Cillian Brennan
Mr
Dr Cillian Brennan is an Assistant Professor in Physical Education in the School of Arts Education and Movement at DCU Institute of Education. His research interests include teacher socialisation, physical education teacher education, continuous professional development, physical education leadership, and meaningful physical education. Cillian is a graduate of Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, where he completed his undergraduate degree (B Ed with a specialism in PE) and his PhD. This doctoral work investigated the socialisation of PE specialism graduates (PESGs) as generalist teachers with expertise in PE. Teacher development was examined from a variety of perspectives, including PESGs’ self-efficacy to teach PE; the influence of PESGs’ prior experiences on their understanding of quality PE; the organisational socialisation of PESGs through a micropolitical lens; and the influence of an online community of practice on PESGs’ development as teachers and leaders of PE.
Prior to joining DCU, Cillian worked as a primary school teacher in Clare and contributed to teacher education and early childhood programmes at Mary Immaculate College and the University of Limerick. Having worked closely with primary school teachers, Cillian's teaching interests are centred upon preparing student teachers to apply their skills within their complex teaching landscapes.
Peer Reviewed Journal
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Cillian Brennan; Elaine Murtagh; Richard Bowles (2024) 'Turning over a new leaf: PE specialism graduates’ understanding of ‘quality PE’'. Irish Educational Studies, . [Link] [DOI] | |
| 2023 | Cillian Brennan; Richard Bowles; Elaine Murtagh (2023) 'The best of both worlds? The impact of the initial teacher education physical education specialism programme on generalist teachers’ self-efficacy, beliefs, and practices'. Education 3-13, . [Link] [DOI] | |
| 2025 | Brennan, C.; Bowles, R.; Murtagh, E. (2025) 'Fitting in or standing out? The organisational socialisation of early career physical education specialism graduates through a micropolitical lens'. European Physical Education Review, 31 . [Link] [DOI] |
Professional Associations
Enterprise Engagement
Research Interests
Teacher socialisation in physical education.
Physical education teacher education.
School culture and physical education leadership in Irish primary schools.
Continuous professional development in physical education, particularly through online communities of practice.
Facilitating meaningful experiences in primary physical education and youth sport.
Teaching Interests
Cillian actively contributes to a range of modules as module coordinator and lecturer across the Bachelor of Education programme in Dublin City University, Institute of Education. During the 2024-2025 academic year, he is responsible for coordinating the BEd 2 core module 'Drama and Physical Education', as well as the PE specialism module in BEd 3, 'Teaching Personal & Social Responsibility through Outdoor & Adventure Activities'.
Prior to joining DCU, Cillian has contributed to teacher education and early childhood programmes at Mary Immaculate College and the University of Limerick, as a lecturer, departmental assistant and tutor.
- Social, Personal, Health and Physical Education 1 (MIC, BEd)
- Social, Personal, Health and Physical Education 2 (MIC, BEd)
- Child Health and Wellbeing (MIC, BA in Early Childhood Care & Education)
- Guest lecturer on M. Ed in Leadership of Wellbeing in Education (MIC)
- Tutor for 'Inclusive Education 1: Contemporary Perspectives' (UL, BEd)
His teaching interests include:
- Developing self-efficacy to teach PE among student teachers.
- Challenging student teachers' understanding of PE to develop a more holistic, inclusive understanding of PE.
- Supporting student teachers to implement meaningful PE within primary schools.
- Preparing student teachers to negotiate the challenges they will face in the complex landscape of primary schools.