Shirley is a former graduate of the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme at Mary Immaculate College (MIC). Shirley has worked with the LINC Programme since its inception in 2016, during this time she has engaged in various roles including Programme Developer, Tutor and Project Officer. Prior to her role with the LINC Programme, Shirley lectured in the Department of Reflective Pedagogy and Early Childhood Studies, MIC. Lecturing on the BA Early Childhood Care and Education (BA ECCE), Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), and the BA Early Childhood Practice (BA ECP) programmes. Shirley also worked for ten years as a Behaviour Analyst with children who have additional needs and with children from the Traveller community and their families.

Shirley is a PhD candidate with the Department of Reflective Pedagogy and Early Childhood Studies, MIC. Her research is focused on investigating how the well–being of children with additional needs is supported in the early years.