Dr Paul O'Keeffe

    International Development

    Lecturer

    Education House
    3.3.4
    (01) 474 7368

    Biography

    Dr. Paul O'Keeffe is an Assistant Professor/Lecturer of International Development at the Maynooth University. His work is interdisciplinary, with a focus on conflict, migration, development and enabling education in emergencies. He completed his PhD research at La Sapienza University in Rome where he researched the burgeoning higher education system in Ethiopia and its role in the country's development trajectory. Following on from this, he worked at the University of Geneva as a post doc and a senior academic developing and managing its higher education in emergencies programme. He has extensive experience of working with refugees in Switzerland, Kenya, Jordan and Thailand, and leading educational development projects in Africa, Asia and Europe. He advises on various refugee-led projects and initiatives and contributes to the international media coverage of refugee, education and development issues.

    Research Interests

    I specialize in conflict, education in emergencies, migration, refugee studies and development. My work is interdisciplinary with a focus on improving access for refugees and other vulnerable groups, creating inclusive higher education spaces and researching and driving pedagogical innovation. I work with Vijana Twaweza Youth Club in Kakuma refugee camp and advise refugees on creating their own empowerment projects.

    Book Chapters

      Year Publication
    2022 'Education Can't Wait for LGBTIQ Refugees? Exploring Inclusion and Access to Higher Education in Kakuma Refugee Camp'
    O'Keeffe, P. and Carron, D. (2022) 'Education Can't Wait for LGBTIQ Refugees? Exploring Inclusion and Access to Higher Education in Kakuma Refugee Camp' In: Migration, Displacement, and Higher Education: Now What?. United States: Palgrave MacMillan. [Details]
    2022 'Higher Education in Refugee Camps via Collaborative Blended Learning: The Impact and Benefits for Refugees and their Student Tutors'
    O'Keeffe, P. (2022) 'Higher Education in Refugee Camps via Collaborative Blended Learning: The Impact and Benefits for Refugees and their Student Tutors' In: Teaching Refugees. New York: Springer. [Details]
    2020 'Flexible and Adaptive Responsiveness – Disruptive Lessons for Higher Education in Refugee Contexts'
    O'Keeffe, P. (2020) 'Flexible and Adaptive Responsiveness – Disruptive Lessons for Higher Education in Refugee Contexts' In: The Impact of COVID-19 on the International Education System. London: Diamond Scientific Publishing. [Details]
    2018 'Jamiya Project 2016: Reconnecting Refugee Higher Education Networks'
    ● Aristorenas, Abu-Amsha, and O’Keeffe (2018) 'Jamiya Project 2016: Reconnecting Refugee Higher Education Networks' In: Strategies, Policies and Directions for Refugee Education (Innovations in Higher Education Teaching and Learning). United States: Emerald Publishing Limited. [Details]

    Edited Books

      Year Publication
    2018 Academic Solutions for the Syria Crisis
    Academic Solutions for the Syria Crisis (Ed.). (2018) Academic Solutions for the Syria Crisis Rome: NRV. [Details]
    2016 Researchers in Exile
    O'Keeffe, P. and Pasztor, Z (Ed.). (2016) Researchers in Exile Rome: New Research Voices. [Details]
    2016 Syrian Academics in Exile. Newresearchvoices.org April 2016
    O'Keeffe, P. and Pasztor, Z (Ed.). (2016) Syrian Academics in Exile. Newresearchvoices.org April 2016 Rome: NRV. [Details]

    Peer Reviewed Journals

      Year Publication
    2022 'Meaningful Higher Education in Kakuma Refugee Camp – A Case Study of Why Context and Contextualization Matter'
    O'Keeffe, P. and Lovey, T. (2022) 'Meaningful Higher Education in Kakuma Refugee Camp – A Case Study of Why Context and Contextualization Matter'. Prospects, [full-text] [Details]
    2021 'Basic Medical Training for Refugees via Collaborative Blended Learning: a Quasi-Experimental Design'
    Lovey, T., O’Keeffe, P. and Petignat, I. (2021) 'Basic Medical Training for Refugees via Collaborative Blended Learning: a Quasi-Experimental Design'. Journal of Medical Internet Research, [Details]
    2020 'The Case for Engaging Online Tutors for Supporting Learners in Higher Education in Refugee Contexts'
    O'Keeffe, P. (2020) 'The Case for Engaging Online Tutors for Supporting Learners in Higher Education in Refugee Contexts'. ALT-J: Research in Learning Technology, 28 [Details]
    2017 'The Challenges and Societal Consequences of Increased Female Participation at Ethiopian Public Universities'
    O'Keeffe, P. (2017) 'The Challenges and Societal Consequences of Increased Female Participation at Ethiopian Public Universities'. International Journal of Educational Development, 53 [Details]
    2016 'The Role of Ethiopia's Public Universities in Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals'
    O'Keeffe, P. (2016) 'The Role of Ethiopia's Public Universities in Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals'. International Review of Education, 62 (6) [Details]

