ACCS Education Conference 2026

The Education Conference provides a vital opportunity for teacher leaders to network and share ideas on specific themes and areas of interest.

This year’s Conference will be hosted by Hartstown Community School and will focus on how they create a community where a sense of belonging is central to what they do.

Guest Speaker

Professor Patricia Mannix McNamara is currently Head of the School of Education in the University of Limerick. She began her career as a post primary school teacher before completing her PhD in the examination of supervisory relationships from a critical theory perspective.

Patricia's research interests currently include evidence-based practice in the field of health education and promotion and in particular the link between the promotion of health in schools and educational outcomes. She is also interested in bullying and its impact on health and well being. Patricia teaches research methods and health promotion in Ireland and abroad at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and has supervised a wide range of MAs on topics ranging from bullying, SPHE, school health, health promotion and disability to mental health promotion and HP practitioner competencies.

The area of bullying across the spectrum school – workplace and beyond is currently a growing focus of Patricia's research.