Dara O'Dwyer graduated from UL with an LLB in Law Plus in 2016, followed by a first class honor LLM in Human Rights in Criminal Justice. She is currenly undertaking a PhD, under the supervision of Dr Susan Leahy and Dr Margaret Fitzgerald O'Reilly, examining the responses of the Irish criminal justice system to female-perpetrated sex offending.

This research examines existing legislative and procedureal measures in place in Ireland, reviewing the suitability of such measures for dealing with female sex offenders. Dara has presented papers on her research at both domestic and international conferences.

She has tutored and lectured in a variety of modules in the School of Law, including administrative law, criminal law, company and partnership law, family law, child law, human rights law, international labour law and legal systems and method.

She also completed a Judicial Internship in the Superior Courts. Her research interests include criminology, sexual offences, criminal justice, sentencing and child and family law.