Registrar and Deans

Professor Barbara Dooley - Dean of Graduate Studies

Professor Barbara Dooley is Dean of Graduate Studies and Deputy Registrar and was appointed in 2014. She has served as Acting Registrar and Deputy President of UCD (2022-23) and was also Vice-Principal for Teaching and Learning in the UCD College of Social Sciences and Law (2009-2014) and Head of the UCD School of Psychology (2005-2009). She is a member of the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention Evaluation Advisory Group, Vice-President of the International Association for Youth Mental Health, and a member of the HRB National Drugs Strategy Research Subcommittee.

Professor Dooley holds a PhD in Psychology from UCD and is an (opens in a new window)active researcher in youth mental health with a particular interest in student mental health. In collaboration with the UCD School of Psychology and Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, she was the Principal Investigator for the (opens in a new window)My World Survey (MWS). Two large scale studies (MWS1 published in 2012, and MSW2 published in 2019) assessed how different elements and experiences in the life of a young person may be related to their mental health. The MSW received combined responses from over 34,000 young people in Ireland and is Ireland’s largest and most comprehensive study of young people’s mental health and wellbeing.

As a psychologist, educator, and researcher, Professor Dooley believes strongly in the role wellbeing plays in allowing a student to achieve their potential. As leader of the implementation of the UCD Education and Student Success Strategy, her current priorities also include developing a framework for academic advice for students, faculty development, and leveraging the VLE to enhance student learning and engagement.

Professor Jason Last - Dean of Students

‌Professor Jason Last is a medical graduate and began teaching in the UCD School of Medicine in 2000. In 2008, he was appointed Director of Pre-clinical Education, leading the development of the UCD Graduate Entry to Medicine programme before becoming Associate Dean for Programmes & Educational Innovation.  In 2014, he was appointed School Director of Educational Development & Academic Affairs and chaired sequentially the Global Engagement Group and Education Group at a College level.

Having led the University Continuing Professional Development Board of Studies, successfully introducing a framework for Schools to develop credit and non-credit bearing CPD offerings, Professor Last was asked to lead the development of the UCD Student Mental and Wellbeing Policy which was launched in 2015.  Nationally, he has worked closely with agencies and organisations on professional accreditation and quality review processes associated with higher education and training, and was the Minister for Education’s nominee to the Radiographers Registration Board which he subsequently chaired.  He is also active in patient education and advocacy and recently joined the Board of the Irish Platform for Patient Organisations, Science and Industry (IPPOSI). 

Internationally, Professor Last has led UCD initiatives in China and Malaysia and is a director representing UCD on the Board of Penang Medical College, Malaysia. He co-chairs a Universitas 21 international education research group, based on a membership of staff-student pairings from eight universities in seven countries, focussing on social media in health education.

Appointed Dean of Students in January 2017, Professor Last has responsibility for the student experience in UCD, and is committed to the continued enhancement of UCD’s programmes and educational environment so that every student may be fully supported in reaching their potential. As Dean of Students, Professor Last also acts as the University Child Protection Ofifcer. Please refer to the UCD Child Safeguarding Statement.

Professor Marie Clarke - Dean of Undergraduate Studies

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Professor Marie Clarke is currently Dean of Undergraduate Studies in UCD. She also lectures in the School of Education and is Director of the UCD Centre for the Study of Higher Education.  In her current role as Dean of Undergraduate Studies she has specific responsibility for overseeing undergraduate educational programmes, and is a member of UCD Academic Council Executive Committee.

Professor Clarke is leading at university level on the implementation of the Student Feedback System, Academic Advising, Academic Integrity and Ethical Practice, Online Assessment and Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Standards. She oversees the UCD Teaching and Learning Unit which supports faculty in the promotion and implementation of best practice in teaching and learning, facilitates the organisation of the University Teaching and Learning Awards, supports the University Teaching Fellowships Awards and develops institution wide funding calls to support faculty in developing strategic initiatives in teaching and learning.

Professor Clarke is Chair of the Advisory Board for the UCD Annual Employer Fora. In recognition of her achievements in student learning and teaching she is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) Advance HE UK. She also served as a member of Universitas 21 Educational Innovation Steering Group and is Deputy Chair of the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning. She is a lead Investigator on a number of funded research projects in the areas of higher education, the promotion of female teachers as leaders in the Global South and in teacher education. She also conducts research in the areas of history of education and education policy and is published in leading peer reviewed education journals and presses. She is Chair of the Global and Higher Education Research Steering Group (GHEAR) in the Worldwide Universities Network. 

She served as an elected member of UCD Governing Authority from 2009-2019 and served on the University Finance, Remuneration and Asset Management Committee from 2014-19. She was elected President of the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) for a two-year term from 2011-13 and served as a member of the Student Grant Appeals Board from 2011 to 2021. She currently serves on the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Disability Committee for the period 2021-2023.