I am based at DCU’s School of Communications, which has pioneered the development of teaching and learning in communications, journalism and multimedia for almost thirty years.
I also teach modules within the School of Nursing and the DCU Business School, covering aspects of communication, journalism and public relations.
Dublin City University delivers more than 120 programmes to over 10,000 students across its four faculties: Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Health, Engineering and Computing and the DCU Business School. Dublin City University’s excellence is recognised internationally and it is ranked among the top 50 under 50 universities worldwide.
Teaching:
In the current academic year (2015/16), I take second and year students of the BA in Communications Studies for Communication, Presentation & Performance and third year students from the same programme for a module in Press & Public Relations, who are joined by final year students of the BA in Journalism, the BA in Media Studies (Joint Honours) and the BA in Contemporary Culture and Society.
For DCU’s School of Nursing, I teach the communication aspects of the Caring and Communication module for first year students of the General, Children’s, Psychiatric and Intellectual Disability Nursing programmes.
My postgraduate teaching includes Public Relations: Issues & Principles for students on the MA in Political & Public Communication and students on the MA in Social Media Studies. I also deliver a module in  Crisis Communications for those studying the MSc in Emergency Management at DCUBS Centre for Executive Programmes and students from NUI Maynooth studying for an MA in Humanitarian Logistics and Emergency Management as part of the 3U Partnership.
Previous teaching responsibilities have included modules on enterprise for media professionals, media technology, publication design, online journalism, feature writing and multimedia practice as well as a module in Business Communications for DCU’s School of Computing, Digital Communication for the Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing and some Communication Skills training for MBA students at the DCUBS Centre for Executive Programmes.
One of the exciting things about teaching at Dublin City University is the opportunity to engage with a variety of students from within and outside the university. I provide introductory sessions on Communication for Transition Year students under the Take 5 Access programme and older learners participating in DCU’s Intergenerational Learning Programme.
Administrative Roles:
Currently:
. Programme Director, proposed MSc in Public Relations;
. Programme Director, BSc in Multimedia;
. Promotions & Marketing Officer, School of Communications;
. President, DCU Drama Society.
Formerly:
. Deputy Head of School, School of Communications;
. Teaching & Learning Convenor, School of Communications;
. Member of DCU’s Academic Council;
. Member of DCU’s Education Committee;
. Member, “DCU Online” Project Group;
. Member, Academic Programmes Revsions Working Group;
. Member, Student Fees Financial Controls Working Group;
. Member, DCU Virtual & Online Learning Group (VOLG);
. Member, Admissions Working Group;
. Chairman, DCU Disability Admissions Committee;
. Programme Director, BA in Journalism;
. Programme Director, BA in Communication Studies.
Research Interests:
- The use of social media within Irish politics
- PhD candidate (TCD) on “The History of the Puppet Theatre in Irelandâ€
- W. J. Lawrence, theatre historian and journalist 1862 – 1940;
- The use of Electronic Information Sources by Irish journalists;
- MAJ Thesis:Â “The Effects of Information Technology on Irish Journalism”, 1996.
Scholars Advisory Board,
William J. Lawrence Notebooks on the History of Irish Theater
University of Cincinnati
Based on my research interests in, and experience of, the life and work of William J Lawrence, I advise the Archives & Rare Books Librarian of the University of Cincinnati on this collection. Â The Lawrence collection consists of 99 handwritten notebooks containing his research on the Irish stage from 1630 to 1911.
Visiting DCU Scholar
Boston University
My visit to Boston University was part of an exchange facility between BU and Dublin City University, during which I:
- Progressed the writing and research of my PhD on “The History of the Puppet Theatre in Irelandâ€, covering a period from 1710 to 2010;
- Provided guest lectures for the BU College of Communication summer program courses in Public Relations and in New Media and Public Relations;
- Provided a guest lecture on Irish political communication and leadership for the masters program in Leadership & Communication at Lasell College, Newton, MA;
- Networked with BU Faculty and Administration Staff to discuss the operation and development of Boston University Online to assist in my role in developing DCU’s online offerings.
External Examiner (BA in Communications and Public Relations)
Institute of Technology Carlow
As External Examiner on the BA in Communications and Public Relations at the Institute of Technology, Carlow, my role was to verify that the stated standards were achieved within the degree programme and to consider and report objectively on wheather or not the programme’s learning outcomes were achieved by the candidates. In addition, I reported on the extent to which the intended learning outcomes of the programme were consistent with that expected of a level eight honours degree under the National Framework of Qualifications.
External Examiner (BA in Journalism)
Dublin Business School (DBS)
As External Examiner on the BA in Journalism at Dublin Business School, my role was to verify that the stated standards were achieved within the degree programme and to consider and report objectively on whether or not the programme’s learning outcomes were achieved by the candidates. In addition, I reported on the extent to which the intended learning outcomes of the programme were consistent with that expected of a level eight honours degree under the National Framework of Qualifications.
External Examiner (Research MA)
Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick
2007
MA Research Thesis External Examiner, Department of Media & Communication Studies, Mary Immaculate College of Education,
University of Limerick. This MA dissertation compared three Irish political web sites, examining the type and scope of their facilitation of participation in politics and the democratic process.
