Karen McAuley

Director of Policy, Children and Vulnerable Adults, Coimisiún na Meán

Karen McAuley is Director of Policy for Children and Vulnerable Adults at Coimisiún na Meán, Ireland’s agency for developing and regulating a thriving, diverse, creative, safe, and trusted media landscape. Karen’s portfolio of work includes leading a range of policy initiatives relating to children’s online safety and An Coimisiún’s engagement with its Youth Advisory Committee as well as participating in EU-wide policy developments concerning the protection of minors. Karen’s work at Coimisiún na Meán aims to ensure that the rights and best interests of the child are reflected across the organisation’s work.

Before joining An Coimisiún in 2024, Karen worked in the field of children’s rights for over 20 years, most recently as Head of Policy with Ireland’s Ombudsman for Children’s Office (2017-2023). Her career has included a focus on children’s participation, human rights education, and child rights approaches to developments in law and public policy. Karen holds a BA in English and German from Trinity College Dublin, and an MA in European Literature and a DPhil from the University of Cambridge.