The Academic Practice Series - Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development (TUS).

About The Academic Practice Series - Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development (TUS).

The Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development (CPID) within the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS) supports staff development and scholarship, Peer Assisted Student Support (PASS), and Educational research in learning, teaching, and assessment. Staff development and scholarship is underpinned by the following taught programmes offered by the centre: Master of Arts in Academic Practice, Postgraduate Diploma in Pedagogic and Academic Practice, Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice, and Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice in Higher Education. Each academic year, CPID is responsible for implementing the Peer Assisted Student Support (PASS) programme. The purpose of the program is to train second-year students to be PASS Leaders who, after completing their training, support first-year students in their learning. CPID is also in charge of managing multi-annual SATLE (Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement) funding. The funding is used to drive teaching and learning innovation and enhancement with a focus on three themes: Education for sustainable development, Digital transformation, and Academic integrity. The fund is used to support small-scale Learning Enhancement Projects (LEPs) and Communities of Practice (CoPs) in TUS related to these enhancement themes. This Podcast Series has been developed by CPID Staff involved in teaching on the taught programmes, supporting the PASS initiative, and engaging in educational research. This series has been funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, the Higher Education Authority, and the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development.

Publisher

CPID, Technological University of the Shannon

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Dec 2024

Latest episode

11 Feb 2026

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   11 Feb 2026

   Exploring Belonging in Higher Education

   Dr. Jonathan Vincent is a distinguished lecturer in the Department of Educational Research at Lancaster University, and a central figure in the field of inclusive educational and employment research. His current positions at Lancaster University—lecturer in the Educational Research Department, Programme Director for the Education and Social Justice MA, and Director for Internationalisation. His work is primarily concerned with the nature and experience of life course transitions for neurodivergent and disabled learners, with a specific emphasis on their progression through various stages of education and their eventual entry into the workforce.1 A defining characteristic of his scholarly approach is a deep commitment to qualitative and inclusive methodologies, particularly the use of participatory research, which involves the communities he studies directly in the research process itself. Dr. Vincent's research extends beyond theoretical and academic inquiry to achieve demonstrable real-world impact. He leads and collaborates on a range of project which have resulted in the creation of practical resources, including online toolkits and courses designed to improve outcomes for neurodivergent individuals. His influence is also notable in the realm of public policy, where he has provided expert evidence to government bodies in multiple countries, including Malta, Indonesia, Australia, and, most recently, the House of Lords in the United Kingdom. Dr Catherine-Ann O' Connell, a Senior Lecturer with CPID, discusses with Jonathan the topic of Exploring Belonging in Higher Education. This podcast was recorded in September 2025 and was funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, the Higher Education Authority, and the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development Department within the Technological University of the Shannon.

2. 

   19 Nov 2025

   The Use of GenAI in the Knowledge Creation Process

   This podcast is a recording of a Panel Discussion held at the Technological University of the Shannon during Academic Integrity Week 2025 on the topic of “The Use of GenAI in the Knowledge Creation Process”. The discussion is chaired by Dr Denise Mac Giolla Ri, Artificial Intelligence Champion with CPID. Denise is joined by • Dr. Des Cawley, Head of the Department of Nursing and Healthcare, Faculty of Science and Health in the Technological University of the Shannon, • Dr. Maura Clancy, Dean of Faculty, Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology in the Technological University of the Shannon, • Dr. Niall Murray, Senior Lecturer in Dept. of Computer & Software Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Technology in the Technological University of the Shannon, and • Ms. Frances O’Connell, Vice President for Education and Student Experience in the Technological University of the Shannon This podcast was recorded in October 2025 and was funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, the Higher Education Authority, and the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development Department within the Technological University of the Shannon.

3. 

   1 Oct 2025

   Assessment and Academic Integrity in a time of Generative AI

   Professor Phillip (Phill) Dawson is the Co-Director of the Centre for Research in Assessment and Digital Learning (CRADLE) at Deakin University, which is the world's leading higher education assessment research group in terms of publications and citations. Phill is most known for his research on feedback, cheating and artificial intelligence in assessment. His work is highly cited, and he ranks 6th internationally in the field of higher education research over the past five years (ScholarGPS). In his feedback research, Phill is currently leading an Australian Research Council project into supporting students to make the most of feedback through developing their feedback literacy. This longitudinal study uses behaviour change techniques from the health and social sciences to help students develop and use feedback capabilities not just at university, but also in their graduate working lives. In his cheating and artificial intelligence research, Phill is currently collaborating with Deakin colleagues on a major project into how to design assessment that is valid and appropriate for a time of artificial intelligence. This project builds on work funded by the Australian higher education regulator TEQSA, which he was one of the leads of. Phill is a regular contributor to public debate on higher education. His work has been featured on ABC TV, The Australian, The Age, Times Higher Education, the BBC, VICE, Vox, the Financial Times, the Geelong Advertiser, and discussed in the Australian parliament. In his spare time, Phill performs comedy, including in the academia-themed improv show The Peer Revue, which he also produces. Dr. Mike Russell, who is the Academic Integrity Lead on the CPID team within the Technological University of the Shannon, speaks with Phill on the topic of Assessment and Academic Integrity in a time of GenAI. This podcast was recorded in June 2025 and was funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, the Higher Education Authority, and the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development Department within the Technological University of the Shannon.

4. 

   31 Mar 2025

   Exploring AI and Assessment and the Implications of Gen AI in Higher Education.

   Professor Sarah Eaton is a professor and research chair at the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Canada and an Honorary Associate Professor, Deakin University, Australia, an ethicist, writer, and speaker and is a strong advocate for integrity and ethics in educational contexts. Sarah has received research awards of excellence for her scholarship on academic integrity from the Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education (CSSHE) (2020) and the European Network for Academic Integrity (ENAI) (2022). Professor Jan Mc Arthur is Head of Department and a Professor in Higher Education and Social Justice at Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom. Professor McArthur's research interests span two themes: education and social justice, and the nature of higher education, specifically, the inter-relationships between education and society, and between theory and practice. Dr Nuala Harding, Head of the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development (CPID) at TUS, speaks with both Sarah and Jan on the topic of Exploring AI and Assessment and the implications of Gen AI in higher education. This podcast was recorded in February 2025 and funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, the Higher Education Authority, and the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development in TUS.

5. 

   4 Dec 2024

   Exploring the Use of Immersive Technologies to Enhance the Student Experience

   Dr. Geraldine McDermott is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher within the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development in TUS. She currently teaches on the MA in Academic Practice, focusing primarily on digital learning and teaching and educational research. She has a specific interest in digital education and supports academic and professional staff as they explore digital solutions to encourage active learning, student engagement and collaboration. She is actively involved in researching emerging technologies and their role in education, and her current research projects include a focus on Immersive Technologies (VR/AR), Artificial Intelligence, and Multimodality. She is a member of the European Regional University Network (RUN-EU) Steering Group for TUS and the Future Advanced Pedagogy and Skills Academy (FAPSA) of RUN-EU, which supports the pedagogical development of learning opportunities for students across the RUN-EU partners. In this episode Geraldine speaks with Dr. Mike Russell, a lecturer in both the CPID and Computer-Software departments at TUS, about her SATLE funded project, Exploring the Use of Immersive Technologies to Enhance the Student Experience. This pod cast was recorded in May 2024 and was funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, the Higher Education Authority, and the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development Department within the Technological University of the Shannon.

6. 

   4 Dec 2024

   Sustainable Food Production in a Higher Education Learning Restaurant utilising Vertical Aeroponic Tower Gardens.

   Seán Connell is a Senior Lecturer in Hotel and Catering TUS. His research interests focus on learning and teaching innovations for hospitality, tourism and leisure education. Sean speaks with Dr. Mike Russell, a lecturer with CPID, about the SATLE funded project that he undertook with other colleagues from TUS: Dr Noelle O’Connor, Dr Emma Reardon, Ms Nicola Ryan, Ms Nora Shine, and Mr John Lydon. The project - Sustainable food production in a higher education learning restaurant utilising vertical aeroponic Tower Gardens - examined the process of producing vegetables and herbs from germination through to harvest for use as an ingredient in herbal teas and restaurant dishes using aeroponics systems. The tower gardens use a soil free, nutrient enriched, oxygenated water system and low wattage water pump and LED lights to grow produce. Third year hotel management students, in their Environmental Management and Resource Efficiency module, examined the efficiency of using the tower gardens to produce herbs for herbal teas as opposed to buying in branded teas. This pod cast was recorded in May 2024 and was funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, the Higher Education Authority, and the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development Department within the Technological University of the Shannon.

