معرفی
Dr James Brunton is Assistant Professor and Programme Chair of the DCU Connected Psychology Major programme at Dublin City University's School of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Health. He leads an online, open education programme accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) and serves as Principal Investigator for multiple research projects including Opengame (Promoting Open Education through Gamification) and BUKA (Advancing Equity and Access to Higher Education through Open and Distance Learning).
Dr Brunton graduated with a BA (Hons) in Applied Psychology from University College Cork and earned his PhD in Psychology from Dublin City University's Business School. He holds multiple professional distinctions including being a Chartered member of the Psychological Society of Ireland (C. Psychol., Ps.S.I.; C. Work & Org. Psychol. Ps.S.I.), a Chartered member and Associate Fellow with the British Psychological Society (CPsychol BPS, AFBPsS), an EDEN (European Distance Education Network) Fellow, and an Advance HE Senior Fellow (SFHEA).
His research focuses on the psychology of identity, identity formation and identity management processes, particularly among 'off-campus' higher education students. He investigates socialisation/orientation processes for online learners, online learning design, open pedagogy, and digital assessment. His work bridges educational psychology with practical applications in open and distance education, with particular attention to vulnerable populations including refugees and students with disabilities.
Analysis of Dr Brunton's recent publications reveals a strong focus on open educational practices, learner identity formation, and accessibility in digital learning environments. His research spans educational psychology, technology-enhanced learning, and inclusive education, with consistent themes of equity, access, and innovative pedagogical approaches in online contexts. He has published in journals such as Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning, Open Praxis, Educational Media International, Frontiers in Psychology, and Studies in Higher Education.
- EDEN (European Distance Education Network) Fellow
- Advance HE Senior Fellow (SFHEA)
- Chartered member of the Psychological Society of Ireland
- Chartered member and Associate Fellow with the British Psychological Society
- Professor Extraordinarius at University of South Africa (UNISA)
Dr Brunton currently supervises PhD student Sinead Lynch and serves as Principal Investigator for multiple research projects including ENGAGED: Co-Creating Ireland's Public Engagement and Open Research Road Map (2024-2026), BUKA project (2019-2022), and the Opengame project (2019-2021). His research has received funding from both local and EU sources, supporting his work in open educational practices and equitable access to higher education.
As Editor for Research in Learning Technology, Editor for ASEAN Journal of Open and Distance Learning, and Senior Editor for Europe's Journal of Psychology, Dr Brunton plays a significant role in academic publishing within his field. His work with the DCU Connected Psychology programme demonstrates his commitment to innovative, accessible educational models that serve diverse learner populations through open and distance education approaches.
