Meet the CPID Team

Nuala Harding is the Head of Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development (CPID). Comprising a multi-disciplinary, highly skilled team, the centre works collaboratively in the support and advancement of learning, teaching and assessment. Nuala comes to this role at a pivotal time with the establishment of the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS). In particular, Nuala co-chaired the working group which devised the Learning and Teaching Strategy for TUS, titled “Putting Learning First”. This document provides a clear commitment to staff and students to support them in their academic practices and to ensure that, building on the prior excellent reputation, TUS will be known for a world-class learning and teaching experience. Nuala is actively involved in scholarly activity. Her current educational research, teaching and publishing interests include the development of academic practice, student engagement and the use of digital technologies to enhance learning, teaching and assessment. Nuala holds a B.Ed (Hons) and an MA in Third Level Learning and Teaching. She completed her PhD studies in the Department of Educational Research at Lancaster University. Her doctoral thesis was supervised by Professor Paul Trowler. Her studies focused on enhancement, change management and researching pedagogic practices in higher education. In addition, Nuala is a National Associate on the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning and has recently led highly successful funded strategic learning enhancement initiatives in the university. Previously, she was the TUS lead on several multi-institute educational research projects. She is also a TUS representative on the European Regional University Network (RUN), focusing on the future of advanced skills and pedagogic development. Nuala is President of the All Ireland Society for Higher Education (AISHE).

Seamus Ryan has lectured in the Faculties of Engineering and Informatics and also Business and Hospitality in TUS since 1993. He is currently a Senior Lecturer within CPID. He has been involved in Learning & Teaching activities since 2006 after completing an MSc. in Information Technology in Education at TCD. He teaches on three modules of the MA in Academic Practice: Certificate in Digitally Enhanced Learning, Teaching and Assessment, Certificate in Developing Practice in Learning, Teaching & Assessment Online and Certificate in Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies for Student Engagement. Seamus has led the piloting of a range of digital technologies for learning, teaching and assessment since 2006 in collaboration with colleagues. He is engaged in PhD research on the development and evaluation of a blended learning module in Business Mathematics in University College Cork.

Geraldine has over 20 years’ teaching experience in both face to face and online environments, teaching on a range of technology and research-related modules. She is currently a Senior Lecturer within CPID and the Programme Coordinator for the MA in Academic Practice. She is also involved in co-facilitating a number of modules on the programme.  She has a specific interest in digital education and supports academic and professional staff as they explore digital solutions to encourage active learning, student engagement and collaboration. She also contributes to the decision-making processes in relation to the university’s digital education infrastructure, in particular the VLE Moodle. She is actively involved in researching emerging technologies and her current research projects include a focus on Immersive Tech (VR/AR), Artificial Intelligence, and Multimodality. Her PhD focused on the use of multimodal screencasts (videos) for knowledge development in higher education teaching practice and was completed under the supervision of Dr Natasa Lacković with Lancaster University, UK. She also holds a BA in French and German, an MA in French, a H. Dip in Systems Analysis and an MSc in Software Engineering.  She was a TUS representative on the European Regional University Network (RUN-EU) Future Advanced Skills Academy (FASA) Pedagogy Team and is currently a member of TUS Academic Council. 

Ruth holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management graduating from Galway Mayo Institute of Technology. With a strong background in Recruitment, Human Resources and, Quality and Training, Ruth’s main interest is within Training, Learning and Professional Development. As the CPID Administrator and Programme Coordinator, Ruth’s responsibilities include coordinating and promoting the centre’s professional development events as well as over seeing the accredited module offerings for the Master of Arts in Academic Practice Programme with CPID. Ruth also supports and leads funding initiatives within CPID.  

Matt is a Lecturer in the Department of Applied Social Sciences at the Technological University of the Shannon Midlands Midwest. Matt’s previous experience includes 20 years of working in cross-community peacebuilding and intercultural integration with a focus on the influence of culture on conflict and bias. During his time working with NGOs, Matt has worked as a consultant trainer on Research Methods, Conflict Resolution and Intercultural Awareness with a range of partners. As a Lecturer in the Department of Applied Social Sciences at TUS, Matt is Course Director for the MA in Social Care Management, and he has extensive experience in research development and supervision. Matt’s experience includes developing and delivering a range of courses in research methods, intercultural communication and conflict resolution. Matt also works with a range of community-based initiatives in Ireland aimed at promoting active research and community engagement and examining the role research and intercultural awareness play in organisations and communities. In addition to his work in Limerick Matt worked as a consultant expert on the Council of Europe’s Intercultural Cities initiative and as an evaluator and vice-chair for the European Commission Research Executive Agency’s Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe programmes. In 2001 his research was recognised by the European Union Committee of the Regions, and he was also awarded an Excellence in Higher Education Award by the National Forum for Teaching and Learning in 2019.

