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SETU Waterford offers a broad range of academic programmes from levels 6 to 10 on the national framework of qualifications across Business, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Computing.

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researchThe School of Education and Lifelong Learning was established in 2004 with a number of research active academics and an emergent research strategy focused on practitioner research in the field of adult education. Today the School has developed significant working partnerships with local and national government agencies and regional fora focused on adult and further education, the continuing professional development (CPD) of adult educators and education as a pathway to economic growth and social inclusion. 

The School has been successful in winning competitive research funding from the Irish Research Council, the Standing Conference on Teacher Education North and South (SCoTENS), the Fulbright Commission, the National Adult Literacy Agency, the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning and the European Commission.  Academic staff are actively engaged and contribute to national policy debates specifically in the fields of adult and further education, adult literacy, the continued professional development of educators and technology-enhanced learning (TEL).

The School is known for its pioneering work in adult, further and community education, teacher, education and lifelong learning. Our faculty challenge and engage students in graduate programmes focused on intellectual inquiry, research, and practice.

The School's vibrant research culture and eco-system is evolving through the work of dedicated research-active staff, its track-record of growth in postgraduate study, its engagement with educational professionals across the spectrum of education and its development ambitions that are congruent with international higher education institutes. The School takes pride in its record of contributing to research in the field of adult and teacher education with faculty contributing to the body of knowledge in fields such as adult and community education, adult literacy, recognition of prior learning, the continuing professional development of teachers, the professional identity of teachers, intercultural education, virtue epistemology, reflective practice, creativity in education and entrepreneurship education.

Given the origins of the School are in adult education, a respect for adult learners is an integral value of the School.  This value informs the School's ambition to create a nurturing and supportive research environment, where students and faculty actively engage and collaborate with one another in the development of new knowledge.

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i) Professor Maggie Gregson

Professor Maggie Gregson is Professor of Vocational Education, and Research Lead at the School of Education, University of Sunderland. She is Visiting Professor at the School of Education and Lifelong Learning in SETU Waterford for two years as part of SETU Waterford’s UK Joint Research Professor initiative.

The programme, the first of its kind in the Irish Institute of Technology (IoT) and Technological University (TU) sector, aims to assign an eminent UK-based research professor to each School within the university to enhance SETU Waterford’s international partnerships, collaborations and research capability. 

Professor Gregson is working with Dr Helen Murphy, Head of School of Education and Lifelong Learning and colleagues across the School, to help build research capacity in the School and strengthen the engagement of School staff in educational research.

Professor Gregson is Director of the Centre for Excellence in Teacher Training at the University of Sunderland (SUNCETT), where she manages and teaches Master of Arts and Master of Philosophy programmes, supervises PhDs and leads national developments in advancing understanding of and support for practitioner research in the Further Adult and Vocational Education sector. She has published widely in the fields of practice-focused research, vocational education and educational assessment and evaluation.

 

ii) Professor Meg Benke professor

Prof Meg Benke is Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the State University of New York, Empire State College and Professor, School of Graduate Studies, in adult learning and emerging technologies.  She is a Visiting Professor to the School of Lifelong Learning and Education in SETU Waterford since 2018. Prof Benke was the first Fulbright research professor at SETU Waterford in 2015, doing research with the further education sector and advising on blended learning strategy, and continuing as a visiting lecturer.

She has also presented or partnered with several other Ireland institutions related to the recognition of prior learning. Prof Benke has had an extensive administrative career at Empire State College, previously serving as Dean of the Center for Distance Learning and Acting President of the college.

As a Professor, Benke chaired the division of education and coordinated the programs in adult learning and emerging technologies. Prof Benke was inducted into the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame for her contributions to adult  and online learning and was recognized for the Most Outstanding Achievement in Online Learning by an Individual, by the Online Learning Consortium in 2007. Prof Benke also served as a commissioner for the Middle States Association for Higher Education (Higher Education Accreditation) chairing the substantive change committee which oversees areas such as adding online or competency based programs.

