Find Academic Supervisors

Dr. Siobhán Dowling is a Senior Lecturer in Education at the School of Education, University College Cork (UCC), with expertise in Religious Education, Music Education, and the intersection of The Arts in Education. She earned her PhD from the University of Wales, Trinity St David, Lampeter, UK, in 2011 and has served in both teaching and administrative roles at UCC since 1998, including Director of the Structured PhD in Education. Education: PhD (2011) in Biblical and Musical Reception History, University of Wales, Trinity St David. Current Roles: Senior Lecturer, Tutor, Placement Supervisor, Director of Structured PhD in Education. Her research focuses on the reception history of biblical narratives in music , particularly themes like the Sacrifice of Isaac, Eve, and the Book of Samuel. She explores collaborative learning in teacher education and integrates creative pedagogy in Religious Education. Her work spans interdisciplinary analysis of the Bible’s influence on music, art, and cultural identity. The 15 most recent publications highlight her pioneering work on biblical stories in musical compositions (2025), visual and musical reception of Dives (2024), and peer-reviewed studies on collaborative learning (2023). Her contributions to the Encyclopedia of the Bible and its Reception (2025–2016) cover topics like patriarchs, psalms, and gendered biblical figures. Scientific Awards: Recipient of two book awards in the USA for co-authored work 'The Bible in Music: A Dictionary of Songs, Works and More' (2015). Research Grants and Supervision: Awarded multiple Erasmus+ Staff Mobility Grants (2023, 2014) for international training and a Kurt Weill Foundation Travel Award (2014). Supervised PhD, MEd, and PME students while serving as Internal/External Examiner. Leadership: Coordinated UCC’s Cohort PhD in Education (2001–2014) and led the MAAP in Guidance and Counseling program. Delivered invited seminars at KU Leuven, University of Tuebingen, and Trinity College Dublin.

• Women Philosophers of Education
• Collaborative Learning
• Religious Education
• +3 more

Ciara Gorman is a Teaching Fellow in the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics at University College Dublin, where she joined in September 2024. She holds a PhD from Queen's University Belfast and has previously taught at Maynooth University and Queen's University Belfast in roles including Senior Tutor, Occasional Lecturer, and Teaching Assistant. Her educational background includes a BCL and MA from Maynooth University and a PhD from Queen's University Belfast. Dr Gorman’s research centers on French crime fiction, gender, and feminist theory, with a focus on representations of female criminals and empowerment in contemporary literature and film. She explores intersections between law and literature, motherhood, and popular culture, particularly in Francophone contexts. Her work critically engages with feminist ethics, patriarchal structures, and subversive narratives in media. Her recent publications analyze gendered violence in French crime fiction and teenage pregnancy as both empowerment and entrapment in French cinema. The articles demonstrate a strong thematic focus on feminist discourse, female agency, and the critique of institutional norms in literature and film. Co-editor, Disruptive Discourses by Francophone Women (Liverpool University Press, 2025) Author of upcoming monograph Criminal Women in Contemporary French Crime Fiction: Gender, Genre and the Polar Féministe (Bloomsbury, 2026) Active peer reviewer in French Studies and Crime Fiction Studies Communications Officer, Women in French UK-Ireland Former PGR/ECR Officer, International Crime Fiction Association Dr Gorman has contributed to academic conferences and is building a research profile at the intersection of literature, gender, and cultural politics. She is currently based in office A320, Newman Building, University College Dublin.

