Researcher Details |

Sabrina Fitzsimons

Contact Details

Spc M 312

T:Ext. 9259

E:sabrina.fitzsimons@dcu.ie

Sabrina is Co-Director of CREATE—The Centre for Collaborative Research Across Teacher Education—and an Assistant Professor of Education based in the School of Policy and Practice.

A Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Sabrina's recent research explored wellbeing, burnout and rustout in HEI-based Teacher Educators in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

With colleagues in DCU CREATE and colleagues in universities across Ireland and the UK, Sabrina is also engaged in research on the mental health and wellbeing of teachers, student-teachers, school leaders, and HEI academics.

Sabrina's research has been featured across a range of platforms, including: RTE Drivetime, RTE Brainstorm, The Conversation, The Huffington Post, BBC News, HR News Canada, Pharmazeutische-Zeitung (PZ), 'Let's Talk Education Research' Podcast, the Education Matters Vodcast, the 'Mind Your Mind' podcast with Roxana Parra, and the Shaye Ganam Show (Canada). She was an invited keynote speaker at the Westminster Education Forum Conference. Her work has also been featured in The Irish Psychologist and the British Psychological Society magazine 'The Psychologist'.

Peer Reviewed Journal

	Year	Publication
	2026	Furlong, C.; Fitzsimons, S.; O'Farrell, P. (2026) '‘Biggest bunch of entitled moaners in Ireland’: A Thematic and Discourse Analysis of Social Media Responses to Teacher Burnout and Their Implications for Teacher Well-Being'. Irish Educational Studies, . [Link] [DOI]
	2025	Fitzsimons, S.; Smith, D.S. (2025) '‘I’m not burning out, I’m rusting out’: investigating the causes of rustout in teacher educators in Ireland and the United Kingdom'. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12 . [Link] [DOI]
	2025	O'Farrell, P.; Fitzsimons, S.; Furlong, C.; Scully, C. (2025) 'Layers of strain: An ecological perspective onteacher burnout in Ireland'. British Educational Research Journal, . [DOI]
	2025	Fitzsimons, S.; Smith, D.S. (2025) '‘I’m not burning out, I’m rusting out’: investigatingthe causes of rustout in teacher educators inIreland and the United Kingdom'. Nature, . [DOI]
	2025	Fitzsimons, S.; Smith, D.S. (2025) '“Just plough on and pretend it's not happening”: Understanding burnout in teacher educators in Ireland and the United Kingdom'. International Journal of Educational Research Open, 9 . [Link] [DOI]
	2025	Fitzsimons, S.; Boag, L.; Smith, D.S. (2025) 'Understanding Teacher Educators' Quality of Life: Insights from the PERMA Model'. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 20 . [Link] [DOI]
	2025	Fitzsimons, S.; Smith, D.S. (2025) '‘Don’t do anything special for us coming’: the mental health impact of Ofsted inspections on teacher educators in England'. Cambridge Journal of Education, 55 . [Link] [DOI]
	2024	Fitzsmions, S.; sexton, pj; Lehane, P.; Donlon., E.; Karakolidis, A.; McDonald, E.; Keever, C. (2024) 'Understanding pre-service teachers’ improvement in professional practice: A quantitative perspective'. Irish Educational Studies, . [DOI]
	2021	Kavanagh, S; Sexton, P; Fitzsimons, S. (2021) 'Transforming Middle Leadership in Education and Training Board Post-Primary Schools in Ireland'. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR TRANSFORMATIVE RESEARCH, 8 (1). [Link] [DOI]
	2020	Donlon, E., McDonald, E., Fitzsimons, S., & Sexton, P. (2020) 'Being and Belonging: Student-Teachers’ Contextual Engagement in Schools'. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 46 (6):95-113. [DOI]
	2016	Fitzsimons, S. and Farren, M. (2016) 'A Brave New World: Considering the Pedagogic Potential of Virtual World Field Trips (VWFTs) in Initial Teacher Education'. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR TRANSFORMATIVE RESEARCH, Vol. 3 (1). [Link] https://doi.org/10.1515/ijtr-2016-0002
	2013	Fitzsimons, S. (2013) 'The road less travelled: The journey of immersion into the virtual field'. Ethnography and Education, 8 . [Link] [DOI]

Book Chapter

	Year	Publication
	2013	Fitzsimons, S. (2013) 'Conducting Research in a Virtual World' In: Crotty, Y and Farren, M(Eds.). Digital Literacies in Education. : Peter Lang.
	2012	Fitzsimons, S. (2012) 'Part Three: Online Ethnography and Education' In: Rethinking Education Ethnography: Researching On-Line Communities and Interactions. Barcelona : Esbrina. Universitat de Barcelona. [Link]

Other Journal

	Year	Publication
	2012	Farren, M., Dean, C., Fitzsimons, S., and Crotty, Y. (2012) 'The Spirit and Vision of Learning: At the still point of a turning world (Symposium)' 11-JUL-12 - 12-JUL-12, York St. John University. UK .

