Dr Emma O'Brien
More information
Dr. Emma O’Brien is Director of Taught Postgraduate Studies in Education in Mary Immaculate College and is the programme co-ordinator for the Master's in Education, and the Graduate Cert/Diploma and MEd in Digital Leadership in Education. Emma has worked in Digital Education since 2000 and has over 18 years experience teaching in the University of Limerick, Limerick Institute of Technology, NUIG and UCC, through blended, online and face-to-face mediums. She has taught on undergraduate, postgraduate and professional programmes and has developed innovative curricula to support the needs of a variety of learners, particularly those requiring flexible models of learning to support them to return to education. Emma has supervised 125 final year students and 24 master's students. She has a PhD in Digital learning (2005, UL) and a Master's in Computing in Education (2003, LIT).
Emma is an accomplished researcher and has been Principle Investigator (PI) on several large scale European research projects. Her total funding income as PI amounts to over €1 million in the areas of digital learning, workplace learning, problem and inquiry based learning with over 50 publications in these fields. Emma was previously co-chair of FACILITATE - the national inquiry based learning network and is currently external examiner for work based learning at the University of Northampton
For list of research grants awarded click here
For list of publications click here
Teaching 2022/23
Emma currently teaches on the MEd in Digital Leadership the MEd in Educational Leadership and Management, The Master's of Education and has previously taught on the Bachelor of Education and MEd in Leadership in Wellbeing in Education
- EDU668 Digital Equality Diversity and Inclusion
- EDU669 Digital Pedagogies
- EDU602 Principles and Practice of Research
- EDU608 Leadership and Management Portfolio
- EDU639 Research Methods 1
- EDU643 Research Methods 2
- EDU605 National and International Trends and Current Issues in Education
- EDU654 Dissertation 1
- EDU655 Dissertation 2
Research interests
Emma's research involves the intersection of informal learning, workplace learning, flexible learning, and problem based learning. She is particularly focused on the role of digital tools in supporting such pedagogies. She is predominantly interested in how such pedagogies support the development of twenty first century skills such as entrepreneurial mind-set, and information literacy.
Publications
Forthcoming
Hall, T., Weirf, R., Loper, S., Ní Chronín, D., O’Brien, E (Forthcoming): 'Digital Education Futures: Design for doing education differently' (Forthcoming) Special Issue: Irish Educational Studies
O’Toole, S., O’Sullivan, I., O’Brien, E., Costelloe, L. (Forthcoming) Nice to Know to “Newfound Popularity”: Academic Developers’ Perceptions of how COVID-19 has changed their Role International Journal of Academic Development
O’Brien E., Chawke, A. (Forthcoming) Tell me a story: Using personas to enhance student engagement submitted to AISHE-J Special Issue on Student Engagement
O’Brien, E., Hamburg, I ( Forthcoming) Higher Education Educators as change agents in a time of disruption: Nurturing agency through professional development submitted to Kaplan, A. Digital Transformation and Disruption of Higher Education, Cambridge University Press
2022
O’Brien, E., Moore, G., Costelloe, L., O’Sullivan, I. (2022) Professional development practices and preferences in Irish Higher Education: insights from a regional survey, International Journal of Academic Development https://doi.org/10.1080/1360144X.2022.2036155
O’Brien, E, O Sullivan, C., Moore, G., (2022) Supporting the transition from traditional to blended programme leaders, to appear in Senior, R., Lawrence, J., 'Supporting Course and Programme Leaders: individual, team and institutional approaches’, Routledge
2021
O’Brien, E. Reale, J. (2021) Supporting learner agency using the pedagogy of choices. To appear in Balschke, L. Hase, S., ‘Unleashing the power of learner agency’, Edtech Books (Open Source)
O’Brien, E., O’Ceallaigh, T.J. (2021) Enabling the digital leap: Pedagogical leaders transitioning from adopters to innovators in a digital learning ecosystem, i-HEI conference, 03-05 November 2021, Bari, Italy,
Liston, M., O’Brien, E., O’Sullivan, P., Purcell, R., (2021) Comparing staff and student perspectives regarding the role of entrepreneurial education to nurture 21st Century skills in the liberal arts, ACIEK Conference, 14th-16th June 2021 Paris
2020
Costelloe, L.; Nerantzi, C.; O’Brien, E.; Reale, J. and O’Sullivan, I. (2020), "Development of a Shared Vision for Flexible Inter-Institutional Professional Development using the OOFAT Model", International Journal of Management and Applied Research, Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 240-256. https://doi.org/10.18646/2056.73.20-017
O’Brien, E. (2020) Problem based learning for all: Integrating UDL and PBL to support diverse learner needs. PBL 2020 conference, Aalborg, Denmark 17th-21st August 2020
O’Brien, E., Moore, G., Costelloe, L., Ryan, A., Fitzpatrick, M., O’Sullivan, I., Murphy, B., Fitzgerald, M. and O’Toole, S. (2020) Professional Development for All Those Who Teach in Irish Higher Education: motivations, barriers and preferences. Insights from the FLEXIpath project. National forum project report for Flexipath. Published by Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.
