25 November 2025     Update on our Third Online Research Meet

The 3rd Research-Meet for the Research in Irish Lifelong Guidance Group was held on Monday 24th November with a wonderful presentation from Emma Lennox, a Careers Consultant in  Queen’s University Belfast, working mainly with the school of Arts, English and Languages, and with international students.   

Emma shared her current research project, a Photovoice project for creative Arts, English and Language students in Queens.  The research involves collaborating with final year students to understand their nine employability capitals, (from the Employability Capital Growth (ECG) model), as they transition from university to the workplace. 

This Research-Meet provided an opportunity to safely share  thoughts and ideas about the project and to seek questions, suggestions and critical-friend-critique,  if warranted, from like-minded guidance professionals  in the group.

Thanks to Emma for her engaging presentation and to all who took part in the really fruitful discussion.

It is great to hear about the many opportunities for research informed practice and developments across all guidance sectors. 

We look forward to our next Research-Meet in 2026!

24 November 2025     Third Online Research Meet

We look forward to welcoming you all to the next Online Research-Meet for our Research in Lifelong Guidance Group.

We are thrilled to introduce Emma Lennox who will present to the group on her current research. 

Emma is a Careers Consultant at Queen’s University Belfast working mainly with the school of Arts, English and Languages, and with international students. Her research interest areas include career management and development, student achievement and perceptions of employability, creative industries, sustainable non-linear careers, Systems Theory Framework and practitioner wellbeing. She will be sharing her current Work-In-Progress - collaborating with final year creative students to understand their nine employability capitals as they transition from university to the workplace, through the methodology of photovoice. Students have been trained in the process, given their questions, and now the images and narratives are starting to form the data. Emma has told us that Advice and Critique would be welcomed from all attendees at the Research-Meet!

Please see the Teams link below to our meeting from 3pm-4pm on Monday 24th November.  

We will open the call at 2.45pm if anyone needs to check their connections and grab your coffee!  

________________________________________________________________________________

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 938 117 387 353 4

Passcode: dn6rz7

22 March 2025     RiLG Workshop, IGC Conference, Mullingar Park Hotel

Following the success of our initial workshop at last year's IGC Conference in Tralee, the RiLG group was delighted to have been invited back to this year's IGC Conference which was held in the Mullingar Park Hotel on Saturday 22 March 2025. Members of the RiLG delivered two workshops on some of the challenges facing researchers in different settings. There was excellent engagement from participants and many practical solutions and nuggets of advice for researchers and would-be researchers were shared. 

L to R: Dr. Eimear McDonnell;   Dr. Petra Elftorp;   Dr. Liam Harkin;    Aisling Fleming-Murray;    Dr. Jennifer McKenzie.

The title of the workshop was GUIDING EVERY JOURNEY THROUGH RESEARCH - Building evidence-based practice in guidance counselling, improving quality, inclusivity and advocating for your practice.

• This workshop offered a practical approach for guidance counsellors to enhance their practice by identifying the needs of students/clients and external stakeholder groups (e.g. parents, employers, community organisations).

• Participants learnt methods for conducting needs analyses using surveys, focus groups, informal feedback, and guidance counsellor reflections. 

• The workshop also highlighted the application of Universal Design principles to help ensure that guidance services and information are accessible and inclusive for all.

• Participants were given  practical tools (e.g. customisable templates) to begin assessing their communities' needs and incorporating these perspectives into inclusive guidance planning. 

• A Google Slides version of the workshop slides is available here -  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1vFeXhzBrwCwPJFUJdUwPmb2WPulhFBY9/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=105404195595858860796&rtpof=true&sd=true

• The workshop handout on Universal Design is available here as a Google  Doc - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1egPpgahWyLg87sAwR85E1FCJ-q05w7yIULxsZXC_mXc/edit?usp=sharing

• Below are some photos from the morning workshop, courtesy of Mark Reddy of Trinity Studios.

21 March 2025     Research Poster Presentation at the IGC Conference

Three of the RiLG members, who are not affiliated with any of the university guidance courses - Dr. Eimear McDonnell,  Dr. Liam Harkin and Dr. Jennifer McKenzie were asked to act as adjudicators for this year's Research Poster Presentation at the IGC Conference on Friday evening 21 March 2025. 

