Our Team

Roisin has joined the N-TUTORR team having served as Head of Discipline and Assistant Head of School and Head of Department in the TU Dublin School of Transport and Civil Engineering since 2016. Roisin joined TU Dublin in 2005 as the Research Manager and Business Development Manager in the National Institute of Transport and Logistics (NITL) in DIT. She is a qualified Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and holds a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, BEng in Manufacturing Engineering, ME in Advanced Engineering and PGDip in Third Level Learning and Teaching. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, member of the IBEC Transport and Infrastructure Council, committee member of ITRN (Irish Transport Research Network), a committee member of the TU Dublin Women Leaders in Higher Education (WLHE), committee member of TU Dublin Women in Technology United (WITU) and a member of the CIVITAS network. She has also served as an Aurora Role Model (Leadership Foundation UK), ITS Scientific Expert and Irish National Expert on transport policy for the EC EPTR (European Commission European Platform for Transport Research) committee for the 7th Framework Programme.

In her roles as Structured Lecturer (2010 to 2016), Assistant Head of School (2016 to 2022) and subsequently as Head of Discipline for Transport and Aviation (2022 to 2023) in TU Dublin, she was responsible for the development and management of apprenticeship programmes in the areas of motor mechanics, vehicle body repairs, heavy vehicle mechanics and the Aircraft Maintenance Apprenticeship programme. She was also responsible for the development and management of undergraduate programmes such as the BSc (Hons) in Transport Operations and Technology, BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Transport Management, BEngTech in Aviation Technology (civilian) and the BEngTech in Aviation Technology (Military) in collaboration with the Irish Air Corps. Through this work, Roisin has gained valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of new and existing module and programme design, development and management. She brings her experience with innovative pedagogies and student empowerment to this role as TU Dublin Learner Empowerment Lead on the N-TUTORR project. She is primarily focused on work packages associated Stream 1 of the project.

Raquel Cox is a staff member at Technological University of the Shannon and has been the Stream 1 Coordinator for the local N-TUTORR project since June 2023. In this role, she facilitates partnerships between students and staff to explore innovative approaches that meet the evolving needs of learners and educators. Her main motivation for joining N-TUTORR is to support higher education in cultivating reflective, informed, and capable citizens while fostering the growth and dissemination of advanced knowledge.

Raquel earned a master’s degree in International Tourism from the University of Limerick in 2016, inspired by her experiences living in Brazil, Germany, Ireland, Australia, and the USA. She also holds a degree in Economics. Community involvement has been central to Raquel’s life, and she has participated in numerous local initiatives while raising her family. In her spare time, she enjoys playing tennis and exploring Ireland’s mountains.

Olya joined the N-TUTORR programme in July 2023 as a Research Assistant. As part of her role Olya enjoys conducting interviews, analysing findings and presenting results at the conferences. Olya has a Master of Science in Human Nutrition (Ulster University) and a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Activity (Dundalk Institute of Technology). N-TUTORR has a potential to bring positive changes to the technological sector in higher education in Ireland and Olya feels privileged to be part of this change.

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Jessica joined N-TUTORR in February 2023, bringing with her over 20 years of experience in higher education, most recently serving as a Project Coordinator for the Teaching & Learning Centre at Atlantic Technological University (formerly GMIT) since 2019. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from St Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, and a Master of Science in Work and Organisational Psychology from the University of Limerick.

‘As a student-centred individual, I firmly believe that students should be the primary drivers of higher education. N-TUTORR’s approach aligns with this philosophy, empowering students to take an active role alongside other stakeholders in shaping transformative initiatives that enhance the student experience. This collaborative approach fosters inclusivity, accessibility, and sustainability within the learning environment, ultimately leading to a more resilient and effective educational system that prepares students for future challenges.’

Heidi Kelly-Hogan is the TU Dublin Sustainability, Education & Engagement Lead in TU Dublin on the National Technological University TransfOrmation for Recovery and Resilience (N-TUTORR) project.
Heidi has joined the N-TUTORR team having worked as the Student Retention Officer in the Enrolment Planning & Admissions Office of TU Dublin. The role spanned across four areas: student recruitment, admissions, engagement and retention. Heidi carried out data analysis and research for the team along with delivering services in the area of student engagement and retention.

