Researcher Details |

Frances Murphy

Contact Details

Associate Professor

S106
St Patrick's Campus
Drumcondra
Dublin 9

T:017009278

E:frances.murphy@dcu.ie

S106

T:Ext. 9278

E:Frances.Murphy@dcu.ie

S106
T:Ext. 9278

E:Frances.Murphy@dcu.ie

Lecturer in the School of Arts Education and Movement, Institute of Education, St. Patrick's Campus. Former primary teacher. Worked on curriculum development for physical education (primary). Lecture to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Research interests: mentoring teachers to enhance teaching of physical education, continuing professional development in physical education, teacher beliefs and practices related to physical education, inclusion of children with additional needs in physical education; assessment in physical education.

Peer Reviewed Journal

	Year	Publication
	2025	Bourke, A., Irwin, J., McCabe, U., & Murphy, F. (2025) 'Exploring well-being and ill-being in education: disciplinary insights and curriculum perspectives'. Irish Educational Studies, :1-17. [DOI]
	2025	Aisling Ní Dhiorbháin; Frances Murphy (2025) '‘How much is Irish and how much is PE?’'. Journal of Immersion and Content-Based Language Education, . [Link] [DOI]
	2023	Scannell, J., & Murphy, F. (2023) '‘Maybe add something to it?’: Building on The Daily Mile to enhance enjoyment and engagement'. Education 3-13, :1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2023.2168501
	2023	Susan Marron; Frances Murphy; Vasiliki Pitsia; Claude Scheuer (2023) 'Inclusion in Physical Education in primary schools in Europe through the lens of an Erasmus+ partnership'. Education 3-13, . [Link] [DOI]
	2023	Conor Finnerty; Frances Murphy (2023) '‘Being well’: the master key to unlocking competencies? How outdoor and adventure activities contribute to the development of children within a competency-based curriculum'. Education 3-13, . [Link] [DOI]
	2022	Murphy, F., & Parker, M. (2022) 'Making some noise: Voices of teacher educators in physical education curriculum development'. Curriculum Studies in Health and Physical Education, :1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/25742981.2022.2148224
	2021	Murphy, F.; Marron, S.; Coulter, M. (2021) 'Primary field experiences: Critical for primary generalist physical education teachers?'. European Physical Education Review, 27 . [Link] [DOI]
	2020	Murphy, F., & McEvoy, E. (2020) 'Listening to the voices of teachers: Primary physical education in Ireland'. Sport in Society, .
	2013	Marron, S., Murphy, F., & O'Keeffe, M. (2013) 'Providing 'good day' physical education experiences for children with SEN in mainstream Irish Primary Schools'. REACH - Journal of Inclusive Education in Ireland, (26 (2)):92-103.
	2012	Murphy, F., & O’Leary, M. (2012) 'Supporting primary teachers to teach children physical education: Continuing the journey'. Irish Educational Studies, 31 (3):297-7-310.

Conference Publication

	Year	Publication
	2011	Marron, S., Murphy, F., & Coulter, M. (2011) AIESEP 2011 International Conference, Moving People – Moving Forward, University of Limerick, Ireland *Out and About: supporting a rural primary school implementing a programme of outdoor and adventure activities*
	2011	Coulter, M., Petrie, K., Tsangaridou, N., Murphy, F., & Marron, S., and Keay, J. (2011) AIESEP 2011 International Conference, Moving People – Moving Forward, University of Limerick, Ireland *Enhancing the Landscape of Initial Teacher Education in Primary Physical Education*
	2009	Murphy, F.; Cosgrave, C. (2009) Promoting Physical Education Across Schools and Communities PE PAYS Research Forum, University of Limerick *Breadth, balance and bribery in primary PE!*
	2009	Murphy, F.; Cosgrave, C. (2009) Educational Studies Association of Ireland Conference (ESAI), Kilkenny *Experiences and perspectives of beginning teachers*
	2008	Murphy, F. (2008) Presentation at the PE PAYS Research Forum, University of Limerick *Specialists in Primary Physical Education: from small beginnings*
	2007	Murphy, F. (2007) Presentation at the PE PAYS Research Forum, University of Limerick *A one-day wonder? Features of an effective programme of in-service in Physical Education for primary teachers*
	2004	Murphy, F. (2004) Eriugena Lecture, St. Patrick’s College *Towards a quality physical education experience for the child: Implementing the revised physical education curriculum for Irish primary schools*

