Meet Our Lecturers

Adam Connolly is a First Class Honours graduate of the Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.) and Business degree at University of Galway where he graduated 1st in his class before obtaining a scholarship to read for the Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree at the University of Cambridge.

He is the winner of a number of scholarships and academic prizes including the Val O’Connor Memorial Prize for Equity and has been published in the Irish Law Times. Adam is a previous winner of the National Negotiation Competition and the Bar of Ireland Justice Week Debate.

Prior to joining City Colleges, he spent time working in the knowledge division of A&L Goodbody’s litigation department and is an alumnus of the Chief Justice’s Summer Placement Programme.

Aideen Tansey B.L. is a graduate of both Maynooth University (LL.B.) and the Honourable Society of King’s Inns (B.L.). Aideen took her call to the Bar in 2022 and now works as a lawyer within the Life Sciences industry dealing with a broad range of subject matter. Aideen lectures on our Professional Diploma in Family Law and Society. Aideen also works in conjunction with lecturers on both the FE1 and King’s Inns preparatory courses

B.A. (Hons.) Economics and Political Science (Trinity College Dublin) LL.M International Human Right Law (University of Galway) Dip. Law (King’s Inns) Barrister-at-Law Degree (King’s Inns)

Áine is a practicing barrister with a mixed general practice. Prior to commencing practice at the Bar, Áine worked as a legal executive in both private practice and the public sector. For her undergraduate degree, Áine studied economics and political science at Trinity College Dublin and Science Po, Paris before undertaking an LL.M in International Human Rights Law at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, University of Galway. Thereafter, Áine undertook the Diploma in Legal Studies in the Honorable Society of King’s Inns, followed by the Barrister-at-Law degree course. In addition to her work in the Courts, Áine is a volunteer with the Free Legal Advice Centres.

Award winning Photographer, Alan Murphy, graduated from DIT with a distinction in Photography and went on to build his own successful freelance photography and videography business.

Alan has worked in the digital creative space for the last 30 years across many different clients and holds a post Grad in Digital Marketing.

He has vast experience in various software applications and in particular with Adobe products.

Alan brings his extensive knowledge and pragmatic approach to this course which he has designed to be flexible and dynamic. Students will get a good grounding in Premier Pro enabling them edit and design videos like a pro!

Alexander Mutiso Mutua is a PhD researcher at Technological University Dublin. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Kisii University in Kenya and a Master’s degree in Advanced Computer Science from Swansea University in the United Kingdom.

He has a strong background in computer science and has worked in the telecommunications industry where he has gained experience in various fields, such as big data analytics, machine learning and computer vision. Alexander is passionate about teaching and sharing his knowledge with others.

His motivation is to bridge the gap between theoretical insights and real-world applications to students, by leveraging his extensive industry and academic experience.

Alexander’s research interests include machine learning and artificial intelligence, big data, data mining and computer vision.

Alison Dunne has many years’ experience working as a Company accountant. Her strengths are cash management, processing re-engineering, and management of a finance function within a company. She is currently the Chief Financial Officer in Quest Recruitment Ltd., a leading recruitment company, solely dedicated to recruiting for Accountancy and Financial Services Professionals.

Alison McDonnell is a marketing professional and has taught in a number of colleges and schools in Dublin. She has over 20 years’ experience in marketing, business development and teaching in both the not-for-profit and for-profit sector.

She has worked with organisations such as Diageo Ireland, CDETB, Dublin College of Advance Studies, Amnesty International, Marriage Equality, Pavee Point, TENI, SVP Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association. Alison holds a B.Sc in Business Management from IT Tallaght, a MFA in Photography from Ulster University, and a Executive Masters in Marketing from DCU.

Amit is a PhD candidate at Maynooth University, researching deep learning algorithms for computer vision. He brings five years of experience teaching machine learning, AI, Python, and mathematics to MSc students at Dublin Business School.

Prior to his PhD, he earned an MSc in Data Analytics and a B.Tech in Electronics & Communications Engineering from IIT Guwahati. Amit has worked as a freelance computer vision consultant, developing object recognition and tracking systems, and has taught mathematics internationally.

His technical skills include Python, C++, R, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and OpenCV.

Anita Brady BSoc.Sc., MScoc.Sc. is a graduate of Maynooth University and a Bachelor of Sociology and Social Policy and holds a Master’s Degree in Rights and Social Policy. Upon completion of Anita’s undergraduate Degree, she was awarded first-class honours in respect of her Dissertation which examined the experiences of whistleblowers in Ireland.

Anita has presented lectures on the experiences of whistleblowers from a sociological and policy perspective and was a tutor in Maynooth University where she tutored the module entitled: Political economy within the European Union.