Conference Contribution

	Year	Publication
	2025	Furlong, C.; O'Farrell, P.; Fitzsimons, S. (2025) Psychological Society of Ireland They Have Half the Year Off: An Analysis of Social Media Insights on Teacher Burnout Athlone, Ireland, 13/11/2025-15/11/2025.
	2025	Fitzsimons, S.; Smith, D.S. (2025) Psychological Society of Ireland I'm Functioning in my Job but not Thriving': An Exploration of Rustout Among Higher EducationBased Teacher Educators in Ireland and the United Kingdom Athlone, Ireland, 13/11/2025-15/11/2025.
	2025	Fitzsimons, S.; Smith, D.S. (2025) Mental Wellbeing in Higher Education Conference It is through the craic that the light gets in”: Building resilience and enhancing wellbeing in Higher Education teacher educators Sheffield, United Kingdom, .
	2025	Fitzsimons, S. (2025) Westminster Education Forum policy conference: Next steps for initial teacher education in England Priorities for accountability and inspections of ITE providers moving forward Westminster, London, UK, .
	2025	Fitzsimons, S.; McDonald, E (2025) Educational Studies Association of Ireland Empowering Change Agents: A Case Study on the Transformation of an ITE module through Challenge-Based Learning Athlone, Ireland, .
	2025	Fitzsimons, S.; Smith, D.S. (2025) Educational Studies Association of Ireland ‘I feel like I’m feeding the machine rather than being creative’ The Subtle Descent into Rustout Among Teacher Educators Athlone, Ireland, .
	2025	Fitzsimons, S.; O'Farrell, P.; Furlong, C. (2025) Educational Studies Association of Ireland Under Pressure: Is there a Mental Health Crisis Among Teachers in Ireland? Athlone, Ireland, .
	2024	Fitzsimons, S. (2024) The Psychological Society of Ireland Annual Conference 2024 The Parable of the Boiled Frog: A Study of Burnout in Teacher Educators in Ireland and the United Kingdom Athlone, .
	2024	Fitzsimons, S.; McDonald, E. (2024) ECIU University Forum: Education for a Resilient and Sustainable Society Empowering Change Agents: A Case Study of Challenge Based Learning in ITE Kaunas, Lithuania, .
	2024	Fitzsimons, S; McDonald, E. (2024) REIMAGINING TEACHERS AND TEACHER EDUCATION FOR OUR FUTURES Empowering Change Agents: A Case Study on Challenge-Based Learning in ITE Helsinki, Finland, .
	2024	Fitzsimons, S (2024) REIMAGINING TEACHERS AND TEACHER EDUCATION FOR OUR FUTURES Unveiling the Hidden Toll: Exploring Burnout among Teacher Educators Helsinki, Finland, .
	2024	Fitzsimons, S. (2024) Eduational Studies Assocation of Ireland Burnout in Teacher Educators: A Sequential Mixed Methods Study Maynooth, Ireland, .
	2023	Fitzsimons, Sabrina (2023) BPS Scottish Branch 2023 Postgraduate Conference Don’t look up: The effect of mobile phone distraction on memory University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, 25/08/2023-25/08/2023.
	2022	Sexton, P., Fitzsimons, S., McDonald, E., & Donlon, E. (2022) TEPS Enhancing the Value of Teacher Education Research: Implications for Policy and Practice An analysis of the quantitative impact of a research project on ITE practicum grades University of Graz, Austria, .
	2021	Fitzsimons, S and Farren, M. (2021) ESAI Annual Conference 2021 - Possibilities in Education: Reimagining Connections with People, Purpose and Place Culture Shock: A Virtual World Adjustment Theory Online, .
	2020	Fitzsimons, S., Sexton, PJ., McDonald, E., Donlon, E. (2020) ESAI 2020 Turning Obstacles into Opportunities: Research Paving the Path to Good Teaching DCU (Online), .
	2019	Donlon, E., McDonald, E., Fitzsimons, S., & Sexton, PJ (2019) SERA 2019: Creative Visions for Educational Futures A tale of two timings: Student-teachers' contextual engagement in placement schools University of Edinburgh, Scotland, 20/11/2019-22/11/2019.
	2019	Sexton, PJ, Fitzsimons, S., McDonald, E., & Donlon, E. (2019) ESAI19: Education in Times of Change, Choice and Challenge From passive to active learner engagement: A paradigm shift Sligo, Ireland, 11/04/2019-13/04/2019.
	2019	Donlon, E., McDonald, E., Fitzsimons, S., & Sexton, PJ (2019) ECER 2019: 'Education in an Era of Risk – the Role of Educational Research for the Future' 'I Was an Equal at a Table of Teachers: The Significance of Contextual Engagement for Student-teachers on School Placement' Hamburg, Germany, 03/09/2019-06/09/2019.