• French Crime Fiction
• Gender Studies
• Feminism
• +7 more

Dr. Michael Hinds is an Associate Professor in the School of English at Dublin City University (DCU), where he has worked since at least 2000. He previously served as Senior Lecturer and Head of English at the Mater Dei Institute (now part of DCU) and founded both the Irish Centre for Poetry Studies and the journal POST: A Review of Poetry Studies . From 1996–1999, he was a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Tokyo, maintaining a lifelong interest in Japanese culture. His research spans American literature, poetry and poetics, ecocriticism, and interdisciplinary studies. Key areas include American poetry (from Bradstreet to the present), modernism/postmodernism, classical influences on contemporary poetry, poetry and ethics/politics/money, sport literature (specifically football and horse racing), cross-cultural representations of Japan/Italy/France, ekphrastic practices, and intersections between rock/pop music and poetic traditions (notably Johnny Cash and The Beach Boys). Theoretical frameworks involve critical theory (Slavoj Žižek, Theodor Adorno, Walter Benjamin, Deleuze and Guattari) and fandom studies. Recent publications highlight ecological themes in Nordic Noir, interdisciplinary folklore studies, and the politics of sports. His collaboration with Dr. Jonathan Silverman on Johnny Cash (2020) and the 2023 article on Nordic Noir in the Routledge Handbook of Crime Fiction and Ecology exemplify his focus on environmental and cultural intersections. He co-advises PhD projects on topics like Murakami's translation practices, poetics of space, and women's football in fiction/film. Beyond academia, Dr. Hinds contributes to public discourse through the Dublin Review of Books and has held editorial roles. He actively participates in international conferences, including the European Association of American Studies and the Ezra Pound International Conference, often addressing themes like American identity, poetic form, and cross-cultural dialogue. The Irish Centre for Poetry Studies at DCU remains central to his professional engagement, supporting research students and publications like Rebound: The American Poetry Book (2006). His work bridges traditional literary scholarship with contemporary digital/hybrid forms, reflecting a commitment to innovative research methodologies and interdisciplinary collaboration.

• American Literature
• Poetry and Poetics
• Sport Literature and Sports Writing
• +7 more

Moynagh Sullivan is a Professor of English at Maynooth University (MU) within the Faculty of Arts. She holds roles such as the HEA PATH4 Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Fellow (2023–2025) and served as Associate Dean for Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Interculturalism. She is a founding member of MU’s Motherhood Project and part of the Horizon 2020-funded Mothernet project. Her visiting roles include Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Irish Studies/Moore Institute (UG, 2022) and Visiting Professor at Boston College’s Centre for Irish Studies (2021). Her research focuses on gender, intersectionality, motherhood, and Irish Studies, with recent exploration into trauma studies, neuroscience (Polyvagal theory), evolutionary biology, and ecofeminism. She integrates these with psychoanalytic theories like Attachment Theory and Object Relations to address social and environmental justice. Teaching interests include disability studies, eco-criticism, graphic fiction, and neurodiversity. She has received the National Teaching Hero Award (2021) and Advance HE Innovative Assessment Torch Bearer recognition. She led the IRC-funded Mamecology project, a virtual exhibition on breast cancer narratives through art and literature. Her current work includes a monograph on motherhood and Irish contemporary culture. Supervised PhD topics include motherhood politics, gender in fiction, and neurodivergent perspectives in literature. Awards: National Teaching Hero Award 2021 Advance HE Innovative Assessment Torch Bearer Fulbright Scholar in Irish Studies (UC Berkeley, 2009) Advising & Grants: Supervised PhDs on motherhood, reproductive politics, and neurodivergent literary studies. PI of Mamecology, IRC-funded project with Irish Cancer Society. Former director of two MU Arts and Humanities research clusters (2011–2015). Labs/Teams: Founding member of Maynooth University’s Motherhood Project. Member of Mothernet (Horizon 2020 Twinning Project with Vilnius and Uppsala Universities). Former co-chair of Athena SWAN Bronze Award’s Faculty Self-Assessment Team.