Caroline holds a first-class honours degree in Psychology from the University of Galway and is Administrator for CPID with a focus on Student Matters. Caroline’s responsibilities include assisting and supporting the delivery and implementation of activities and resources CPID offer throughout the year. Caroline assists in coordinating many aspects of the Peer Assisted Student Support (PASS) Leadership module, including recruitment, training, observation, and practice. She works directly with PASS Leaders to ensure quality in their training and sessions. Caroline designs and curates’ content for communications and social media marketing for PASS and CPID, focusing particularly on student communication.

Eimear Kelly obtained her BA in German and Irish, and her Higher Diploma in Education, from Trinity College Dublin, and her Master’s from UCD. Before joining TUS, Eimear had some years’ experience as a lecturer of German in a number of higher education institutions in Ireland, as well as international experience as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language. In addition to Eimear’s role as a lecturer, she has been a member of the CPID team since 2015 and has a particular interest in the Internationalisation of the Home Curriculum. Eimear is also a certified Intercultural Awareness Trainer and co-facilitates intercultural awareness workshops with students and staff on behalf of the International Office and has participated in a range of Erasmus exchange initiatives with partner institutions in Germany.

Denise holds a BA in Product Design (Ceramics) from Limerick School of Art and Design, an MA in Art Therapy from Cork IT and Hertfordshire University, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching from AIT. She began her career as an Art Therapist before taking up a lecturing role in 2002. As a Lecturer in the Social Care and Early Education programmes, Denise specialises in Creative Art Approaches and creativity and is recognised as an AI Champion within CPID. She co-founded and is the Vice Chair of the Creativity and Innovation in Social Care (CISC) group. In 2023, Denise earned her PhD from Lancaster University, where her research focused on threshold concepts, visual semiotics, and inquiry graphics under the supervision of Dr. Natasa Lacković.

Dr. Anne Marie O’Brien is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Science and Health at the Technological University of the Shannon, Athlone, Ireland. She holds an MSc and Ph.D. in Toxicology and Biochemistry, along with a Postgraduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching. Her research spans both the bioremediation of wastewater and pedagogical innovation, reflecting her commitment to environmental sustainability and advancing educational practices. With a strong expertise in Team-Based Learning (TBL) and digital badges, Anne Marie is dedicated to fostering innovative teaching methodologies. She is a certified TBL consultant trainer and a former chair of the European Team-Based Learning Collective (ETBLC). As part of her ongoing role in the ETBLC, she has co-organised the European Team-Based Learning Conferences in Ireland, England, and Italy. In 2023, Anne Marie was shortlisted for the prestigious Teaching Excellence Award in recognition of her contributions to education. She has also presented at numerous educational conferences and delivered TBL workshops internationally, promoting collaborative learning and critical thinking in diverse academic settings.

Catherine-Ann has been teaching in higher education for the past 23 years. She has taught across a range of undergraduate programmes in TUS; Community Development and Addiction studies; Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) and the Social Care programme. She was formerly the programme chair for ECEC and the Adlerian Psychology programmes at TUS, Thurles campus. Through her outreach and development work, she developed an innovative access programme, Time to Change, to support adults to return to education. Subsequently, over 700 people completed this programme between 2010 and 2015. She has qualifications in Mindfulness, Stress Management and Life and Business Coaching as well as a PG Certification in Innovation in Education (UCD). Catherine-Ann doctoral research is in pedagogy in higher education, focussing on the role of care in teaching and collegial cultures in academia. Her areas of teaching include Reflective Academic Practice Through Portfolio Building; Learning Design Approaches And Curriculum Frameworks; Professional Practice in Higher Education.

Noëlle is a Researcher and Senior University Lecturer in Tourism and Hospitality Management at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) (Ireland). Previously, Noëlle was the Acting Head of the Department of Languages, Tourism, and Hospitality at the Southeast Technological University. Noëlle has lectured for many years in other Irish higher education institutes including Technological University Dublin and she was also an MBA Online Senior University Lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences (Switzerland). Noëlle is currently an Online Dissertation Tutor for the University of Bolton (UK) and has been appointed as a member of the Censorship of Publications Board, Department of Justice and Equality. In 2022, Noëlle was a shortlisted finalist for the Mid-West Regional Teaching Excellence Awards. Noëlle has gained extern examining experience in Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Nepal, Switzerland, and the UK and she has served on External Validation Panels in Austria, Greece, Ireland, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malaysia, Switzerland, and the UK. Noëlle also has a wide range of industrial experience, having worked in the Austrian, British, French, and Irish hospitality industries and international lecturing experience in Austria, Estonia, Hungary, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK. Noëlle is on the Editorial Review Board for many of the leading tourism journals namely Annals of Tourism Research. Her research focuses on film-induced tourism, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and gender equality in higher education. Noëlle has presented her research findings at many global conferences and in many referred journals. Noëlle is currently delivering the first level 9 online module, Certificate in Embedding Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the Curriculum at TUS.