Anita’s Master’s Degree explored from a social policy perspective, tribunals and inquiries in Ireland, with a particular emphasis on corruption, malpractice, wrongdoing and whistleblowing scandals in an Garda Síochána. Anita currently works in the area of social care; specifically, working with children who have experienced major trauma and in the care of the State. Anita currently lectures the Diploma in Social Studies in City Colleges Dublin.

Auxane Boch is a cyberpsychologist and AI-ethics researcher examining the psychological impacts of interactional systems – AI as social agent, social robots, video games, and immersive XR. Based at the Technical University of Munich’s Institute for Ethics in AI, she coordinates the EU-funded MSCA doctoral network alignAI, driving cross-disciplinary training, policy engagement, and industry collaboration. She is a Friedrich Schiedel Fellow and co-leads the Immersive Realities working group at the TUM Think Tank. Auxane also volunteers as a Women in Games ambassador, Women in AI Germany ambassador, and WAILabs researcher and psychology lead.

Brighton is an experienced industrial automation engineer with over 17 years in the field, having worked across diverse sectors including cement manufacturing, power generation, tobacco processing, and currently, water and wastewater treatment. His core expertise is in the programming, configuration, and commissioning of PLC and SCADA systems, with a focus on delivering robust, efficient, and scalable automation solutions.

He holds a BSc in Physics, an MSc in Mechatronics and Artificial Intelligence, and an MSc in Engineering Project Management. Alongside his engineering work, Brighton has a strong passion for education. He has provided part-time instruction to high school students and served as a part-time lecturer in an undergraduate Laser Technology course. His teaching approach blends theoretical depth with practical industry insight, helping students gain the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the modern automation landscape.

Senior Manager Group Data Management | President of the new DAMA Ireland (Data Management Association) Est. 2022

Recognised as a Data Leader in Bank of Ireland, Carl is a Senior Manager in the Group Data & Analytics Office. As part of a new Data Management Leadership team tasked with;

• Delivering a new Data Management capability in Bank of Ireland
• Collaborating to design processes around operational structures for governance
• Manufacturing collaboration to enable implementation of data governance
• Data education initiatives to improve fluency in this space aligned with the banks digital ambition
• Communicating the Data & Analytics vision of our Chief Data Officer in enabling value from data when treated as an asset

Chloé graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Applied Psychology from Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) in 2016. She has since taken up positions in industry and non-profit organisations providing training on how to improve online branding identity and how to best utilise social media and data analytical tools to reach target audiences, by using principles rooted in psychological theory.

She currently works in academia as an online educator and a higher education digital learning specialist, where she applies knowledge from current psychological research and learning principles to improve the learning experience for online students. Her doctoral research is in the areas of developmental and cyberpsychology with a particular focus on screen use in early childhood and its impact on psychological development. She is passionate about disseminating knowledge on how humans can use technology to achieve their best potential both at an individual level, and societal level.

Colman graduated with a Mechanical Engineering Degree from the College of Technology, Bolton Street, Dublin (now part of the Technological University Dublin). He followed this with post graduate qualifications in Industrial Engineering from University College Dublin and in Business Administration from University College Galway.

Colman spent over 30 years working in the School of Engineering at the Dundalk Institute of Technology, first as a lecturer and in recent years as Head of Department of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering.

His teaching experience ranges from product design and development to operations management and analysis. He has a keen interest in entrepreneurship and in fostering a creative spirit among students.

He has broadened his teaching practice by participating in exchange programmes across a number of Universities in Europe.
In his industrial experience, Colman has worked as an engineer with Jacobs International and Amdahl Computers.

Declan Power is a former career soldier who served in the three combat arms of the Irish Army on a variety of operations both at home and abroad. He completed various specialist courses and was attached to the Chief of Staff’s branch at Defence Force Headquarters.

He attended the military college and completed a degree in journalism with Dublin City University, following which he was attached to the Defence Force Press Office. He is also a graduate in Peace and Conflict Studies from Trinity College Dublin and various professional civil and military crisis management training courses and has carried out research and training with the Brunel University Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies in London.

Declan is the author many articles and papers on security affairs as well as Siege at Jadotville, one of the few books dealing with the Irish experience of UN service in the Congo, and is currently researching Beyond the Call of Duty, which examines the stories behind the awards of the Military Medal for Gallantry.

He now works both as an independent security and defence analyst and lectures in Terrorism and International Security at City College, Dublin. When not working in Dublin he has deploys as an adviser to various UN and other operations in Africa and the Middle East. Most recently he was the lead on a project to enhance field protection skills for international civilian agencies in South Sudan, he is also involved in a European Commission project to enhance counter-terrorism mechanisms and strengthen civil society in Africa.

