Academic biography

Audrey Bryan is Professor of Sociology in the School of Human Development, DCU and is the General Editor of Irish Educational Studies, the flagship journal of the Educational Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI). 

She holds a PhD in Comparative Education and Sociology from Columbia University, New York, a Masters in Applied Social Research from TCD and a BA in (Hons) Psychology from UCD. Her research interests and expertise span the fields of social, global and ecological justice. 

Having worked in Higher Education both nationally and internationally for over 25 years  – in both administrative and academic capacities – Audrey has a deep understanding of what it takes to make universities and their communities thrive.  She currently serves as an elected member on the DCU Governing Authority -- the body charged with the strategic direction of the University and is also a member of its sub-committee on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). As the DCU lead on the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning funded Disciplines Inquiring into Societal Challenges (DISCS) project, she has been heavily involved in developing policy and strategic guidance for Higher Education sector on the teaching of social justice. 

Audrey has held numerous leadership roles and has served on numerous faculty and university level committees at DCU including the DCU Research Ethics Committee (since 2016), the Faculty Research Committee (2016-2021) and, prior to incorporation, the St. Patrick’s College Teaching and Learning Committee and College Research Committee. 

Her most recent research is concerned with the neuro-affective turn in education and with associated questions about the datafication of children's lives and parenting in the 21st century.