My Biography

Senior Lecturer (Professional Learning and Development), Fulbright Scholar (Social Sciences), visiting professor at Henley Business School (University of Reading), UK and programme lead MA in Management in Education at the School of Lifelong Learning & Education. Over 25+ years of teaching in graduate and post-graduate education in Leadership, Strategic HRD and Organisation Development. 

Vice President (& Treasurer) of the Irish Fulbright Alumni Association (IFAA), member of the Academy of Management (2011-present) and Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). WIT Fulbright Ambassador 2019-2021 and WIT/TUI Research Officer.

Early career: Financial services and international consulting specialist in HR/OD (Human Resource Strategies and Organisation Development). Then university lecturer at UCD, OUBS, Henley Management College, Copenhagen Business School, and Research Fellow at Trinity College Dublin prior to WIT.

Research focus: Professional Learning & Development, Multi-disciplinary Collaborations, Identity & Social Networks 

Key funded research projects: Fulbright Scholar, Irish Research Council, SCoTENS, Teaching Council and WIT funded PhD scholarships

Research

Research Expertise

Research interests include: Professional learning and development. Cross-disciplinary thinking and learning. Inter-organisational collaboration. Action learning. Action Research.

Research Projects

Title: ‘Study of Outward Facing Assessment’ (SOFA) 2016-2018

Summary: This study takes a close look at FE student teachers’ experiences of the observation and assessment of their teaching practice. Results from the study will assist in understanding how a model of outward-facing assessment can be built into graduate and post-graduate further education TEQ professional teaching programmes.

Research Partner:   Ulster University (UU)

Funding Agency:  Standing Committee on Teacher Education: North and South (SCoTENS)

Title: ‘I am what I do’: A Study of Teacher Education Qualification (TEQ) Training in Further and Adult Education in the island of Ireland. (SAFETTI) 2015-2017

Summary: This study explores how adult and further education practitioners engage in lifelong learning and development. The study results will add to i) what is known on how teaching-learning environments (TLEs) in professional development programmes can be enhanced; and, ii)  further the emergent 'Possible and Ideal Selves' Framework developed from the TEQ Phase One study conducted at Waterford Institute of Technology (Graham Cagney and Mannix, 2014).

Research Partner:   General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI)

Funding Agency:  Standing Committee on Teacher Education: North and South (SCoTENS) 

Title: Developing Academic Communities in a Context Where There is a Tension Between Relevance and Accountability. Phase 1: 2014-2015; Phase 2: 2016-date

Summary: This study sought to examine the perspetives of Fulbright awardees with a focus on understanding the development of scholarly partnerships and research collaborations. Findings not only enhance current understandings of the influence of international research partnerships on a scholar's research and teaching agendas, but also provide contextualised understandings of the role of Fulbright in facilitating the creation and development of these partnerships.

Research Partners:   University of Georgia, Athens; University of South Florida (USF); DUKE University; Auburn University (AU) and University College Dublin (UCD)

Funding Agency: Irish Research Council (IRC)

Title: ‘Enhancing Teaching-Learning Environments (TLEs) in Professional Development Programs in Education’. 2014

Summary: The ETLEPDPE project explored how American transformative learning theory and practice can inform the design and delivery of professional development programs in Adult and Further Education (AFE) in Ireland. The project confirms the importance of achieving congruence within the teaching-learning environment (TLE), and of integrating individual and interactive dimensions of learning within the learning space. 

Research Partner:   University South Florida (USF); University of Georgia, Athens (UGA)

Funding Agency: Fulbright Commission (Ireland) 

Earlier Research Projects

Project Title: Insider Action Research Doctorates: Creating Transformative Learning Spaces in Professional Development in Higher Education: the student experience. Graham Cagney, A. (PI, WIT), Ruona, W. (Co-PI, UGA). November 2014- June 2015.

Project Title: Insider Action Research Doctorates: Creating Transformative Learning Spaces in Professional Development in Higher Education: the faculty experience. Graham Cagney, A. (PI, WIT), Watkins, K. (Co-PI, UGA). April 2014- June 2015.

