Department of Education and Youth and the Teaching Council launch landmark research study on teaching in Ireland

Teachers’ Professional Journeys: The First Decade is a groundbreaking longitudinal research study that is being launched today (3 December 2025).

The study has been jointly commissioned by the Department of Education and Youth and the Teaching Council and was jointly announced in April 2024. Since then, literature review, and research design stages have been completed.

The study is being officially launched today, in advance of the data collection stage which is

due to commence shortly.

This first-of-its-kind research study on teaching in Ireland will explore teachers’ early career experiences as they complete initial teacher education and become established in the profession.

Running to 2030 at an overall cost of €2.8 million (incl. VAT), this is a very significant study which will inform and shape policy in a range of areas including initial teacher education, induction into the profession and early professional development.

The research will be conducted by a consortium comprising the University of Limerick (UL), the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and Mary Immaculate College (MIC), under the leadership of Professor Paul Conway from University of Limerick, Professor Emer Smyth from the ESRI and Professor Aisling Leavy from Mary Immaculate College.

It will encompass all primary, post-primary and further education teacher graduates from the classes of 2019, 2022 and 2026, as well as other key stakeholders. The 2019 and 2022 cohorts, i.e. all initial teacher education graduates from primary, post-primary and further education and training programmes, can expect to be contacted initially in January via email and text. The survey will remain open until the end of February.

Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton said:

“This study is a vital piece of research that will provide both the Department and the Teaching Council with invaluable data directly from teachers and other education stakeholders. It will help us to understand the unique challenges faced by teachers in the early stages of their career and to shape policy on teacher education into the future.

"I would encourage as many relevant teachers and education stakeholders as possible to participate in this study to help us ensure that all teachers have the best possible start to their careers.”

The Chairperson of the Teaching Council, Eamon Dennehy, said:

“Teaching is at the heart of our society, shaping futures and inspiring lifelong learning. This landmark study reflects the strength of collaboration between the Department, the Teaching Council, and the wider education community. As a Council, we are deeply committed to promoting teaching as a valued and trusted profession, and this research will help us better understand and support teachers throughout their careers. I look forward to seeing the insights from this study inform policy and practice for the benefit of teachers, learners, and society as a whole”.

Acting Director of the Teaching Council, Phil Fox, said:

"As the regulator of the teaching profession, the Teaching Council plays a vital role in promoting and regulating professional standards in teaching. Our work is informed by evidence, and the Teachers’ Professional Journeys study will provide invaluable insights into the lived experiences of teachers during their first decade in the profession. These findings will help us shape policies that inform initial teacher education, induction, and ongoing professional learning. In doing so, we will continue to promote teaching as a trusted and respected profession.”

The research leads for the study Professors Paul Conway, Emer Smyth and Aisling Leavy said that:

“The Teachers’ Professional Journeys (TPJ) longitudinal study will provide a valuable opportunity to understand the learning and development of teachers during their first decade in the profession. Central to realising this potential will be the contributions of teachers and other stakeholders in enhancing our understanding of their experiences of teaching and teacher education. The study invites and encourages all primary, post-primary and FET initial teacher education graduates from the 2019, 2022 and 2026 cohorts to ensure their views and experiences are comprehensively reflected in the study findings. Crucially, TPJ is a unique opportunity for participating teachers to shape policies in teaching and teacher education as a vital stepping stone underpinning quality education."