Prior to this role, Heidi was the Student Retention and Marketing Officer at DIT’s School of Hospitality Management & Tourism, leading on school marketing, engagement and student retention activities. She managed a first year student engagement initiative formed around attendance tracking.
At TU Dublin, Heidi has been a member of the Green Campus committee, the Athena Swan Self-Assessment team and Chairperson of the Fairtrade Committee.

Before joining TU Dublin Heidi spent five years at the Environmental Protection Agency working as a Programme Administrator supporting members of the public seeking information on environmental queries and working on communications projects. Heidi has also volunteered with two environment focussed NGOs, Eco-Unesco and FoodCloud.

Heidi holds a degree in English, Media & Cultural Studies from the Institute of Art, Design & Technology in Dun Laoghaire and a Masters in Sociology from University College Dublin. She has completed CPDs in marketing, data analysis and higher education policy.

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Gary joined N-TUTORR as Senior Technical Officer in March 2024. He previously was an Audio Visual Technical Officer in Educational Services in SETU.

Gary has a BSc in Multimedia Applications Development and an MSc in Multimedia and e-Learning.

His area of interest is Audio Visual Technology.

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Fiona Farrell is the TU Dublin Digital Curriculum Designer on the National Technological University TransfOrmation for Recovery and Resilience (N-TUTORR) project.

Fiona joined the N-TUTORR team having previously worked as a Learning Technologist with Griffith College, and as a Digital Skills Coach with the Learning, Teaching & Assessment team in TU Dublin.

After completing her BSc in Education & Training with DCU, Fiona pursued her interests in eLearning practices, through enabling academic staff develop their digital capabilities with University technology enhanced learning tools. She is currently studying for her MSc Education (Digital Innovator) with TU Dublin, where she is developing her passion for creating innovative, interactive, and engaging digital content for online learning.  Through her work alongside University teaching staff and her practical expertise in digital education technologies, Fiona brings her creative skills and pedagogical knowledge to the role of TU Dublin Digital Curriculum Designer on the N-TUTORR project.

Trevor joined N-TUTORR in February 2023 as Institute Lead for TUS. Prior to joining N-TUTORR, he was an academic Head of Department at TUS.

His qualifications include a Doctorate of Education from Durham University in the UK, an MSc in Computer Science and a BSc in Information Technology.

Trevor’s areas of research interest include the experience of students using technology within a higher education context, particularly personal technologies such as mobile phones, tablet devices and laptops.

‘Technology can sometimes be seen as a panacea for the perceived ills of education, when in reality it is just another tool on the learning journey. If implemented in an appropriate context, the research suggests that there are benefits to be gained for both learners and educators. Viewing technology from this perspective, particularly when viewed through the prism of the transformative nature of such technology, I felt that the N-TUTORR project was an exciting and unique opportunity to work in a collaborative venture across the sector to transform teaching, learning and assessment.’

Sarah joined in April 2023 and has a PhD in Informal Science Education and a B.Sc. in Biotechnology.

Her areas of interest include the ‘impact evaluation of educational interventions, teaching and learning in higher education, student-staff partnerships, science-related attitudes of young people, science self-efficacy, public engagement in science.’ See her ResearchGate profile at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sarah-Carroll-12 for more information.

Sarah became involved in N-TUTORR because her own career in education research was launched by a student-staff partnership project, so she was particularly intrigued by the opportunity to research the impact of the N-TUTORR Students as Partners fellowships on a national scale. ‘It is also brilliant to be involved in a collaborative project that spans across five technology universities and two institutes of technology.’

With an extensive background in the molecular and biochemical life sciences, Dr. Ronan Bree is now working in the space of Digital and Open Education, and student partnership. Awarded and MA in Learning and Teaching, as well as Senior Certified Membership of the Association for Learning Technology for his work, he is a keen advocate of educational and digital technologies to support learning, teaching, assessment and feedback, serving on both local and national committees and advisory groups on digital education. In recent years, he has been a project co-ordinator, digital champion and academic lead on multi-institutional projects in this area.