The presentation of research posters by researchers and students encapsulated the conference theme “Guiding Every Journey: Empowering Futures from the Heart of Ireland” with their diverse and visually stunning work (see link to photos/posters below). 

The three adjudicators wish to thank all researchers and postgraduate students for their unique contributions. This annual event continues to play a vital role in supporting and celebrating research within the field of guidance.

Congratulations to Joan McSweeney, who received the IGC sponsored €150 One4all voucher! Joan’s research as part of her M.Ed. in Adult Guidance Counselling at Maynooth University entitled “Reauthoring my career narrative towards hope and agency. A narrative inquiry self-study into how to sustain myself in adult guidance counselling practice” was a reflection on her experience working as a guidance counsellor in adult education settings for over twenty years. It sought to investigate the cumulative impact of adapting to organisational restructuring, national guidance policy and macro events - such as the war in Ukraine, other migrant cohorts, and increased caseloads- on her professional identity and wellbeing.

The IGC has provided a link on its website to all the research posters: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1c24zHY_ZrV5-WNVWCbrEkvD4x-TZAaE1

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

25 February  2025     'Sharing Our Research Journeys', the second RiLG 'Research-Meet' Community of Practice

The second Research-Meet Community of Practice,  'Sharing Our Research Journeys' will be held online on Tuesday 25th  February  from 3pm - 4pm, please register below to receive the link.  Even if you previously registered for the first Research-Meet, you still need to register again for this one.  

You can register by scanning the QR code below or clicking this link  Second RiLG Research Meet   

We look forward to meeting you online then !

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

October  2024     Update on RiLG 'Research-Meet' Community of Practice

Gentle Reminder - if you are interested in attending our first Research -Meet Community of Practice,  to be held on this coming Tuesday 15th October from 3pm - 4pm, please register below to receive the link!

We look forward to meeting you online then !

You can register by clicking this link  RiLG Research Meet   

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

September 2024     RiLG 'Research-Meet' Community of Practice

Following the IGC conference workshops hosted by the RiLG group on Research in Irish Lifelong Guidance, the RiLG group now plans to establish a new 'Research-Meet' Community of Practice in October. It is hoped that this will comprise a series of regular online sessions hosted via Zoom to support those engaged in, or considering conducting research in the area of guidance. 

Are you  thinking about research in guidance but don’t know where to start?

Are you curious to explore your  guidance practice from a research perspective?

Are you currently engaged in research that you want to share or would like to gain support with?

Then join our “ Research-Meet”  on Tuesday 15th October from 3pm-4pm online.

You can register to attend by clicking this link  RiLG Research Meet    

Please note that places are limited.  

If unable to attend on this date, you can register your email on the above link and you will be added to our mailing list for future engagement. 

A Zoom link will be sent to all  those registered in due course. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

May  2024     Launch of the IGC Strategic Plan

Four of the RiLG members attended the launch of the Strategic Plan (2024 - 2027) of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC) in Portlaoise on 18th May. It was  an excellent opportunity to network with many guidance colleagues from across the lifespan. 

From left to right:  Aisling Fleming-Murray, Dublin City University;  Dr. Liam Harkin, Guidance Counsellor in private practice / IGC National Executive; Dr. Petra Elftorp, University of Limerick; Dr. Eimear McDonnell, Guidance Counsellor and IGC researcher.  

Absent from the photograph is Dr. Jennifer McKenzie, CareersNet Expert (Ireland) Cedefop  (RiLG Chair).  Photo: Mark Reddy, Trinity Studios.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

April 2024     ESAI Annual Conference

In April 2024, two of the RiLG members Dr. Petra Elftorp and Dr. Jennifer McKenzie attended the ESAI Annual Conference in Maynooth University  from 4 - 6 April where the theme was Education for more just societies: the roles of imagination, innovation, and collaboration. They were delighted to be asked to participate in a Special Interest Group (SIG) presentation. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

December 2023     Progress Report Submission to ESAI Executive Committee

In December 2023, the Research In Irish Lifelong Guidance Group submitted a progress report on our Honorary Special Interest Group to the ESAI  - the Educational Studies Association of Ireland. The details are provided below:

Progress Report

Submission to ESAI Executive Committee

December 20th 2023

Nurturing a Culture of Research in Lifelong Guidance: RiLG-SIG’s Inspiring Journey (December 2023)

Guidance counsellors play a pivotal role in shaping the educational, personal/social and career trajectories of individuals, and a group of passionate professionals have embarked on a mission to elevate the field through research. The ‘Research in Irish Lifelong Guidance’ Honorary Special Interest Group (RiLG-SIG) is a dynamic group of guidance counsellors dedicated to promoting research and evidence-based practices in the field of lifelong guidance.

