DCU IoE Research Scholarships & Opportunities

PhD (part-time) - School of STEM Education, Innovation and Global Studies / National Institute of Digital Learning

Dublin City University is a research-intensive, globally-engaged, dynamic institution that is distinguished by both the quality and impact of its graduates and its focus on the translation of knowledge into societal and economic benefit.

The Institute of Education at Dublin City University represents the largest body of educational expertise in Ireland, delivering programmes in education and training, early childhood education and teacher education to provide graduates with the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to excel in a variety of educational settings. With the Institute of Education the School of STEM Education, Innovation and Global Studies (SEIGS) is a vibrant school that encourages students to adopt a global and social perspective on Digital Learning. At the heart of our endeavours is a commitment to excellence in teaching, learning and research and in creating a positive and supportive educational environment for staff and students.

The National Institute for Digital Learning (NIDL) aims to be at the forefront of new Blended, On-Line and Digital (BOLD) models of education. The NIDL mission is to transform lives and societies by exploring BOLD and innovative approaches to teaching, learning and assessment for better and more imaginative futures.

We currently have a unique opportunity for the right candidate to avail of a part time PhD Scholarship incorporating payment of part-time EU fees for up to five years. Travel to conferences and activities of the research will also be supported. The successful candidate will be engaged part-time in their research, with possibilities for transitioning to full-time study. 

Applicants are expected to have a strong background, or interest, in digital learning, pedagogical thinking and a passion to critically explore and expand educational boundaries. The successful candidate will be part of a research team investigating alternative pedagogies such as educational hackathons to help rewild and reimagine our thinking and our digital learning ecosystems. The research is developing:

• An Insights report on current practice in this space including, hacker pedagogies, techno-feminism and crowdsourcing
• A framework for rewilding digital learning ecologies for diversity and inclusion
• A compendium of innovative practices
• A contribution to the European Commission's DigiEduHack event
• A hacking innovative pedagogies MOOC
• Guidelines for educational hacker pedagogy

As part of the doctoral process, the successful candidate will be expected to investigate some aspect of the above project as the basis of their research. Additionally, they will engage in professional development courses as required by DCU’s doctoral regulations and contribute to digital education research through the writing of research reports/academic papers and presentations at conferences in Ireland and abroad. 

Criteria

Applicants should have:

1. A 2.1 honours’ degree
2. Ideally a Master's degree in digital learning, education, or a related field
3. A deep curiosity about  digital education pedagogy
4. The ability to conceptualize and undertake research projects in digital learning.
5. Good communication skills - including a passion for speaking about ideas to others but also taking the time to write these ideas down coherently. We also welcome candidates with additional communication skills such as the ability to express themselves in code, graphics or other modes and media.
6. A passion for working in a team to help build and sustain relationships based on trust, accountability, respect and personal dignity.
7. The ability to work independently to meet shared goals

Following an initial selection process, the candidate would develop a detailed research proposal with Dr Eamon Costello and Professor Mark Brown to be submitted to DCU and that would be subject to the applicant meeting the full requirements for admission to doctoral studies at DCU: www.dcu.ie/instituteofeducation/phdmasters-research-application  

To Apply: 

Please email the following, combined in a single pdf, to ioe.seigs@dcu.ie

• Cover letter: Tell us your story and why you would like to engage in research to help teachers and learners develop their practices.
• A Curriculum Vitae (including the names of two academic references)
• A one page response to 3-7 above that tells us as honestly as you can how best you meet these criteria. 

Closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesday 1st March 2023.

Informal enquiries should be directed to:

Dr. Eamon Costello | eamon.costello@dcu.ie 

Qualifications/eligibility may not be verified by Dublin City University until the final stage of the process. Therefore, those candidates who do not possess the eligibility requirements, and proceed with their application, are putting themselves to unnecessary effort/expense and will not be offered a position from this campaign. An invitation to interview or any element of the selection process is not acceptance of eligibility.