Qualifications: MA in Design History and Material Culture, BA in Fine Art (Painting), Professional Diploma in Social Media for Government & Public Sector, Certificate in Professional Irish with Gaelchultúr (Level 4), currently undertaking a Certificate in Principles of Art Therapy (Level 8)
Research Interests: Fine Art, art history, design history, Irish material culture, dress history, digital archiving, communications, public relations, marketing, social media management, event planning, project management
Contact: e.cullen@ria.ie
Profile
Ellie is the current Communications and Engagement Officer with the National Open Research Forum (NORF), based at the Digital Repository of Ireland (DRI). She has extensive experience in project management, communications, public relations and event management, garnered from working in diverse cultural environments both nationally and internationally.
She holds a master’s degree in Design History and Material Culture from the National College of Art and Design. This MA is unique on the island of Ireland in focusing on the cultural history of objects, images and buildings. She also has a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art Painting from Limerick School of Art and Design.
Ellie previously worked as Communications and Public Affairs Assistant at the Royal Irish Academy (RIA). She enjoys curating engaging digital and written content for social media and in 2023, she completed a Professional Diploma in Social Media for Government & Public Sector with the Public Sector Marketing Institute. Whilst at the RIA she supported the planning and delivery of the RIA’s Discourse Series programme, the oldest series of public talks in Ireland, which began in 1786. She also managed the RIA’s prestigious annual Gold Medals awards programme, the highest accolade in scholarly achievement in Ireland.
Ellie was previously employed as European Projects Coordinator at the Design and Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) where she managed EU-funded projects and worked closely with small and medium-sized enterprises, assisting them with business planning, marketing strategies, access to markets and funding, and participation in international trade events and galleries.
Ellie has also worked in the library sector in Ireland and in galleries and museums, both in Dublin and New York City. She is a practising visual artist and has experience providing art workshops in primary schools.