Prof Benke’s presentations and publications focus on adult learning, online learning, prior learning assessment and progressive education. Recent book chapters include in an edited volume, Leading Change in Distance Education, “Optimizing Student Success,” “Leading Beyond the Institution,” “Visualizing and Actionable Future,” and “Game Changers:  Education and Information Technology,” edited by Diane Oblinger. “SUNY Empire State College: A Game Changer in Open Learning,” Educause Digital Book.   

 

iii) Past Scholar: Dr Jenifer Schneider

Dr Jenifer Schneider, Professor of Literacy Studies at the University of South Florida (USF), Tampa, was the second visiting international Fulbright Scholar to visit SETU Waterford. She joined Dr Anne Graham Cagney and her colleagues in the Literacy Development Centre at SETU Waterford’s School of Education and Lifelong Learning in 2016.

  • Commencement:          2022

    Funding Call:    Erasmus + KA220-HED - Cooperation partnerships in higher education

     

    Partners:              Hanzehogeschool Groningen Netherlands (Lead)

    Instituto Politecnico de Braganica Portugal

    Hochschule Brenen Germany

    School of Education and Lifelong Learning, SETU

  • Commencement:          2021

    Funding Call:    Erasmus +

     

    Partners:              European Basic Skills Network (EBSN) (Lead)

    National Adult Literacy Assocation, Ireland

    Directorate for Research, Lifelong Learning and Employability (DRLLE) within        the Ministry for Education and Employment, Malta

    Folksuniversetet, Norway

    Pecs University and Project Consult, Hungary.

    School of Education and Lifelong Learning, SETU, Ireland

  • Commencement:          2019-2022

    Funding Call:    Erasmus +

     

    Partners:              Directorate for Research, Lifelong Learning and Employability (DRLLE) within                        the Ministry for Education and Employment, Malta

    Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI)

    Fonix, Norway

    National Adult Literacy Assocation, Ireland

    School of Education and Lifelong Learning, SETU, Ireland

    Project website:               https://citoproject.eu

  • Commencement:          2019-2022

    Funding call: Higher Education System Innovation and Transformation Call 2018

    Partners:            School of Education and Lifelong Learning, SETU, Ireland

    Walton Institute, SETU

    Project website:             www.rpl4lifelonglearning.ie

An Exploration of the Nature of Personal Engagement in Research Work in Institutes of Technology in Ireland (SPaRC)

Candidate

Supervisor

Co-Supervisor

Michelle Greene

Dr Anne Graham-Cagney

Dr Sinead Conneely (School of Humanities)

 

Enhancing Cross-Disciplinary Teaching and Learning Environments in Professional Higher Education Programmes

Candidate

Supervisor

Co-Supervisor

Redmond Condon

Dr Anne Graham-Cagney

Dr Sinead Conneely (School of Humanities)

 

Embedding a culture of internationalisation into the curriculum through "Internationalisation at home" - Preparation for the changing context of Higher Education in Ireland

Candidate

Supervisor

Co-Supervisor

Nidhi Piplani Kapur

Dr Don O'Neill (School of Humanities)

Dr Helen Murphy

 

Critical Data Studies in Public Employment Systems

Candidate

Supervisor

Co-Supervisor

Antoinette Jordan

Dr Ray Griffin (School of Business)

Dr Zeta Dooly

 

Immersive Learning Environments

Candidate

Supervisor

Co-Supervisor

Mary Anastatia Byrne

Dr Zeta Dooly

Dr Felicity Kelliher

 

Exploring Educator Digital Mindsets and Identity in Technology Universities (TU) in Ireland

Candidate

Supervisor

Co-Supervisor

Anne O'Mahony

Dr Anne Graham-Cagney

Dr Sinead Conneely (School of Humanities)

 

The Research and Development Learning Environment (RDLE): Thinking and Talking Across Disciplines

Candidate

Supervisor

Co-Supervisor

Bernard Concannon

Dr Anne Graham-Cagney

Dr Thomae Kakouli-Duarte (IT Carlow)

 

A mixed-methods investigation of the evaluation of guidance in Post-Primary Schools in Ireland

