Briony Supple

Briony Supple is a Senior Lecturer in Design Thinking Pedagogy and Praxis at University College Cork's School of Education. With over 20 years of international teaching experience across Japan, China, Vietnam, Chile, the UK, and Australia, she leads research on creative pedagogies that transform higher education through play, art, and design principles. Her work bridges theory and practice to foster inclusive, student-centered learning environments.

• PhD in Education, Monash University (2013)
• Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language, Newcastle College (2005)
• Bachelor of Arts in ESL and Japanese, University of Western Sydney (1999)
• Certified PRO Trainer of LEGO® Serious Play® Methodology (2023)

Her research pioneers the integration of artistic practices with design thinking to reimagine teaching and learning. Key innovations include 'Art thinking' (fusing design thinking with artistic practice), LEGO Serious Play for assessment innovation, and learning spaces as catalysts for pedagogical change. She investigates inclusive approaches for diverse learners, particularly international students with disabilities, using Bourdieuian frameworks to address systemic barriers in higher education.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2021-2025) reveals three dominant trends: (1) Sustainability-focused pedagogies through European collaborations on pre-service teacher training; (2) Spatial innovation examining how physical/virtual gallery spaces enable 'slow pedagogy' post-pandemic; (3) Technology-enhanced learning via student-co-designed VR simulations for complex scientific concepts. Her work consistently centers student co-creation, interdisciplinary connections, and accessibility.

• President's Award for Excellence in Teaching: Team Award (UCC, 2023)
• President's Award for Excellence in Teaching (UCC, 2018)

She supervises 6 current postgraduate students on topics including LEGO Serious Play for academic skills development, education for sustainability, and learning spaces in dentistry. Her €650,000+ research portfolio features Horizon 2020's Icehearts Europe project (€252,807), ERASMUS Digifit initiative (€100,000), and National Forum grants advancing assessment transformation. She directs UCC's Postgraduate Diploma and Master's in Innovation through Design Thinking while developing faculty development programs globally.

As Programme Co-Director of UCC's Innovation through Design Thinking programs, she leads an international consortium including ISCA Move Congress and European universities. Her MakerMap project links campus makerspaces to foster interdisciplinary connections, while collaborations with the Glucksman Gallery integrate physical/virtual art spaces for reflective teaching practices. She consults for organizations like Uisce Eireann and Poppulo on design thinking applications.