• Gender Studies
• Irish Literature
• Motherhood Studies
• +9 more

Martin Power is an Associate Professor at the University of Limerick, holding academic positions in the Department of Sociology, Centre for the Study of Popular Music and Popular Culture, and European Centre for the Study of Hate. His research focuses on inequality, social exclusion, neoliberal welfare policies, and the sociological dimensions of popular music and protest media. He teaches modules on sociology of regeneration, youth studies, and qualitative research methods at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Education: PhD (2008), MA (2005), BA (2003) Key Research Interests: Social protest media, migration studies, discursive constructions of social policy, and cultural resistance through music. His work critically examines media framing of poverty, welfare debates, and urban regeneration. Notable contributions include analyses of Ireland’s anti-water charges protests and the 'Welfare Cheats' campaign. He collaborates across disciplines, co-editing volumes on football and popular culture, Morrissey’s music, and David Bowie’s cultural impact. Active in academic leadership, he directs the Power, Discourse and Society Research Cluster and chairs the Sociological Association of Ireland. Recent publications explore media representations of poverty (2024), discursive constructions of social resistance (2023), and football’s role in fostering community inclusion (2021). His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to education and reduced inequalities. Grants/Activities: Co-led research on social grocery feasibility studies, evaluated community addiction programs, and chairs multiple academic councils. Labs/Teams: Director of the Power, Discourse and Society Research Cluster, contributing to transnational studies on migration discourses and media activism.

• Inequality
• Social Exclusion
• Neoliberalism
• +6 more

Dr. Neil O'Boyle is an Associate Professor in the School of Communications and a Research Fellow at Dublin City University's Anti-Bullying Centre. His work bridges media studies, sociology, and cultural analysis, focusing on media’s role in shaping identities, group dynamics, and societal narratives. He contributes to diverse research areas, including sport media, communication theory, and popular culture. His research projects include the ERASMUS+ BeFore initiative (Anti-Bullying Education for Sports Coaches), the MEDIVA project on migrant integration, and the F-air Play Workshop on Gender, Media, and Sport. These collaborations involve Irish academic and sports institutions, emphasizing applied and interdisciplinary approaches. Awards: Three-time recipient of Research Ireland’s Research Ally Award (2022–2024). Advising: Supervising four PhD students exploring topics such as nation branding, athlete media relations, combat sports branding, and media influencers. Grants: Co-PI on EU-funded projects like BeFore and MEDIVA, and lead on studies like ‘Immigration and Social Change in Ireland’. Dr. O’Boyle’s publications include seminal works like Sport, the Media, and Ireland (2020) and Communication Theory for Humans (2022), reflecting his commitment to accessible, theoretically grounded scholarship.

• Media Studies
• Communication Theory
• Sociology of Sport
• +3 more

Dr. Neil O'Connor is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science & Information Systems at the University of Limerick, and a member of the Digital Media and Arts Research Centre. His expertise spans electroacoustic music, modular synthesis, and live performance. He has performed globally, collaborating with renowned ensembles like the Crash Ensemble and the Glenn Branca Ensemble. O'Connor holds a PhD from Trinity College Dublin and has taught at institutions including the Art Institute of California and the Institute of Audio Research. His research focuses on sound studies, real-time composition, and scoring for visual media. He currently accepts PhD students under topics like Composition and Sound Studies. Education: PhD/M.Litt in Electronic Music Composition, Trinity College Dublin Research Interests: Neil explores dialogical performance in live modular synthesis, solo improvisation, and scoring for visual media. His work emphasizes real-time sound experimentation and the relationship between musicians in unmediated performance contexts. He has composed for orchestras and chamber ensembles, but is best known for his prolific output in live electronics using modular synthesizers. Key Awards: Concurso Internacional de Música Eletroacústica de São Paulo (2018) Musica Nova Electroacoustic Music Competition (2019) Noroit-Léonce Petitot Special Mention (2020) Advising & Grants: While no specific grants are detailed, he actively advises PhD students and has organized major events like the International Computer Music Conference (2023). His work often intersects with scientific institutions like the Massachusetts Museum of Modern Art and EMS Stockholm. Labs & Collaborations: Affiliated with the Digital Media and Arts Research Centre, his activities include curating experimental music festivals and publishing interdisciplinary works on music technology and cultural studies.

