Claire McDonnell

Claire McDonnell is a Lecturer in the School of Physics, Clinical and Optometric Sciences at TU Dublin, teaching across the BSc Optometry and BSc Ophthalmic Dispensing programs. She serves as First Year Coordinator for both programs and Co-Programme Chair for Ophthalmic Dispensing, with module coordination responsibilities spanning Vision Science, Quantitative Methods, Contact Lens Practice, and Final Year Projects.

Her educational background includes:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Refractive Surgery, City University London (2005)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning, DIT (2011)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Paediatric Optometry, City University London (2011)
• MSc in Applied Elearning, DIT (2015)

Dr. McDonnell's research centers on practical optometric applications with emphases on contact lens education, paediatric vision testing, and digital learning methodologies. Her work bridges clinical practice with pedagogical innovation, particularly in quantitative assessment techniques for ophthalmic dispensing and community-based vision care delivery.

She has secured significant educational funding including:

• Seed Funding from DIT Students Learning with Communities (2009)
• National Digital Learning Repository Grant (2010)
• Widening Participation Grant from TU4D Fund (2016)
• Multiple DIT LTTC Teaching & Assessment Grants (2011-2013)

As an active mentor, she supervises final-year projects and practice placements while maintaining extensive international engagement through Vision Aid Overseas missions across Africa and advisory roles with the Opticians Board and European Academy Fellowship examinations.