Researcher Details |

Patrick Burke

Contact Details

Assistant Professor
SPC F340
T:01 700 9040

E:patrick.j.burke@dcu.ie

Dr Patrick Burke is an Assistant Professor in the School of Language, Literacy and Early Childhood Education. He is a member of the literacy education team and also serves as Teaching and Learning Convenor for the school. He holds degrees in education, psychology, and literacy. He completed his PhD on a cross-sectoral analysis of disciplinary literacy in Irish primary and post-primary schools.

Patrick is engaged in a number of projects relating to literacy and education more broadly. He is the DCU Co-PI (with Dr Eithne Kennedy) for the Erasmus+ funded Artificial Intelligence in Literacy (AILIT) project. He recently completed a significant review of the research on curriculum integration, pedagogy and assessment, funded by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) to inform the redevelopment of the national primary school curriculum (with Dr Paula Lehane).

Patrick is chair of the NCCA Primary Language Development Group and member of the Chairperson’s Working Group for the ongoing development of the Primary Curriculum Framework. As an active executive committee member of the Literacy Association of Ireland, he currently holds the position of membership secretary and incoming president. He was recently appointed to the editorial board of Literacy, published by the United Kingdom Literacy Association. His teaching and scholarly work has been recognised by several organisations including the American Educational Research Association and the International Literacy Association.

Patrick started his career as a primary school teacher in a primary school in North County Dublin, where he also held the post of special duties teacher/APII with responsibility for mathematics and technology. While studying for his M.Ed in Reading/Literacy Education, he worked as an International Fellow in the Children’s Literature Centre at Frostburg State University, MD, USA. He later held the role of Advisor with the Professional Development Service for Teachers, which involved the design and delivery of professional development on a national basis. Immediately prior to joining DCU, he worked as a Lecturer in the Department of Language and Literacy Education at MIC Limerick.

Peer Reviewed Journal

	Year	Publication
	2024	Burke, P. & Kennedy, E. (2024) 'Why Do You Think That? Exploring Disciplinary Literacy in Elementary Science, History and Visual Arts'. Reading Teacher, . [Link] https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.2283
	2021	Scanlon, L. & Burke, P. (2021) 'Supporting students with dyslexia in the context of the Primary Language Curriculum'. LEARN - Journal of the Irish Learning Support Association, 42 :22-35.
	2020	Barry, C. & Burke, P. (2020) 'Supporting purposeful and strategic readers: Transactional strategies instruction in a DEIS Band 1 classroom'. Irish Teachers' Journal, 8 :25-39.
	2018	Gardiner-Hyland, F. & Burke, P. (2018) 'It's very hard to know how much is the EAL and how much is the learning difficulty: Challenges in organising support for EAL learners in Irish primary schools'. LEARN - Journal of the Irish Learning Support Association, 40 :54-64.
	2018	Burke, P., & Welsch, J. G. (2018) 'Literacy in a “broad and balanced” primary school curriculum: the potential of a disciplinary approach in Irish classrooms'. Irish Educational Studies, 37 (1):33-49. [DOI]

Other Journal

	Year	Publication
	2023	Burke, P. (2023) 'Editorial - Defining Literacy Leadership' Literacy Today - Special Issue on Literacy Leadership, 40 (3) . [Link]
	2020	Burke, P. (2020) 'Preparing the educators of the future: The case for research literacy' Literacy Today, 38 (3) :12-13.
	2012	Burke, P. (2012) 'Rewarding results in ‘reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic: Literacy and numeracy today and during payment-by-results in Irish primary schools (1872-1899)' The Undergraduate Journal, 4 :200-210.