Project Title: Who's on First? Exploring the Learning Domain Expectations and Requirements: Informing Student Success. Graham Cagney, A. (PI, WIT), King, K. (Co-PI, USF). February 2014 – August 2014

Project Title: Creating Transformative Learning Spaces to support Emergent & Evolving Personal, Professional and Situational Teacher Identity: A Study of Multiple Teacher Selves in Further and Adult Education in Ireland.  Graham Cagney, A. (PI, WIT), Mannix, V. (Co-PI, WIT). September 2013 – December 2015 (Stage One: ongoing longitidunal study)

Project Title: Thinking and Talking Across the Disciplines: the RDLE effect. Graham Cagney (PI, WIT), Quinn, K. (Co-PI, TSSG). March – August 2012

Project Title: Doctoral Education at the ‘Eye’ of the Perfect Storm. (2011-2012). Graham Cagney, A. (PI, WIT/TCD), Coghlan, P. (Co-PI, TCD)  & Andrews, L. (RA, IA). September 2011 – June 2012

Project Title: ‘FINDING THE RED THREAD’ PROJECT: The Role of the Learning Space in Transformative Learning in Executive Education. Graham Cagney, A. (PI, TCD & CBS). September 2007 – December 2010.

Teaching

Waterford Institute of Technology: Lecturer on Masters, BA (Hons) and undergraduate programmes specialising in adult learning, HRM, leadership, change management, reflective practice and critical thinking.

External experience: Lecturer on Doctoral, Masters and Executive programmes specialising in organisational behaviour, leadership, change management, strategy, HRM and critical thinking.

Waterford Institute of Technology: Research supervision/co-supervision Masters research students at WIT.

External experience: Research supervision/co-supervision of Doctoral and Masters research students and examiner Masters and Doctoral theses. 

Guest/ Visiting Lecturer, 

I have delivered guest lectures and seminars at various universities/ professional bodies, 1993-present:

National College of Ireland, Dublin Institute of Technology, Open University Business School, Dublin City University, University College Dublin

Irish Management Institute, Henley Management College, Henley Business School, University of Reading

Trinity College Dublin, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Business School, University of Georgia, Athens, USA, University of South Florida, USA, University of Texas at Austin, USA

Professional

Consulting & External Business Experience:

Sea-Cargo AS (Norway); AP Moller Maersk Group (Denmark); NIEA (Northern Ireland); LEGO (Denmark); Church of Ireland; South West College (Northern Ireland); Prudential European Group (UK & Ireland); Philips (Netherlands); RABO Bank (Netherlands); Microsoft (USA, UK & Ireland); Sun Micro-Systems (USA, Ireland); GSK (UK & Israel); Élan Pharmaceuticals (Ireland); Bass Group (UK); Higher Education Authority (Ireland); Garda Representative Association (Police Representative Assoc (Ireland); Local Government Computer Services Board (Ireland), Compaq (Ireland); Carr Communications;Becton Dickinson (Ireland & USA); Teagasc (Rural Development Authority, Ireland); Health & Safety Authority (Ireland).

Scholarship

Nominee, Research Supervisor Excellence Award, Waterford Institute of Technology (2019).

Visiting Professor, Henley Business School, University of Reading, UK (2010 to date)

Visiting Research Fellow, Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin 2011-2014 and 2014-2017

Fulbright Scholar (Social Sciences) 2014

Fulbright Scholar Social Entrepreneurship: Innovating Nonprofits and Developing Communities International Award. Sponsored by U.S. Dept. of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.Communities. 2014

Irish Liaison International Higher Education Teaching & Learning Association (HETL)

Trinity Trust Award 2008

Student Excellence (Student of the Year Award) 1985 

Memberships

Fellow: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

Member: European Education Research Association

Member: Academy of Management

Member: International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Member: Association for Research in Post Compulsory Education

Publications

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Graham Cagney, A. Constructing an FE Teacher Identity:  Voices from the Field. In Education Matters: Ireland’s Yearbook of Education 2019-2020 .

Graham Cagney, A. ‘I Am What I Do’ . . .Professional Voices From The Field of Adult and Further Education. In J.A. Gammel, S. Motulsky & A. Rutstein-Riley (Eds). I Am What I Become: Constructing an Identity as a Lifelong Learner. IAP Publishing. 2018. Book Chapter 2019.

Pope, E.M., deMarrais, K.P., Graham Cagney, A., & Moore, D.N., International Scholarly Communities in Fulbright Programs, Learning Communities Journal, Issue 9, 2017, 47-74. Journal Article 2017.

Graham Cagney, A. “Doing Action Research In Your Own Organization, (4th Ed) D. Coghlan& T. Brannick”. (Review), Journal of Action Learning: Research & Practice. London: Routledge. ISSN 1476-7333 (Online) (2015). Journal Article 2015.

Graham Cagney, A. (2014). “Leaky Pipelines in Tampa, Florida”, Research Matters, Journal of Research and Innovation, Waterford Institute of Technology. Issue 2015. Journal Article 2015.

