Teachers’ Research Exchange (T-REX)
About T-REX
T-REX is a non-profit online community that was established to facilitate and support inter-disciplinary collaboration across numerous professional boundaries in Ireland. Members of the community vary in their experience of educational research – some are research curious, others are actively engaged in or leading on research projects.
All are welcome.
Through , members can share ideas, resources and examples of best practice. T-REX encourages and celebrates the sharing of research work undertaken by teachers - such as reflections on practice, action research, school self-evaluation or formal research projects. Students and teachers from early years to higher education are invited to join connect with like-minded professionals and advance their knowledge and research skills.
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- Connect beyond your classroom/educational settings - Build relationships with teachers and researchers across the island. Find colleagues and academics investigating the very challenges you face in your school, classroom or educational setting. Tell them the questions you want answered and collaborate to find solutions together. Unlike social media or general teacher forums, T-REX links you directly to active research projects and academic researchers, ensuring your concerns can influence real studies.
- Find your people and start your own SIG - Join Special Interest Groups (SIGs) on leadership, wellbeing, early childhood education, inclusion, reflective practice, AI and more. Or set up your own and we can help you promote it. T-REX SIGs are searchable and discoverable by topic, making it simple to connect with teachers and researchers across Ireland who share your interests. On T-REX you can focus on meaningful professional discussions without the noise or privacy concerns of social media platforms. With shared calendars, document repositories, and threaded discussion forums, T-REX SIGs provide structured spaces for planning, sharing, and documenting collaborative projects far beyond what simple chat apps can offer.
Learn
- Professional learning that counts - Gain recognition with our Digital Badge courses and apply research-informed strategies that address the issues that directly affect you in your educational settings.
(1) Using evidence to support wellbeing in educational settings
(2) Using Evidence to Address Educational Disadvantage
- Build your own research skills - Use Digital Badges, Research Stories, Short Courses, and practical resources to access, interpret, and carry out your own research. T-REX learning resources equip you to be a research partner, not just a consumer.
- Stay Current - Learn through T-REX Focus Weeks and Webinars on the big issues facing educators today.
Share
- Access Relevant Research - T-REX doesn't lock research behind paywalls and encourages researchers to share research that is readable during a five-minute lunch break. Our ever-growing T-REX Library, including our E-poster Bytes, allow you to explore research findings from Irish classrooms, schools and educational settings created by academic researchers, teachers and student teachers.
- Share your own learning - Publish your own work and findings in the T-REX Library or through T-REX Bytes and help evidence travel from classrooms to colleagues. Whether it’s an undergraduate dissertation, M.Ed or PhD thesis, or work from School Self-Evaluation or Professional Learning/Inquiry, your insights can benefit other teachers and researchers. Few other platforms encourage teachers to publish and celebrate their research work. Every extra person who reads your work multiplies the value of it.
Shape the Research Agenda - Share your questions, your insights, your frustrations from the classroom/educational setting with education researchers. TREX recognises teachers as research partners, not just participants or research consumers. By engaging and sharing your voice, you help shape the evidence that can make a real difference in classrooms and educational settings across Ireland.
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- Get help with your projects - Connect with teachers and fellow student teachers across Ireland who can give insight into real classroom challenges. Planning your dissertation, classroom enquiry, or other research project? Ask questions, get feedback, and avoid wasting hours on dead-end ideas.
- Engage in SIGs without the distractions - Join or start a Special Interest Group on wellbeing, inclusion, leadership, AI, or any other topic that fits your research. TREX keeps it tidy with shared calendars, document repositories, and threaded discussions — none of the WhatsApp chaos or Facebook noise.
- Build your professional profile early - See what Irish education researchers are sharing, see what other teachers and student teachers are doing in terms of research, and share your own work. It’s a low-pressure way to start being taken seriously in the education community while still at college.
Learn
- Access free practical research resources - Use T-REX resources, short courses, and Research Stories to guide you through every stage of your project: refining your research question, conducting a literature review, designing classroom inquiries, and sharing findings.
- Stay up to date without getting overwhelmed - Join in with T-REX Focus Weeks or webinars to see what’s happening in Irish classrooms and in the Irish education research space. You’ll pick up ideas for your assignments and learn what’s topical without trawling endless social media feeds.
- Shape your understanding of teaching - By engaging in discussions with teachers and researchers, you’ll start to see how research applies in classrooms, giving you a head start on thinking like a professional educator.
Share
- Show off your work - Publish your research, assignments, or inquiry projects in the T-REX Library or via E-poster Bytes. You’ll get your work in front of a professional audience and maybe even get useful feedback.