Published Report

	Year	Publication
	2023	Burke, P. & Lehane, P. (2023) Weaving the Literature on Integration, Pedagogy and Assessment: Insights for Curriculum and Classrooms. National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, . [Link]
	2023	Burke, P. & Lehane, P. (2023) Conceptualising Curriculum Integration: A Synthesis of Theory, Research and Practice. National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, . [Link]
	2023	Dwyer, B., Burke, P. & Kennedy, E. (2023) Pedagogical strategies, approaches and methodologies to support disciplinary literacy at primary and post-primary level. Department of Education, .
	2022	Bakken, A.M., Walgermo, B.R., Uppstad, P.H, Teixeira, M, Lourenço, M., Pinto, D., Dooly, M., Fontich, X., Roelofs, E., Kennedy, E. & Burke, P (2022) AILIT [Artificial Intelligence in Literacy Network] Background and Literature Review. University of Stavanger, . [Link]
	2018	Ring, E., O’Sullivan, L., Ryan, M. & Burke, P. (2018) A Melange or a Mosaic of Theories? How Theoretical Perspectives on Children’s Learning and Development can Inform a Responsive Pedagogy in a Redeveloped Primary School Curriculum. National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, .

Online Article

	Year	Publication
	2024	Lehane, P. & Burke, P. (2024) Three big questions in Irish primary education right now. ELEA [Link]
	2023	Burke, P. (2023) How children learn to read. https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2023/0821/1400776-children-reading-skills-learning-schools/: ELEA

Book Chapter

	Year	Publication
	2018	Burke, P. (2018) 'Literacy in transition, literacy at the transitions: (Dis)continuities in literacy’s position in the broader curriculum' In: Perspectives on Literacy: Bringing Voices Together. Dublin : Literacy Association of Ireland.

Conference Contribution

	Year	Publication
	2024	Burke, P. (2024) American Educational Research Association - 2024 Annual Meeting Literacy in Science, History, and Visual Arts: Insights From a Cross-Disciplinary Study of Elementary Students Philadelphia, PA, USA, 11/04/2024-14/04/2024.
	2024	Burke, P.; Lehane, P.; Nohilly, M.; Tynan, F.; Leavy, A.; Hamilton, M.; Hourigan, M.; Fitzpatrick, M.; Carroll, C.; Corry, E.; McGann, R. (2024) Educational Studies Association of Ireland Annual Conference Survivors of Systematic Reviews: Applications in Irish Curriculum and Educational Policy Maynooth University, 04/04/2024-06/04/2024.
	2023	Burke,P. & Lehane, P. (2023) 47th Annual Literacy Association of Ireland Conference Literacy and Curriculum Integration: Nice, necessary or nuanced? Marino Institute of Education, Dublin, 11/11/2023-11/11/2023.
	2022	Burke, P. (2022) Annual Meeting of the Literacy Research Association Crossing boundaries in school subjects and school sectors: Teachers and students engaging with literacy in multiple disciplines Phoenix, Arizona, .
	2022	Burke, P. & Kennedy, E. (2022) 22nd European Conference on Literacy Disciplinary literacy in primary and post-primary schools: Findings from a multi-phase mixed methods study with Irish teachers Dublin City University, Dublin, .
	2021	Burke, P. & Kennedy, E. (2021) Literacy Association of Ireland Annual Conference Meaningful disciplinary literacy in the senior classes: Insights from a design-based research study Marino Institute of Education, Dublin, 13/11/2021-13/11/2021.
	2019	Burke, P. (2019) INTO Consultative Conference on Education: Review of the Primary Curriculum Literacy in a broad and balanced curriculum: How can research inform practice? Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny, .
	2019	Burke, P. (2019) 21st European Conference on Literacy, Learning from the Past for the Future: Literacy for All From children’s literature to the research literature: Preparing pre-service teachers for research-informed literacy practice Copenhagen, Denmark, .
	2019	Burke, P. (2019) International Literacy Association Annual Conference Linking language, literacy and learning: Creating cross-curricular opportunities for reading, writing, speaking and listening New Orleans, LA, USA, .
	2019	Ryan, M. & Burke, P. (2019) Revolutionising Education through Play and Voice Conference Theoretical perspectives on play in a redeveloped Primary School Curriculum Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, .
	2018	Burke, P. (2018) International Literacy Association Annual Conference Finding the gap, making the leap: Promoting literacy research skills with pre-service teachers Austin, TX, USA, .
	2018	Burke, P. (2018) Literacy Association of Ireland Conference Teachmeet Crossing borders with children’s books Marino Institute of Education, Dublin, .
	2018	Brennan, A. & Burke, P. (2018) Educational Studies of Ireland Annual Conference Valuing school-based research: Governance and decision-making in Irish gatekeeping University College Dublin, .
	2018	Burke, P. & Mc Enery, S. (2018) Revolutionising Play: Perspectives, Possibilities and Promise Conference Playing by the book: Creativity, Engagement and Children’s Literature Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, .
	2018	Ring, E., O’Sullivan, L., Ryan, M. & Burke, P. (2018) NCCA Seminar on Curriculum Review and Development A Melange or a Mosaic of Theories? How Theoretical Perspectives on Children’s Learning and Development can Inform a Responsive Pedagogy in a Redeveloped Primary School Curriculum Ashling Hotel, Dublin, .
	2017	Burke, P. (2017) Literacy Association of Ireland Annual Conference Literacy at the transitions, literacy in transition: The potential for disciplinary literacy in a reformed Primary School Curriculum Marino Institute of Education, Dublin, .
	2017	Ryan, M. C., Burke, P., & McGann, M. (2017) Educational Studies Association of Ireland Annual Conference Supporting Collaborative Research Engagement between In-Service Primary Teachers and Pre-Service Teachers University College Cork, .
	2016	Burke, P. (2016) Spring Festival of Children’s Literature Tell me about it! Developing disciplinary literacy through oral language Frostburg State University, MD, USA, .