• Electroacoustic Music
• Modular Synthesis
• Live Modular Synthesis
• +3 more

David Kerr is Lecturer/Assistant Professor in History at University College Dublin, specializing in revolutions, fascism, and tourism in modern Europe. Education: DPhil and BA, University of Oxford. Research Interests: Kerr analyzes political caricature, Italian society under fascism, and Mediterranean identities, with a focus on 19th-century France and interwar Italy. Publications: His book on French political caricature examines satire's role in revolutionary memory. Recent work explores tourism and fascist youth programs. Awards: British Academy Post-Doctoral Fellowship (1996–1999).

• French Political Culture
• Revolutionary Movements
• Italian Fascism
• +1 more

Professor Eoin Devereux is a Cultural Sociologist and Creative Writer at the University of Limerick, Ireland, and an Adjunct Professor in Contemporary Culture at the University of Jyvaskylä, Finland. He holds dual appointments in the Department of Sociology and the Centre for the Study of Popular Music and Popular Culture. His research focuses on media representations of poverty, homelessness, and community development, alongside critical analyses of popular music (e.g., David Bowie, The Fall, Morrissey). He teaches modules on media sociology, creative writing in community settings, and community development at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Affiliations: University of Limerick (Professor), University of Jyvaskylä (Adjunct Professor) Education: Expertise in sociology and cultural studies, though specific degree details are not explicitly listed. His creative writing has been featured in prominent publications such as The Irish Times and Poetry Ireland anthologies. Awards include Excellence in Teaching (2004) and Service to the Community (2005). He has supervised numerous PhD students and collaborates internationally on projects like L-Pop: Mapping Popular Music in Limerick City and media poverty studies. His work intersects with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to inequality and community development. Key research themes include media framing of social welfare, cultural sociology of music, and creative writing’s role in community engagement. Over 140 academic publications span journals, books, and edited volumes addressing media discourse, music studies, and social policy.

• Cultural Sociology
• Media Studies
• Popular Music Studies
• +3 more

J. Griffith Rollefson is a Professor of Music at the University College Cork, Ireland, affiliated with the School of Music and Theatre. He holds a PhD in Musicology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has previously taught at the University of Cambridge and University of California, Berkeley. His research focuses on Hip Hop Studies, Postcolonialism, African American Music, and Jazz, with a particular emphasis on cultural hybridity and decolonial methodologies. Education: PhD in Musicology (University of Wisconsin-Madison), MA in Music History and Composition (Bowling Green State University), BA in Music (Macalester College). Research interests include Hip Hop’s global postcolonial dimensions, Afrofuturism, Jazz studies (especially Charles Mingus), and interdisciplinary cultural criticism. He leads the ERC-funded CIPHER project mapping hip hop knowledge flows worldwide and co-edits Global Hip Hop Studies . His books Flip the Script and Critical Excess explore hip hop’s sociopolitical and economic dimensions. Awards include UCC Researcher of the Year (2019) and SEM Ruth Stone Book Prize (2019). He has secured over €2 million in research grants, including Horizon 2020 funding for CIPHER. Teaching emphasizes student-led research, with courses like “Planet Rap” integrating digital scholarship and community engagement. His pedagogy prioritizes critical thinking and public scholarship, as seen in his UC Berkeley Chancellor’s Public Scholar role. Labs/Teams: CIPHER Project (ERC grant), Global Hip Hop Studies journal (co-edited), and community partnerships like the RYSE Center (Bay Area).

