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Biography

Richard is currently working with the Head of Lifelong Learning and the Head of Faculty of Education and Lifelong Learning as the Lifelong Learning Portfolio Integration Lead. In collaboration with other Academic Integration Leads across the University, my role is focused on the integration of the Universities Lifelong Learning (Part-Time) programmes, with the aim of developing a portfolio unpinned by a high-quality student experience, academic quality and integrity, flexible modes of programme provision and excellence in teaching, learning and assessment. This academic role will work across all the University’s Campuses, Faculties and Department to develop a high-quality, flexible, responsive and sustainable programme portfolio for SETU. 

Prior to this I was an Assistant Head of Department in the Dept of Education, with responsibility for the operational, financial and strategic management of SETU Music School. I was also the Programme Leader for the MA in Management in Education course as well as an active part of the teaching, assessment and research work within the Department.

I previous worked as lecturer at Marino Institute of Education, lecturing in music methodologies on the undergraduate and postgraduate Initial Teacher Education programmes. I am also a registered primary school teacher and worked for many years in a North Dublin primary school. I am an accomplished musician and pianist, and am the accompanist and a Chairperson of the National Children's Choir National Committee. 

My research interests include teacher education, music and arts education, qualitative and phenomenological research, teacher learning and CPD, curriculum and programme design and inclusion in education. My doctoral research and recent research outputs focused on the concept of teacher participation in music education across the domains of teaching and learning, identity, power and transformation.

Richard has a range of experience working across all levels in education. Prior to working in SETU, Richard lectured at Marino Institute of Education, lecturing on the undergraduate and postgraduate initial teacher education programmes in primary education. He is a qualified primary school teacher and has also worked as a secondary school music teacher. He is a trained Droichead PST member and has worked alongside newly qualified and sudent-teachers for many years. 

At SETU, Richard has lectured within the Department of Education on postgraduate programmes related to teacher education and educational theory and practice. He is also a postgraduate supervisor working with Level 9 and Level 10 students.

  • 2023, Teacher Participation in the National Children’s Choir: Singing for the many? (Presentation), SETU School of Education and Lifelong Learning Doctoral Research Seminar
  • 2022, Teacher Participation in the National Children's Choir: An Interpretive Study [PhD Thesis], Dublin City University.
  • 2021, The Challenges and Opportunities of Teaching Music During Covid-19 (Webinar) Teacher Education Series, Tralee Education Centre/Marino Institute of Education.
  • 2021, Teacher Identity within the National Children’s Choir (Paper Presentation), Society of Music Education of Ireland Conference, TU Dublin
  • 2021, The Qualitative Researcher (Paper Presentation), Institute of Education Research Conversations Series, DCU
  • 2021, Habitus, Capital and Context: Teachers’ Experience of the National Children’s Choir (Paper Presentation), ATEE: Research in Teacher Education Conference,  Loránd University, Budapest.
  • 2011, How best to assess Junior Certificate Music? [Masters Thesis], Trinity College Dublin.