Graham Cagney, A. Transformative Learning. In D. Coghlan & M.Brydon Miller (Eds). The SAGE Encyclopaedia of Action Research,SAGE Publications. 2014. ISBN: 9781849200271. Book Chapter 2014.

Graham Cagney, A. Cognitive Mapping, In D. Coghlan&M.Brydon Miller (Eds). The SAGE Encyclopaedia of Action Research,2014. SAGE Publications.ISBN: 9781849200271. Book Chapter 2014.

Coghlan, D. & Graham Cagney, A. "Multisensory Holistic Immersion”: The Method of Insider Inquiry Skills as a Threshold Concept", Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, Issue
5, 2013. ISSN: 1759-667X. Journal Article 2013.

Graham Cagney, A. ‘Finding the Red Thread’: The Role of the Learning Space in Transformative Learning in Executive Education. PhD Thesis, Trinity College, Dublin. PhD Thesis 2011.

Coughlan, P. & Anne Graham, Embedding a Threshold Concept in Teaching and Learning of Product Development Management, Creativity and Innovation Management, 18, (3), 2009, p190 – 198 DOI: 10.1111/j. 1467-8691.2009.00524. Journal Article 2009.

Graham, A & Coghlan, D. (2008) Creating the learning space for insider Inquiry: Threshold concepts in observing organizations.  In C. Rust (ed.), Improving Student Learning through the Curriculum, Proceedings of 2008 16th International Symposium, Improving Student Learning, Oxford Brookes
University: Oxford (pp. 220-232). Journal Article 2008.

Graham, A. (2006)  ‘People are saying……..’: Can a culture that has supported organizational success, also act as a mechanism to prevent failure in times of change and evolution?” paper delivered at the ISEOR International Conference and Doctoral Consortium. Published by the Academy of Management Organization Development and Change Division. Summer 2006. Journal Article 2006.

Peer-Reviewed Conference Papers/Other Publications

Graham Cagney, A. (2019). Creating Transformative Learning Spaces For Possible Selves In FET Teacher Professional Development Programmes. ECER Conference.  Universität Hamburg, Germany. 2-6 September 2019. EERA Network 02 Vocational Education and Training (VETNET). Accepted. 

O’Mahony, A. and Graham Cagney, A. (2019). Further Education And Training (FET) Teacher Engagement With Continuing Professional Development (CPD) In SouthWest Ireland. ECER Conference.  Universität Hamburg, Germany. 2-6 September 2019. EERA Network 02 Vocational Education and Training (VETNET). Accepted. 

*Graham-Cagney, A., Irwin, T., O’Mahony, A. and Yelverton-Halpin, C. (2018). SOFA: A Study In Outward Facing Assessment In Further Education Teacher Training Programmes In Ireland. ECER Conference. The Free University of Bolzan-Bolzano, 3-7 September 2018. EERA Network 10 Teacher Education Research (Delivered September 2018).

*Graham Cagney, A. ‘An Exploration of the Nature of Personal Engagement in Research Work in Institutes of Technology in Ireland (SPaRC), Higher Education Institutional Research (HEIR) UK & Ireland Conference: The Changing Landscape of Higher Education: Challenges and Opportunities for Institutional Research. Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland. 20-21 September 2018. Accepted.

O’Toole, M. and Graham Cagney, A. (2018). Engaging Apprenticeship Students with the Learning Process. ARPCE 3rd International Research Conference, Harris Manchester College, Oxford, UK 8-10 July 2018. (Delivered September 2018)

O’Toole, M. and Graham Cagney, A. (2018). Motivating Disengaged Trade Apprentices in Meaningful Learning, ECER Conference. The Free University of Bolzan-Bolzano, 3-7 September 2018. EERA Network 02 Vocational Education and Training (VETNET). (Delivered September 2018).

Graham Cagney, A. (2018). International Scholarly Communities in Fulbright
Programmes. Research Sparks – WIT Conference. Delivered February 2018)

Graham Cagney, A. and Cordie, L. Developing Talented Faculty Through Fulbright Programmes: Creating Engagement and Commitment to International Scholarly Partnerships and Research Collaborations. ECER Conference, University College Copenhagen, 21-25 August 2017. EERA Network No.22 Research in Higher Education: Conference Paper 2017.

Graham Cagney, A., Yelverton-Halpin, C., & Cohen, N. The Students’ Experience of FE Teacher Education Qualification (TEQ) Programmes: A Study of FE Teachers Professional Development and Evolving Identity in Ireland: North and South. ECER Conference, University College Copenhagen 21-25 August 2017. EERA Network 02 Vocational Education and Training (VETNET). Conference Paper 2017.