Candidate

Supervisor

Co-Supervisor

Esther Doyle

Dr Lucy Hearne

Dr Mary Fenton

 

An investigation of how adult learners on lifelong learning programmes can inform and shape curriculum development in SETU

Candidate

Supervisor

Co-Supervisor

Gulmira Tussupekova

Dr Lucy Hearne

Dr Gina Noonan (IT, Carlow) & Dr Helen Murphy

 

Practitioner identities and sector reform in contemporary further education and training in Ireland

Candidate

Supervisor

Co-Supervisor

Sarah Bates-Evoy

Dr Carol O'Byrne

Professor Gareth Parry

 

Evolving a model for flexible lifelong learning delivery through the use of technology in Irish Higher Education

Candidate

Supervisor

Co-Supervisor

Sarah-Jane Cashman

Dr John Wall

Dr Stephan Davy

Funding source

SETU Waterford scholarship

 

Head of School (Dean) of Education & Lifelong Learning: Dr. Helen Murphy
Cork Rd Campus Room A03 & College St. Campus Room CL13 

School Administrator: Judy Robinson (Acting)
Tel: 051 302706
E-mail: [email protected] 
Cork Rd Campus Room A03 & College St Campus

Dept. of Lifelong Learning

Head of Department: Mr. Neil Quinlan
Tel: 051 306127
E-mail: [email protected]
Cork Rd Campus Room A03

Dept. of Education

Head of Department: Dr. Mary Fenton
Tel: 051 845584
E-mail: [email protected]
College St. Campus Room CL13
St. Dominic's Building

Assistant Head of Department:  Ms. Laura Widger
Tel: 051 306166
E-mail: [email protected]
College St. Campus Room BL
St. Dominic's Building 

Literacy Development Centre 

Manager (Acting): Ms. Catherine Earle 
Tel: 051 834013
E-mail: [email protected]
College St. Campus Room CL8
St. Dominic's Building

Centre for Technology-Enhanced Learning (Moodle)

Manager: Mr. Ken McCarthy
Tel: 051 302913
Tel: 051 834114 (Office)
E-mail: [email protected]

CALMAST
Directors
Dr. Sheila Donegan   Tel: 051 302449 
Dr.  Eoin Gill   Tel: 051 302865
E-mail: [email protected]

Music School

Co-ordinator:  Ms. Julie Quinlan    E-mail:  [email protected]  
Secretary:  Ms. Catherine O’Brien  E-mail: [email protected]
Tel:   051-302277 / Mob:  087-1645805
E-mail: [email protected]

Academic staff in the School are actively engaged with national and international research networks including EERA, ESREA, BERA, IRC, HELLIN and EUCEN and are contributing to research in their field through published research. Members of faculty in the School are further developing research links through roles such as Editorial Board member (The Adult Learner), Reviews Editor (Action Learning Research and Practice Journal), Irish Fulbright Alumni Association board membership and Deputy Chair of the Irish Learning Technology Association.

Visiting Scholars:  The School hosted two Fulbright scholars in 2015 and 2016, Dr Meg Benke and Dr Jennifer Schneider. Their engagement with faculty within the School and across the Institute contributed to the enhancement of research activity, scholarship and development of international links with academics in the United States.

European Educational Research Association (EERA) https://eera-ecer.de/

The aim of the ‘European Educational Research Association’ (EERA) is to further high quality educational research for the benefit of education and society.

 

European Society for Research on the Education of Adults (ESREA) https://esrea.org/

ESREA e.V. promotes and disseminates theoretical and empirical research on the education of adults and adult learning in Europe through research networks, conferences and publications.

 

British Educational Research Association (BERA) https://www.bera.ac.uk/

The British Educational Research Association (BERA) is the leading authority on educational research in the UK, supporting and representing the community of scholars, practitioners and everyone.

 

Irish Research Council (IRC) https://research.ie/

The mission of the Irish Research Council is to support excellence in research talent, knowledge and engagement.

