Máire Ní Riordáin

Dr. Máire Ní Ríordáin is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at University College Cork. She currently serves as M.Ed. Modular Programme Director, School of Education Examinations Officer, and Chair of the School of Education Research Ethics Committee. She is also Treasurer of the Educational Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI) and a serving member of their Executive Committee.

Her educational background includes a BSc.(Hons.) in Physical Education and Mathematics from the University of Limerick (2005) and a PhD in Mathematics Education from the same institution (2009).

Dr. Ní Ríordáin's research focuses on the intersection of language and mathematics education. Her primary interests include bilingualism (Irish and English) in mathematics education, mathematics teacher professional development, practitioner research in teacher education, and STEM education. She has developed frameworks like LCM2 to analyze bilingual mathematics learning and has contributed significantly to understanding how language influences mathematical cognition. Her work addresses critical issues in Irish education, particularly regarding the teaching of mathematics through Irish and supporting out-of-field mathematics teachers.

Her extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on language-responsive mathematics teaching, bilingual education, and teacher development. Recent work explores CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) approaches, STEM education, and gender issues in mathematics learning. She has led major international conferences, including serving as Co-Leader of the 14th Congress of the European Society for Research in Mathematics Education.

• Teaching Council Research Bursary (2009)
• Advanced Scholar Award (2005)
• MACSI Postgraduate Scholarship (2006)

Dr. Ní Ríordáin has supervised multiple doctoral students including Aoife O'Brien, Fergal Harrington, Laura Tagnin, and Bernie Ní Dhonnchú. She has secured significant research funding, including projects like M²EID (€95,500 from Irish Research Council), CaLSAM (€68,840 from ERASMUS), and several grants from University College Cork and the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning. She has been actively involved in national teacher development programs, particularly for out-of-field mathematics teachers.