	2018	Talbot, T. McDonald, E, Fitzsimons, S. (2018) Educational Studies Association of Ireland – Conference 2018: Values and Purpose in Education iteracy for Learning and Life: An exploration of the potential of one onlinereading management programme to improve the literacy standards of Irish Post Primary Students and create life-long learners University College Dublin, .
	2017	McDonald, E., Donlon, E., Fitzsimons, S. & Sexton, PJ (2017) Between the classroom and the staffroom: the significance of contextual engagement for the school placement Between the classroom and the staffroom: the significance of contextual engagement for the school placement Changing Research: working the spaces between education policy and practice, University College Cork, Ireland , 20-APR-17 - 22-APR-17 [Details], .
	2017	Sexton, PJ, Fitzsimons, S., McDonald, E. & Donlon, E. (2017) 'She was engaging, kind and understanding...she is why I aspire to be a teacher': A study of the reasons for joining the teaching profession A study of the reasons for joining the teaching profession Changing Research: working the spaces between education policy and practice, University College Cork, Ireland , 20-APR-17 - 22-APR-17 [Details], .
	2017	Sexton, PJ, Fitzsimons, S., McDonald, E. & Donlon, E. (2017) Changing Research: working the spaces between education policy and practice 'She was engaging, kind and understanding...she is why I aspire to be a teacher': A study of the reasons for joining the teaching profession University College Cork, Ireland, 20/04/2017-22/04/2017.
	2017	McDonald, E., Donlon, E., Fitzsimons, S. & Sexton, PJ (2017) Changing Research: working the spaces between education policy and practice Between the classroom and the staffroom: the significance of contextual engagement for the school placement University College Cork, Ireland, 20/04/2017-22/04/2017.
	2016	Donlon, E., Fitzsimons, S., Leonard, H., McDonald, E. & Sexton, P. (2016) The Educational Studies Association of Ireland (Education as a Public Good) Longitudinal study of student teachers' understanding of teacher identity Galway, .
	2015	Fitzsimons, S., Donlon, McDonald, E., Sexton, P. and Leonard, H. (2015) An analysis of the levels of reflection attained by student teachers on School Placement An analysis of the levels of reflection attained by student teachers on School Placement Educational Studies Association of Ireland (Educational Research and Practice in Times of Transition: Looking to the Future), Carton House, Maynooth, Co.Kildare , 09-APR-15 - 11-APR-15 [Details], .
	2013	Fitzsimons, S. (2013) Educational Studies Association of Ireland Identity and Learning: The Second Life Dimension Limerick, Ireland, 21/03/2013-23/03/2013.
	2013	Fitzsimons, S. (2013) Mater Dei Institute, Teaching and Learning/Research Committee Seminar Curiouser and Curiouser: Culture shock in a virtual world Mater Dei Institute of Education, 27/11/2013-27/11/2013.
	2013	Fitzsimons, S. (2013) 11th International Conference on Cyberspace 2013 'Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s the great puzzle’ Exploring Religion in Cyberspace Masaryk University, Brno, CZ, 22/11/2013-23/11/2013.
	2012	Crony, Y., Dean,C., Farren,M. and Fitzsimons,S. (2012) Values and virtues in practice-based research: Articulating our values and virtues The Spirit and Vision of Learning: At the still point of the turning world York St. John University, 11/06/2012-12/06/2012.
	2011	Fitzsimons, S. (2011) DIVERSE (Developing Innovative Visual Educational Resources for Students Everywhere) Teaching and Learning in a three dimensional multi-user virtual environment, Second Life Dublin City University, 28/06/2011-30/06/2011.
	2011	Fitzsimons, S. (2011) Rethinking Educational Ethnography: Researching On-line Communities and Interactions. Network 19 – European Conference on Educational Research (ECER) The Ethnographic Journey: Immersion in the Virtual World University of Porto, 02/05/2011-04/05/2011.
	2009	Fitzsimons, S. (2009) Religious Education Second Level Support Service Leaving Certificate Religious Education Syllabus; Digital Resources Dublin, Cork, Laois, Sligo Education Centres, 12/12/2009-.