Thesis

	Year	Publication
	2022	Burke, P. (2022) “Does this go in our science or in our English copy?” A mixed methods study of disciplinary literacy across subjects and school sectors. THES [Link]

	Year	Publication
	2024	Burke, P. (2024) Répondez s'il-vous-plaît! Looking at Language in the Consultation on Draft Primary Curriculum Specifications. Dublin: NEWSL [Link]

Honors and Awards

Date	Title	Awarding Body
12/04/2024	Graduate Student Award for Literacy Research Excellence	American Educational Research Association - Research in Reading and Literacy SIG
01/05/2023	President's Award for Excellence in Teaching - New Lecturer Category - Shortlisted	Dublin City University
29/04/2021	Teaching Hero	National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
26/11/2020	Teaching and Learning Innovation Award	Teachers’ Research Exchange (T-REX); funded by NCCA/Teaching Council/CES/National Forum
09/01/2019	Rising Literacy Leader (30 under 30)	International Literacy Association
01/09/2013	Frostburg International Fellowship	Frostburg State University
01/11/2012	Ernest Walton Medal / International Winner - Teacher Education	Global Undergraduate Awards
26/12/2012	Vere Foster Medal	Irish National Teachers' Organisation
26/10/2012	Gold Medal - First Place in the B.Ed Education & Psychology Programme	Mary Immaculate College
26/10/2012	Kieran Burke Fellowship	Mary Immaculate College
26/10/2012	College Silver Medal - First Place in Psychology	Mary Immaculate College

Committees

Committee	Function	From / To
Journal Editorial Review Board - 'Literacy'	Member of the Journal Editorial Review Board	01/11/2023 -
NCCA Primary Language Development Group	Chair	10/11/2022 -
Literacy Association of Ireland	Membership Secretary	03/01/2022 -
Literacy Association of Ireland	Executive Committee Member	01/11/2020 -
22nd European Conference on Literacy	Scientific Committee Member / Local Organising Committee Member	04/10/2021 - 06/07/2022
NCCA Primary Language Development Group	Co-opted Member	01/09/2016 - 11/07/2022