Catherine O’Donoghue holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) from the University of New South Wales, Australia. An experienced practitioner in the educational sector in Australia, China and Ireland, she has held roles in teaching, staff training, and mentoring. In TUS, Catherine is a lecturer on English programmes for international students and lectures in the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development (CPID). As a certified Intercultural Awareness Trainer, she is involved in intercultural awareness workshops conducted in the institute. Catherine is a member of the National Academic Integrity Network and is involved in promoting awareness of academic integrity with students and staff. She is also co-chair of the Digital Badge committee in TUS.

Sarah is currently working as the TUS Regional Integrated Tertiary Manager within the Registrar’s office. Previously Sarah worked as an Academic Developer within the Quality Office TUS Midwest and Lecturer on the MA in Academic Practice in TUS. Her role focuses on promoting and supporting quality assurance and enhancement activities within TUS and supporting the CINNTE Cyclical Review Process being undertaken within TUS. Sarah’s role on the Quality side focuses on policy development and working with staff and programme teams on new programme development and programmatic validation and review. Sarah currently teaches on the MA in Academic Practice on modules including Curriculum Design a Learning Design Framework and Digital Enhance Learning and Teaching. Sarah is currently completing a Ph.D. study which is looking at how active learning as an approach to teaching and learning can be effectively implemented in a blended and online learning environment. The study aims to identify how best staff can adapt their modules from a face-to-face delivery to a blended or online delivery and still ensure student engagement within the module. The research seeks to explore the possibilities provided by technology available to staff and to use different online spaces.

Mike Russell spent nearly 10 years working in the Software Engineering industry before joining the TUS Faculty of Engineering and Infomatics as a lecturer in 1996. He was actively involved in Learning and Teaching activities from 2008 to 2016, where he taught three modules on the Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning: Certificate in Learning and Teaching, Certificate in Assessment and Evaluation, and Certificate in Action Research. While continuing to fulfil his duties as a Lecturer in Software Engineering, Mike re-joined the CPID team in February 2024 and has been given responsibility for supervising dissertations on the MA in Academic Practice as well as teaching the Certificate in Action Research for Educators. He holds both a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Computer Science as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Research Practice, a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, a M.Ed., and PhD. Mike’s doctoral research centred on his dual interests of Engineering and Pedagogical Practice where he investigated how to privilege Tacit Knowledge within a Software Engineering Curriculum. He has previously supervised to completion six M.Sc. and one PhD research projects in Software Engineering. Mike’s main areas of research focus on Action Research Methodologies, Pedagogy, Problem-Based Learning, Group-work, Curriculum Design, and Agile Methodologies.

Lory has obtained a Bachelor’s Honours Degree in Accounting and Law from the University of Catania, Italy. Additionally, she has earned a Postgraduate Diploma Level 9 in Management Practice as well as a Postgraduate Diploma Level 9 in Quality Management – Lean Systems, Black Belt – from the University of Limerick. Before joining TUS, Lory has many years of experience in the third-level education sector as a Finance staff member and Timetables and Exams staff member. In her role within CPID, Lory supports the implementation of projects and provides support in the management of funded enhancement initiatives.

Noel teaches IT modules (mainly database languages – SQL in particular) in the Faculty of Business and Hospitality on the final year of the Bachelor of Business Degree, the Master of Science in Data Analytics (full-time students), and the Postgraduate Diploma in Data Analytics. He also teaches computer applications (MS Excel) to first year students following science and engineering programmes. In his role within CPID, Noel delivers hands-on workshops and provides support to TUS faculty who use Moodle-based quizzes in their teaching and assessment.

Aoife Walsh is an Assistant Lecturer in Student Transition and Experience. Aoife holds an MA in Management in Education and a PGDip in Learning Teaching and Assessment. Aoife has great empathy for students having worked with students with disabilities in a variety of roles since 2003. Aoife has taught the Peer Assisted Student Support (PASS) Leadership module since 2012 and is an Associate with the European Centre for SI-PASS. Aoife coordinates all aspects of the PASS Programme and is she always searching for new and exciting ways to support students.