 

Higher Education Lifelong Learning Ireland Network (HELLIN) https://hellin.ie/

The Higher Education Lifelong Learning in Ireland Network (HELLIN) is an all island body that advocates for the interests of the adult and mature student populations in universities and institutes of technology across the island North and South.

 

European University Continuing Education Network (EUCEN) http://www.eucen.eu/

EUCEN aims to contribute to the social, economic and cultural life of Europe through the promotion and advancement of lifelong learning within higher education institutions in Europe and elsewhere, and to foster universities' influence in the development of lifelong learning knowledge and policies throughout Europe.

https://www.wit.ie/news/all_news/the-vicky-phelan-chair-in-equality-and-access-to-education-launched-by-wit-on-international-womens-day

“The Vicky Phelan Chair in Equality and Access to Education” was launched by SETU Waterford on International Women’s Day, 8th March, 2022. The honorary research chair, named after Honorary Fellow of SETU Waterford, Vicky Phelan, aims to embed the values that Vicky stands for with the values of SETU Waterford.

The role is an Honorary Research Chair for a 3-year period and attracts an annual grant of EUR5,000 which may be used by the successful candidate to fund activities relating to research outputs.

This grant is to conduct research into how we widen access to education, with a specific focus on women.

The successful awardee will be allowed to use the title:

The Vicky Phelan Chair in Equality and Access to Education

 

Selection Criteria:  

Applicants will be required to submit an application with details on their motivation to apply for this grant, their research plan for the 3-year period, their expected research outputs and any other dissemination planned as part of the role (including an annual public presentation).

This Honorary Chair will be awarded every 3 years beginning in 2022.

  • The first Chair will take up the role in September 2022 and hold this role for a 3 year period.
  • The awardee will be a member of staff in SETU Waterford (not limited to academic staff).
  • The awardee will be required to disseminate their research on an annual basis.
  • The awardee will deliver an annual public address on their work in the university.
  • The awardee will be expected to publish at least one peer reviewed publication over the course of the three-year period

 

South East Technological University awarded a SETU Waterford Honorary Fellowship to Vicky Phelan in November 2018. This award, conferred by the SETU Waterford Governing Body, is the highest honorary award the Institute can confer to individuals who have demonstrated distinction in a field of human endeavour to such an extent as to provide motivation and inspiration to the community of the Institute and society at large.

Vicky joined SETU Waterford in 2006 to work in the Literacy Development Centre in the School of Education & Lifelong Learning. She was warmly welcomed into the centre and, from the start, it was clear to her colleagues that she was a determined and engaging individual with a passion for education and equality. Her empathy with people and particularly adult learners was at the forefront of her work. Her capabilities and leadership led to her assuming the role of Head of the Literacy Development Centre, a national centre that provides professional development to practitioners working within the adult literacy and adult education sector. In this role she worked with adult education practitioners, local and national stakeholder organisations such as the education and training boards, NALA and SOLAS, and the academic and administrative team at the Literacy Development Centre in SETU Waterford.

The MEd in Teaching and Learning and the MA in Management in Education are designed to develop participants’ knowledge, skills and confidence to become positive and effective change agents within their own educational setting.

Taught Masters Programmes

PAC Code

Programme

Mode

Contact

Contact Email

Webpage

WD603

MEd in Teaching and Learning

PT Blended Delivery

Dr Mary Fenton

[email protected]

https://www.wit.ie/courses/med_in_teaching_and_learning

WD548

MA in Management in Education

PT Blended Delivery

Dr Anne Graham Cagney

[email protected]

https://www.wit.ie/courses/masters_of_arts_in_management_in_education_part_time

 

The School of Education and Lifelong Learning also offers opportunities for postgraduate study by Research at Masters (Level 9) and PhD (Level 10) levels. Possible areas are outlined below. For further details please contact the relevant member of academic staff.

Theme

Postgraduate Contact

Contact Email

Policy, Practice and Professional Development

Jean NiBhaoill

[email protected]
SETU Waterford, Cork Road, Waterford City,
Co. Waterford, Ireland
Eircode: X91 K0EK

Contact

T: +353 0818 121212

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