Professional Associations

Association	Function	From / To
Dyslexia Association of Ireland	Member / Registered Tutor	-
Educational Studies Association of Ireland	Member	-
Teaching Council	Registered Teacher (Primary)	-
Literacy Research Association	Member	-
International Literacy Association	Member	-
Literacy Association of Ireland	Executive Committee Member	-

Employment

Employer	Position	From / To
Scoil Chormaic CNS	Classroom Teacher / Special Duties (APII) Teacher	-
Children's Literature Centre, Frostburg State University	International Fellow	-
Professional Development Service for Teachers	Advisor	-
Mary Immaculate College, Limerick	Lecturer in Education (Language and Literacy)	-

Education

Start date	Institution	Qualification	Subject
01/09/2008	Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick	Bachelor of Education in Education and Psychology	Education and Psychology
01/09/2013	Frostburg State University	Master of Education - Reading/Literacy	Reading/Literacy
31/08/2022	Dublin City University	PhD	Education

Reviews

	Journal	Role
	Irish Teachers' Journal	Reviewer
	CHILDREN'S BOOKS IRELAND	Reviewer
	Literacy	Reviewer

Enterprise Engagement

Outreach Activities

Year	Engagement Type	Organisation	Description
2023	Educational Outreach/Public Engagement	St Patrick's BNS Parents' Association	Supporting children's literacy development at home - Talk for the Parents' Association of St. Patrick's BNS, Drumcondra.
2023	Educational Outreach/Public Engagement	Cavan & Monaghan Libraries.	The Science of Reading: It's not as easy as A,B,C; a public talk as part of the 2023 Science Week, organised by Cavan Monaghan Libraries.
2023	Presentations/Talks to an external audience	DCU	Invited member for panel discussion on Randomised Controlled Trials in Irish Education, with Prof Deirdre Butler, Prof Larry Hedges, Dr Eadaoin Slattery, Dr Lorraine Gilleece, Dr Kevin Marshall.
2020	Educational Outreach/Public Engagement	RTÉ Homeschool Hub	Providing advice on digital storytelling lessons.
2018	Community-based learning	EVA International	Provision of advice on art and language/literacy connections for the Better Words project.
2017	Educational Outreach/Public Engagement	Global Undergraduate Awards	Member of the Education Category Judging Panel - Global Undergraduate Awards

Media

	Title	Year	Type	Authors
	The reading wars: What is the best way to teach kids their ABCs?	2022	Newspaper article (Print)	Horgan, J.

Research Interests

Psychological perspectives on literacy development; disciplinary literacy; curriculum integration; literacy curriculum implementation; the linguistic basis for reading/writing/oral language development; children's literature; inclusive literacy teaching; technology and literacy; literacy policy development; curriculum development; literacy difficulties.

Research Projects

	Title	Role	Description	Start date	End date
	AILIT: Articial Intelligence Network in Education	DCU Co-PI		01/09/2022	31/05/2025
	NCCA RfT - 209987 - Literature Review into the Associated Concepts of Integration, Pedagogy and Assessment	DCU PI		30/06/2022	30/04/2023

Current Postgraduate Students

	Student Name	Degree	Supervision
	Leonard ,Shane	PhD-track	Supervisor

Internal Collaborators

	Type	Name	Company	Role
	Internal	Dr Eithne Kennedy
	Internal	Dr Paula Lehane

Teaching Interests

Research-informed practice; collaborative inquiry methods; literacy research methods

Reading comprehension; literacy difficulties; disciplinary literacy; educational linguistics; curriculum implementation; planning for literacy teaching; children's literature

Teaching:

ED2029 Literacy Education II

ED3049 Literacy Education III

ED4057 An Curaclam Chomhtháite: Language and Literacy

EC915 Literacy Research Methods

EC909 Disciplinary Literacy (M.EdLPP)

Modules Coordinated

	Term	Title	Subject
	2023		ED4053
	2023		EC225
	2022		EC909
	2024		EC915
	2023		ED3049

