Dr. Carmel Devaney is Senior Lecturer, Head of the Discipline of Applied Social Science, and Associate Director of the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre at the University of Galway. Her research focuses on Family Support, Parenting Support, Child Protection and Welfare, Alternative Care, and the professional practice of those working with children and families.

Carmel has held leading roles in major European research networks, including serving as a Working Group Leader and Management Committee member of the COST Action EurofamNet (2019–2023). She also contributed to a COST Innovators Grant developing quality assurance protocols for family support services across Europe. Her work led to the development of a pioneering multi-dimensional framework for conceptualising Family Support that promotes children’s rights, social justice, and gender equality.

With over 40 peer-reviewed publications in leading international journals, along with books, chapters, and research reports, Carmel is a recognised scholar in the field. She holds a BA in Social Studies, an MA and PhD in Family Support Studies, and a PG Cert in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. Prior to joining academia, she worked extensively in statutory children and family services as both a practitioner and manager.

Research interests include: Family and Parenting Support, Prevention and Early Intervention, Child Protection and Welfare, Alternative care, Policy and Practice in these areas.   

Carmel's teaching interests are in the area of Family Support, Child Welfare, Child Protection, Alternative Care, Parenting Support, Participation, Social Issues and Policy responses, Practice issues in children and family services, Reflective Practice, Adult Education. In 2024, Carmel received a Teaching Excellence Award from the College of Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies.