Find Academic Supervisors

Francesco PillaView profile

Professor

• Smart Cities
• Geospatial Analysis
• Urban Dynamics
• +11 more

Francesco Pilla is a Full Professor at University College Dublin's School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy, specializing in Smart and Sustainable Cities. His work bridges urban technology, geospatial modeling, and citizen science initiatives. Coordinates EU Horizon projects: iSCAPE (air pollution control), OPERANDUM (flood risk reduction), WeCount (mobility systems), Connecting Nature (nature-based solutions) Leads SFI Investigator Grant on scalable mobility analytics Co-Director of Spatial Dynamics Lab Research focuses on: Geospatial big data & AI integration Participatory sensing with low-cost sensors Climate action through educational co-design Urban microclimate optimization Policy-driven AI consensus models Key articles demonstrate expertise in air quality monitoring, traffic safety analysis, and energy-efficient urban design. Awards include: Haagen-Smit Prize for atmospheric research Electric Vehicle Awards 2024 for eMobility innovation Academic Research Award from Financial Times Teaching responsibilities include: Advanced GIS (2018-2025) Smart Cities module (2019-2024) Research Methods coordination (2019-2024) Labs & Teams: Co-Director of Spatial Dynamics Lab, member of Science Foundation Ireland Energy Institute, and collaborator with MIT & IBM research labs.

Diarmuid O BriainView profile

Researcher

• Cybersecurity
• Industrial Control Systems
• Network Architecture
• +3 more

Diarmuid O Briain is a researcher with expertise in cybersecurity, industrial control systems, and network infrastructure. His work focuses on developing open-source testbeds for simulating cyber threats, analyzing vulnerabilities in industrial systems, and advancing internet exchange points (IXPs) in developing regions. Key areas of research include MITRE ATT&CK framework applications, software-defined networking (SDN), and network virtualization. He has contributed to studies on East African internet infrastructure and Uganda's digital transformation. His research agenda emphasizes practical solutions for cybersecurity challenges in critical infrastructure and scalable network designs for under-resourced regions. Notable contributions include the Vicsort open-source testbed and frameworks for distributed IXPs in developing countries. While no formal academic appointments or awards are listed, his publications highlight active engagement with global cybersecurity and network policy issues. Diarmuid's work bridges technical innovation with socio-economic considerations, particularly in contexts where robust internet infrastructure is critical for development. His articles span from 2010 to 2024, showing sustained contributions to both cybersecurity and network architecture domains.

• Nineteenth-century French literature
• Visual culture
• Night Studies
• +4 more

Charlotte Berkery is a Lecturer in French at University College Cork (UCC), specializing in 19th-century French literature, visual culture, and nocturnal history. Her research explores representations of Parisian nightlife during the July Monarchy (1830–1848) and intersects with digital humanities, urban studies, and women's writing. Education: Bachelor's in International Commerce and French (University College Dublin) Master in Lettres Modernes (Université Rennes 2) Doctorat in French Studies (Université Paris Diderot-Paris 7, funded by NUI Travelling Studentship) Research Projects: Currently leading the interdisciplinary 'Mapping the Nightscape' project, combining literary studies, spatial theory, and data analytics to reinterpret 19th-century Parisian urban landscapes. Her monograph Bourgeois Nights: Representing Nocturnal Paris in July Monarchy Culture is under contract with Liverpool University Press. Recent Contributions: Co-editing a special issue of the Irish Journal of French Studies on 'Passages' and authoring peer-reviewed articles on Balzac's ecology, street lighting as cultural sites, and women's nocturnal writing. Her work bridges literary analysis with historical geography and digital methods. Awards: 2022 Society of Dix-Neuviémistes ECR Grant 2015 NUI Travelling Studentship Teaching & Leadership: Coordinates modules on French cinema, theatre of the absurd, and literary analysis. Serves as Treasurer for ADEFFI (Irish French Studies Association) and international correspondent for the Société des Dix-Neuviémistes.