- Access Relevant Research - T-REX doesn't lock research behind paywalls and encourages researchers to share research that is readable during a five-minute break. Our ever-growing T-REX Library, including our E-poster Bytes, allow you to explore research findings from Irish classrooms and schools created by academic researchers, teachers and some student teachers.
Link
- Connect with researchers and teachers North and South of Ireland. Build relationships with teachers and fellow researchers working on topics relevant to your field. Share your research questions and find teachers and schools or educational settings interested in collaborating on studies that have real-world impact. By connecting with educators through T-REX, you ensure that your work is informed by classroom realities and that findings are more likely to be applied, shared, and have a genuine impact in schools and educational settings across Ireland.
- Recruit research participants and partners - T-REX provides a trusted, professional space to identify potential participants and collaborators for classroom-based or school-level research. Unlike social media or general online forums, you can engage a relevant, professionally moderated community and target teachers interested in the same research areas as you thus allowing for more collaborative, participatory research that can bring benefits to teachers who are so generous with their precious time in participating in research.
- Find or create Special Interest Groups (SIGs) - Join existing SIGs focused on topics like wellbeing, inclusion, leadership, AI, or education policy, or set up your own. SIGs on T-REX are searchable, have moderation tools, and come with collaborative tools such as shared calendars, document repositories, and threaded discussion forums, all designed to facilitate research collaboration efficiently and safely.
Learn
- Enhance teaching and learning by connecting theory and practice - Use T-REX as a teaching tool by connecting your students with practicing teachers and educational settings. Encourage students to apply theory to practice by exploring real classroom challenges, conducting mini-studies, or contributing to ongoing teacher-led research.
- Use T-REX Teaching Resources – Draw on Research Stories, Short Courses, and other T-REX materials to build student research literacy and enrich your modules.
- Support student research outputs - Give students a pathway to share their work publicly through the T-REX Library or E-poster Bytes. Showcase dissertations, inquiry projects, or reflective practice reports to a professional teaching audience, helping students gain recognition while bridging the gap between academia and educational settings.
Share
- Make your research accessible - Publish findings in the T-REX Library or via Eposter Bytes to reach teachers and other researchers without paywalls or access barriers. Your work can directly inform classroom practice, school development, and policy.
- Showcase and Promote your Research – When you share your research on TREX, the team will promote it across social media and will provide opportunities to speak directly to teachers for whom your research may be relevant, through online discussions, T-REX webinars or SIGs.
- Get Feedback on your Research - Receive questions, insights, and feedback from the teaching community. These exchanges help you refine research priorities, align your studies with educational needs, and contribute to evidence that genuinely makes a difference in classrooms across Ireland
Project Partner Members
91Ƭ
- Dr Marek McGann (Founder)
- Marie Ryan (Founder)
- Leo Mc Kenna
- Dr Karen Orr
- David Ryan
University of Limerick
- (Founder)
University of Galway
(Founder)
DCU Institute of Education
Marino Institue of Education
Oide
Dr Anna Mai Rooney
Education Support Centres of Ireland
Norma O’Brien
Networks and T-REX Funders
T-REX is a non-profit organisation. It is funded through public bodies; partner HEIs (91Ƭ, University of Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, University of Galway, Dublin City University), the Teaching Council, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and the Department of Education. There is no charge to become a member.
Join the community at .
T-REX is a non-profit organisation and is funded through public bodies;
- Shared Island Initiative, Department of An Taoiseach
- The National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching (2016 – 2020)
- The Teaching Council (2018 – 2020; 2024 – 2026)
- National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (2018 – 2020; 2024 – 2026)
- The Department of Education (2024 – 2026)
- Partner HEI Annual Subscriptions (91Ƭ, University of Limerick, University of Galway, Marino Institute of Education, Dublin City University).
T‑REX Inaugural Conference:
T‑REX Inaugural Conference: Shared Learning, Shared Island – Linking Evidence, Policy and Teaching Practice
T-REX, in collaboration with the Fíorú Network, are excited to host the on the 27 April 2026, from 10:00–5:00賾 at the Monaghan Peace Campus.
This special event brings together teachers, school leaders, researchers, and policymakers from across the island to explore reflective, evidence‑informed practice. The day will feature panel discussions and interactive workshops on topics such as educational disadvantage, wellbeing, leadership. Giving educators researchers and policy makers an opportunity to Link, Learn and Share with one another.
You’ll hear from speakers including:
Prof Paul Downes (DCU – Educational Disadvantage Centre)
Dr Susan Morgan (Ulster University – Taking Boys Seriously)
Clare Evans (Principal, St Teresa’s Nursery School, Belfast)
մdzá&Բ;’Rܲ (Department of Education & Youth, RoI)
Angela Kane (Department of Education, NI)
Sophia McConnon (Holy Child Killiney School, Dublin)
Attendance is free, but places are limited.
