1. Home
  2. William Curran

William Curran

Adjunct Faculty

Dr. William (Liam) Curran completed his doctoral studies in Montreal in 2020 and has been a certified educator in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) since 2011, under the approval of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He is an accomplished author with a strong portfolio of published articles and professional papers, as well as a co-authored book designed to support foster and adoptive caregivers navigating the complex needs of children impacted by prenatal alcohol exposure.

Dr. Curran’s work centres on maternal and child health, with a distinct focus on the social impact of fetal alcohol exposure. His research and advocacy have played a key role in highlighting the unmet needs within the child welfare and social work sectors, particularly around the often-invisible nature of FASD.

 

Area of Expertise

Drawing on a long and varied career in social work, across frontline services, career support, program development, and professional education, Dr. Curran has developed deep expertise in the public health implications of fetal alcohol exposure. His current work focuses on how fetal alcohol–related neurodevelopmental harm shapes outcomes in child welfare, influences social work practice, and exposes system gaps that leave many children unidentified or unsupported. He collaborates with practitioners, educators, and policy stakeholders to translate evidence into pragmatic tools that help social workers recognise need earlier, respond more effectively, and advocate for appropriate services.

Education

  • 2015–2020 Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Social Work, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada Thesis: A Grounded Theory Study of Social Work Responses to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Child Welfare Settings (Awarded 03/20/20)
  • 2006–2007 M.Sc. in Child Protection and Welfare, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland, Thesis: The Protection of the Unborn
  • 2005–2006 Post Graduate Diploma in Child Protection and Welfare, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland, Research Study: Local Child Protection Committee—Does It Work?
  • 1992–1995 BA in Social Work (DIPSW), Diploma in Higher Education, Practice Teacher in Social Work, University of Humberside

Licenses

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Dept. of Health, RI (ongoing)
  • Certified Educator of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (2011–ongoing)

Professional Affiliations and Memberships

  • Institute for Health and Recovery, Inc., Massachusetts FASD State Coordination. Task Force Membership. IHR provides Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder-related services on behalf of the Mass. Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services.

Publications

  • Curran L & Catterick M. Understanding fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (2014) A guide for parents, carers, and professionals. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
  • Curran L (2013). Why my social work experience led me to specialize in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Community Care UK
  • Orakwue, N., Curran, L., et al. (2012). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Pre-Training
    Evaluation - What the Irish Social Workers Are Saying. Irish Journal of Social Work
  • Curran, L. (2008). The Unborn Child Article 40.3.3 and Abortion in Ireland: Twenty-Five Years of Protection.
  • Curran, W.L. (2020), “Advocating against the tide: child welfare social workers responding to cases of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder(s) in Ireland: a grounded theory study, [Thesis], Concordia University, Montreal.
  • Curran, W. C., & Danbrook, M. C. (2023). Hearing the voice of child welfare social workers: Planning safe care for a child with or suspected of having fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Advances in Dual Diagnosis,
  • Curran, W. C., & Danbrook, M. C. (2023). Capturing Invisibility: Child Welfare Social Workers’ Interventions and Assessment Planning in cases of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder(s). Advances in Dual Diagnosis

Awards

  • 2019 Concordia Accelerator Award
  • 2015–2018 INDI Fellowship Award (Concordia University)
  • 2017 The Graduate Student Mobility Award (Concordia University)
  • 2016 Concordia Conference and Exposition Award (Concordia University)