• Digital Landscape Design
• Geographical Virtual Environments
• Immersive Landscape Visualization
• +7 more

Ítalo Sousa de Sena is an Assistant Professor in Digital Landscape Design at University College Dublin's School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy. He joined UCD in 2023 as a postdoctoral researcher for the Horizon 2020 project HeritACT and was promoted to Teaching Fellow in September 2024, then to Assistant Professor in January 2025. He also serves as Programme Director for the BSc Landscape Architecture program starting March 2025. His academic journey includes a Geography degree from Federal University of São João Del-Rei (2013), a Master's in Analysis and Modeling of Environmental Systems from Federal University of Minas Gerais (2015), and a PhD in Geography from the same institution (2019). Dr. de Sena specializes in geographical virtual environments and immersive landscape visualization, with particular expertise in applying Minecraft as a tool for landscape visualization and participatory urban planning. His research bridges GIS, remote sensing, environmental analysis, geotourism, and geoconservation, focusing on how digital tools can facilitate public participation in climate action and urban planning. He developed GeoMinasCraft, a geogame that recreates the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ouro Preto, Brazil within Minecraft to study landscape perception. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on playful participatory planning systems, heritage reactivation strategies, and geovisualization frameworks. The research shows consistent application of digital tools for community engagement, particularly in using Minecraft's spatial mechanics to facilitate public participation. His work with the HeritACT project demonstrates practical applications of these methodologies across multiple European contexts including Eleusis, Milan, and Ballina. Co-awarded funding by Research Ireland for Craft-my-Street project Contributor to Horizon 2020 projects HeritACT and SCORE Postdoctoral research at Masaryk University (2021-2022) External researcher at Geoprocessing Laboratory (UFMG) and Geogames Lab (Iowa State University) At UCD, Dr. de Sena teaches Landscape Studio courses and coordinates the Fieldwork module. His teaching integrates his research expertise in digital landscape design with practical applications in urban planning. His work represents a significant contribution to the emerging field of serious geogames and their application in sustainable planning practices, particularly in engaging diverse stakeholders including children and communities in the planning process.

Graham HealyView profile

Assistant Professor

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Brain-Computer Interfaces
• Eye-Tracking Systems
• +3 more

Graham Healy is Assistant Professor and COMSCI Programme Board Chair at Dublin City University's School of Computing. His research develops hybrid human-computer interaction systems using bioelectric signals (EEG), eye-tracking, and machine learning. Current projects include the CASTLE multimodal dataset, AMBER BCI dataset for naturalistic settings, and DERCo EEG-reading comprehension corpus. Dr. Healy creates interactive retrieval systems like VEAGLE (eye gaze-assisted video browsing) and LifeInsight (lifelog search engine), winning competitive evaluations at Video Browser Showdown and Lifelog Search Challenge events. His neuroergonomics research investigates pre-stimulus EEG for predicting driver reaction times, while health informatics projects develop machine learning models for early gestational diabetes prediction using electronic health records. With PhD expertise in brain-computer interfaces from DCU, Dr. Healy's work spans experimental neuroscience, information retrieval, and clinical applications. Recent publications address reproducibility challenges in medical AI and validate diagnostic coding in electronic health systems. His NeuroScore framework evaluates GAN performance using neural responses, advancing quality assessment in synthetic media.

• Music Composition
• Opera
• Sonic Environments
• +3 more

Dr. Ann Cleare is an Assistant Professor of Music and Media Technologies at Trinity College Dublin. She holds a PhD from Harvard University and an Honorary Doctorate from the National University of Ireland, recognizing her contributions to contemporary music. Her work spans concert music, opera, experimental sound installations, and hybrid instrument design, focusing on timbre, texture, and the psychological impact of sound. She is an artist-in-residence with the Crash Ensemble and a member of Young Academy Ireland. Her research explores intersections between sound and visual dimensions, exemplified by projects like rinn (a time-travel chamber opera) and TERRARIUM (a multimedia collaboration with Crash Ensemble). Key collaborations include works with Ensemble SurPlus, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. Awards include the 2019 Ernst von Siemens Composer Prize and fellowships at Villa Concordia (2024) and Civitella Ranieri (2023). Her recent projects include MIDHE , a large-scale work commissioned by RTÉ for Ireland’s National Concert Hall, and The Little Lives , an opera addressing propaganda’s societal impact. Educational affiliations include Trinity College Dublin, IRCAM, and University College Cork. Education: PhD Harvard University, Studies at IRCAM, University College Cork Affiliations: Young Academy Ireland, Artist-in-Residence (Crash Ensemble) Notable Works: eyam series, eöl , Meridians , gravity dreams