7. 

   4 Dec 2024

   Using Accessible VR for Interdisciplinary Teaching, Learning and Collaboration

   Dr. Martina Cleary is a lecturer, artist, writer and researcher based in the Dept. of Fine Art & Education at TUS and (PI) of the ADEPT Research Group. Her areas of research focus include; Neurodiversity in Art & Education, New Media & Immersive Technologies, Socially Engaged Arts & Activism. She holds a PhD from the European Centre for Photographic Research e(CPR), an MEd from Aalto University of Art, Design & Architecture, Helsinki, and an MA from the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts Helsinki. Over the past two decades her work has been presented in over eleven countries, supported by the Arts Councils of Ireland, Finland and Canada, CREATE Ireland, The National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning Ireland, The Finnish Institute London, The Finnish Cultural Foundation and various regional Arts Offices both nationally and internationally. She has served on the Board of Directors of PhotoIreland and been an invited artist, consultant or lecturer for GMIT, The EU Urban Development Project Helsinki, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, The School of Visual Arts Imatra, The Free Arts School of Helsinki, Cardiff School of Art & Design and Moore College of Art & Design Philadelphia. Martina discusses with Dr. Mike Russell, a lecturer in both the CPID and Computer-Software departments at TUS, her SATLE funded project - Using Accessible VR for Interdisciplinary Teaching, Learning and Collaboration. The aim of the project was to explore the use of accessible user-friendly VR to enable staff and learners from BA to PhD level, to creatively interact and engage within virtual reality. The Focus was on exploring the potential of VR for creative and interdisciplinary collaboration, content creation and the showcasing of projects through the use of virtual spaces, and live events. Examples of the output from the research can be found at https://adeptresearchgroup.com/projects (https://adeptresearchgroup.com/projects) and https://www.martinacleary.com/ (https://www.martinacleary.com/). This podcast was recorded in May 2024 and was funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, the Higher Education Authority, and the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development Department within the Technological University of the Shannon.

8. 

   4 Dec 2024

   Exploring Peer Assisted Student Support (PASS): Weekly, Timetabled Sessions Run for First Year Students by More Experienced PASS Leaders.

   William Carey (SFHEA) is a Certified Trainer with the European Centre for SI-PASS at Lund University, Sweden. As a UK-based, European-focused, Educational and Academic Developer, Will is deeply interested in the partnership between learners/educators to inform/enhance learning and teaching practices. His involvement with SI-PASS began in 2000 and he acknowledge the impact this peer-learning model has had in shaping his professional practice in the classroom and beyond. As an International Certified Trainer for SI-PASS (Supplemental Instruction / Peer Assisted Study Sessions) at the European Centre for SI-PASS (Lund University, Sweden) he has worked with over 400 staff and more than 60 institutions across Europe to implement, train, and evaluate SI-PASS programmes. He fell in love with Ireland whilst working at Munster Technological University, where he contributed to the Teaching, Learning, Assessment and Student Experience agenda, including focussing on two institution-wide SATLE projects (co-creating Assessment and Feedback practices, and designing a development programme for early career academics) whilst also supporting colleagues across 30+ projects to introduce their own learning and teaching initiatives. His research interests include student-staff partnership; third space professionals; peer learning; and co-creation of assessment and feedback. He is on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Peer Learning and Chair of the European First Year Experience Network and Conference Series. Aoife Walsh, PASS Coordinator with CPID, discusses with Will the topic of Exploring Peer Assisted Student Support (PASS): weekly, timetabled sessions run for first year students by more experienced PASS Leaders. This podcast was recorded in June 2024 and was funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, the Higher Education Authority, and the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development Department within the Technological University of the Shannon.

