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Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn

Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn

Dr. Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn is an Associate Professor in the School of Mathematical Sciences at Dublin City University and has served as Director of the DCU Maths Learning Centre since 2007, following two years managing the DIT Maths Learning Centre. A Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), she was the inaugural Chairperson of the Irish Mathematics Learning Support Network (IMLSN) from 2009–2011 and served on its committee as PRO until 2020. She is on the Irish Committee for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Mathematics (ICEDIM) since 2005, and in March 2026, was appointed EDI Lead for the Faculty of Science and Health in DCU.

Her academic background includes a BA in Mathematics and a PhD in biometric cryptography from Trinity College Dublin. Her research now centres on mathematics education, with a focus on the transition from secondary-to-tertiary education, mathematics support, assessment design, the impact of COVID-19 campus closures upon mathematics education, and the integration of generative AI into mathematics instruction. She is an active member of CASTeL (Centre for the Advancement of STEM Teaching and Learning) in DCU.

Research Interests

Mathematics Education

  • Transition to Higher Education: Secondary-to-tertiary transition dynamics; diagnostic testing for incoming undergraduates; mathematical mindset and student persistence.

  • Mathematics Support Infrastructure: Higher education mathematics learning support design, impact, and diagnostic interventions.

  • Pedagogy and Discipline-Specific Instruction: Teaching mathematics for engineering or pre-service mathematics teachers; generative AI applications and challenges in mathematics education.

  • Assessment and Evaluation: Assessment methods and feedback practices in undergraduate mathematics.

Teaching Interests

Mathematics Education

  • Pedagogical Knowledge & Frameworks: Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching (MKT) for pre-service teachers, Lesson Study.

  • Technology & Innovation: Integrating generative AI tools and digital technologies into mathematics instruction and curriculum design.

  • Transition & Introductory Modules: Bridging courses for first-year students to ease the transition from second-level to university-level mathematics.

  • Assessment Practices: Formative and summative assessment design; diagnostic testing and targeted remediation; oral assessment in mathematics.

  • Effective Pedagogy in Support Environments: One-to-one tutoring; small-group drop-in; non-judgmental, student-centered support.

  • Affective Domain & Student Mindsets: Mathematics anxiety; fostering growth mindsets and mathematical confidence in non-specialist students.

  • Inclusive and Accessible Teaching: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in mathematics; embedding Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) principles.

  • Peer Learning Infrastructure: Training and mentoring undergraduate and postgraduate tutors for mathematics learning support roles.

CV

Academic Qualifications

  • PhD
    Field of study: Natural sciences
    Project: Mathematics: Biometric retrieval of cryptographic keys
    Award date: 01/09/2026
  • Bachelor's Degree
    Field of study: Natural sciences
    Project: Pure and Applied Mathematics
    Award date: 01/06/2021

Professional Qualifications

  • Senior Fellow of Advance Higher Education Academy(SFHEA)
    31/08/2023 – Ongoing

Sustainable Development Goals