Patricia O’Brien

Since 2009 Patricia has been the Chair in Disability Studies at University of Sydney as well as the Director of the Centre for Disability Studies.

Before this role, she was the Foundation Director at the National Institute for Intellectual Disability at Trinity College, Dublin, where her work supported a mission of Inclusion through Education, Research and Advocacy.

Patricia has taught courses in human services and special education at University of Auckland and co-edited two texts promoting value-driven and person-centered disability services. In Ireland and New Zealand she has led significant projects in residential deinstitutionalisation and special needs education.