Conference Contribution

	Year	Publication
	2025	Flannery, M., Ó Breacháin, A., Bowe, M.L., & Murphy, F. (2025) Conference of the International Study Association on Teachers & Teaching Reaching our APEX! Exploring quality teaching in Arts and Physical Education through self-study University of Glasgow, Scotland, 30/06/2025-04/07/2025.
	2025	Boylan, N., Murphy, F., & McCauley-Lambe, S (2025) ISAPA International Conference Supporting teachers to include a child with visual impairment in the PE lesson MTU, Tralee, 16/06/2025-20/06/2025.
	2025	Flannery, M., Ó Breacháin, A., Bowe, M.L., & Murphy, F. (2025) ESAI Conference 2025 Making a song and dance about it! Supporting Arts and Physical Education during preservice professional placement through self-study research TUS, Athlone, 10/04/2025-12/04/2025.
	2025	Boylan, N., Murphy, F., & McCauley-Lambe, S (2025) PEPAYS Ireland Forum 2025 Supporting teachers to include a child with visual impairment in the PE lesson University College Cork, Cork, .
	2025	Molloy, S., Murphy, F., & Lehane, P (2025) PEPAYS Ireland Forum 2025 Enhancing assessment practices in primary PE: Insights from a virtual community of practice supporting assessment in PE University College Cork, Cork, .
	2025	Bourke, A., Irwin, J., McCabe, U., & Murphy, F. (2025) 'Well what? Interrogating wellbeing across the education continuum' Exploring Well-being and Ill-being in Education: Exploring educators’ perspectives Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, .
	2024	Murphy, F. (2024) DCU IoE Research and Teaching and Learning Day Teaching children PE… purposeful practice and assessment for student learning Dublin, .
	2019	Frances Murphy (2019) CARA Conference: Growing Stronger Together...Building the blocks to lifelong activity Preparing teachers for inclusion in physical education Dublin, .
	2018	Frances Murphy (2018) AIESEP World Congress: Creating thriving and sustainable futures for physical education and sport pedagogy Teacher beliefs and teacher practice: the teaching of primary Physical Education Edinburgh, .
	2018	Maura Coulter, Frances Murphy, Susan Marron (2018) AIESEP World Congress: Creating thriving and sustainable futures for physical education and sport pedagogy Teaching Primary Physical Education...beginning the journey Edinburgh, .
	2018	Maura Coulter, Frances Murphy, Susan Marron, Bronagh McGrane (2018) AIESEP Pre-Congress Symposium Teacher Professional Learning: Initial Teacher Education University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, .
	2018	Frances Murphy, Maura Coulter, Susan Marron, Bronagh McGrane (2018) AIESEP Specialist Seminar: Future Directions in PE Assessment Physical Education and Assessment within Initial Teacher Education of Primary Teachers in One University Eindhoven, Netherlands, 18/10/2018-20/10/2018.
	2008	Murphy, F. & O'Leary, M. (2008) Engaging young people in physical education and sport PE PAYS Conference University of Limerick, June 2008 A one-day wonder? Perspectives on a programme of in-service in physical education for primary teachers Limerick, .

Reports

	Year	Publication
	2016	Murphy, F., Descoeudres, M. (2016) Towards Quality Physical Education in Ireland and Switzerland. REPORT

Workshops

	Year	Publication
	2016	Susan Marron & Frances Murphy (2016) Assessment in Physical Education Online Resource. WKSHOP

Book

	Year	Publication
	2013	Tannehill, D., MacPhail, A., Halbert, G., Murphy, F. (2013) Research and Practice in Physical Education. Oxon: England: Routledge.

Book Chapter

	Year	Publication
	2011	Murphy, F., & Ní Chróinín, D. (2011) 'Playtime: the needs of very young learners in physical education and sport' In: Sport Pedagogy: An introduction for teaching and coaching. London : Pearson.