Stefano OdoricoView profile

Lecturer

• Interactive Documentary
• Documentary Film
• Polyphonic Practices
• +5 more

Stefano Odorico is a Lecturer at the Limerick School of Art and Design , Department of Digital Arts and Media. His research focuses on interactive documentary practices, polyphonic narratives, and participatory storytelling methods. His work addresses themes such as urban spaces, ecomedia, and the intersection of digital technologies with ethical storytelling. Odorico’s academic contributions span over two decades, with a strong emphasis on the evolution of documentary forms. His research explores how interactive media can foster collaborative, audience-driven narratives that challenge traditional linear storytelling. Key areas include the aesthetics of interactive documentaries, the role of polyphony in creating multivocal narratives, and the ethical dimensions of participatory filmmaking. His recent work highlights trends towards immersive spatial storytelling (e.g., urban studies case studies), ecomedia’s potential in environmental communication, and the theoretical underpinnings of interactive epistemology. These studies often combine practice-based research with critical analysis, bridging academic inquiry and creative production. While no explicit grants or awards are listed, his prolific publication record reflects sustained engagement with international conferences and academic discourse. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to climate action, social justice, and cultural preservation through innovative documentary practices.

• Quality of Experience
• Multimodal Signal Processing
• Virtual Reality
• +2 more

Ronan Flynn is a Lecturer in Computer and Software Engineering, researching human-centered multimedia systems. His work integrates physiological signal analysis with immersive technology design to model Quality of Experience (QoE). Key research areas: ECG/respiration-based QoE prediction using deep learning AR/VR instructional efficacy for procedural training Multimodal distraction analysis in virtual environments Developed WheelSimAnalyser for wheelchair simulator data analysis and investigated GAN-based solar radio burst simulation. Contributes to IEEE QoMEX and ISMAR conferences on affective computing in XR.

• Multimedia Systems
• Quality of Experience
• Visual Attention
• +2 more

Amit Hirway is an Assistant Lecturer specializing in multimedia systems and human-computer interaction. His research quantitatively analyzes how spatial audio influences visual attention and quality-of-experience in 360° video environments. Key research areas: Visual attention patterns in immersive media Spatial audio impact on user engagement Quality-of-experience metrics for VR content Statistical analysis of user behavior Publications demonstrate rigorous experimental designs using eye-tracking and ANOVA to measure audiovisual interactions in emerging media formats.

• Cybersecurity
• Deep Learning
• Blockchain
• +7 more

Yuansong (John) Qiao is a Research Fellow at the Software Research Institute (SRI), Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest. His work spans cybersecurity, blockchain, and reinforcement learning, contributing to technologies like decentralized edge environments, intrusion detection systems, and immersive 360° video analytics. He supervises PhD students and actively explores applications in robotics, digital twins, and IoT. Recent publications highlight his focus on multi-view deep learning for anomaly detection , blockchain integration with AI , and ROS-based reinforcement learning . These works address challenges in cyber threat identification, decentralized finance, and smart manufacturing. His methodological innovations include knowledge graphs for security analytics and spatial audio analysis for VR environments. Qiao’s research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in Quality Education (through supervised student projects) and Industry Innovation (via tools like Containerchain and UniROS). His collaborations span cybersecurity frameworks, decentralized robotics, and privacy-preserving systems for smart cities.

