Stephen O'Brien
Stephen O’Brien is a lecturer in the School of Education, UCC. He is a graduate of Cork, London and Bristol Universities. He was a teacher of some 10 years in multicultural school settings in England, teaching mathematics and serving as Head of First Year. He has published widely on adult education; educational inclusion; educational policy; curriculum and assessment; and learning theory.
Subjects: Education
Biography
Stephen's full academic profile is available from http://publish.ucc.ie/researchprofiles/A013/sobrienAreas of Research / Professional Expertise
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My teaching and research interests include: learning theory and practice; curriculum and assessment - policy, theory and practice; inclusive multicultural education - particularly engaging methodological strategies in the classroom; educational policy and practice - particularly, ideological change forces on teachers' work culture; mathematics education - with particular focus on the impact of different forms of cultural literacy; social inclusion - with specific focus on more equitable forms of educational provision; the 'big' educationalists - their ideas, change propositions and challenges to formal schooling; research methodology seminar/individual support e.g. connections between research purpose, theory and methodological considerations; as well as contemporary issues in education e.g. critical analysis and impact of the learning outcomes movement, critical interrogation of new neoliberal directions in education, etc.
Personal Interests
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Trying to play golf better, watching hurling, rugby, (some) football, travel, books, movies, theatre, song-writer music, late conversations with good friends and a good pint
Books
Photos
News
Book Launch - Inside Education - February 4, 2016 from 6 pm
By: Stephen O'Brien
Subjects: Education
On February 4 2016, Stephen O'Brien's book Inside Education will be officially launched. This unique collection of short stories is a triumph to the sholarly pursuit of 'learning about learning'. In the author's own words:
"Too often school and classroom practices are overlooked by capricious outside ‘interests’. While these dominate the production and circulation of education symbols and practices, ‘lived’ learning becomes increasingly misplaced. This is particularly true in the case of education projects that ‘stand for something different’; that seek to secure ‘other’ representations. These stories take centre stage in this book. In themselves, the projects are worthy of storytelling and their unique ‘messages’ offer us valuable learning lessons. Collectively, as empirical and conceptual elements gradually unfold and envelop, they tell a more complete learning story".
Teachers, educational researchers, parents and guardians may be particularly ‘interested’ readers. There is an opportunity to hear more about the book, meet the author and collect your own personal copy on the evening. The venue is the Lowercase Bookstore in University College Cork. Date and Time: February 4, 2016 from 6 pm.