Dr Aman Kwatra completed his MSc in Psychology at the University of St Andrews in 2016 and obtained his Doctorate in Counselling Psychology from Trinity College Dublin in 2020. At Trinity, he was awarded the Allen Burke Memorial Prize for Best Counselling Psychology Dissertation. He also completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Bereavement and Loss in 2024 from the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland / Irish Hospice Foundation.

Dr Aman Kwatra has previously worked as a Counselling Psychologist in a wide variety of clinical settings, including the Health Service Executive, CAMHS, Irish Prison Service, and at Spectrum Life. He also guest-lectures at Trinity College Dublin and is a published author. Dr Kwatra specializes in supporting people impacted by bereavement, grief and loss, adverse childhood experiences, complex trauma, physical-emotional-sexual abuse, and violation of body-integrity. He also works with clients who are striving for self-discovery, self-actualization and self-transcendence.

Aoife completed a BA in Psychology at National University of Maynooth followed by a PhD at the School of Psychology, University College Dublin.

In 2014, Aoife was awarded an Enterprise Partnership Scholarship by the Irish Research Council. As a member of the City Colleges faculty, Aoife teaches the Sport and Exercise Psychology, Counselling Psychology and Addiction Studies diplomas.

Alongside her lecturing work, Aoife runs a private psychology practice in South Dublin and sees clients from a range of settings including sport and the corporate world. She is passionate about the benefits of psychology for changing lives and is particularly interested in mental wellbeing, motivation, and performance.

Over 15 years of global experience pioneering research and development, dedicated teaching, and innovative contributions. Proven track record of developing and delivering high-impact solutions to real-world problems. Distinguished author of numerous scientific publications and patents. I have been associated with 11 institutions of education in Europe and Asia.

My diverse background, featuring extensive experience in both industry and academia, uniquely positions me to bring a valuable blend of real-world practicality and academic rigor to any organization. I possess the expertise to translate academic research into tangible industrial solutions, fostering innovation and driving results that bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Responsible for delivering the programme and facilitating the workshops.

Dr Werd Al-Najim is a Consultant in Nutrition specialised in the treatment of obesity and obesity-related diseases. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition Science from Kingston University/UK and a PhD from Imperial College London/UK where she investigated novel treatments for obesity. She also holds a health coaching certificate from the Integrative Nutrition School/New York and a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy certificate from City Colleges/Dublin. Werd is involved in ground-breaking research in both London and Dublin and is currently co-leading a number of global clinical trials investigating effective methods for the treatment of obesity and obesity-related diseases. The focus of Werd’s research is developing personalised medical treatments for obesity and its complications.

After establishing a successful independent research group, he published numerous high impact papers over the years that have influenced his field. In particular, his translational research on the understanding of the physiological role and pathological changes in appetite control has been widely acknowledged. He has also been able to take up a variety of editorial positions of peer-reviewed journals.

Working within the Diabetes Complications Research Centre and the Section of Surgery and Surgical Specialities the focus of his research is primarily concerned with increased mortality and morbidity associated with obesity and diabetes. A better mechanistic understanding of how the “gut talks to the brain” will allow safer and more effective treatments to be used in future. To this end, the role of gut hormones, bile acids and changes in food preference are areas of interest.

Dr. Youssef El Shaikh is a Senior Lecturer in Business Management at City College Dublin, bringing over a decade of international academic and leadership experience to higher education. He has previously served as Senior Lecturer for multiple London-based universities and international franchises, where he was Subject Chair of Organisational Behaviour and Operations Management, and has taught and led modules across the UK, India, and Malaysia.

Academically, Youssef graduated with Distinction in International Business from Grenoble Ecole de Management and holds a Master of Science in Management from Brunel University London. He completed his PhD at Brunel University London on Work-Life Balance Challenges and Stress Experiences in Family Businesses.

Beyond academia, Youssef has served as Group Chief Executive to a holding group with a diverse portfolio spanning education, real estate, retail e-commerce, shipping trade, and tourism. Youssef also serves as a Board Member of a London-based law firm in the capacity of Corporate & Commercial Strategist, where he contributes to shaping cross-border strategies, investor relations, and market-entry solutions across the Gulf states and North Africa.

As a Liveryman of the City of London, Youssef was granted the Freedom of the City of London in 2021 in recognition of his contributions as an Educator, reflecting his dedication to advancing education within London and beyond. With active board membership of multiple UK charities, he remains committed to educational and community impact.

Bilingual in Arabic and English, Youssef is recognised for his ability to bridge cultural and institutional efforts, forge international collaborations, and drive strategic change in the higher education sector to reach financial targets.

