DCU staff are actively engaged in educational research in a wide variety of areas. Whether as formal published/presented research or as informal, practice-based Action Research many aspects of student learning are researched, tested, evaluated and adopted in a continuous effort at ensuring student learning is always based on relevant research and grounded in good educational practice. The OVPLI in conjunction with the OVPR will soon be announcing a call for expressions of interest in establishing a Centre for Educational Research. This centre will bring together the educational research being conducted across the University and will assist in the dissemination and sharing of this research both within the University and to the wider national and international education community.

LEARN (Learning, Education and Academic Research Network)

On March 12th 2008 LEARN was launched at an inaugural symposium at DCU. LEARN is a multi-disciplinary initiative which aims to bring together the many different pedagogic and educational policy research activities being carried out across the University and its linked colleges. Members of this Network include researchers from all four Faculties of DCU (DCU Business School, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty Science and Faculty of Engineering and Computing), OSCAIL (National Distance Learning Centre), St Patrick’s College Drumcondra, Mater Dei Institute and All Hallows.

LIU Current Research areas include:

• Student Learning
• ePortfolios
• Language Learning
• Enquiry Based Learning
• Problem Based Learning
• Peer Assisted Learning
• Educational Technology
• Reflective Practice
• Previous Research (1999-2004)