2019
O'Brien E, Hamburg I. (2019) A critical review of learning approaches for entrepreneurship education in a contemporary society. European Journal of Education 2019;00:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12369
O'Brien, E., McCarthy, J., Hamburg, I. and Delaney, Y. (2019), "Problem-based learning in the Irish SME workplace", Journal of Workplace Learning, Vol. 31 No. 6, pp. 391-407. https://doi.org/10.1108/JWL-10-2018-0131
O’Brien, E. Hamburg, I, Southern, M. (2019) Using Technology Oriented Problem Based Learning to Support Global Workplace Learning, in Kenon, V. (2019) Handbook of Global Workplace Learning, Wiley-Blackwell ISBN 978-1119227762
O Brien E., (2019) Enhancing 21st century learning using digital learning objects and Multiple Intelligence theory to appear in Zheng, R. (2019) Examining Multiple Intelligences and Digital Technologies for Enhanced Learning Opportunities, IGI Global, ISBN13: 9781799802495|ISBN10: 1799802493 |DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-0249-5
O’Brien, E., Ni Chlochasaigh, K. and O'Ceallaigh, T.J., (2019) The role of assessment literacy in encouraging students to choose alternative assessment modes, Irish Conference on Engaging Pedagogies, University of Limerick, Ireland, 12th December 2019
O’Brien, E., Reale. J., (2019) The role of technology in facilitating heutagogical approaches in higher education, World Conference on Online Learning, Dublin, Ireland, 3rd-7th November, 2019
Hamburg, I., O’Brien, E. and Vladut, G (2019) Entrepreneurial Learning and AI Literacy to Support Digital Entrepreneurship. In Balkan Region Conference on Engineering and Business Education, Sibiu, Romania (Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 99-105). October, 2019, De Gruyter Open.
O’Brien, E. Hamburg (2019) w-PBL: A contextualised approach for developing information literacy skills in today’s workplace, PBL 2019 Immersive Virtual International Conference, 12th – 13th July 2019.
O’Brien, E. Phelan, M. (2019) Providing a Space for Problem Based Learning using the VLE, Edtech, 2019, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Ireland 24th and 25th May 2019
O’Brien, E., Ryan, A., Moore, G., Phelan, M., Reale, J., Costello, L. (2019) Micro learning: An alternative model of academic professional development, Edtech, 2019, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Ireland 24th and 25th May 2019
Hamburg, I., Vladut, G. and O’Brien, E. (2019) Entrepreneurship Business Research Skills. The 13th international conference on Business Excellence, Bucharest, Romania 21-22nd March 2019. De Gruyter Open conference proceedings.
2017
O Brien, E, Delaney, Y. (2017) Women in Entrepreneurship, in Hamburg, I., David, A. Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial Skills in Europe: Examples to Improve Potential Entrepreneurial Spirit in Europe Budrich UniPress ISBN 3847405683.
O’Brien, E., Hamburg, I., Vladut, G, Southern M. (2017) Learning to Solve Lifelong problems: Online PBL, Higher Education Lifelong Learning Ireland Network (HELLIN) Conference, 8th December, University of Limerick.
Hamburg, I., Vladut, G. and O’Brien, E. (2017) December. Fostering skills for digital social innovations in entrepreneurship education. In Balkan Region Conference on Engineering and Business Education (Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 99-105). De Gruyter Open.
2016
Hamburg, I., Vladut, G. and O'Brien, E. (2016) Fostering Eco-innovation in SMEs through Bridging Research, Education and Industry. Romanian Review Precision Mechanics, Optics & Mechatronics, (50), p.61.
2014
O Brien, E., Hamburg, I. (2014) Mentoring for Work Based Learning: The Role of Technology in Online tutor 2.0: Methodologies and Case Studies for Successful Learning, García-Peñalvo, F., Seoane-Pardo, A. 2014, IGI Global ISBN 1466658320
Mellett, S., O’Brien, E., (2014) A Strategy and Models to assist Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with the Implementation of eLearning in Europe, British Journal of Educational Technology (ISI indexed).
Hamburg, I. and O’Brien, E. (2014) Cloud Computing to Support E-Learning and Business in SMEs. International Journal for e-Learning Security (IJeLS), 4(2), pp.385-390.
Hamburg, I, O’Brien, E. (2014) Supporting the Development of Cloud Computing skills in SMEs through Training and Mentoring Irish International Conference in Education (IICE) 2014, Dublin Oct 2014
O’Brien E., Mellett, S., O’Haodha, M. (2014) The Use of Web 2.0 to Support Informal Learning in Third Level through the Library, 2014 international conference on Education and Modern Educational Technologies July 2014, Sanatori, Greece (ISI indexed proceedings).
Mellett, S., O’Brien, E. (2014) Web 2.0 and Informal Learning: Overcoming Challenges and Creating Possibilities, International Conference on Education and Educational technologies II, Prague, April 2014 (ISI indexed Proceedings).
