Eilish McLoughlin

Dr. Eilish McLoughlin is an Associate Professor in the School of Physical Sciences at Dublin City University (DCU). She is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and a Chartered Physicist, with a focus on advancing STEM education through teacher training programs, curriculum development, and international collaborations. Dr. McLoughlin leads initiatives such as the STEM Teacher Internship Programme, which connects pre-service teachers with industry placements, and the Professional Diploma in Teaching Physics for secondary educators. Her work emphasizes inquiry-based learning, gender balance in physics education, and fostering education-industry partnerships.

Her research spans STEM teacher education, pedagogical innovation, and the integration of digital tools in teaching. Notable projects include the Improving Gender Balance initiative (2016-2019) and European programs like 3DIPhE and OSOS, which promote inquiry-based practices and open school partnerships. Dr. McLoughlin has been recognized nationally and internationally, including the Institute of Physics Lawrence Bragg Medal (2022) and Science Foundation Ireland Communicator of the Year (2019).

Her contributions extend to policy and practice, such as redesigning physics curricula and addressing educational transitions. She has led over 20 funded research projects, including EU initiatives focused on teacher professional learning and STEM integration. Dr. McLoughlin’s work bridges academia, industry, and policy to enhance STEM education quality and accessibility across Ireland and Europe.