Registration: You can register to attend by following the below links:
If you are a teacher/ school leader, you can
If you are a non-school based professional, you can
T-REX (The Teacher’s Research Exchange) is an organisation focused on connecting education professionals to support reflective, evidence-informed practice. Stay tuned — our new platform is coming soon!
91Ƭ Graduates: Invitation to Join T-REX
As an 91Ƭ graduate, you’re part of a community dedicated to educational excellence and growth. Now, we invite you to take the next step in your professional journey by joining the Teachers’ Research Exchange (T-REX).
What is T-REX?
T-REX is an online, non-profit community of practice created to connect higher education researchers, students and teachers across Ireland interested in evidence-informed practice and research impact. Members vary in their experience of educational research – some are research curious, others are actively engaged in or leading on research projects. All are welcome!
Why Should You Join?
Our suite of Short Asynchronous Courses provide accessible resources to introduce key concepts or methods, serving as an entry point for those just getting started. These progress to support deeper study or act as a complement to existing knowledge. T-REX Digital Badges, earned through structured courses, recognise educators' expertise in teaching and wellbeing, highlighting their commitment to professional growth. A digital badge signifies the achievement of specific skills or knowledge, validating an educator's particular expertise.
The Special Interest Groups are collaborative communities where members engage in discussions and share research on specific topics to foster professional learning for all. Activities within SIGs may include online forums, research colloquiums and virtual events.
T-REX Bytes are concise, practical summaries of education research. Members can choose from various templates to publish their work—such as Research Review, Reflection on Practice, Research Project, or One Paper Study. Published Bytes are accessible to all T-REX members.
At the heart of T-REX is the Treasure Chest, a dynamic hub where students, teachers and other educational professionals can upload and share their research e.g. UGD, M. Ed and PhD theses, book chapters, journal articles etc. This exclusive repository is a valuable source of research conducted by Irish researchers.
Share your Research with T-Rex
T-REX celebrates research sharing. We encourage you to upload your research, whether it’s reflections on your practice, action research, or formal projects. By sharing your work, inform your professional peers, spread your knowledge, and contribute to the wider educational conversation.
T-REX celebrates research sharing. We encourage you to upload your research, whether it’s reflections on your practice, action research, or formal projects. By sharing your work, inform your professional peers, spread your knowledge, and contribute to the wider educational conversation.
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Join T-REX Today!
Joining T-REX is easy - simply visit to register. Once you’re a member, you can begin collaborating, sharing and learning from the community of members. Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or just getting started, T-REX offers a platform to help you grow. Queries can be directed to
T-REX Digital Badge: Using Evidence for Wellbeing in Educational Settings
What is this Digital Badge and what does it aim to achieve?
This is a free professional development course focuses on middle leadership in educational settings, helping assistant principals, middle leaders, and aspiring leaders strengthen instructional leadership and build leadership capacity. The aim is to use evidence to plan for research, design action plans, and improve teaching and learning.
The Digital Badge programmes at T-REX were developed in collaboration with working educators, the Teaching Council, and the NCCA.
Who is this course for?
Educators across all sectors Early Years, Primary, Post-primary, Further Education, Higher Education, and Support Services in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. (No approval from your educational setting is required.)
Who is running the course?
The course is run by T-REX (the Teachers’ Research Exchange), a project supported by the Department of Education & Youth, the Teaching Council, NCCA. The programme was developed in collaboration with practising teachers, and is facilitated in partnership with the Education Support Centres of Ireland.
How is the course delivered?
- Format: 4 self-directed online modules + 3 live webinars (recorded for flexibility)
- Discussions with peer learners: 4 meetings (online, hybrid, or face-to-face)
- Tutor Support: Available via email and scheduled online sessions
What is the time commitment and cost?
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Time: Approx. 2.5 hours per week
- Cost: FREE
What assessment/coursework is required: Development of an Action Plan
There is no formal assessment or coursework involved in this course. The aim is to sharpen your skills for research and evaluating evidence, and is “light touch” - with a focus on process as much as product.
In order to complete the course, you are required to engage with content and activity each week, as well as engage fully with your peer group, which is required to meet (online or in-person) a minimum of three times over the course of the eight weeks. Peer groups are formed based on location, setting, and meeting preferences. Each member confirms participation at the end, which is essential for badge certification.
Participants complete an Action Plan which is a brief, clearly structured, practice-focused document supported by course materials and peer dialogue. The action plan is specific to you, and practical changes in your own professional setting.