Graham Cagney, A. Growing Professionals: Facilitating Transformative Learning.  NALA International Literacy Day Conference: From coping to flourishing: Transformative learning in practice and theory, 8 September 2016, Wood Quay, Dublin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4JFA5F8cm4.          Invited Guest Speaker 2016.

Graham Cagney, A., Cohen, N., & Yelverton-Halpin, C. ‘I am what I do’: A Study of Adult and Further Education Teacher Training in Ireland.  ECER 2016 Leading Education: The Distinct Contributions of Educational Research and Researchers.  EERA Conference, University College Dublin 22-26 August 2016.   http://www.eera-ecer.de/ecer-programmes/conference/21/contribution/38620/. Conference Paper 2016.

Graham Cagney, A., DeMarie, D., Pope, E., DeMarrais, E., Crites, G. Developing Scholarly Partnerships and Research Collaborations through Fulbright Scholar Awards. ECER 2016 Leading Education: The Distinct Contributions of Educational Research and Researchers.  EERA Conference, University College Dublin, 22-26 August 2016. (Delivered) http://www.eera-ecer.de/ecer-programmes/conference/21/contribution/38606/. Conference Paper 2016.

Graham Cagney, A. DeMarrais, K, DeMarie, D., Crites, G., and Pope, E.M. Developing Academic Communities in a Context Where There Is Tension Between Relevance and Accountability, BERA Conference 2016, University of Leeds, 13th-15th September 2016. Conference Paper 2016.

Graham Cagney, A., Cohen, N., & Yelverton-Halpin, C. The SAFETTI Study: Adult and Further Education Teacher Training in Ireland.  Research in Post-Compulsory Education, ARPCE 2nd International Research Conference, Harris Manchester College, Oxford, UK 8-10 July 2016. Conference Paper 2016.

Griffin, S. & Graham Cagney, A. Exploring and Developing Pedagogies for Autistic Students aged 16+ in Post-Compulsory Education (PCE) in South-East Ireland ARPCE 2nd International Research Conference, Harris Manchester College, Oxford, UK 8-10 July 2016. Conference Paper 2016.

Graham Cagney, A.  Strategy: An Introduction. Delivered at the Irish Management Institute, Dublin. 16 April 2016. Invited Talk 2016.

Graham Cagney, A. & Cohen, N.  'A Study of Teacher Education Qualification (TEQ) Training in the island of Ireland'. Inaugural European Conference on the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning: Cork, Ireland, June 8-9 2015 [http://www.nairtl.ie/documents/EuroSoTLBookofAbstracts.pdf]. Conference Paper 2015.

Graham Cagney, A & Neville, G. ‘The Talent Framework Underpinning Faculty Success: Exploring How to Support Faculty Engagement in International Scholarly Networks’. Inaugural European Conference on the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning: Cork, Ireland, June 8-9 2015. [http://www.nairtl.ie/documents/EuroSoTLBookofAbstracts.pdf]. Conference Paper 2015.

Ruona, W. & Graham Cagney, A. ‘The Students’ Experience of Insider Action Research Doctorates: Creating Transformative Learning Spaces in Professional Development in Higher Education’, 16th International Human Resource Development Research and Practice across Europe, University College Cork, Ireland. 3-5 June 2015. Conference Paper 2015.

Graham Cagney, A., deMarrais, K., Pope, E. ‘Developing Academic Communities through Fulbright Programs’, 16th International Human Resource Development Research and Practice across Europe, University College Cork, Ireland. 3-5 June 2015. Conference Paper 2015.

Graham Cagney, A., Neville, G. & Brennan, A.  ‘Understanding Academics’ Engagement: A Study of Transformative Learning about the Nature of Engagement through Personal identification with the Organization. 16th International Human Resource Development Research and Practice across Europe, University College Cork, Ireland. 3-5 June 2015. Conference Paper 2015.

Graham Cagney, A., deMarrais, K., Pope, E. ‘The Impact of International Scholarly Networks on Academic Lifelong Professional Learning’, UK Council for Graduate Education, 2nd International Conference on Developments in Doctoral Education and Training (ICDDET) 30-31 March 2015, University of Oxford, UK. Conference Paper 2015.

Graham Cagney, A., Watkins, K., & Ruona, W. ‘Action Research Professional Doctorates: A ‘Ph’ of a Different Kind’. UK Council for Graduate Education, 2nd International Conference on Developments in Doctoral Education and Training (ICDDET), 30-31 March 2015, University of Oxford, UK. Conference Paper 2015.