A Chartered Accountant with over 25 years of experience, Edel Mc Greal specialises in Management Accounting within the Bachelor in Business degree.

She brings practical knowledge and a commitment to developing future accountants, making complex accounting principles accessible and engaging.

My name is Finola Dunne, and I am the Centre Manager within the Faculty of English Language. In this role, I am responsible for overseeing the efficient and effective operation of the college, providing comprehensive support to both students and staff, and liaising with visa-requiring students to ensure compliance with relevant regulations. I am committed to maintaining the highest standards of service and to ensuring that every student enjoys an excellent and enriching educational experience.

Gráinne has nearly twenty years’ experience in the Marketing Industry, creating successful Marketing strategies that align with Company Objectives.

Grainne is hugely experienced when it comes to Microsoft Office software and brings her best practices to this course to help you as you move forward.

She has a diverse portfolio at global and national level including gaming, software, energy, insurance & recycling. She has been involved in some substantial partnerships including Manchester United Football Club and had worked on projects with many prestigious companies including Ladbrokes, Worlds Series of Poker, Facebook and Google.

Gráinne has first-hand experience in the development of digital marketing plans including paid advertising, SEO, email, content, social, web development and analytics.

A strategically focused Individual, Gráinne encourages people to think outside the box and see the bigger picture.

Jack Meredith BL is a practicing Barrister-at-Law and legal educator with expertise in criminal, immigration, and civil litigation. He brings extensive lecturing and academic experience from IBAT College Dublin, DCU, and LawEd, combined with foundational experience as a High Court Judicial Assistant. Qualified through the King’s Inns (BL) and TU Dublin (LLB), Jack combines practical courtroom advocacy with engaging, practical legal instruction for City College students.

Joan has been a Member of AGI since 2003.  She has been involved in genealogy and local history since the 1980s, when she joined a local group that became the Raheny Heritage Society.  In 1998 she received a Diploma in Local History from NUI Maynooth. Undertaking further research on her diploma project resulted in the publication of her book, St. Anne’s: the Story of a Guinness Estate, in 2002.  Embarking on a career in family history research, she worked from 1999 to 2002 as a genealogist with American Elderhostel groups visiting Ireland to research their ancestry.  Since joining AGI she has worked alongside her colleagues in the Genealogy Advisory Service at the National Archives.  She has given many lectures on local and family history.

John Deane-O’Keeffe is a Forensic Criminologist and Lecturer in Criminal Law on the FE1 Solicitor’s Examination. He is also a Church Minister and Lectures in Theology. Additionally John works as a Journalist and Broadcaster.

John is currently Dean, Faculty of Criminology & Policing Studies at City College Dublin. He was a Magistrate in the UK where he sat on the Northumbrian Bench and was a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at St Mark & St John University, Plymouth. He is currently a Departmental Tutor at the University of Oxford, where he teaches on a range of courses across forensic criminology & theology. He is a Member of the Senior Common Room at Regent’s Park College, Oxford and an External Examiner on the Policing Degree at Anglia Ruskin University.

John is formerly Adjunct Faculty at Trinity College Dublin where he was Assistant Professor in the School of Psychology. He also spent a decade as Head of the Law School at Dublin Business School. He was Communications Director at the Garda Representative Association, Editor of the Garda Review for many years.

Aside his Church Ministry, John works as a Hospital and Prison Chaplain. He has undertaken undergraduate studies in History, Law and Theology at UCD, TCD, Bristol and the University of Oxford. He holds post graduate degrees in Forensic Criminology and Law from TCD, London Met and the University of Cambridge.

John has held and holds a number of visiting posts in UK Universities and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Member of the Royal Historical Society. He has a special interest in criminology and theology and the intersection of these two areas within criminality. His book, ‘Christ Alive!’ was published by Wipf & Stock In April 2025 and is a lively and humorous series of lessons exploring how we find God’s presence in places where we least expect – not least in offending. This will be followed in the first half of 2026, by, Finding Jesus in Joyce: From Dedalus to The Dead, a book which will explore aspects of James Joyce’s relationship with faith across a number of his seminal works.

John Sexton is a Chartered Engineer Electronic Engineering. He has been a Cisco CCNA instructor for 15 years. He holds a Master’s degree in Engineering from DCU, obtained in 1998.

John originally worked in the Telecoms sector before moving into Network Engineering in the nineties.

In 1998, he joined the lecturing staff in the Institute of Technology Tallaght, now part of the Technological University of Dublin. He lectured in Network Engineering for 18 years. In this time, he designed and delivered Networking modules at NFQ levels 6, 7 and 8. He has also delivered the CCNA Routing and Switching course for over 10 years.

He is currently a visiting lecturer for the Université de Toulouse II Jean Jaurès.

