Twentieth Century International Human Development Conference St. Patrick's College of Education, Dublin, . | |
2002 | (2002) Educational Disadvantage in Ireland – A Case Study of Two Designated and Two Non-designated Schools ESAI Annual Conference Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, . | |
2023 | Walsh, T. (2023) Redeveloping the Primary School Curriculum in Ireland American Education Research Association Annual Conference Chicago, 13/04/2023-16/04/2023. | |
2023 | Walsh, T. (2023) 10th Biennial International Froebel Society Conference Froebel Yesterday: The Impact of Froebelian Thinking on the Revised Programme of Instruction (1900) in Ireland Maynooth University, Ireland, . | |
2023 | Walsh, T. and Nobik, A. (2023) Values and Ideologies in the Primary School Curriculum in the Inter War period: The Cases of Hungary and Ireland ISCHE Conference: Histories of Education and Reform: Traditions, Tensions and Transitions Budapest, Hungary, . | |
2023 | Walsh, T. (2023) A New Century, A New Programme of Instruction: Key Actors and Factors in the Development of the Revised Programme of Instruction (1900) in Ireland ISCHE Conference: Histories of Education and Reform: Traditions, Tensions and Transitions Budapest, Hungary, . | |
2023 | Walsh, T. (2023) Heads, Hearts and Hands: Educational Emphases in the Revised Programme of Instruction in Ireland History of Education Society UK Annual Conference: Senses, Emotions and Experience in the History of Education University of Sheffield, UK, . |
Published Report
Year | Publication | |
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2023 | Walsh, T. (2023) Redeveloping the Primary School Curriculum in Ireland. Brookings Institute, . [Link] | |
2022 | Hayward, L., Spillane, J., Walsh, T. and Wyse, D. (2022) From Purpose to Practice – Primary Curriculum Developments in Ireland: Reflections from the Advisory Panel (Primary). NCCA, . [Link] |
Blog
Year | Publication | |
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2018 | Walsh, T. (2018) Back to the Future: Reflections on a previous period of innovation in early childhood education. [Blog] [Link] |
Policy Contribution
Year | Publication | |
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2022 | Walsh, T. (2022) The Draft Primary Curriculum Framework: A Framework of Opportunities (INTO INTOUCH Magazine). [Policy Contribution] [Link] | |
2022 | Walsh, T. (2022) Review and Redevelopment of the Primary School Curriculum: Challenges and Opportunities (IPPN Leadership+ Magazine). [Policy Contribution] [Link] | |
2018 | Walsh, T. (2018) Towards an Overview for the Redeveloped Primary School Curriculum: Learning from the Past, Learning from Others. Dublin: [Policy Contribution] [Link] | |
2010 | Walsh, T. (2010) Early Childhood Intervention Project - Country Report: Ireland. [Policy Contribution] [Full-Text] | |
2007 | Walsh, T. and Cassidy, P. (2007) An Audit of Research on Early Childhood Care and Education in Ireland 1990-2006 (Second Edition). [Policy Contribution] | |
2005 | Walsh, T. (2005) Insights on Quality – A National Review of Policy, Practice and Research relating to Quality in Early Childhood Care and Education in Ireland 1990-2003. [Policy Contribution] | |
2004 | Walsh, T. and Duignan, M. (2004) Talking About Quality – Report of a Consultation Process on Quality in Early Childhood Care and Education. [Policy Contribution] | |
2003 | Walsh, T. (2003) An Audit of Research on Early Childhood Care and Education in Ireland 1990-2003. [Policy Contribution] |
Guest Editor
Podcast
Year | Publication | |
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2020 | Walsh, T. (2020) Inside Education: Education Historian, Dr Thomas Walsh (Podcast 410). [Podcast] [Link] | |
2020 | Walsh, T. (2020) Policy alignment and coherence in the context of the redeveloped primary school curriculum. [Podcast] [Link] | |
2023 | Walsh, T. (Contributor) (2023) Podcast: Hedge Schools Beyond the Shrubbery. [Podcast] [Link] |
Webinar
Year | Publication | |
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2021 | Walsh, T. (2021) Beyond Covid19: Crisis lessons and ways forward for Early Childhood Education and Care in Ireland Part 2. [Webinar] [Link] | |
2018 | Teaching Council (2018) Research in Initial Teacher Education. [Webinar] [Link] https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/8159505866877865986 |
Audiovisual material
Year | Publication | |
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2023 | Walsh, T. (Contributor) (2023) Podcast: Hedge Schools Beyond the Shrubbery. [Audiovisual material] [Link] |