Researcher Details |

Sabrina Fitzsimons

Dr.

Contact Details

Spc M 312

T:Ext. 9259

E:sabrina.fitzsimons@dcu.ie

Sabrina is Co-Director of CREATE and an Assistant Professor of Education based in the School of Policy and Practice. A Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Sabrina's research explores Educator Occupational Wellbeing in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Sabrina's research has been cited in the official records of the Oireachtas, including Seanad Éireann and the Joint Committee on Education and Youth, as well as in proceedings of the Northern Ireland Assembly (Stormont). Her research has also informed cross-party political statements across both jurisdictions. She was an invited keynote speaker at the Westminster Education Forum Conference, a guest speaker for the Division of Work and Organisational Psychology (Ireland) and a keynote speaker at the 2026 ASTI National Convention.

Along with a strong record of peer-reviewed publications in academic journals, Sabrina has written articles for BERA, EERA, WONKHE and other research-sharing outlets, including prominent professional body publications such as The Irish Psychologist and the British Psychological Society magazine 'The Psychologist'.

Sabrina's work has been featured across a range of platforms, including: Image Magazine, 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, the Shaye Ganam Show (Canada) - and other fora.

She has expertise in online research methods, virtual environments, and digitally mediated communities, with interests in how online spaces shape experience, interaction, and influence wellbeing. With colleagues in DCU and the ECIU, Sabrina is also championing Challenge-Based Learning within Initial Teacher Education.

With interdisciplinary expertise across education, psychology and digital research, Sabrina has established and sustained a strong network of research collaborations beyond Ireland, working with colleagues across the UK and Europe on projects relating to teacher and educator wellbeing, initial teacher education, workload, CBL, and educational policy, including partnerships with universities and research networks in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, Lithuania and ECIU network.

Nominations: Sabrina is a 2026 nominee for the prestigious DCU President's Award for Research (Impact) and was a 2025 nominee for the DCU President's Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in two categories: (1) Academic Category, (2) Team Teaching.

Sabrina is a member of the Editorial Board of the UNESCO Chair Journal “Lifelong Professional Education in the XXI Century”, founded by the Ivan Ziaziun Institute of Pedagogical Education and Adult Education of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, and supported by the UNESCO Chair on Lifelong Professional Education in the XXI Century of the NAES of Ukraine.

Peer Reviewed Journal

	Year	Publication
	2026	Furlong, C.; Fitzsimons, S.; O'Farrell, P. (2026) 'Protective factors for teacher well-being in Ireland through the PERMA len'. Pastoral Care in Education, . [DOI]
	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
	2026	Dennehy, H.; Fitzsimons, S.; O'Farrell, P.; Furlong, C. (2026) Education Studies Association of Ireland Leading the implementation of student well-being provision in post-primary schools – a systematic literature review Galway, .
	2025	O'Farrell, P.; Furlong, C.; Fitzsimons, S. (2025) The International Professional Development Association (IPDA) Teacher Wellbeing and Workload Symposium Online, 17/06/2025-.
	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
	2026	Fitzsimons, S.; O'Farrell, P.; Furlong, C. (2026) Teacher Mental Health and Burnout. MEDIA [Link] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbqUdbvnSy0
	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
01/03/2026	Nominee International Women’s Day celebration – DCU Women Champions	Dublin City University
01/04/2026	Nominee DCU President's Awards for Research (Impact)	Dublin City University
01/04/2025	Senior Fellow of the AdvancedHE	AdvanceHE
01/04/2025	Nominee DCU President's Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (Team)	Dublin City University
01/04/2025	Nominee DCU President's Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (Individual)	Dublin City University
01/01/2012	Shortlisted for the Jennifer Burke Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning	Irish Learning Technology Association (ILTA)

Creative Outputs

	Year	Title	Type
	2025	Feeling unstimulated and apathetic at work? You might be experiencing rustout	Recording

Media

Title	Year	Type	Authors
IMAGE Magazine "Rustout: The work around the work that is wearing high achievers down"	2026	Newspaper article (online)	Fitzsimons, S.
British Psychological Society Magazine 'The Psychologist' Online Artice: Interviews on mental health are not simply a way of generating richer data, they are encounters shaped by trust and vulnerability	2026	Newspaper article (online)	Fitzsimons, S.
WonkHE Article: Naming burnout correctly keeps the focus on the workplace	2026	Newspaper article (online)	Fitzsimons, S.
Understanding incel culture – and how schools can address it	2026	Newspaper article (online)	Fitzsimons, S. Smith, D.S.
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.
Irish News Article: Northern Ireland’s schools are being held together by committed but exhausted teachers, say burnout report authors	2026	Newspaper article (online)	Fitzsimons, S. Hazzard, P.
Education Matters Vodcast "Burnout in Teacher Educators"	2025	Television interview/panel discussion	Fitzsimons, S.
BBC NI Article: 'Unsustainable' workloads contribute to teacher burnout	2026	Newspaper article (Print)	O'Connor, B.
Let's Talk Education Research "Burnout in Teacher Educators in Ireland and the United Kingdom"	2025	Podcast	Fitzsimons, S.

Research Interests

Mental health and well-being in education, including burnout, rustout, flourishing, and quality of life among educators across schools and higher education. Online environments and innovative practices, including virtual learning, online communities, challenge-based learning, and the use of digital technologies in teaching and learning. Teacher education, with interests in student teachers’ placement experiences, research engagement, and professional development.

Doctoral Graduates Supervised
Dr Ciara Morrison Reilly; Dr Tara Talbot; Dr Siobhan Kavanagh; Dr Yvonne Naughton; Dr Jude Murphy; Dr Philomena Clare; Dr Patrick Boylan; Dr Sharon Cunningham.

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
Tobin,Margaret	Doctor of Education	Supervisor
Dennehy,Hannah	PhD-track	Supervisor
Quinlan,Matthew	PhD-track	Supervisor
Elwood,Gerard	PhD-track	Supervisor

Internal Collaborators

Type	Name	Company	Role
Internal	Pia O'Farrell	School of Policy and Practice, IOE, DCU	Academic
Internal	Elaine McDonald	School of Policy and Practice, IOE, DCU	Academic
Internal	Professor Catherine Furlong	School of Policy and Practice, IOE, DCU	Academic
Internal	Dr Paul King	School of Human Development, DCU	Academic

External Collaborators

Type	Name	Company	Role
External	Dr David S. Smith	Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen	Academic
External	Dr Tom Breeze	Cardiff Metropolitain University	Academic
External	Dr Deirdre Harvey	Atlantic Technological University, St. Angela's	Academic
External	Dr Anita Gracie	Stranmillis University College	Academic
External	Professor Moira Hulme	University of the West of Scotland	Academic
External	Paul Hazzard	St Mary's University College, Belfast	Academic
External	Dr Shauna McGill & Dr Martin Hagan	St Mary's University College, Belfast	Academic
External	Professor Gary Beauchamp	Cardiff Metropolitain University	Academic
External	Dr Catriona Oates	Queen Margaret University	Academic
External	Dr Lee Boag	Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen

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
2025	Education Theory - Advanced	EDS1039-A
2025	Sociology of Education	EDS1041-A
2025	Psychology & Human Development	EDS1046-A
2025	Education Theories	EDS1024-A