Associate Professor (Emeritus)
Professor John O’Donoghue is Associate Professor (Emeritus) in Mathematics Education, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Limerick. He is co-founder of the National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and Learning (NCE-MSTL), now known as EPI*STEM. He served as Co-Director/Director from 2008 until 2014. He established the highly successful Professional Diploma in Mathematics for Teachers (PDMT) in 2012 to upskill out-of-field post-primary teachers of mathematics, serving as Course Director until 2016. He has continued his association with EPI*STEM as researcher and member of the Advisory Board.
Professor O’Donoghue’s research interests are in mathematics education/STEM education with a special focus on mathematics teacher education (Secondary), adult mathematics education/numeracy, service mathematics teaching (HE), and mathematics support (HE). In particular, his record shows a long history of active involvement with mathematics teacher education in Ireland as course founder/leader mathematics teacher education programmes at the former Thomond College of Education and UL. He has made significant contributions across his main areas of research through his published research and active professional involvement in projects over many years. His publications include many peer reviewed journal papers and conference papers, books, book chapters, technical reports, special editions and conference proceedings. In addition, he has served on several national and international committees and boards (see CV).
John developed an interest in teaching after a two-year stint in the Physics Department at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, as a Teaching Assistant. This was followed by a year teaching Science and Mathematics in an Irish Vocational school and another spell as lecturer in Mathematics and Physics at Sligo Regional Technical College. This led to his appointment as a mathematics teacher educator in Thomond College where he remained until his transfer into UL in 1991. John graduated with a BS in Mathematics and Physics from St John Fisher College (now Fisher University), Rochester, New York and has a Masters degree in Physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York. He completed a PhD in Mathematics Education from Loughborough University, UK. Professor O’Donoghue is a Chartered Mathematician and Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), U.K., and a Chartered Physicist and Member of the Institute of Physics (IOP), U.K.
Research
He is an active researcher in mathematics education with a special focus on mathematics teacher education (Secondary), adult mathematics education/numeracy, service mathematics teaching and mathematics support (HE).
He is the Founder/director of the following centres:
– CAMET(Ireland), the Centre for Advancement of Mathematical Education in Technology
– Mathematics Learning Centre.
– Regional Centre for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching and Learning (CEMTL)
– Co- founder, National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and Learning (NCE-MSTL).
He has supervised to completion:
15 PhD’s
14 Masters (by research)
and is currently supervising/Jointly supervising:
4 PhD’S
1 Masters
Professional Activities
Professional Societies
Fellow, Chartered Mathematician, Institute of Mathematics and its Applications,U.K.
Member, Chartered Physicist, Institute of Physics, U.K.
Member, Irish Mathematical Society
Hon. Trustee, and former Chair (1997- 2001) Adults Learning Mathematics – A Research Forum (International Charity)
National Committees
STEM Education Review Group (Official launch, 20 November, 2013)
Literacy and Numeracy Implementation Advisory Group (12 December, 2011 – present)
Project Maths Implementation Support Group (25 Feb., 2010 – present)
Board of Studies for Mathematics, NCCA (2008 – present).
National Committee for Mathematics, Royal Irish Academy, 2001-09
National Sub-Commission for Mathematical Instruction, Royal Irish Academy, 2001-09
Applied Mathematics LC Syllabus Committee, NCCA. 2001- 07.
Chair, Mathematics Review Committee, NCVA
Member, Board of Studies, Project Mathematics, NCCA. 2007 – ongoing.
Editorial Boards
Member, Advisory Editorial Board, International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 1988 – present.
Member, Advisory Editorial Board, ALM International Journal (electronic)
Refereeing, reviewing
Referee, International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, occasional articles
Referee, Literacy and Numeracy Studies, Special Issue, 11(2), 2002.
Reviewer, Book proposal (Mathematics Education), Paul Chapman Publishers.
Reviewer, Numeracy Assessment Framework, Adult and Lifeskills International Survey (ALLS), Statistics Canada/OECD
External Examining
Loughborough University, U.K. 2013
Dublin City University, 2011
Coventry University, U.K. 2011.
Loughborough University, U.K. Local Supervisor, MPhil/ PhD, 1984 – 1991.
University of Auckland, New Zealand. External Examiner (PhD, 2006)
Trinity College Dublin, External Examiner (PhD, 2006)
Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia. External Examiner (PhD, 2009)
Regional Technical College, Dundalk, External Examiner 1983 – 86.
Regional Technical College, Letterkenny, External Examiner 1983 – 86
Regional Technical College, Sligo, External Examiner 1983 – 86
Dublin City University, External Examiner/Service Mathematics 2002 – 2005
National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG), BA Education and Mathematics (Teacher Education), 2009 – 2012.
Academic Awards, Fellowships, Recognitions
Visiting Professor, SIGMA and Coventry University, U.K., 2009-2012
Excellence in Teaching Award (Joint Recipient), UL, 2001.
Invited member, Organising Panel for Working Group for Action (WGA6) – Adult and Life-long Education in Mathematics, International Congress on Mathematical Education (ICME-9), Tokyo, 31 July – 6 Aug 2000.
UL Teaching Fellow, 1998-99
Nominated for Excellence in Teaching Award, University of Limerick, 1996
Invited member, Organising Panel for Working Group (WG 18) – Adults Returning to Mathematics, International Congress on Mathematical Education (ICME-8), Seville, 14-21 July 1996.
Invited member, Workshop Team in Applied Mathematics for Teachers, Curriculum Development Centre, Thribuvan University, Katmandu, Nepal. Sponsored by the British Council. 1987 (2 weeks).
Visiting Research Fellow, Centre for Advancement of Mathematical Education in Technology (CAMET), Loughborough University, 1983 (1Term).
Invited member, All India Mathematics Education at CAMET (AIMEC). Contributed to workshops sponsored by the British Council in Ahmdebad and Hyderbad.1982 (1 Month).
Publications (selection)
Books, proceedings and reports
Maasz, J. and O’Donoghue, J. ( 2011). Real World Problems for Secondary Level Mathematic Students Case Studies, Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.
Prendergast, M. and O’Donoghue, J. (2011). Developing and Maintaining Interest in School Algebra, LICEJ, 2(1),
O’Keeffe, L. and O’Donoghue, J. (2011). The Use of Evidence Based Research on Mathematics Textbooks to Increase Student Conceptual Understanding, IJCDSE, 2(2), 304 – 311,
Prendergast, M. and O’Donoghue, J (2011). Integrating Different Theoretical Perspectives in Research Design, Ireland International Conference on Education (IICE), Dublin, October 3-5.