Sarah PierceView profile

Lecturer

• Curatorial Studies
• Exhibition History
• Radical Pedagogies
• +3 more

Dr. Sarah Pierce is a Lecturer in Visual Culture at the School of Visual Culture, National College of Art and Design (NCAD), Dublin. Her work bridges art practice, curatorial research, and radical pedagogies, emphasizing community-driven processes and institutional critique. Pierce’s practice involves long-term collaborative projects, often framed under The Metropolitan Complex , exploring themes of self-determination, unofficial archives, and student culture. Education: PhD in Curatorial Knowledge, Goldsmiths College, University of London (2014) MFA, School of Architecture Art and Planning, Cornell University (1994) BA in Religious Studies and Studio Art, Occidental College (1990) Research Interests: Pierce’s work interrogates the intersections of art, education, and institutional structures. Key themes include radical pedagogies, dissent and self-determination, unofficial archives, and the performative nature of research. Her projects often challenge traditional institutional frameworks while advocating for open networks and collaborative processes. Awards & Recognition: Arts Council of Ireland Visual Arts Bursary (multiple years) Research Award, NCAD (2020) Zeitgeist Irland Artist (Culture Ireland, 2024) Represented Ireland at 51st Venice Biennale (2005) Academic Contributions: Pierce has held roles at institutions including the Dutch Art Institute (Arnhem), Sandberg Instituut (Amsterdam), and the University of Copenhagen. Her advising includes MA supervision in Fine Art and curatorial studies. She has contributed to initiatives like the Metropolitan Complex Papers , an ongoing series of printed conversations with other artists and researchers. Exhibitions & Publications: Pierce’s work has been featured globally in venues like the Van Abbemuseum (Eindhoven), Tate Modern (London), and the Irish Museum of Modern Art (Dublin). Her monograph Scene of the Myth (2025) and edited volumes on curatorial practices reflect her commitment to redefining art’s institutional contexts.

Cliona HarmeyView profile

Part-Time Lecturer

• Public Art
• Contemporary Sculpture
• DIY Electronics
• +4 more

Cliona Harmey is a Part-Time Lecturer in the Department of Fine Art Media and Sculpture at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD). Her practice focuses on public art , contemporary sculpture , and the integration of technology with artistic expression. She explores themes like infrastructure, ephemeral data, and audience engagement through installations that blend electronics, software, and live data streams. Key Projects: Dublin Ships (2015): A real-time public artwork displaying ship movements in Dublin Port, using Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology. Installed at North Wall Quay, it combines LED screens, live data, and community engagement with primary schools. Troposphere (2014): An exhibition of systems-based sculptures examining atmospheric phenomena, exhibited at Pallas Projects, Dublin. In Public in Particular (2016): An EU-funded collaborative project exploring contextual research methodologies across Zagreb, Turku, Antwerp, and Dublin. Research Interests: Harmey’s work engages with historical and contemporary technologies, infrastructure, and the tangible representation of data. She frequently collaborates with engineers, programmers, and educators to bridge art and technical disciplines. Exhibitions: Her works have been featured in venues like the Butler Gallery (Kilkenny), Pallas Projects (Dublin), and the Hugh Lane Gallery. Recent group shows include 'Telling Lies' (2016) and 'Lacuna' (2016). Grants & Funding: Projects like Dublin Ships received support from Dublin City Council, Dublin Port Company, and the EU. The Media Dept Open Lab projects were funded by UCD’s Spatial Arts and Visualization Fund. Labs & Teams: Collaborations include the Open Lab at NCAD, focusing on environmental and spatial art research, and partnerships with institutions like the Dublin Docklands Development Authority.