Professional Associations

Association	Function	From / To
AIESEP	Member	-
European Primary Physical Education Network in Higher Education	Member	-
Teacher Educator Primary Physical Education Network	Member	-
Irish Primary Physical Education Association	Member	-

Committees

	Committee	Function	From / To
	CARA Centre for Adapted Physical Activity		-
	NCCA Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle Course Committee		-

Employment

	Employer	Position	From / To
	DES	Primary Teacher	01/09/1980 - 31/08/1997

Education

	Start date	Institution	Qualification	Subject
		St Patrick's College, Dublin	BEd
		Dublin City University	PhD
		St Mary's College, Strawberry Hill	Diploma

Languages

Language	Reading	Writing	Speaking
English	Fluent	Fluent	Fluent
Irish	Fluent	Functional	Fluent
French	Basic	Basic	Functional

Reviews

	Journal	Role
	Education 3-13	Reviewer
	Irish Educational Studies	Reviewer
	Curriculum Studies in Health and Physical Education	Reviewer
	European Physical Education Review	Reviewer

Other Activities

	Description
	Undertake external examining duties for undergraduate and postgraduate physical education courses

Creative Outputs

	Year	Title	Type
	2023	Murphy, F., & Gubbins, R. (2023). Enhancing teaching and learning in physical education through school self-evaluation. PE Expert Talk, DCU Studio.	Documentary
	2021	Inclusion in Physical Education: A Primary Teacher's Actions	Documentary

Outreach Activities

Year	Engagement Type	Organisation	Description
2025	Educational Outreach/Public Engagement	Vision Sport Ireland	Board Member, 2023-present
2025	Other	St Mary’s College Belfast	External Examiner - St Mary’s College Belfast BEd Primary with Physical Education, BA Liberal Arts with Physical Education, 2022-present
2025	Educational Outreach/Public Engagement	DES CLIL Working Group	Member of DES CLIL Working Group (Foghlaim Chomhtháite Ábhar agus Teanga Grúpa Oibre um Mheastóireacht), 2019-present
			IPPEA workshop facilitator with Susan Marron December 2016

Media

Title	Year	Type	Authors
What children can learn from top Irish athletes like Rhasidat Adeleke. RTE Brainstorm, October 7	2024	Newspaper article (online)	Murphy, F
The ABC of PE in schools	2018	Newspaper article (online)	Frances Murphy and Susan Marron
Children are the key to a fit and healthy future, March 31	2013	Newspaper article (Print)	Murphy, F.

Research Interests

Mentoring teachers to enhance teaching of physical education;
Continuing professional development in physical education;
Teacher beliefs and practices related to physical education;
Inclusion of children with additional needs in physical education;
Assessment in physical education.

Research Projects

Title	Role	Start date	End date
Enhancing physical education for children with vision impairment in Irish primary schools	DCU PI	12/02/2024	11/12/2025
Primary Education Physical Education Teacher Education	DCU Partner	01/12/2020	31/07/2023
Enhancing language learning using a CLIL approach in physical education Ag cur chun cinn na foghlama teanga trí mheán an chorpoideachais	DCU Co-PI	05/10/2020	04/10/2021
Disentangling inclusion in Primary Physical Education	DCU Partner	01/12/2018	31/05/2021
Assessment in Primary Physical Education	Research Collaborator	01/09/2010	01/12/2016
Be Active	Funding Liaison	01/09/2007	31/08/2012
Socialisation of Pre-service Teachers	Researcher	01/09/2008	31/08/2011
Professional Development for Primary Physical Education Professional Development Providers	PhD candidate	01/09/2004	31/08/2005

Internal Collaborators

	Type	Name	Company	Role
	Internal	Dr. Michael Flannery
	Internal	Dr Annie Ó Breacháin
	Internal	Dr Marie-Louise Bowe
	Internal	Dr Cillian Brennan
	Internal	Dr Sinéad McCauley-Lambe

Current Postgraduate Students

Student Name	Degree	Supervision
Kelly,Paidi	PhD-track	Supervisor
Boylan,Niamh	PhD	Supervisor
Molloy,Sinead	MA	Supervisor

Modules Coordinated

Term	Title	Subject
2025		EDP1081-A
2025		EDP1006-A
2024-2025		EDP1006
2024-2025	Subject Leadership in Physical Education	EDP1081
2023-2024	Leadership in Physical Education	AP401
2023-2024		AP202
2022-2023	Leadership in Physical Education	AP401
2022-2023	Teaching the Physical Education Curriculum	AP205