Two doctoral researchers from the Faculty of Education and Lifelong Learning at South East Technological University (SETU) recently shared insights from their research as part of the Faculty's Education Research Seminar Series.
The seminar showcased research examining two important areas within higher education: curriculum co-creation and education for sustainable development.
The first presentation was delivered by Ms Gulmira Tussupbekova, whose doctoral research is supervised by Dr Helen Murphy (Head of Faculty of Education and Lifelong Learning), Dr Gina Noonan (Head of Centre for Access Programmes) and Dr Suzanne Denieffe (Head of Faculty of Arts and Humanities).
Entitled From Participation to Partnership: Exploring Curriculum Co-creation in Lifelong Learning Contexts within Higher Education, Gulmira's research examines how the needs of adult learners, industry partners and community stakeholders are incorporated into curriculum design.
Drawing on Irish, European and international perspectives, she explored the models and frameworks used to support curriculum co-creation and highlighted opportunities to strengthen engagement with its practical dimensions. Her research also considers how co-creation can be embedded within institutional governance structures.
Reflecting on her findings, Gulmira noted that "co-creation cannot depend on willingness alone", emphasising the importance of creating sustainable structures that support meaningful collaboration.
The second presentation was delivered by Ms Hayette Bellakehal, whose supervisory team includes Dr Niamh O'Brien and Dr Carol O'Byrne (Faculty of Education and Lifelong Learning), together with Ms Michelle Maher, Sustainability Education Lead at SETU.
Hayette's presentation, Listening to Learners: Designing a Student-Informed Sustainability Scale in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), focused on undergraduate student experiences of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).
She shared insights from her ongoing research into how students perceive sustainability and ESD within higher education. The presentation explored the key drivers and enablers of ESD across Ireland's Technological Universities and introduced a student-centred diagnostic tool designed to assess levels of engagement with ESD in higher education institutions.
Both presentations generated valuable discussion and highlighted the important contribution doctoral researchers are making to educational research at SETU.
Their work demonstrates the growing expertise within the Faculty of Education and Lifelong Learning in the areas of co-creation, partnership and sustainability. The findings from both projects will contribute valuable evidence to support best practice in educational development, curriculum design and student engagement across SETU and the wider higher education sector in Ireland.
