Personal profile
Research Interests
ORCID no. 0000-0002-7629-9438
Further, Adult and Community, Training (FACET)
Global Citizenship Education (GCE)
Educational Policy Studies
Curriculum and Assessment Theory and Practice
Social Inclusion and the Theory of Social Capital
Research Methodology
Critical Narrative Inquiry
Philosophy of Education
Theories of Learning
Biography
Sep 2006 – Present: Senior Lecturer in Education. I have recently led out, as Programme Director, on a new (level 9) Postgraduate Diploma in Further, Adult and Community Education (PDFACE) programme - see https://www.ucc.ie/en/ace-pdface/. This exciting partnership between the School of Education and Adult Continuing Education (ACE) provides for, uniquely in the history of UCC and Cork, an innovative Further Education and Training (FET) teacher qualification (it also provides a platform for further pathway programmes and international research cohort developments). The PDFACE programme has been professionally accredited by the Teaching Council of Ireland.
Sep 2002 - Sep 2006: Acting Director (2005-2006) and Senior Researcher (2002-2006) at the Centre for Adult Continuing Education, UCC.
Sep 2001 - Sep 2002: Lecturer in Cork College of Commerce, in University College Cork and in Cork Institute of Technology.
Jan 1998 - Aug 2001: Bristol University PhD Scholarship.
Sep 1991 - Jan 1998: Post-primary school teacher (Mathematics) and Head of First Year in St. Bonaventure's School, East London.
Third Level Education: (Jan 1998 - Aug 2001) PhD in Educational Policy and Management from the University of Bristol; (1994-1996) MEd in Educational Policy and Management from Goldsmiths College, University of London; (1990-1991) HDE (Higher Diploma in Education) from University College Cork; (1987-1990) BA (Honours) in Economics and Mathematics from University College Cork.
Teaching Activities
My learning and teaching interests include:
Further, Adult and Community, and Training (FACET) - particularly the philosophy of adult education
Learning theory and practice - particularly the philosophy and practice of critical pedagogy
Curriculum and Assessment - policy, theory and practice
Inclusive multicultural education - particularly engaging methodological strategies in the classroom
Global Citizenship Education - and how to apply its key prinicples and values in the Post-primary and Further Education classrooms
Educational policy and practice - particularly, ideological change forces on teachers' work culture
Mathematics education - with particular focus on the impact of different forms of cultural literacy
Social inclusion - with specific focus on more equitable forms of educational provision
Research methodology - critical narrative inquiry and critical ethnography; seminar/individual supports e.g., connections between research purpose, theory and methodological considerations
Contemporary issues in education e.g., critical analysis and impact of the learning outcomes movement; critiquing Neoliberal effects/affects in educational policy and practice
UCC Futures (primary)
- Collective Social Futures
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 4 Quality Education
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SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
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SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
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SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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An Introduction to Narrative Inquiry
Fahy, C., Gravani, M. N., O'Brien, S. & Zarifis, G. K., 15 Nov 2025, Understanding the experiences of adult educators: Narrative lessons for professional knowledge, values, and practice. RoutledgeResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedings › Chapter › peer-review
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Enabling Diverse Student Voice in the University
Ní Laoire, C., Bilson, J., Byrne, O., Dorrity, C., Edwards, C., Honohan, C., Mac Éinrí, P. & O'Brien, S., 2025, University College Cork/ Access Office/ ISS21: University College Cork.Research output: Book/Report › Other report
Open Access -
'Transitioning from Further Education and Training (FET) to Higher Education (HE) in Ireland: Setting the scene for adult learner ‘voice''.
O'Brien, S., 2025, Transition from Pedagogy to Andragogy: An International Perspective. Forthcoming.. North Carolina: Information Age Publishing.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedings › Chapter › peer-review
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Transitioning from further education and training to higher education in Ireland: Setting the scene for adult learner "voice"
O'Brien, S., 20 Jun 2025, Transition From Pedagogy to Andragogy: An International Perspective. Emerald Publishing, p. 179-200 22 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedings › Chapter › peer-review
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Understanding the Experiences of Adult Educators: Narrative Lessons for Professional Knowledge, Values and Practice
Fahy, C., Gravani, M. N., O'Brien, S. & Zarifis, G. K., 15 Nov 2025Research output: Book/Report › Book › peer-review
Activities
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Open University of Cyprus (External organisation)
O'Brien, S. (Chair)
1 Sep 2025Activity: Membership › Membership of board
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Chair of book launch, September 12, 2024: The Making of a Left-Behind Class Educational Stratification, Meritocracy and Widening Participation, by Fred Powell, Margaret Scanlon, Patrick Leahy, Hilary Jenkinson and Olive Byrne, 2024. Bristol. Bristol University Press
O'Brien, S. (Participant)
12 Sep 2024Activity: Other activity
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The EUCEN (The European Universities Continuing Education Network), hosted by ASEM LLL Hub, University College Cork .
O'Brien, S. (Participant)
2024Activity: Other activity
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Chair of ‘Panel 7: Applications of Professional Experience and Practice’ discussion for the CACSSS Postgraduate Conference 23 March, 2023, Seminar Room, UCC.
O'Brien, S. (Participant)
23 Mar 2023Activity: Other activity
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University College Cork (Organisational unit)
O'Brien, S. (Chair)
1 Sep 2022 → 1 Oct 2023Activity: Membership › Membership of committee
Prizes
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Grawemeyer Book Award nomination for best education book of 2017
O'Brien, S. (Recipient), 2017
Prize: Honorary award
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Press/Media
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Business News | Banasthali Vidyapith Coordinates the Erasmus+ CBHE Project; Partners from Six Countries
15/01/24
2 items of Media coverage
Press/Media
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Banasthali Vidyapith coordinates the Erasmus+ CBHE project; partners from six countries
15/01/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
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