ILAS Team
Caroline McGregor | Director
Prof. Caroline McGregor is the Director of ILAS. Caroline, who commenced her role on 1st September 2024. She is Senior Research Fellow at UNESCO CFRC and Director of Social Work at University of Galway. With over 27 years of experience in social work and academia, including a significant tenure as Personal Professor, Caroline is recognised for her contributions to social work education and research. Her expertise spans critical social work theory, child welfare, and family support. Caroline has extensive experience of academic-professional partnerships and has a particular interest in leading and advancing practice based and community engaged research in her role as Institute Director, furthering its mission to enhance human capacity and potential across the life course thereby impacting positively on knowledge, attitudes, policy and practice, internationally.
Deirdre Conway | Administrator
Deirdre Conway is the Administrator for the Institute for Lifecourse & Society (ILAS), providing comprehensive support across all ILAS events, programs, and initiatives. She joined the University in 2021, bringing with her extensive experience from a career with multinationals in both national and international settings. With a professional background that spans Marketing, Manufacturing, and Finance, Deirdre offers strong expertise in customer service, account management, project management, and financial analysis. She is an excellent communicator with a people-focused approach and is dedicated to ensuring the smooth delivery of ILAS operations and activities.
Joanna Forde | Research & Development Manager
Joanna is the Research and Development Manager for the Institute for Lifecourse & Society (ILAS). Her role focuses on the organisational development and the operational management of the Institute, with responsibility for strategic development and integration of quality administrative dimensions into research processes. Joanna joined the University in 2006, working with the Research Accounting office and then with the Centre for Disability Law and Policy (CDLP) a founding ILAS member, Joanna has several years’ experience as an administrator. Her expertise includes monitoring financial budgets, managing research funding and writing budgets, managing multiple projects and most recently, the operational and strategic management of a Research Centre. With an Accounting Technicians Ireland qualification and a Degree in Commerce, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her role in ILAS..
