The Learning & Development Team

Helena McCanney

Helena McCanney, (Acting) Learning & Organisational Development Manager

Helena McCanney, Senior Learning and Organisational Development Officer

Helena has extensive hands-on and consultancy experience in learning and development, from digital learning design and learning needs analysis through to curriculum planning, programme management, and facilitation. In previous lives she worked in software project management and instructional design, nearly always in the domain of learning. 

Helena thrives on deep research and focused collaboration and is fascinated by how we learn. 

Lorna Greene

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Adviser

Lorna Greene, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Adviser

Lorna is a passionate advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) at DCU. In order to achieve meaningful change, Lorna strongly believes that EDI policies and actions should be person centered and reflect lived experience. Lorna is always very keen to explore new ways to help ensure DCU staff feel connected to EDI and always welcomes any feedback or ideas from staff.  

Joanne Mulligan

Joanne Mulligan, Athena Swan Co-ordinator

Joanne Mulligan, Athena Swan Co-ordinator

Joanne joined DCU in March 2021 as our Athena SWAN Co-ordinator. Joanne will coordinate DCU's Athena SWAN journey to a Silver Award by 2024, and will also provide support to individual Faculties and Schools in attaining Athena SWAN Awards. Joanne likes to bring an intersectional approach to her work, so while working on gender initiatives, she will also tie in other protected characteristics such as age, disability and race where possible.

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Chris Farrell, Learning and Development Specialist

Chris Farrell, Learning and Development Specialist

Chris has worked in the education sector as a teacher and trainer for almost two decades. He has a keen interest in supporting self-directed learning and creating relevant and engaging opportunities for sustainable learning through the use of facilitation, mentoring, and coaching.

He is primarily responsible for supporting academics and researchers through the PSRL programme and various other training initiatives. He also works on training for PRD, facilitating mentoring, and collaborating with a variety of stakeholders to ensure the development needs of DCU staff are met.  

Mariana Migliacci Poppa, Senior Learning and Development Officer

Mari Poppa, Learning and Development 

Mariana Migliacci Poppa,  Learning and Development Specialist

Mari is a psychologist passionate about L&D with more than fifteen years of experience in designing and facilitating learning experiences that combine a people-centred approach, soft skills development and promote engagement. Innovation, creativity and new technologies in learning are some of her areas of interest and research. She has also worked with leadership development through mentoring, coaching and management programs in various sectors and fields.