Your peer group will verify your commitment to the course and your completion/undertaking of all necessary course elements. Upon receipt of this confirmation, you will be awarded the Digital Badge.
What will I learn / What does the course cover?
This course focuses on wellbeing in educational settings and aims to help you:
- Understand wellbeing and its importance in education
- Identify and apply research-based strategies to enhance wellbeing
- Analyse current wellbeing initiatives in your own context
- Explore and critique research evidence to inform decision-making
- Develop an evidence-informed Action Plan tailored to your setting
- Use research to guide future practices for promoting wellbeing
Live Webinar Schedule
- Week 1: Welcome & Introduction to Wellbeing – Monday, 3 Febuary, 2026 (19:00–20:00)
- Week 5: Expert Evening – Monday, 9 March, 2026 (19:00–20:00)
- Week 6: Drop in session – Monday, 16 March, 2026 (19:00–20:00)
- Week 7: Drop in session – Monday, 23 March, 2026 (19:00–20:00)
- Week 8: Final Session & Action Plan Support – Monday, 30 March, 2026 (19:00–20:00) (All sessions recorded for flexibility.)
When does the next course start and how do I sign up?
The next cohort of the Digital Badge will start on the 3 Febuary 2026. To register for this free online course, please .
Who can I chat with if I have questions
Please feel free to get in touch with rex@mic.ul.ie for support.
T-REX Digital Badge: Using Evidence to Address Educational Disadvantage
What is this Digital Badge and what does it aim to achieve?
This is a short professional development course on the topic of ‘Using Evidence to Address Educational Disadvantage’.
The aim of the course is to build understanding of educational disadvantage and develop research skills to support evidence-informed decisions and practices. In doing so, the course aims to support educators to better meet the needs of those pupils who are furthest from educational opportunity due to a range of socio-economic barriers.
Who is this course for?
This Digital Badge/course is for educators (teachers, leaders, student teachers, higher education researchers, support professionals etc.) from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Unfortunately, at this time, we are not able to accept registrations from anyone beyond these jurisdictions.
Who is running the course?
This Digital Badge, funded by the Shared Island Initiative, has been developed by working teachers in Ireland, as well as academics within 91Ƭ and University of Limerick, with support from Stranmillis University College, Belfast. The T-REX Digital Badge programme was created in collaboration with the Teaching Council and the NCCA. This course is delivered by Dr Karen Orr (T-REX Shared Island Initiative North-South Director) from 91Ƭ.
How is the course delivered?
The course is delivered fully online. Delivery involves three live webinars which will be hosted via Microsoft Teams (recordings will also be made available). The live webinars will be held in the evening (7pm-8/8.30pm). All other content will be self-directed, with online material provided via a bespoke platform (for which you will be provided with login details).
What is the time commitment and cost?
The course runs over the course of nine weeks. The time commitment is approximately 2.5 hours per week.
There is no charge incurred, this course is offered to educators for FREE.
What assessment/coursework is required: Development of an Action Plan
There is no formal assessment or coursework involved in this course. The aim is to sharpen your skills for research and evaluating evidence, and is “light touch” - with a focus on process as much as product.
In order to complete the course, you are required to engage with content and activity each week, as well as engage fully with your peer group, which is required to meet (online or in-person) a minimum of three times over the course of the nine weeks.
The course works towards building your understanding and skills, which are then used in order to develop an evidence-informed Action Plan which will aim to address a challenge related to educational disadvantage within your own setting. The Action Plan is a brief, clearly structured plan focused on your own practice as an educator in your particular setting. The simple, scaffolded document is something which you will take forward and action (in your own time, after the Digital Badge course ends).
Your peer group will verify your commitment to the course and your completion/ undertaking of all necessary course elements. Upon receipt of this confirmation, you will be awarded the Digital Badge.
What will I learn/ what does the course cover?
This course aims to address four key learning outcomes:
Gain a better understanding of ‘educational disadvantage’ and how it impacts school experiences and educational outcomes
Gain a solid understanding of the research process and the value of using evidence in an educational context
Develop the skills needed to be a critical reader of research evidence: searching, reviewing and critiquing
Provide space for reflection on current practice, leading to the development of an evidence-informed action plan for addressing identified aspects of educational disadvantage.
A brief overview of each week is provided below:
Weeks 1 and 2: UNDERSTANDING THE TOPIC (Educational Disadvantage)
Week 1: ‘Welcome session’ and ‘Introduction to educational disadvantage’ - Live online webinar hosted in the evening by Dr Karen Orr. This week is supplemented by self-directed (in your own time) individual reflection and activity.