John KeatingView profile

Associate Professor

• Educational Technology
• Digital Humanities
• Interaction Design
• +6 more

Professor John Keating is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Maynooth University’s Faculty of Science & Engineering. He co-founded Maynooth University’s former Institute An Foras Feasa and served as Associate Director and Acting Director. His educational background includes a PhD in Atmospheric Physics (1990, Maynooth University) MEd (2006, Open University) EdD in Science Learning and Applied Linguistics (2014, Open University) . Keating’s research spans the intersection of Educational Technology , Digital Humanities , Interaction Design , and Linguistic Analytical Methods , with a focus on Collaborative Learning , Science Learning , and Collaborative Annotation in online environments. His recent work (2020-2025) emphasizes systemic functional linguistic analyses of Online Collaborative Discourse . His 15 most recent publications address topics such as Digital Humanities methodologies Collaborative learning systems Optical and digital watermarking Chaos-based pattern recognition XML for historical databases , reflecting his interdisciplinary expertise. Scientific awards include Maynooth University Teaching Fellowship (2019) IBM Faculty Fellow (2004-6) EPSRC Visiting Fellow (1994-6) Royal Irish Academy/Royal Society Fellow (1993) . Keating leads funded projects in Digital Humanities education Collaborative annotation software Graph-based data models Virtual research platforms , with grants from Maynooth University, IRCHSS, and Government of Ireland. He co-founded Maynooth’s An Foras Feasa imaging lab (AFFIL) for hyperspectral scanning and digital humanities infrastructure. He supervises funded doctoral and masters candidates in Digital Humanities and Educational Technology.

Jan RigbyView profile

Professor

• Health Geography
• Spatial Epidemiology
• Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
• +3 more

Jan Rigby is a Professor in the Department of Geography at Maynooth University, affiliated with the Social Sciences Institute (MUSSI) and the National Centre for Geocomputation (NCG). Her research focuses on health geography, spatial epidemiology, GIS applications, and poverty-related issues. She is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society - Institute of British Geographers and actively participates in professional organizations such as Radical Statistics Society and the Geographical Society of Ireland. Rigby has held roles in various committees, including the Academic Discipline Committee (interim Chair in 2016), University Promotions Board, and the SFI StratAG Governance Board as Programme manager. Her consultancy work includes strategic GIS planning for the Australian Biosecurity Intelligence Network and advising on a €90m budget allocation for Special European Projects. Rigby has a strong commitment to capacity-building initiatives in GIS for health research in low-income countries, particularly in Thailand, Malawi, Kenya, and Ireland. This involves open-source GIS training to reduce costs and enhance global health research capabilities. Rigby has advised four PhD students, including Manting Tao (2010), Simon Duphey (2014), Oviasu Osaretin (2012), and John Andrew Whittingham (2011). Her outreach efforts include invited seminars on ageing and health, public lectures on GIS barriers, and presentations on health inequalities. Notably, she received the Honorary Research Fellow award from the New Zealand Ministry of Health in 2004.

El PutnamView profile

Associate Professor

• Digital Studies
• Philosophy of Technology
• Aesthetics
• +9 more

El Putnam is an Associate Professor of Digital Media in the Department of Media Studies at Maynooth University, Faculty of Arts and Humanities. She teaches digital media practice and theory courses, including BA Media Studies and BA Media and Cultural Studies. Prior roles include Programme Director of the MA in Digital Media at the University of Galway and work at TU Dublin. She holds a PhD from the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts in Visual Arts: Aesthetics, Art Theory, and Philosophy. As a practicing artist, she exhibits nationally and internationally, focusing on digital media, performance, and wearable technology. Research interests include digital studies, philosophy of technology, aesthetics, maternal philosophy, gender studies, and critical race theory. She explores creative coding, generative media, and digital performance through an interdisciplinary lens. Notable projects include the 'Under the Feet of Shadows' multimedia collaboration with Mike McCormack, addressing data centre impacts in Ireland through speculative art. Publications span books like Livestreaming: An Aesthetics and Ethics of Technical Encounter (2024) and The Maternal, Digital Subjectivity, and the Aesthetics of Interruption (2022), along with peer-reviewed articles in Gender, Work and Organization and Frontiers in Communication . Her work critiques technology's societal role, maternal labor, and embodied experience. Advising PhD students focuses on practice-based digital art and media research. She co-leads the Motherhood Project and collaborates with institutions like Harvard University and the National University of Ireland. Exhibitions include solo shows at Emerson Contemporary (2023) and group displays worldwide, highlighting her exploration of technology’s intersections with human experience.