Online Article

	Year	Publication
	2025	Fitsimons, S. (2025) Should I stay or should I grow?. ELEA [Link] https://online.fliphtml5.com/gypz/zjob/#p=28
	2025	Fitzsimons, S.; Smith. D. S. (2025) Ofsted inspections affect not just teachers but also the people who train them. ELEA https://theconversation.com/ofsted-inspections-affect-not-just-teachers-but-also-the-people-who-train-them-249084

Other Publication

	Year	Publication
	2025	Fitzsimons, S; Smith, D.S (2025) Feeling unstimulated and apathetic at work? You might be experiencing rustout. [Link]

Electronic Publication

	Year	Publication
	2025	Fitzsimons,S; O'Farrell, P.; Furlong, C. (2025) Crisis in the classroom: burnout and stress amongst Irish teachers. ELECP [Link]

Blog

	Year	Publication
	2025	Fitzsimons, S.; Boag, L.; Smith, D.S. (2025) Why teacher educators stay – the power of PERMA in practice. BLOG [Link] https://blog.eera-ecer.de/teacher-educators-perma/

Media

	Year	Publication
	2025	Fitzsimons, S. (2025) Workload and guilt are common challenges faced by teacher educators I Ep 43 with Sabrina Fitzsimons. MEDIA [Link]

Published Report

	Year	Publication
	2025	Fitzsimons, S.; O'Farrell, P.; Furlong, C. (2025) Teacher Occupational Wellbeing Executive Summary. Dublin City University, . [Link] https://www.dcu.ie/sites/default/files/inline-files/dcu-create_teacher-burnout-think-tank_summary-report.pdf

Editorial

	Year	Publication
	2025	O'Farrell, P.; Furlong, C.; Fitzsimons, S. (2025) Teachers and parents are partners, not opponents. Ireland: ED [Link]

Professional Associations

Association	Function	From / To
British Psychological Society (BPS)	Student Membership	16/08/2021 -
Psychological Society of Ireland	Division of Teachers and Researchers - Associate Member	01/08/2024 -
American Psychological Society	Graduate Member	14/12/2025 - 14/12/2026

Honors and Awards

	Date	Title	Awarding Body
	01/01/2012	Shortlisted for the Jennifer Burke Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning	Irish Learning Technology Association (ILTA)

Media

Title	Year	Type	Authors
RTE Radio 1 Drivetime "Burnout Among Teachers"	2025	Radio Interviews	Fitzsimons, S.
RTE Brainstorm "Crisis in the classroom: burnout and stress amongst Irish teachers"	2025	Newspaper article (Print)	Fitzsimons, S. , O'Farrell, P., Furlong, C.
Let's Talk Education Research "Burnout in Teacher Educators in Ireland and the United Kingdom"	2025	Podcast	Fitzsimons, S.
Education Matters Vodcast "Burnout in Teacher Educators"	2025	Television interview/panel discussion	Fitzsimons, S.

Research Interests

Mental Health - Mental health and Wellbeing in Education, for example, burnout in HEI academics, teacher educators, teachers, school leaders, student-teachers and others working in the field of education.
Teacher Education - Student teachers' progression on placement, Student teachers' engagement with research, teacher identity, the role of the teacher in teacher education and other related themes.
Innovative Practices - Teaching and learning in virtual environments, challenge-based learning, creative classroom practices (including the use of various technologies to support teaching and learning).

Research Projects

	Title	Role	Description	Start date	End date
	Subjective Wellbeing Across Nations (SWAN)	Partner		01/09/2025	30/01/2027
	Teacher Mental Health and Wellbeing: Translating Research into Action for Policy and Practice	DCU Co-PI		01/06/2025	31/05/2026

Current Postgraduate Students

Student Name	Degree	Supervision
Weekes,Siobhan	Doctor of Education	Supervisor
Boylan,Patrick	Doctor of Education	Supervisor
Murphy,Jude	Doctor of Education	Supervisor
Clare,Philomena	Doctor of Education	Supervisor
Cunningham,Sharon	Doctor of Education	Supervisor
Tobin,Margaret	Doctor of Education	Supervisor
Dennehy,Hannah	PhD-track	Supervisor

Internal Collaborators

Type	Name	Company
Internal	Pia O'Farrell	School of Policy and Practice, IOE, DCU
Internal	Elaine McDonald	School of Policy and Practice, IOE, DCU
Internal	Professor Catherine Furlong	School of Policy and Practice, IOE, DCU

External Collaborators

	Type	Name	Company	Role
	External	Dr David S. Smith	Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen	Academic

Teaching Interests

The foundation disciplines (with a specific interest in the psychology of education)
Practice-based research within Initial Teacher Education, Online/Virtual ethnography and other research methods.
Teaching and Learning in Virtual Worlds.

Modules Coordinated

Term	Title	Module ID
2024	Research Module	ED4950 - Practice-Based Research Project
2024	Sociology of Education, Challenge Based Learning	ED4300
2024		ED1302
2024	Psychology, Sociology and Philosophy of Education	PR108
2024	History of Irish Education, Philosophy of Education	ED3301