• Hip Hop Studies
• Postcolonial Studies
• Popular Music Studies
• +10 more

Dr. Michel Summer is a postdoctoral researcher and academic staff member at the Institute for Franconian-Palatinate History and Regional Studies at the University of Heidelberg, where he also serves as internship coordinator. He obtained his PhD in Medieval History from Trinity College Dublin in 2021, with his thesis funded by the Luxembourg National Research Fund. His academic background includes an MA and BA from the University of Freiburg, with an ERASMUS year at Trinity College Dublin. PhD, Medieval History, Trinity College Dublin (2021) MA, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, University of Freiburg (2017) BA, History and Archaeology, University of Freiburg (2014) His research focuses on early medieval Europe, particularly Merovingian and Carolingian Francia, with expertise in the Christianization of Europe, political and military structures, clerical mobility, and the figure of Saint Willibrord. He critically examines concepts such as Gefolgschaft (retainership) and the interplay between religious and secular power. His monograph Willibrord between Ireland, Britain and Merovingian Francia (690–739): Beyond Mission (2024) exemplifies his interdisciplinary and transnational approach. His recent publications span journals like Peritia and Mittelalter , and edited volumes on early medieval militarization and religious knowledge. The articles reflect a consistent trend in exploring political agency, cultural networks, and the historiography of early medieval mission and identity, often bridging Ireland, Britain, and continental Europe. He is an active member of several scholarly communities including the International Society for the Study of Early Medieval England and the Mediävistikverband. He has served as a reviewer for journals such as Peritia and Le Moyen Âge . Dr. Summer supervises undergraduate theses at Heidelberg and teaches seminars on topics ranging from early medieval queenship to warfare and Christianization. He also contributes to public scholarship through blogs (e.g., Liverpool University Press blog), media interviews (e.g., RTL Radio Luxembourg, KCLR96FM), and exhibition concepts, notably "Esou ginn Helde gebuer. Medieval pictures in Luxembourg (19th-21st century)" . He has created illustrations for various academic projects and museums, demonstrating a strong commitment to public engagement and digital history.

• Early Medieval History
• Merovingian and Carolingian Europe
• Late Antique History
• +8 more

Maura Cunneen is a PartTime Lecturer in the Early Childhood Studies department at University College Cork (UCC) . With a PhD in Early Childhood Studies (2001) and a BA in the same field (1998), she has dedicated her career to researching gender socialization , educational disadvantage , and comparative early years provision . Her work bridges academic research with practical applications in early education settings. PhD in Early Childhood Studies (UCC, 2001) BA in Early Childhood Studies (UCC, 1998) Her research emphasizes gender dynamics in early education , transitions from home to school , and inclusive curricula . She has collaborated internationally, including fieldwork in New Zealand , Sweden , and Australia , and co-authored the seminal work Loris Malaguzzi and the Reggio Emilia Experience (Bloomsbury, 2010). Her peer-reviewed publications and conference contributions focus on gender perception, play environments, and educational equity. She has served as Director of the BA (Early Years and Childhood Studies) and co-developed modules like Historical Developments in Irish Education and Advanced Studies in Early Childhood Education . Scientific awards : None listed. Primary/Co-Director of BA (EYCS) program (2012-2015) External Examiner for M.Ed Thesis (2010) Member of UCC Committees (2010-2012)

• Early Years Education
• Gender Studies
• Educational Disadvantage
• +9 more

Prof. Ciarán Mac Murchaidh is a Professor in Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge at Dublin City University (DCU). He holds degrees from Maynooth University and the Pontifical University, Maynooth, including a PhD in Irish Studies. His research focuses on the Irish language in the 18th century, preaching literature, Hiberno-English, and translation. He leads the Ainm project and serves as Joint Editor of Studia Hibernica and Irish-language Editor of Eighteenth-Century Ireland/Iris an dá Chultúr . Education B.A., M.A., PhD, HDipEd from Maynooth University BD, DLT from Pontifical University, Maynooth Research Interests His work explores the Irish language’s role in the 18th century, devotional literature, Hiberno-English dialects, and translation theory. He emphasizes the cultural and linguistic dynamics of Ireland’s historical and contemporary contexts. Publications Recent works include studies on Irish sermons, cultural history, and translation strategies. Notable articles analyze topics like LGBTQ+ terminology in Celtic languages and the role of bagpipes in protest movements. Awards Recipient of the Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin (2009) for contributions to Irish language and culture. Advising & Grants Supervises PhD students like Mohamed Yazjeen and Craig Moran. Active in research grants through DCU’s research offices. Labs & Teams Leads the Ainm project and collaborates with academic societies like the Eighteenth-Century Ireland Society and Studia Hibernica editorial boards.

