About

Originally from Bray, Co. Wicklow; Clay attended the National College of Art and Design, Dublin. There he specialised in fine art painting and went on to graduate with a B.A. in Art and Design Education.

Clay taught art in an international school in Libya and in secondary schools in Ireland for a number of years before making a career change into youth work. As a youth worker Clay utilised his training in the visual arts and maintained his artistic practice.

However as a youth worker, Clay developed a specialism in drug education and prevention. He completed a Masters in Social Science (Sociology) and later a PhD in Sociology (both at University College Dublin). He has published a number of peer-reviewed articles in international journals, in addition to numerous reports, education manuals, position papers and book reviews. You can find out more about Clay's academic work under the sociology tab above.

Clay currently works as an Assistant Lecturer at Technological University Dublin; lecturing on three undergraduate programmes. Clay lectures on creative studies, creative group facilitation, community arts, health and well-being, and research methods. He continues to paint and enjoys working on figurative pieces and landscapes, which tend to lean toward the surreal. You can find out more about his art under the painting tab above.