Hunt, I, O’Brien, E., Ehm, H., Hennessey, M., Williams, P., Heavey, C., Yachi, G. (2014) The Design of a Specialist Diploma for Smarter Supply Chain Leaders, Logistics Research Network Conference 2014, University of Huddersfield, UK, September 2014.
2013
O’Brien, E. Hamburg, I. (2013) Organisational Problem based Learning and Social Communities for SMEs, European Journal of Open, Distance and E-learning, Vol. 16 No. 2.
O’Brien, E., Hamburg I (2013) Managing and Using Knowledge Efficiently in Companies by Using Cooperation and Social media in Knowledge: Transfer, Management, Information, Systems & Digital Content, ISBN 978-1-85924-281-0.
O’Brien E., David, A., Hamburg, I. (2013) Solutions for an Integrative Vocational Education, Irish International Conference in Education (IICE) 2013, Dublin Oct 2013.
2011
Hunt, I., O’ Brien, E., Tormey, D., Alexander, S., Mc Quade, E., Hennessy M. (2011) Educational Programs for Future Employability of Graduates in SMEs, Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing (25 February 2011), pp. 1-10.
2010
O’Brien, E., Clifford, S., Southern, M. (2010) Knowledge Management for Process, Organizational and Marketing Innovation: Tools and Methods, IGI Global ISBN 1615208291.
Butan, D., O’Brien, E, Southern, M., Clifford, S. (2010) A Novel Practical Triagular approach to Process Innovation. In O’Brien, E, Southern, M., Clifford, S. (2010) Knowledge Management for Process, Organizational and Marketing Innovation: Tools and Methods, IGI Global ISBN 1615208291.
Hamburg, I., Hall, T., O´Brien, E. (2010), Supporting Lifelong Learning and Continuing Professional Development, 5th International Conference on Interdisciplinary in Education ICIE’10, Tallinn, Estonia, 2010.
Hall, T., Hamburg, I., O Brien, E., Mellet, S. (2010) ICT Serves Business Training: Implementing Lifelong Learning, 10th International Conference on Development and Application Systems, Suceava, Romania, May 27-29, 2010.
2007
Hunt, I., O’Brien E., Hennessey, M., Sherry, R. (2007) The Graduate and the SME, Education, Knowledge & Economy vol 1, issue 2.
O’Brien E., Hall, T., Johnson, K. (2007) The Importance of Training Needs Analysis in Authoring Technology Enhanced Learning for Companies. In Lytras, M., Huang, W., Gasevic, D. (2007) Technology Enhanced Learning: Best Practices, IGI Global ISBN 1599046008
Hall, T., McQuade, E., Murphy, E., O'Brien, E., Hunt, I., Sherry, R., & Hogan, D. (2007) Communities of Practice and Purpose: Making Knowledge Work in the University Industry Interface. In Osborne, M., Sankey, K., & Wilson, B. 2007 Researching Social Capital, Lifelong Learning Regions and the Management of Place: An International Perspective. Routledge ISBN 0415427959
Carbery, R., Hunt, I., Johnson, K., McQuade, E., Murphy, E., O’Brien, E. (2007) The Productive Citizen: Open Platforms and Innovative Delivery of Professional Development and Education, Programme for University Industry Interface (PUII), ISBN 0-9553935-2-3.
2006
Hall, T., O’Brien, E. (2006) Towards Tailoring Training in SMEs Through Training Needs Analysis. In E-learning in European SMEs Observations, Analysis & Forecasting: proceedings of the ARIEL final conference in Brussels, Beer, D., et al (ed) Wamann 2006 ISBN 10 3 8309 1631 0.
O Brien, E, Carbery, R. (2006) Graduates Perspectives on Manufacturing in Ireland, Programme for University Industry Interface (PUII), ISBN 9780-0-9553935-1-8.
2005
O Haodha, M., Hall, T., O’Brien, E., Hayes, P., Joyce, D. (2005) Seamless Access in ICT Learning—The Library Context, EPUB 2005 the 9th International Conference on Electronic Publishing, Leuven, Belgium, June, 2005.
2004
O’Brien E., Hall, T. (2004) Authoring E-Learning Through Training Needs Analysis - Identifying Relevant Content ED-Media 2004 World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia & Telecommunications, Lugano, Switzerland, June, 2004.
O’Brien E., Hall, T. (2004) Training Needs Analysis – A Bridge Between Standardisation and Personalisation? ED-Tech 2004, The Fifth Annual Irish Educational Technology User's Conference, Tralee, Ireland, June, 2004.
O Brien, E., Hall, T. (2004) Training Needs Analysis - The First Step in Authoring E-Learning Content. ACM Symposium on Applied Computing SAC 2004, Nicosia, Cyprus, March 2004.
O’ Brien, E., Hall, T., Johnson, K., Concannon, F., Hurley, C. (2004) Integrating Training Needs Analysis into E-Learning Authoring for SME's. Learntec 2004, 12th European Conference and Specialist trade fair for Educational and Information Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany, February 2004.