He has acquired a lot of experience teaching groups of varying levels of education.

Dr Jordan Kelly completed her Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at Glasgow Caledonian University in 2017. She is a Chartered Member of the Psychological Society of Ireland and an EMDR Europe-accredited practitioner and consultant. Dr Kelly has extensive clinical experience across mental health, forensic and trauma-specialist settings.

Dr Kelly currently works as a Senior Psychologist in a specialist paediatric service in Dublin. Her clinical work includes supporting children, young people and their families affected by chronic illness and life-limiting conditions. She is also trained as a Final Journeys facilitator, providing education to multidisciplinary staff around end-of-life care.

Dr Kelly has a strong interest in bereavement, grief and the psychological impact of loss. Her clinical and academic interests also include trauma, posttraumatic growth and psychological adjustment to challenging and life-changing experiences. Dr Kelly is experienced in delivering lectures, staff training and reflective practice to professionals. She is passionate about integrating psychological theory, clinical experience and evidence-based practice into teaching.

Josephine has worked with City College Dublin for 15 years delivering SNA level 5 and 6 QQI courses.

Josephine is a registered nurse of Intellectual Disability and have also completed training in Social Care, Supervisory Skills, Behaviour Support, Child Protection, and Patient moving and handling.

Josephine has worked for almost 30 years in all areas of special needs including education, residential, respite and day service to management level.

She is passionate about delivering a best practice focused training so that all our students can provide the best possible care and support to the children and young people they will work with in the future.

Karen has been a teacher with 20 years of experience in Special Education. She is currently working in early intervention with children with a diagnosis of ASD.

Karen has been training in numerous teaching methodologies such as Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and Lamh.

Karen has been a tutor with City College Dublin, teaching the SNA course level 5 and 6 for the past 3 years.

Kathy graduated with an LLB in Law and Criminology and later with an LLM in Law. She also holds a post-graduate certificate in Teaching in Higher Education and a post-graduate certificate in Education Law.

Kathy lectures law, data protection and business at Griffith College and UCD’s Professional Academy. She also works with a charity as a Data Protection Officer. She is a member of The Association of Data Protection Officers.

My name is Katie Clarke, and I am an Early Childhood Education lecturer at City Colleges Dublin, while also working in an administrative office role at a large early years crèche. I have worked across a range of early learning and care settings, including leadership and management roles, and I am passionate about supporting the next generation of early years professionals. I have also contributed to the sector as an educational resource writer, creating curriculum-aligned resources and professional learning materials for educators. My professional interests include inclusive education, leadership in early learning and care, play-based pedagogy, and educator professional development. I hold a Master’s degree in Leadership and Advocacy in the Early Years, and my research explored how Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) can enhance inclusion for children with Down syndrome in early years settings. My passion for education began at a young age, and I remain committed to making learning engaging, accessible, and meaningful for both educators and young children.

Kimeli Emmanuel is a self-driven, enthusiastic ML and Network Engineer with a solid Networking background crucial for enhancing organisational innovation, design procedures and functionalities.

He prides himself in Cisco operations involving firewall design, routers, and switches configurations, LAN, VLAN, and WAN control procedures. He holds a Master of Science in Information Systems with Computing from Dublin Business School and currently pursuing PhD in Machine Learning with research on developing Computationally Efficient Machine Learning for Dependable and Customis

able Networks at Technological University Dublin.

An accomplished Early Learning and Care (ELC) leader and specialist with over 22 years of dedicated sector experience. My career demonstrates a progressive trajectory from hands-on Educator to Senior Management, complemented by extensive cross-border experience as an Early Years Specialist across Ireland and Northern Ireland. I have a proven track record of partnering with services to elevate quality standards through targeted mentoring, environmental design, and operational guidance. Additionally, I bring over two decades of experience collaborating with parent-support organizations, alongside a specialized expertise in designing and delivering bespoke Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs tailored to the unique needs of early years settings.

Margaret Dineen is a lecturer at City Colleges Dublin, specialising in Management, Business Mathematics, and Supply Chain Management for undergraduate programmes. With over two decades of experience in the food sector, she is the founder and Director of Blue Sky Food Consulting, leading projects in operational , Finance excellence, procurement, and strategic business development. Margaret holds a BSc in Food Business, a HDip in Business & Financial Information Systems, and is a chartered management accountant with Chartered Institute of Management accountants . Her business and academic work is informed by practical experience supporting Irish SMEs and national agencies, including project consulting for Bord Bia’s Talent Academy Masters programmes and advisory roles for An Rialálaí Agraibhia – the Agri-Food Regulator.

With nearly two decades of entrepreneurial experience, Mark Forman inspires students in the Bachelor in Business program to pursue innovative business ideas.