The RiLG-SIG’s journey is about creating a reciprocal relationship between research and practice. By empowering guidance counsellors to be both consumers and producers of research, the RiLG-SIG aims to enhance the quality and effectiveness of guidance services.

Active Advocacy: Consultation Process with the Department of Education (February 2023)

The RiLG-SIG actively engaged in the consultation process with the Department of Education on the National Framework for Lifelong Guidance in February 2023. By participating in this crucial process, the group played a key role in shaping the national agenda for lifelong guidance, ensuring that research and evidence-based practices are integral components of the framework.

Honorary Recognition: Education Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI) (February 2023)

In a testament to their dedication, the RiLG-SIG has been awarded honorary status by the Education Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI). This recognition acknowledges the group’s commitment to advancing research in the field of lifelong guidance.

An honorary SIG carries certain expectations to ensure continued engagement and contribution to the community, including the submission of a short report to the ESAI Executive Committee at the end of each year to be published on the ESAI website, providing a snapshot of the SIG’s activities and accomplishments. The RiLG-SIG is tasked with ensuring that the SIG is effectively represented at the ESAI conference and, where possible, in the IES Journal.

Ongoing Initiatives: preparation for delivery of workshop at the Institute of Guidance Counsellors Annual Conference (March 2024)

One of the standout initiatives of the RiLG-SIG is its involvement in the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC) Annual Conference. The group has submitted and been accepted to facilitate an engaging workshop entitled ‘Supporting Lifelong Guidance Practitioners to Engage in Research and Evidence-Based Practice’ at the upcoming conference entitled ‘Sustaining Guidance into the Future’ at Munster Technological 

University (MTU), scheduled for March 2024.

The workshop will explore ways lifelong guidance practitioners can integrate research into their practices. The RiLG-SIG envisions a more research-informed guidance community by encouraging practitioners to become active researcher-practitioners. The workshop will also address the challenges of keeping up-todate with research developments within the constraints of a busy work environment. Discussions will include practical methodologies, definitions of evidence-based practice in the context of guidance, and the prospect of research as a viable career path. 

This focus would support the goal within the IGC policy paper, ‘Towards the professional recognition of guidance counselling in Ireland’, to “provide guidance counsellors with the opportunity to engage with research, to contribute to the evidence base which informs developing practice” (IGC 2023, p.17). Furthermore, research evidence and research skills are both essential aspects of the professionalisation of guidance. As per the IGC Core Competency and Professional Practice framework, guidance practitioners should have “knowledge of research underlying effective practice” and should also keep “up-to-date with the latest research findings” (IGC 2016, p.18 and 44). 

Other Planned Activities (2024-2025)

● Looking ahead to 2024-2025, members of the RiLG-SIG are excited to highlight progress and outline plans during the special showcase SIG slot at the ESAI Annual Conference 2024, an important event for the educational research community in Ireland and beyond. This presentation offers a valuable opportunity to highlight progress, share insights into the SIG’s trajectory, and engage with other SIGs. The conference is scheduled at Maynooth University from Thursday, April 4th to Saturday, April 6th, focusing on the theme 'Education for more just societies: the roles of imagination, innovation, and collaboration.'

● The RiLG-SIG is gearing up for a series of online and face-to-face networking events. These gatherings aim to bring together researchers in the guidance field, providing a platform for both early career and experienced researchers to share their insights, best practices, and the latest developments in lifelong guidance. Central to these events is the commitment to fostering collaboration and idea exchange.

● Recognising the global nature of research, the RiLG-SIG plans to invite an international expert in the field to share their experiences and perspectives, enriching the group’s understanding and broadening its horizons.