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Dr. Margaret Farren

Associate Professor in the School of STEM Education, Innovation and Global Studies and Co-Director of the International Centre for Innovation and Workplace Learning (ICIWL) https://www.dcu.ie/iciwl

Founding member of the International Journal for Transformative Research https://sciendo.com/journal/IJTR - an open access, peer reviewed journal.

Currently the PI for the Erasmus+ Teacher Academy SYNAPSES collaboration (2023-2026), which aims to establish teacher education networks and communities of practice on Teaching for Sustainability Citizenship. From 2018-2021 I was the coordinator for the Erasmus+ Frontiers project.

I have supervised and continue to supervise Masters degree students and have always appreciated the inspiration they give to my research. Since 2008, I have supported PhD students who have used research approaches that contribute to personal knowledge and also contributes to the field of practice. I have acted as external examiner for PhD research for Universities in Ireland, UK, Australia and South Africa.

Taught in the post-primary and post-secondary education sectors before moving into higher education. I completed my PhD 'How am I creating a pedagogy of the unique through a web of betweenness' at the University of Bath in 2005. Reflections on PhD journey https://twitter.com/DCU_IoE_PGSR/status/1384582643522498561/photo/1

Led a number of programme initiatives since the beginning of my work in DCU. In 2002 I established the MSc in Education and Training Management (eLearning) programme which attracts participants from a range of work contexts. In 2005 I developed digital media and learning modules for DCU's newly established Post Primary Initial Teacher Education programme. In collaboration with the Global eSchools and Communities Initiative (GeSCI) - a Kenyan based NGO - a unique initiative in the form of a Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership Development in ICT and the Knowledge Society for African leaders was accredited by DCU in 2012. I currently chair the MSc. in Education and Training Management (Leadership), a programme which is designed for practising and aspiring leaders and managers in a range of workplace settings.






Research Interests

Research methodologies that enable impact and transformation in personal and professional practice. Educational values in action. Pedagogical approaches that promote reflection, dialogue, inquiry. Technology that facilitates collaboration and cooperation.

Teaching Interests

Teaching Experience

Previously taught A-level, A-S level Computer Science, GCSE Computer Studies, GCSE IT & Business Studies and GNVQ Business.
British School of Brussels 1992-1997.
Islington Sixth Form Centre and North London College. 1987-1989.
Migrant Training Company, Islington, London. 1989-1990
Mary Ward Adult Education Centre, London WC1. 1985-1987

Associate Professor, School of STEM Education, Innovation and Global Studies, Institute of Education, DCU. 2016-Present
Lecturer, School of Education Studies, DCU 2002-2016
Lecturer, School of Computer Applications, DCU 1999-2002
Researcher, Centre for Teaching Computing, School of Computer Applications, DCU 1997-1999

Funding Awards in Teaching and Learning
2016: Google CS4HS APP Development in collaboration with the School of Computer Applications.
2009: Learning Innovation Award. Discover2Xpose.
2007: Learning Innovation Award. eLife Connecting People
2005: Learning Innovation Award - Enhanced Learning through Moodle.