Week 2: ‘Educational disadvantage: Exploring the evidence’ - Live online webinar hosted in the evening by Dr Karen Orr. This week is supplemented by individual reflection and activity.
Weeks 3-6: BUILDING RESEARCH SKILLS (to address educational disadvantage)
Week 3: ‘Getting into Research’ - Online self-directed learning, involving pre-recorded lecture content and activities.
Week 4: ‘Developing a research question’ - Online self-directed learning, involving pre-recorded lecture content, activities and engagement with peer group.
Week 5: Reading and Critically Reviewing Research Evidence’ - Online self-directed learning, involving pre-recorded lecture content and activities.
Week 6 : ‘Reading research papers’ - Online self-directed learning, involving pre-recorded lecture content, activities and engagement with peer group.
Weeks 7- 9: Expert evening and developing your action plan
Week 7: Live online webinar with invited guest speaker, plus preparations for the development of a bespoke Action Plan targeted to addressing a challenge (related to educational disadvantage) presenting in your own educational context.
Week 8: Independent working (developing your action plan) and drop-in support session
Week 9: Independent working (developing your action plan) and peer verification/ course completion
When does the next course start and how do I sign up?
The next cohort of the Digital Badge will start on the 26 January 2026. To register for this free online course, please .
Who can I chat with if I have questions
Please feel free to get in touch with Dr Karen Orr (email: Karen.Orr@mic.ul.ie) - T-REX Shared Island Initiative North-South Director
T-REX Digital Badge: Using Evidence for Middle Leadership in Educational Settings
What is this Digital Badge and what does it aim to achieve?
This professional development course focuses on middle leadership in educational settings, helping assistant principals, middle leaders, and aspiring leaders strengthen instructional leadership and build leadership capacity. The aim is to use evidence to plan for research, design action plans, and improve teaching and learning.
Who is this course for?
Assistant principals, middle leaders, and educators aspiring to leadership roles in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. (No approval from your educational setting is required.)
Who is running the course?
This course was made in partnership with a University of Limerick lecturer, the leadership coordinator of Oide, and the director of Limerick Education Centre. The course is run by T-REX (the Teachers’ Research Exchange), a project supported by the Department of Education & Youth, the Teaching Council, Oide, NCCA, ESCI, and University of Limerick. The programme was developed in collaboration with practising teachers and is facilitated in partnership with the Education Support Centres of Ireland.
How is the course delivered?
- Format: 4 self-directed online modules + 3 live webinars (recorded for flexibility)
- Peer Group Meetings: Online, hybrid, or face-to-face
- Tutor Support: Available via email and scheduled online sessions
Time Commitment and Cost
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Approx. 25 hours total
- Cost: FREE
What assessment/coursework is required: Development of an Action Plan
There is no formal assessment or coursework involved in this course. The aim is to sharpen your skills for research and evaluating evidence, and is “light touch” - with a focus on process as much as product.
In order to complete the course, you are required to engage with content and activity each week, as well as engage fully with your peer group, which is required to meet (online or in-person) a minimum of three times over the course of the eight weeks. Peer groups are formed based on location, setting, and meeting preferences. Each member confirms participation at the end, which is essential for badge certification.
Participants complete an Action Plan which is a brief, clearly structured, practice-focused document supported by course materials and peer dialogue. The action plan is specific to you, and about practical changes in your own professional setting.
Your peer group will verify your commitment to the course and your completion/ undertaking of all necessary course elements. Upon receipt of this confirmation, you will be awarded the Digital Badge.
What will I learn / What does the course cover?
- Strengthen instructional leadership and build leadership capacity
- Learn how to use evidence to plan for research in your school
- Design an action plan focused on improving teaching and learning
- Collaborate with peers to refine ideas and share best practices
Live Webinar Schedule
- Week 1: Welcome & Introduction – Monday, 27 January 2026 (19:00–20:00)
- Week 5: Expert Evening – Monday, 9 March 2026 (19:00–20:00)
- Week 8: Final Session & Action Plan Support – Friday, 27 March 2026 (19:00–20:00)
When does the next course start and how do I sign up?
The next cohort of the Digital Badge will start on the 27 January 2026. To register for this free online course, please .
Who can I chat with if I have questions?
Please feel free to get in touch with nicolaas.blom@ul.ie for support.
- About T-REX
- Project Partner Members
- Networks and T-REX Funders
- T‑REX Inaugural Conference:
- 91Ƭ Graduates: Invitation to Join T-REX
- T-REX Digital Badge: Using Evidence for Wellbeing in Educational Settings
- T-REX Digital Badge: Using Evidence to Address Educational Disadvantage
- T-REX Digital Badge: Using Evidence for Middle Leadership in Educational Settings