Year	Engagement Type	Client	Description
2016	Invited talk/presentation	Community National Schools’ Management Group	Good Practice in School Self-Evaluation
2019	Other	International Literacy Association	Member of the International Literacy Association Literacy Glossary Writing Team
2019	Invited talk/presentation	Professional Development Service for Teachers and the National Council for Special Education	Disciplinary Literacy: Supporting children’s cross-curricular thinking and communication. Workshop with Advisors from the Primary Languages, Literacy and Gaeilge teams of the Professional Development Service for Teachers and the National Council for Special Education
2019	Other	International Literacy Association	Contributor to design of the International Literacy Association 'What's hot' survey
2021	Continuous Professional Development/Training	Literacy Association of Ireland	Every lesson a language and literacy lesson: From research to practice; LAI Autumn Webinar Series with Dr Sylvaine Ní Aogáin (MIC)
2021	Other	Department of Education, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, Professional Development Service for Teacher and National Council for Special Education	Invited Contributor to Panel Discussion at the launch of Guidance on Preparation for Teaching and Learning in Primary Schools
2021	Continuous Professional Development/Training	Literacy Association of Ireland in association with Tralee, Monaghan, Navan and Clare Education Centres	A closer look at the Science of Reading. Participation in discussion-based webinar for 300 practising primary school teachers with Dr Gene Mehigan and Dr Jennifer O'Sullivan (MIE)
2022	Continuous Professional Development/Training	Literacy Association of Ireland	Participation in the Literacy Association of Ireland Autumn Symposium, which comprised a panel discussion on the teaching of disciplinary literacy across primary and post-primary schools. With Dr Bernadette Dwyer (DCU) and Dr Jacy Ippolito (Salem State University).
2022	Other	National Council for Curriculum and Assessment	Presentation of early findings on a systematic review of the literature on curriculum integration to the Early Childhood and Primary Executive Staff of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (with Dr Paula Lehane).
2023	Invited talk/presentation	National Council for Curriculum and Assessment	Presentation of the findings of a review of the research literature on curriculum integration to the Executive Staff, Early Childhood and Primary Board and Council of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (with Dr Paula Lehane).
2023	Continuous Professional Development/Training	Professional Development Service for Teachers	Development of research-informed exemplar materials on the teaching of disciplinary literacy for use in professional development with all primary school teachers nationally. This work was based on doctoral research and developed in partnership with Regina Dunne (primary school teacher) and Rory Collins (Professional Development Service for Teachers).
2023	Invited talk/presentation	National Council for Curriculum and Assessment	Presentation of the research on curriculum integration to the Schools Forum of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (with Dr Paula Lehane).
2023	Invited talk/presentation	Professional Development Service for Teachers	Working with Texts across Disciplines: Learning from the research. Workshop delivered at Professional Development Service for Teachers Research Forum, Sligo, May 2023.
2023	Invited talk/presentation	Department of Education Inspectorate	From reading like a historian to writing like a scientist: How disciplinary literacy can support integrated teaching in primary schools. Invited presentation to Department of Education Inspectorate, Online, March 2023.
2023	Invited talk/presentation	Professional Development Service for Teachers	Pushing Boundaries: Learning from the Research on Disciplinary Literacy. Keynote address at Professional Development Service for Teachers Research Forum, Sligo, May 2023.
2023	Invited talk/presentation	National Council for Curriculum and Assessment	'Integration, Pedagogy and Assessment: Research Insights for Classrooms' - Research webinar presented at the request of the NCCA (with Dr Paula Lehane). October 25, 2023.
2023	Invited talk/presentation	National Council for Curriculum and Assessment	'Weaving the Literature on Integration, Pedagogy and Assessment' - Keynote presentation at NCCA Re-Imagining Curriculum Seminar; Gresham Hotel, Dublin; October 4 2023 (with Dr Paula Lehane).