9. 

   4 Dec 2024

   Embedding Education for Sustainable Development in Learning and Teaching

   Valerie Lewis is the Director of the Take 1 Programme, which supports post primary schools to communicate, raise awareness of, and embed Education for Sustainable Development in learning and teaching, as part of a transformative 'whole school' curriculum approach. The Take 1 Programme is funded by the Department of Education under Priority 2: Transforming Learning Environments, as part of ESD to 2030, Ireland's Second National Strategy on ESD. Dr Noelle O' Connor, Senior Lecturer with the Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Wellness (Limerick) and CPID, talks with Valerie on the topic of Embedding Education for Sustainable Development in Learning and Teaching. This pod cast was recorded in February 2024 and was funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, the Higher Education Authority, and the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development Department within the Technological University of the Shannon.

10. 

    4 Dec 2024

    The Changing Landscape of Educational Technology in Higher Education

    Martin Oliver is a Professor of Education and Technology at the Institute of Education in University College London (UCL). Throughout his career he has combined research, teaching and service roles, working at various times as an educational developer, learning technologist, programme leader and Head of the IOE's Learning Technologies Unit. He was the Pro-Director for Academic Development at the UCL Institute of Education, a role that incorporates the responsibilities of Vice Dean for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Prior to that, he served as Head of Department for Culture, Communication and Media; and Head of the Centre for Doctoral Education, a role that included serving as Faculty Graduate Tutor. He is currently Programme Leader for the EdD, a doctoral programme for education professionals. Dr Geraldine McDermott, Senior Lecturer with CPID, discusses with Martin - The changing landscape of educational technology in Higher Education. This podcast was recorded in June 2024 and was funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, the Higher Education Authority, and the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development within the Technological University of the Shannon.

11. 

    4 Dec 2024

    Exploring Care and Relational Pedagogies in Higher Education.

    Dr Karen Gravett is Associate Professor and Associate Head (Research) at the Surrey Institute of Education, where her research focuses on the Sociology of Higher Education. She explores how theoretically informed approaches can help us to understand education and society: for example, in the areas of digital education, student engagement, relational pedagogies, belonging and literacy practices. She is Director of the Language, Literacies and Learning research group, and a member of the Society for Research in Higher Education Governing Council. She is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) and an Honorary Associate Professor for the Centre for Assessment and Digital Learning (CRADLE) at Deakin University. Her recent publications include Critical Practice in Higher Education (forthcoming, 2025) and Relational Pedagogies: Connections and Mattering in Higher Education (2023). Dr Catherine-Ann O' Connell, a Senior Lecturer with CPID, discusses with Karen the topic of Exploring Care and Relational Pedagogies in Higher Education. This podcast was recorded in June 2024 and was funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, the Higher Education Authority, and the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development Department within the Technological University of the Shannon.

12. 

    4 Dec 2024

    Action Research for Educators – In Conversation with Jack Whitehead

    Jack Whitehead is a Visiting Professor of Education with the University of Cumbria and was previously an Adjunct Professor at the Liverpool Hope University and a Lecturer in Education with University of Bath. Jack's professional career has embraced a discipline of educational research, which recognizes the contribution of enhancing professionalism in education by adding the educational knowledge generated by individual educators to the professional knowledge-base of education, through Action Research and the development of Living Educational Theories. Living educational theory is a paradigm for scientific research in the academic discipline of education in which a teacher theorises her/his own professional practice. Jack has conducted workshops on Action Research, Living Educational Theory Research, Coaching, Mentoring, and Professional Development throughout the world from the UK, to China, Africa, Australia, USA, and South America. Dr. Mike Russell, who teaches an Action Research for Educators module on the CPID programmes within the Technological University of the Shannon, speaks with Jack about how Action Research and Living Educational Theory can be employed by teaching staff within Higher Education to research and improve their own pedagogical practice. This podcast was recorded in February 2024 and was funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, the Higher Education Authority, and the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development Department within the Technological University of the Shannon.

Contact The Academic Practice Series - Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Development (TUS).

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.