While seconded to the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, and along with members of the team there, Ronan’s work focused on leading the design and development of the ‘National Resource Hub’ – a searchable collection of open educational resources (OER) for learning and learning from across the Irish higher education sector, and a platform recognised by UNESCO for its global impact in ensuring access to digital learning resources.  Ronan has a significant publication record, and has been recognised with a DkIT President’s Award for Established Research Excellence in Learning and Teaching. On a national level, in 2020, Ronan was one of the final National Forum and Irish Research Council’s Teaching & Learning Research Fellowship Nominees, while in late 2023, he completed EDEN’s Digital Education Leadership Academy programme.

In his current role, Ronan is DkIT’s Institutional Lead for the national N-TUTORR programme, an exciting €40 million NextGenerationEU investment aiming to empower learners, develop staff capabilities, and embed digital ecosystems to transform learning, teaching and assessment across the Irish Technological Higher Education Sector.

Dr Noëlle O’Connor is a Senior University Lecturer (N-TUTORR) and Researcher and Educational Developer (CPID) in Technological University of the Shannon (TUS)

She holds the following qualifications: DBS, BBS, PGCert, PGDip, MBS, MSc, PhD.

Her research focuses on travel and tourism management, Education for Sustainable Development and gender equality within higher education.

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Dr Joseph Ryan, in his capacity as CEO of THEA, was one of the instigators and original architects of the N-TUTORR initiative. He currently sits with the University and Institution Presidents and the HEA on the oversight Group and is also a member of the Steering Group. N-TUTORR is a transformational project of unprecedented scale for the technological sector and as a former registrar and founding director of the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, Dr Ryan has a keen interest in each of its strands. Along with his THEA colleagues, he is delighted to host the programme and to support the excellent work of the project team.

Dr Gearóid Ó Súilleabháin is Head of Department of the Department of Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) at MTU.

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Deborah joined the N-TUTORR team in June 2023 as MRes Researcher, looking at Stream 2 (Developing Staff Capabilities) of the N-TUTORR Program across the ATU.

Deborah completed an undergraduate course (BA Hons English & Psychology) at ATU Sligo from 2018-2021 and returned in June 2023 to complete an MRes and conduct research on Stream 2 of N-TUTORR.

Her qualifications include:

• BA (Hons) English & Psychology
• HDipA Psychology Conversion
• MSc Applied Developmental Psychology
• Graduate Member of The Psychological Society of Ireland

Deborah’s area of interest is conducting research on the development of individuals and factors that can facilitate or impact their ability to flourish and grow. With N-TUTORR, her research will explore the Academic Champion’s perceived barriers and facilitators of engaging with and implementing Stream 2, as well as exploring the overall effectiveness of this ‘Academic Champion’ approach across the ATU.

She had previously studied at ATU and thoroughly enjoyed her studies there. So, to be part of a Project that is working on enhancing the student experience even more seemed quite fascinating, which was why she decided to apply for the MRes.

For Deborah, the N-TUTORR Project has supported the opportunity for extensive research into exploring staff capabilities which will in turn contribute towards transforming the teaching, learning and assessment for students.

In addition, the Academic Champion roles are of great benefit to the ATU. By empowering these Academic Staff Champions through their role, it is anticipated that they will in turn feel more equipped to empower their students as a result of developing their own capabilities and feeling empowered themselves.

Cormac Allen is the TU Dublin Digital Campus Lead on the National Technological University TransfOrmation for Recovery and Resilience (N-TUTORR) project.

Cormac has joined the N-TUTORR team having served as Head of Discipline, Assistant Head of School and Head of Department in the TU Dublin School of Architecture, Building and Environment. He is also a registered architect and practiced architecture in various architectural practices in London and Dublin prior to his appointment to Dublin Instititute of Technology in 2003.