Founder of The Achievers Group and co-founder of Irish Whiskey Assets, Mark has a unique perspective on entrepreneurship and mentoring.

His Principles of Entrepreneurship module in the Bachelor in Business degree encourages students to embrace resilience and creativity in their career journeys.

Mark is an experienced data science leader with over 25 years’ experience in the application of innovative data solutions in the technology industry. He has held leadership positions in Dentsu Aegis Network, Microsoft and Gateway.

He is a thought leader on understanding the customer journey in the digital world and how to optimise the effectiveness of online brand communication.

He is also an ardent believer in the value of data and has a proven track record of developing data strategies focused on sourcing and combining multiple structured and unstructured data sources to increase insight and value. Mark has been a pioneer in the adoption of new technologies, techniques and data sources to squeeze the maximum value from data to solve complex business problems.

Michael Carstairs is an experienced Programmer having worked in multiple programming languages and IDE environments as well as with HTML, CSS, C#, Python, JavaScript, and Processing.

He is constantly striving to ensure clear and understandable code that can be used in scalable web and game environments. Michael brings a wealth of programming experience and knowledge with a particular interest in creating interesting interactive elements in all applications.

Michael Ryan (MA/MIACP) is a Counsellor/Psychotherapist, Author and Lecturer who works with adolescents in Secondary Schools as well as having a private practice for adults in West Dublin. He regularly contributes to mainstream and social media and has spoken at Regional, National and International conferences on topics related to Mental Health, Wellness, Equality and Neurodiversity. He lectures on Counselling/Psychotherapy Courses and occasionally provides training and hosts workshops/webinars on the topics mentioned.

Michael has been a member of AGI since 2012. After graduating from University College London with a degree in economics and politics, Michael enjoyed a career in information technology, working for several large British and American companies in senior project management roles. On retirement from these roles, he established his own professional genealogical research service, Family Lines. This concentrates on helping people who do not live in Ireland to do their own family history research, by providing practical help on the ground in Ireland. Michael’s special interest is in tracing Irish families who have settled in North America and Great Britain

Moira has been travelling the world since 2003 photographing and writing about people and their cultures.Throughout the years she has spent time as a photo-journalist for NGO’s in countries such as South Africa, Malawi, Colombia and Kenya. This work has seen her capture numerous images for Concern Worldwide and other organisations, working alongside some of the top dignitaries such as Kofi Annan (7th Secretary-General to the United Nations), Mary MacAleese and Mary Robinson (former Irish Presidents).

She spent 5 years working for a South African magazine (Camera & Image) as the Travel Feature Editor where her work took her across 7 Continents in 10 years. Her work focuses strongly on ethical and respectful photography and when she is not out taking photos Moira works as a Production Manager and Researcher in Film and Documentary.

Niall O’Flynn is a writer and director. A former award-winning journalist, he covered major international news and sports events for newspapers, radio & TV – working in the Middle East, USA, Australia, Europe, UK & Ireland, and heading national radio coverage of elections, referenda, budgets and major international news stories, including the 9/11 attacks.

He now directs a variety of TV’s flagship programmes and special events. He is the author of two books – Writing For A Living & Ireland’s Olympians – and a member of the Irish Film & Television Academy.

Brenda Power has been in journalism for almost 40 years. She has worked for the Irish Press and Sunday Press, initially as a news reporter, later as a feature writer and columnist, and then moved to the Sunday Tribune as a reporter, feature writer, and columnist.

Brenda has worked as a presenter/reporter in RTE on the series Would You Believe, and also for two years as presenter of Crime Call. In radio, she stood in for Marian Finucane and Joe Duffy, as well as presenting several series of shows of her own, including a daily live interview series and a Sunday morning moral maze-type programme called The Grey Area. Brenda worked for Newstalk for two years presenting a daily morning phone-in show. She has worked for The Sunday Times for many years as a columnist, and also at The Irish Daily Mail, also as a columnist,

Brenda was called to the Bar in 1996 and is currently practising as a Barrister as well as continuing to work as a Journalist and Broadcaster.

An Analytically driven Strategic Management professional with over 14 years of experience in solving business problems through data driven insights in Strategic Management areas within Aviation, Travel Technology & Industrial Manufacturing industries in the geographies of Asia, Europe and Middle East regions. Successfully led large scale Analytics and Data Management functions with companies like Honeywell, TUI Group, Smartbox Group & Go Airlines within Ireland, UAE, Spain, Singapore & India.

Neeraj is currently undergoing an M.Phil research in the field of Business Resilience, his prior educational background includes a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Resilience from Dublin Ireland, complemented by an MBA and BS (Computer Science & IT) Degrees from India.

