Mr Francis Gahan

Francis Gahan lectures within the Department of Humanities at South East Technological University.  He predominantly teaches in areas of social care, child, youth and family studies. His areas of expertise include those of applied social research methods, the principles, policies and practices of social care work/ community, alternatives to home care provision, psychology in practice, management and leadership theory.

He began his teaching at Carlow College, St. Patrick’s on both the Applied Social Studies and Community, Social, Political and Citizenship  courses in 2017. His employment with South East Technological University  commenced in 2022.  Francis is a qualified social care worker with practice and management experience in service delivery for people with disability and children. He is currently a PhD candidate at TU Dublin undertaking research on Masculinity and Affective Equality Practices in Professional Social Care in Ireland.

His research interests extend to areas including service provision for people with disability and children. He continues to guide a high proportion of  research dissertation students to first class honours degree level. He has supervised a broad range of research projects, most recently including those relating to; gender, care and masculinity; migrant experiences of direct care provision; love care and emotions in social care; the effectiveness of data collection and data processing in special school settings and; the impact of agency staff utilisation on service user wellbeing in professional social care.

His philosophical approach to care and education is aligned with SETU’s commitment to the creation and support of diversity, gender equality and human rights for all. He is currently a committee member of the Athena Swan Committee within SETU.