In his role as Head of Architectural Technology, Cormac led the BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology undergraduate programme and was responsible for the development of a suite of Springboard-funded postgraduate and CPD upskilling programmes in areas of new technology including low energy design, deep energy retrofit and Building Information Modelling. These industry upskilling programmes included the MSc in Energy Retrofit Technology, the NSAI-recognised CPD Diploma in Thermal Bridge Assessment and the Horizon 2020-funded online Certificate in Professional Energy Skills in NZEB, which was delivered online using emerging cloud technologies and applications.

This early adoption of online technologies enabled the development of the more recent MSc in Building Performance (Energy Efficiency in Design) which is being delivered by the School of Architecture, Building and Environment to a multidisciplinary industry-based audience in blended online mode. The programme comprises a range of 5 ECTS CPD modules which will be offered as micro credentials.

Cormac was also instrumental in establishing the MSc in Applied Building Information Modelling & Management and related BIM Architecture CPD modules which are being delivered by the School of Surveying and Construction Innovation, also in blended online mode.

Through this work Cormac has gained valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of digitalised learning and teaching and brings this experience to his role as TU Dublin Digital Campus Lead on the N-TUTORR project.

Clara joined the N-TUTORR team in June 2023.

She started at LIT/TUS in 2004, her previous roles include: Educational Technologist, MIS Functional Systems Support.

Clara’s qualifications include an MA in Technical Communication and E-Learning, BA in Communication Studies and Certificate in Academic Practice.

Her areas of interest are Instructional Design, E-learning Design and Development, Digital Transformation, Training and Technical Documentation.

Clara became involved in N-TUTORR as she saw this as a fantastic opportunity to work on an exciting cross institutional project which has the capacity to enhance and transform the TU sector. The benefits of N-TUTORR according to Clara have been sharing of resources and working with peers in other TU’s/IoT’s, and working with and seeing the results of local student champions and staff fellowship projects.

Caitriona McGrattan is the Student Empowerment Coordinator for the N-TUTORR project at SETU, having joined both SETU and the project in May 2023. With extensive experience in student engagement, Caitriona previously led student-centred offices in Maynooth University and Trinity College Dublin. She was also seconded to the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning as an Educational Developer for Student Success.

Caitriona holds a BA in History & Politics (UL), a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Policy (UCC), and a Master’s in Child, Family, and Community Studies (TU Dublin). Her research interests include the second-year experience, student feedback, and the intersectionality of student experiences. Additionally, Caitriona serves as a board member for Student Affairs Ireland.

Caitriona was drawn to the N-TUTORR project by its commitment to equally prioritising students, staff, and systems. She is passionate about the project’s approach to embedding student and staff voices across all aspects of its work, which empowers genuine partnerships and meaningful engagement.

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Bernadette joined N-TUTORR in May 2023 as Institute Lead for the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT). She has worked in IADT since 2005 and her previous job title was FÍS Manager.

Her role includes managing media education projects, supporting educators & learners in formal, informal & community contexts and the management of successive local authority funding schemes for emerging filmmakers, gender parity initiatives & creative economy research.

Bernadette has an MSc in Cyberpsychology and a BA (Hons) Public Management.

‘With almost 20 years in the higher education sector, I am very interested in the overarching N-TUTORR objective of transforming learning. Keen to see how the 6 thematic areas underpinning the proposed transformation would combine into a cohesive holistic approach to the HE experience for students and staff. Having worked for more than 15 years managing initiatives addressing educational disadvantage at local, national, and international levels (South Africa, Nepal, Ireland, India, UK), I am particularly interested in N-TUTORR themes, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, Sustainability, Employability, Universal Design for Learning, Digital Transformation, and more recently due to emerging GenAI technologies, Academic Integrity re. GenAI ethical use.’

Aisling joined N-TUTORR as Assistant Administrator in IADT in September 2023. She has a BA Psychology.

‘I believe the N-TUTORR project is an excellent initiative and an unique opportunity to collaborate with the other 6 N-TUTORR partner institutions in Ireland. This project not only enhances the teaching and assessment capabilities of TU staff to improve the learning experiences of their students but gives their students a platform to voice their opinions and empowers them to contribute to creating better educational experiences during their college years.’