Mr. Cillian Brennan
Dr Cillian Brennan is an Assistant Professor in Physical Education in the School of Arts Education and Movement at DCU Institute of Education. His research interests include teacher socialisation, physical education teacher education, continuous professional development, physical education leadership, and meaningful physical education. Cillian is a graduate of Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, where he completed his undergraduate degree (B Ed with a specialism in PE) and his PhD. This doctoral work investigated the socialisation of PE specialism graduates (PESGs) as generalist teachers with expertise in PE. Teacher development was examined from a variety of perspectives, including PESGs’ self-efficacy to teach PE; the influence of PESGs’ prior experiences on their understanding of quality PE; the organisational socialisation of PESGs through a micropolitical lens; and the influence of an online community of practice on PESGs’ development as teachers and leaders of PE.
Prior to joining DCU, Cillian worked as a primary school teacher in Clare and contributed to teacher education and early childhood programmes at Mary Immaculate College and the University of Limerick. Having worked closely with primary school teachers, Cillian's teaching interests are centred upon preparing student teachers to apply their skills within their complex teaching landscapes.
Research Interests
Teacher socialisation in physical education.
Physical education teacher education.
School culture and physical education leadership in Irish primary schools.
Continuous professional development in physical education, particularly through online communities of practice.
Facilitating meaningful experiences in primary physical education and youth sport.
Teaching Interests
Cillian actively contributes to a range of modules as module coordinator and lecturer across the Bachelor of Education programme in Dublin City University, Institute of Education. During the 2026-2027 academic year, he is responsible for coordinating the BEd 2 core module 'Wellbeing: Physical Education & Social, Personal and Health Education', and the BEd 4 PE specialism module, 'Subject Leadership in Physical Eduacation'. Cillian also delivers on the PMEP module 'Wellbeing'.
Prior to joining DCU, Cillian has contributed to teacher education and early childhood programmes at Mary Immaculate College and the University of Limerick, as a lecturer, departmental assistant and tutor.
His teaching interests include:
- Developing self-efficacy to teach PE among pre-service teachers.
- Challenging pre-service teachers' understanding of PE to develop a more holistic, inclusive understanding of PE.
- Supporting pre-service teachers to implement meaningful PE within primary schools.
- Preparing pre-service teachers to negotiate the challenges they will face in the complex landscape of primary schools.
- Supporting pre-service teachers as future leaders of PE within schools.
CV
Academic Qualifications
- Certificate01/2024 – 09/2024Project: Special Purposes Certificate in Professional Leadership (Level 9)
- PhD09/2019 – 08/2023Project: PhD in Education by Research, Physical Education
- Bachelor's Degree, Mary Immaculate College, University of LimerickProject: Bachelor of Education - B. Ed with a specialism in Physical Education