Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan

Dr Katriona O’Sullivan is an inspirational educator, digital skills expert, and advocate for women in STEM. Her life story, from overcoming adversity to becoming a celebrated academic, inspires audiences worldwide. As the 2023 recipient of the Most Impactful Initiative Award at the Women in Tech Europe Awards, she is widely regarded as a thought leader in education and inclusion.

Katriona’s journey is a testament to resilience and determination. Born into a challenging environment in Coventry, she faced poverty, addiction in her family, and became a mother at just 15 years old. Despite these hurdles, she relocated to Dublin at the age of 20 and enrolled in the Trinity College Access Programme, which provided her with the support she needed to flourish academically. She went on to earn a PhD in Psychology from Trinity College Dublin and later joined the institution as a faculty member. Her journey reflects the transformative power of education and her ability to turn personal challenges into professional success.

Among her key achievements, Katriona’s leadership in promoting equity in education is particularly notable. In 2023, she spearheaded a programme aimed at improving working-class girls’ access to STEM education, earning her the Most Impactful Initiative Award at the Women in Tech Europe Awards. Her critically acclaimed memoir, “Poor”, won both Biography of the Year and The Last Word Listeners’ Choice Award at the Irish Book Awards 2023. Beyond her accolades, she has shared her insights as an invited speaker at the United Nations, the World Education Forum, and the European Gender Action Workshop on Women and Digitalisation. Currently, she serves as a Senior Lecturer in Digital Skills at Maynooth University’s Department of Psychology, where she continues to advocate for inclusion and innovation in education.

Dr Katriona O’Sullivan’s keynote presentations focus on educational inclusion, women in STEM, and empowering communities through digital skills. Her ability to combine personal experiences with practical strategies resonates with audiences, making her an exceptional speaker for organisations seeking to address inequality in education and foster innovation. Her dynamic style and expertise ensure impactful and transformative discussions.