Susan Kennedy Killian PhD

Contact

Rannóg

Department of Inclusion, RE and Student Life

Role

Lecturer in Education with Expertise in Inclusive Education and Special Educational Needs

Qualifications

PhD in Education (Trinity College Dublin)

Master in Education (Trinity College Dublin)

Higher Diploma in Education (Trinity College Dublin)

Bachelor of Arts (Hons) English and Drama (Trinity College Dublin)

Teaching

Publications and other outputs

Books

O’Sullivan, C. with contributions from Conroy, L., MacNulty, U., Kennedy-Killian, S. & Clotworthy, E. (forthcoming). Exploring ‘Social Drama’ with children with Asperger syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. David Fulton.

O’Sullivan, C. with contributions from Conroy, L., MacNulty, U., Kennedy-Killian, S. & Clotworthy, E. (forthcoming). Exploring ‘Social Drama’ with young people with Asperger syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. David Fulton.

Journal Articles

Kennedy-Killian, S. (in preparation). “Different together” Is inclusive education always right for learners on the autism spectrum or can they ever be “Different together”? Opinions on the autism specific setting of Social Drama sessions for children and young people on the autism spectrum. Trinity Papers.

Thesis

Kennedy-Killian, S. (2019).  Mapping the journey – Supporting transition from preschool to primary school for children on the autism spectrum in Ireland. A mixed methods exploratory study. [Doctoral Dissertation, Trinity College Dublin]. Tara Repository. http://www.tara.tcd.ie/handle/2262/86842

Professional Journal Articles

Kennedy-Killian, S. (2015). Detectives. A detective drama for learners with special educational needs. InTouch Teachers’ Magazine, January/February 2015, 62-63.

Kennedy-Killian, S. (2000). Teaching language through storytelling using Irish myths and legends. Folio Journal of the Material Development Association MATSDA, 6(1), 19-20.

Conference Contributions

Kennedy-Killian, S. (2019). A focus on clinical findings from the study: Mapping the journey. Supporting transition from preschool to primary school for children on the autism spectrum in Ireland. Dublin North Psychology Research Group Twilight Conference, May 2019. Invited presentation.

Kennedy-Killian, S. & O’Sullivan, C. (2019). “Different together” Opinions of participants and stakeholders on Drama in Education for children and young people on the autism spectrum. David Davis Conference: Who am I? Who can tell me who I am? Exploring the importance of the social and political in children and young people’s theatre and drama. Trinity College Dublin and the Association for Drama in Education in Ireland, March 2019. Poster presentation.

O’Sullivan, C. & Kennedy-Killian, S. (2015). Is inclusive education always right for learners on the autism spectrum? An exploratory study using ‘Social Drama’. 8th International Drama in Education Research Institute (IDIERI), Singapore, July 2015. Conference paper.

Kennedy-Killian, S. & O’Sullivan, C. (2015). “Different together” Opinions of participants and stakeholders on Drama in Education for children and young people on the autism spectrum. 40th Annual Conference Educational Studies Association (ESAI) on Educational Research and Transition: Looking to the Future, April 2015. Poster presentation.

Kennedy-Killian, S. & Clotworthy, E. (2015). Drama for learners with special educational needs. Association for Drama in Education in Ireland (ADEI), Trinity College Dublin, February 2015. Invited workshop.

Kennedy-Killian, S. & O’Sullivan, C. (2014). Drama for enhancing self-esteem, self-concept, and social skills for learners with special educational needs. 26th Annual International Conference of the Irish Association of Special Education Teachers (IATSE) Conference 2014, All Hallows Conference Centre, Dublin, June 2014. Conference paper.

Kennedy-Killian, S. & O’Sullivan, C. (2013). “Different together” Opinions of participants and stakeholders on Drama in Education for children and young people on the autism spectrum. Challenging DSM-5 Conference, Trinity College Dublin, November 2013. Poster presentation.

Kennedy-Killian, S. & O’Sullivan, C. (2012). Developing a drama in education programme specifically tailored to enhance self-esteem, self-concept, and social skills for learners with special educational needs. 7th International Drama in Education Research Institute (IDIERI), Limerick, July 2012. Conference paper.

Kennedy, S. (1999). Teaching English through storytelling. Materials Development Association (MATSDA) Conference, Dublin 1999. Conference paper.

Research/Professional Interests

Inclusive and Special Education, Autism, Transitions in Education, Autism and Transitions, Drama and Inclusive and Special Education, Sociodramatic Play, Special Educational Needs and Self Esteem.

Professional Activities

Kennedy-Killian, S. (2023). Autism in early childhood. Partnership for Learning (Dublin City University). Continuing Professional Development. Invited presentation.

Kennedy-Killian, S. (2019). Autism in early childhood. Settling in and getting to know children and their families. Early Childhood Education: Continuing Professional Development (Dublin City University). Invited presentation. 

Awards

Awarded Middletown Scholarship for Doctoral Study at the School of Education, Trinity College Dublin. 

Membership

• Member of ESAI Inclusive Education SIG.
• Associate Member of the Psychological Society of Ireland.
• Member of the Teaching Council of Ireland.
• Member of Early Childhood Ireland.
• Visiting Research Associate Trinity College Dublin.
• Member of the Arts Education Research Group Trinity College Dublin.
• Secretary of ADEI (Association of Drama Education Ireland) 2013-2016.