Johanna's current research focuses on enhancing teaching and learning for all students, particularly those with additional and special educational needs, across three main domains- educational leadership, pedagogy, and teacher professional learning- all of which interact to influence student learning and the quality of outcomes for diverse learners. Her research is concerned with the development of an integrated systematic approach to inclusive and special education provision and an understanding of how special educational needs coordinators (SENCOs) and school leaders can improve their practice. Underpinning her research is recognition of the importance of collaborative and situated approaches to professional learning, processes of individual reflective practice and school self-evaluation, all of which coalesce to identify the need for reform in the first instance, but more importantly, promote evidence-informed strategic direction for whole school improvement.

Johanna is currently seconded to Education and Training Boards Ireland where she is leading the National RISE (Realising Inclusive Special Education) Strategy across the post primary sector. The RISE strategy -led collaboratively by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) and Mary Immaculate College, Limerick-aims to enhance educational experiences for all students, especially those with diverse needs by bridging policy, practice and research. It adopts a whole-system, collaborative model that leverages the expertise of teachers, leaders, researchers and stakeholders across the education system and school networks.  Centrally, the RISE strategy promotes values-driven leadership, evidence-informed inclusive practice, leadership capacity building, meaningful participation by children, young people, and families, and the implementation of timely, flexible, and contextualised school support that promotes equitable education for all.