Niall Maher is an entrepreneur, technologist, and educator with over 20 years’ experience working at the intersection of business, innovation, and information technology. He holds a Master’s Degree in Technology Management, Higher Diploma in Design and Innovation at UCD Innovation Academy, Advanced Certificate in Artificial Intelligence and holds several professional qualifications in project management and cyber security.  Professionally, Niall has led service and technology adoption projects in both the public and private sectors, including multinational organisations such as Intel and Microsoft. He is the founder of several technology-driven businesses where he specialises in innovation, cloud adoption, cyber security and high-performance systems. As a cybersecurity lecturer, Niall brings both academic knowledge and hands-on experience. His publish academic papers covers cloud security, identity and access management, compliance frameworks, and digital transformation strategies. He is passionate about making technical subjects accessible, using practical labs and real-world examples to bring learning to life. Beyond his professional work, Niall enjoys mentoring students and professionals alike, focusing on building confidence, skills, and an entrepreneurial mindset.

Nicola has been a Member of AGI since 2009.  She is well-known to television viewers for her appearance in the British, American and Irish versions of Who Do You Think You Are?, as well as Where were Your Ancestors During the Famine, The Genealogy Roadshow and The Great House Revival.  Having graduated with a history degree from Trinity College Dublin, she gravitated towards a career in research.  After several years conducting genealogical research she established her own business and applied for membership of AGI.  She lectures widely on genealogical topics and writes in various family history publications, including a regular Q&A section in Irish Roots magazine.  She also works on the AGI team in the Genealogy Advisory Service at the National Archives.

Senior Teacher

Paul has been successfully teaching ICT to students in various colleges and schools for many years. Prior to and during his time teaching he established his own Web and Graphic Design business, creating a large portfolio of clients.

Paul has a vast knowledge of business, being involved in the retail sector for many years, owning and running his own retail outlets in Dublin, this business experience includes the introduction of an international retailing brand, involving the opening of multiple retail outlets around Ireland.

Paul is a data analytics professional with qualifications in several areas, including education, and a Master’s Degree in Data Analytics.

He has worked across industries, with experience in startup, scale-up and enterprise environments, developing expertise in data analysis, business intelligence, and leadership.

Currently working on the data science team in Hertz, for the past two years, specialising in digital products.

He is passionate about developing data-driven solutions and sharing his knowledge to bridge the gap between theoretical insights and real-world applications.

Rebecca is a Practising Barrister at the Bar of Ireland and lectures in our ‘Introduction to Law’ module.

She was called to the Bar in 2020 and practises in the areas of Torts, Personal Injuries, Medical Negligence, Contract, Criminal, Asylum and Land Law. Rebecca holds an LL.B. (Ling. Franc) in Law and French Law from Trinity College Dublin, along with a Certificate in Bioethics from Harvard University.

She has also studied in the Université de Strasbourg and the Honourable Society of the King’s Inns.

Rebecca is a recipient of the Denham Fellowship and has taught in University College Dublin and the Technological University of Dublin before joining the team at City Colleges.

Assistant Director of Studies

Dr. Sana Zaki is a Lecturer in Industrial Electrical Systems with a strong blend of academic depth and hands-on industrial experience. She brings over 5.5 years of experience in electromechanical systems, covering industrial electrical installations, equipment integration, troubleshooting, and safe operating practices. Her industry-focused teaching is grounded in real-world applications of electrical systems used in modern manufacturing environments.

She holds a PhD with 4 years of research experience in electrochemistry, where she developed strong expertise in experimental design, data analysis, and advanced instrumentation. Advanced equipment such as electrocoating, PVD plasma, laser and electroforming processes were applied on industrial products of Minan Technologies in Dublin. This research background enhances her ability to connect fundamental electrical and electrochemical principles with applied industrial systems. Achievements include: 4 journal papers in reputable journals, 2 conference papers and awards for best presentation and paper writing.

In addition, Dr. Zaki has 1 year of experience as a Senior Design Engineer, working on equipment qualification and process validation in regulated manufacturing environments. Her work included the design and validation of end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), as well as the integration of laser systems and automated assembly solutions, ensuring compliance with quality and regulatory requirements.

Sana believes in active learning methods and tailor the classroom environment to suit for the students. Consistently developing the IES course over 2years in city colleges. Her 10years of industrial and research experience enables her to deliver industry-relevant education, preparing students with practical skills in industrial electrical systems, automation, validation, and troubleshooting aligned with modern industrial and GMP standards.”

