About MeFor the past twenty years I have been working as a lecturer in design and making education at GMIT Letterfrack. I have kept up to date with training and reskilling; examples include a Master’s in Management Education, Higher Certificate in Furniture Wood Production and a PhD journey in Design. I have contributed to coordinating, writing, reviewing and developing courses. I have been a researcher, consultant, editor, reviewer, judge, founder, and educator in the furniture design industry for over twenty-five years. I have kept up the practice of making and designing in my own time having my designs showcased at Farmleigh House, designing commemorative pieces for President Michael D. Higgins and creating products for clients. The celebration of Irish Design 2015 was a significant year. It saw the launch of the journal, Iterations with a focus on design research and practice of which I am co-founder/editor. I also co-founded the Galway Design Box project which brought a new type of showcase to Galway City and gave designers, students and graduates a window of opportunities not seen before.
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I am constantly trying to create learning opportunities for students with industry and other external organisations, ranging from small workshops to large multinationals like MJM and Glen Dimplex.
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I have been responsible for the delivery of modules in Professional Design Practice, Design and Innovation, Design and Visual Studies, Industrial Design and CAD/CAM. Over a period, I have worked with colleagues in ensuring that the design process which students follow has been aligned with developments in manufacturing, materials and digital technology. I have demonstrated an excellent proficiency for ensuring that my teaching is also aligned with industry and that students are both engaged and challenged to develop design solutions that are innovative and relevant.
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