Dr. David Gibson

I am an Assistant Professor of Philosophy in the School of Human Development, where I teach across a range of programmes on the Humanities (Human Development) and Education (Bachelor of Education, MSc Guidance Counselling). I am School Ethics Advisor within the School of Human Development, a post I have held since 2017. I hold a PhD in Bioethics and Medical Jurisprudence (University of Manchester), as well as postgraduate degrees in Psychotherapy (UCD), Healthcare Ethics (RCSI), and Continental Philosophy (UCD).

I have lectured in Church of Ireland College of Education, prior to incorporation with DCU and Froebel Department of Primary and Early Education, NUI Maynooth, on the BEd, PME and Master of Education (Research in Practice) programmes.

I am a member and co-founder of the Educational Studies Association of Ireland Special Interest Group (SIG) Teacher Education: Critical Pedagogy and Praxis for Social Justice since 2020.


My research interests lie in examining practices in education and health/care that promote and sanction forms of selfhood and subjectivity. My focus in teacher education centres on the limits of reflective practice and the production of teacher identities and examines the role of hope, care, counter stories and identity in professional practice. I am currently researching opportunities for narrative informed practice in initial teacher education, teaching practice and career and guidance counselling. In health/care, my research focus builds on my PhD which examined Bioethical Selfhood, Healthcare Decision Making and Mental Capacity. Specifically, I am interested in how individuals’ actions and beliefs are supported and prohibited by institutions and professions. I locate philosophy as providing the means for practitioners to position themselves within broader political and ethical discourses, to evaluate specific practice and strategies, and to provide a space in which professional identities and ethical commitments can be encountered, negotiated and challenged. I welcome contact from anyone interested in continuing further studies, research, collaboration or community engagement.

Research Interests: Philosophy of Education, Narrative Ethics, Mental Capacity and Supported Decision Making, Teacher Identity(ies), Care and Social Justice, Philosophy of Medicine.