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Dr Helen Casey is an academic with twenty seven years experience in promoting participation in higher education among under represented community members. She is a lecturer in the School of Political Science and Sociology and joint academic director of an array of accredited level 7 and level 8 programmes in community development, youth studies and family support. Dr Casey has extensive experience of collaboration and engagement with education providers, policy makers and community partners having steered a series of EU and National Funded programmes to extend and promote entry and retention routes into formal education.
Helens PhD research focused on mapping the Transformative Learning Experiences of part time learner graduates. Dr Casey has worked on developing and leading outreach models of community education with colleagues in University of Missouri, USA, Pristhina, Kosovo and across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. In 2020, she was appointed to the University Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Structure to review and consider its development strategy in the university in response to the National Recognition of Prior Learning Developments. Helen was an academic leader of the community partnership team awarded the National Aontas Star Award for Third Level Access and Engagement project 'Power in Participation' in February 2021. Dr Casey has played an active role on the University of Sanctuary Committee since its inception and was an academic leader on the University of Sanctuary summer programme `Sanctuary in Politics' for Travellers, International applicants and Refugees in 2018. In 2022, Helen was a co-recipient of the University of Galway inaugural Michael McDonagh Award for Irish Traveller Ally Excellence and Leadership. Dr Casey was invited in 2023 to be a member of the newly formed College of Arts and Social Science Undergraduate Student Retention and Engagement Committee based on her experience developing models of engagement and learner-centred practice in the University. She is also an active member of diverse national and regional committees promoting and advocating for underrepresented communities and vulnerable adults which aligns to her community development ethos and approach.