Sandra has been a Member of AGI since 2015, having been an Affiliate from 2013. Previously she had worked in accountancy, having qualified as a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Having worked for over fifteen years in auditing and as a finance manager, she decided to turn to her true passion of genealogy and pursue it professionally. She successfully completed a diploma course in Family History / Genealogy and about the same time set up her own business. She is part of the AGI team that operates the Genealogy Advisory Service at the National Archives. Research on Church of Ireland families is one of her particular interests.

Sandy has been a Member of AGI since 2017, having been an Affiliate from 2014. Prior to working in ancestral research she was a journalist and features writer, covering particularly food, wine, travel and books. She also wrote three books and was a part-time lecturer. She had graduated from Trinity College Dublin with an Honours B.A. in History of Art and English, specialising in the eighteenth century Irish country house. Family history had always interested her and she began exploring her own ancestry. This resulted in tracing one line back to William the Conqueror. Having successfully completed a diploma course in Family History / Genealogy in 2012, she decided to work full-time in genealogy.

Sandy Seeber-Quayle brings over two decades of leadership experience from managing and developing insurance businesses, navigating complex technical landscapes, and fostering collaborative partnerships. With a proven track record at Apple, Aegon, and CNP Santander Insurance, she excels in steering stakeholders, mentoring teams, and achieving company goals.

Throughout her career, Sandy has trained and coached professionals in key skills from product knowledge, sales methodologies, effective communication and guiding individuals into management roles. She holds a degree in Insurance, a Diploma in Organisational Behaviour from the Irish Management Institute, and certifications in Train the Trainer and Executive Coaching. Specializing in teaching organisational behaviour, Sandy actively promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication.

Sid is a Certified Ethical Hacker with 19 certifications in cybersecurity and over 7 years of experience in the field. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and a Master’s in Cybersecurity.

Sid was involved in a highly successful cybersecurity startup and currently leads key government cybersecurity projects in Ireland in Arup as a Cybersecurity Consultant, where he provides strategic solutions and ensures robust security frameworks for their clients.

Fun fact: Sid is also a social media influencer, where he shares his insights on studying and working in Ireland through podcasts and personal experiences, helping students navigate the education and job sectors.

With a strong background in management and leadership in the tech sector, Sinead Crawley teaches International Marketing for the Bachelor in Business.

Her extensive experience with companies like IBM, along with her training in neuroscience-based coaching, allows her to guide students in building high-performing teams with a global mindset.

Senior Teacher

Tom’s background combines creative innovation with strategic programme development. Graduating with 1st class honours in Communications and Creative Media, Tom has developed strong technical skills in ICT, including proficiency in Microsoft and Adobe suites. His experience spans teaching, social art, and educational outreach, enabling him to design commercially relevant, industry-focused curricula that meet the evolving needs of learners.

Tom holds a Master’s degree in Social Art Practice & Further Education and is currently pursuing a second Master’s in Programme Development. This academic journey highlights his commitment to advancing both his creative and strategic expertise. His work focuses on designing courses that integrate creativity, technological practice, and real-world impact.

With his background in social arts, Tom crafts educational programmes that respond to societal needs while equipping learners with practical skills. His current studies further enhance his ability to develop innovative, adaptable curricula that align with both educational and commercial demands.

Tom’s research into societal trends and disengaged learners ensures that his programmes remain responsive and adaptable to market demands. By incorporating Universal Design Learning (UDL) and Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL), he empowers students with the technical and analytical skills necessary to thrive in fast-changing environments. His teaching emphasizes flexibility, adaptability, and innovation.

Through professional development and mentoring, Tom has strengthened his management, communication, and organizational skills, ensuring his approach meets commercial standards while preparing students for real-world applications in digital and creative industries.

Vincent currently works as the Head of Performance in Bank of Ireland were he leads a team of analysts to drive insights in the banks insurance arm. Vincent has a masters in Computer Science from University College Dublin were he graduated with first class and a bachelors from Trinity College Dublin in Information Systems were he also graduated with First Class honors. Vincent has worked as a lecturer for the last 4 years delivering a range of modules in various colleges and universities in Dublin.

With over six years of industry experience, Vivek Singh Gusain has worked extensively in Vulnerability Management, Penetration Testing, and Security Operations. He has played a key role in securing enterprise infrastructures, implementing risk mitigation strategies, and mentoring professionals in the cybersecurity domain.

Holding a Master’s degree in Cyber Security from the National College of Ireland, along with certifications such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), he combines academic knowledge with hands-on expertise. His experience spans multinational organizations, where he led security initiatives, optimized vulnerability management frameworks, and conducted large-scale security assessments.

Passionate about cybersecurity education, he now shares his expertise as a lecturer at City Colleges, bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and practical industry applications. His focus is on empowering students with the skills and critical thinking required to navigate the evolving cybersecurity landscape.