Dr. Joe Usher

Dr Joe Usher is an Assistant Professor in Primary Geography Education and Social, Environmental and Scientific Education. He works in the area of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) and Professional Learning. He has previously worked as a primary school teacher in Co. Meath, Co. Louth and Co. Dublin. Prior to working as a primary teacher, Joe worked as a transport planner in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport as well as a planning officer for the National Heritage Council.

Dr Usher's research interests include; exploring children's rights and participation in local decision making through primary geography (doctoral thesis completed on this area), using digital resources in the teaching of primary geography (including GIS, Google Earth, LEGO Education and Minecraft Education), enquiry-based teaching and learning in primary geography, and the development of educational resources for primary geography education.

He completed his Doctorate at Queen's University, Belfast which involved the first ever nationwide review of the teaching of primary geography in Ireland. Here he also worked with urban planners and senior class primary teachers to develop a framework through which children could be consulted on local planning decisions through primary geography lessons on their local areas.

Dr Usher is a member of the Geography Association (GA), the Geography Society of Ireland (GSI), and the European Association of Geographers (EUROGEO). He is a member of the steering committee for the Centre for Human Rights and Citizenship Education at DCU.

Dr Usher welcomes contact from organisations and individuals interested in all areas outlined above and all areas related to geography education.