• Irish language in the 18th century
• Preaching literature in Irish
• Hiberno-English
• +3 more

Damian Bracken is a Senior Lecturer in the School of History at University College Cork, Ireland. He has held visiting academic positions at Boston University and Boston College, where he served as the Brian P. Burns Chair in Irish Studies. His work is deeply rooted in medieval Irish history, Hiberno-Latin literature, and Ireland’s engagement with early medieval Europe. Research Interests: Bracken specializes in early medieval Ireland, with a focus on St Columbanus, monasticism, orthodoxy, authority, and the construction of Irish identity within the late antique and early medieval Christian world. He explores how Irish scholars and monastics negotiated their place between Rome and the peripheries of Christendom. Publications and Research Trends: His recent work centers on manuscript culture, identity formation, and the intellectual legacy of Irish missionaries. Through numerous invited lectures and publications, he examines themes such as pilgrimage, exile, concord, and the rhetoric of orthodoxy. His scholarship often bridges Irish sources with continental European contexts, highlighting the interconnectedness of early medieval intellectual life. Scientific Awards and Honors: Brian P. Burns Chair in Irish Studies (Boston College, 2015) Boston College Summer Scholarship (2013) Honorary Research Associate, Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic, Cambridge University (2009) Visiting Associate Professor, Boston University (2006) Advising and Grants: Bracken has supervised multiple PhD students to completion, including Rúairí O'Sullivan, Shane Lordan, and Robert J. Powell. He has been actively involved in organizing and directing academic conferences and summer programs, such as the UCC Summer School in Irish Studies and the Glenstal Symposium in Insular Monastic Culture. He has also served on national and international academic committees, including the Royal Irish Academy’s National Committee for Historical Sciences. Labs and Teams: He is Director of ArCH (Armarium Codicum Hibernensium), a scholarly initiative focused on the facsimile publication of Irish manuscripts. He has co-edited key volumes in the Irish Manuscripts in Facsimile series and continues to promote access to Ireland’s medieval textual heritage.

• Medieval history
• Early Ireland
• Hiberno-Latin literature
• +7 more

Kevin O'Sullivan is a Professor at the University of Galway, specializing in global history with a focus on environmental history, humanitarianism, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). He co-leads the AHRC-funded 'Sites of Fracture' project (2025-2027) and collaborates with the community-focused 'This/OUR' initiative in Cork. His research explores the socio-economic transformations of Ireland through ecological lenses and the evolution of sustainable development paradigms. Education: PhD, Trinity College Dublin (2008) Irish Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship, University College Dublin (2009–2011) Marie Curie Fellowship, University of Birmingham (2011–2012) His research spans environmental history, decolonisation, and the role of NGOs in shaping global justice. Recent projects include 'Green Fractures: Capitalism, Climate, and Community in Ireland since the 1970s' and 'Sustainability in Practice: A Global History, from the Oil Crisis to the SDGs', analyzing historical models of sustainable energy and economic organization. Key scientific awards include Honorary Research Fellowships at the University of Birmingham and IRCHSS scholarships. He has taught modules like 'Globalisation since 1945' and 'The Environment since 1945', and served on the Royal Irish Academy's Standing Committee for International Affairs since 2020 as editor of the Documents on Irish Foreign Policy project.

• Global History
• Environmental History
• Humanitarianism
• +8 more