Maynooth University, Ireland

Majella Dempsey

Majella Dempsey is course leader for the Bachelor of Science Education and the Bachelor of Mathematics Education programmes in Maynooth University. She was central to the development of both courses. Majella lectures on Curriculum development, Technology, Teaching, Learning and Assessment. She is currently finalising doctoral research at Trinity College Dublin on the role of key skills in developing and promoting innovative and creative teaching and learning environments.

Prior to joining Maynooth University, Majella worked as an Education Officer in National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, where her main area of responsibility was working on the senior cycle curriculum developments.  Majella, a Science and Mathematics teacher, also worked with science teachers facilitating professional development for the revised junior science curriculum.

Majella is involved in a number of research projects including researching the role of teaching methods and assessment methods in addressing low achievement in the field of Mathematics, Science and Technology; researching how to build Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching (MKT) in initial teacher education; researching creative ways to enable student teachers to develop agency and openness to the critique of their own and others’ practice and using lesson study to research issues regarding the teaching and learning of science/mathematics across transitions (Senior Primary/Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle/Third-level) in Ireland.