Graham Cagney, A. & King, K. ‘Who’s on First? Exploring the Learning Domain Expectations and Requirements: Informing Student Success’. Academy of Human Resource Development International research conference in the Americas. 18-22 February 2015, St Louis, Missouri, USA. Conference Paper 2015.

DeMarie, D. & Graham Cagney, A. 'A Journey of a Different Kind: The Impact of Receiving a Professional Award On One’s Personal and Professional Life.' 37th Annual conference &Fulbright Prize Ceremony, Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill & Ronald Regan Center, Washington DC, October 16-18 2014. Poster Presentation 2014.

Mannix, V. & Graham Cagney, A. 'Toward a conceptual framework of personal, professional and situational teacher identity: A study of multiple teacher selves in Further and Adult Education in Ireland.' Durham University, UK, Conference   ‘Screaming in a20-mile zone: Academic Identities in 2014’ 8-9 July 2014. Conference Paper 2014.

Graham Cagney, A. Further & Adult Education in the ‘Path’ of  the Perfect Storm. Creating Connections, Waterford Institute of Technology. June 10th 2014. Invited Talk 2014.

Graham Cagney, A. Further & Adult Education in Ireland. Key Note Presentation: Fulbright Symposium.  Delivered at USF World, University of South Florida, Tampa, USA. 2nd April 2014. Invited Talk 2014.

Graham Cagney, A. &Mannix, V. 'Designing the Plane While Flying It: A Study of Teacher Training for Further Education in Ireland'. British Education Research Association, Annual Conference 3-5 September 2013, University of Sussex, England. Conference Paper 2013.

Graham Cagney, A. 'Enhancing Teaching-Learning Environments in   Professional Development Programmes in Education. 3rd Annual Action Research Colloquium, 20-21 June 2013. Institute of Technology Tralee, Co Kerry, Ireland. Conference Paper 2013.

Graham Cagney, A. (2013, June). 'The TEQ experience: Professional Development Programmes for Further and Adult Education Teachers'. 1st Annual Teaching & Learning Symposium. 11 June 2013. Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland. Invited Talk 2013.

Graham Cagney, A. & Mannix,V. ‘Interdisciplinary Ways of Thinking and Practicing . . . . Without Tears’. International Higher Education Teaching and Learning Association (HETL) Conference, Exploring Spaces for Learning,  January 13-15, 2013, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida. Conference Paper 2013.

Graham Cagney, A. Coughlan, P. & Andrews, L. 'Doctoral Education at the ‘Eye’ of the Perfect Storm’. 4th Biennial Threshold Concepts Conference and 6th NAIRTL Annual Conference June. Threshold Concepts in Doctoral Supervision.28th & 29th June, 2012 at Trinity College Dublin. Conference Paper 2012.

Graham Cagney, A. and Quinn, K. Thinking and Talking Across The   Disciplines: the RDLE effect. Action Research Colloquium, June 2012 held at Waterford Institute of Technology. Ireland. Technology, Ireland. June 2012. Conference Paper 2012.

Graham Cagney, A. (2011,June).  ‘Finding the Red Thread’. Action Research Colloquium, June 9th & 10th, 2011, held at Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland. Conference Paper 2011.

Coughlan, P & Graham, A. 'Embedding a Threshold Concept in Teaching and Learning of Product Development Management'. NAIRTL, 3RD Annual Conference. Research-Teaching Linkages: Practice & Policy, 6th November 2009 at Trinity College Dublin. Conference Paper 2009)

Graham, A. & Potter, J. 'Threshold Concepts: Enabling Open Dialogue on Teaching and Learning within and across Traditional Boundaries?  NAIRTL 2nd Annual Conference. Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: Challenging Assumptions, 13-14 November, 2008, at Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford. Conference Paper 2008.

Graham, A. 'Exploring How the ‘Learning Space’ of an Executive Education Programme can Facilitate Students’ Understanding of EMBA Threshold Concepts and Troublesome Knowledge'. Second Biannual Symposium on Threshold Concepts, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, June 2008. Conference Paper 2008.

Coghlan, D. & Graham, A. 'Creating the learning space for insider inquiry: Threshold concepts in observing organisations.   Paper presented at the 16th International Symposium, Improving Student Learning through the Curriculum, University of Durham, UK.September, 2008. Conference Paper 2008.

Graham, A. & Coughlan, P. 'Bringing it all together; enhancing the learning environment in a multi-disciplinary undergraduate product development course’.  EURAM, International Product Development Management Conference, Frankfurt, June 2008. Conference Paper 2008.