    Other Journals

      Year Publication
    2022 'Fishing in the Desert: Empowering Sustainable Development with Higher Education in Kakuma Refugee Camp'
    O’Keeffe, P. and Luundo, D.M. (2022) (2022) 'Fishing in the Desert: Empowering Sustainable Development with Higher Education in Kakuma Refugee Camp' Journal on Education in Emergencies, 8 (1) . [Details]
    2021 'Resilience and Empowerment through Higher Education in Kakuma Refugee Camp: A Conversation'
    O'Keeffe, P. and Niyonkuru, S. (2021) 'Resilience and Empowerment through Higher Education in Kakuma Refugee Camp: A Conversation' Global Research in Higher Education, . [Details]
    2020 'One Health Education in Kakuma Refugee Camp (Kenya): From a MOOC to Projects on Real World Challenges'
    Bolon, I., Mason, J., O’Keeffe, P. et al. (2020) 'One Health Education in Kakuma Refugee Camp (Kenya): From a MOOC to Projects on Real World Challenges' One Health, . [Details]

    Conference Publications

      Year Publication
    2022 Fishing in the Desert: The Story of Vijana Twaweza
    O'Keeffe, P. et al. (2022) Fishing in the Desert: The Story of Vijana Twaweza MIT Refugee React Migration Summit [Details]
    2021 Refugee-led Management in Higher Education in Refugee Contexts: Learning from Experience in Kakuma Refugee Camp
    O'Keeffe, P. (2021) Refugee-led Management in Higher Education in Refugee Contexts: Learning from Experience in Kakuma Refugee Camp Edulearn21: Connecting Technology with Education [Details]

    Conference Contributions

      Year Publication
    2019 NORRAG 2019.
    O'Keeffe, P. (2019) NORRAG 2019. [Oral Presentation], Education in Emergencies Data Summit, Geneva [Details]
    2019 Enabling Equity and Inclusion for Refugees and Asylum Seekers Through Open Education 2019.
    O'Keeffe, P. (2019) Enabling Equity and Inclusion for Refugees and Asylum Seekers Through Open Education 2019. [Oral Presentation], OER 2019, NUI Galway [Details]
    2019 Building Resilient Higher Education Spaces for Displaced Populations.
    O'Keeffe, P. (2019) Building Resilient Higher Education Spaces for Displaced Populations. [Oral Presentation], NETHOPE 2019, Geneva [Details]

    Published Reports

      Year Publication
    2021 InZone Kakuma and Kalobeyei Higher Education Needs Assessment.
    O'Keeffe, P. et al. (2021) InZone Kakuma and Kalobeyei Higher Education Needs Assessment. INEE, United States. [Details]

    Editorial

      Year Publication
    2020 Refugee Students Lead Resistance to Virus in their Camp.
    O'Keeffe, P. (2020) Refugee Students Lead Resistance to Virus in their Camp. Editorial [Details]
    2020 Refugees in Camps Need Agency to Fight the Pandemic.
    O'Keeffe, P. and Carron, D. (2020) Refugees in Camps Need Agency to Fight the Pandemic. Editorial [Details]
    2020 Refugee students battle to access education due to COVID-19.
    O'Keeffe, P. (2020) Refugee students battle to access education due to COVID-19. Editorial [Details]
    2020 Potemkin Villages and Refugee Camps during the Coronavirus Crisis.
    O’Keeffe, P. and Carron, D. (2020) Potemkin Villages and Refugee Camps during the Coronavirus Crisis. Editorial [Details]
    2020 University Education for Refugees Must Meet Refugees’ Needs.
    O’Keeffe, P. and Akkari, A. (2020) University Education for Refugees Must Meet Refugees’ Needs. Editorial [Details]
    2016 Empowering Syrian Refugees with Higher Education.
    O'Keeffe, P. (2016) Empowering Syrian Refugees with Higher Education. Editorial [Details]

    Newspaper Articles

      Year Publication
    2014 Ethiopia Crackdown on Student Protests Taints Higher Education Success.
    O'Keeffe, P. (2014) Ethiopia Crackdown on Student Protests Taints Higher Education Success. Newspaper Articles [Details]

    Video recording / TV

      Year Publication
    2015 ESAT Special Interview on Higher Education in Ethiopia and Oromo Students Movement with Paul O'Keeffe.
    O'Keeffe, P. (2015) ESAT Special Interview on Higher Education in Ethiopia and Oromo Students Movement with Paul O'Keeffe. Video recording / TV [Details]

    Podcast

      Year Publication
    2020 Pasha: Higher Education in Refugee Camps Podcast.
    O'Keeffe et al. (2020) Pasha: Higher Education in Refugee Camps Podcast. Podcast [Details]

    Webinar

      Year Publication
    2022 Facilitating Inclusive Education in Refugee Camps.
    O'Keeffe, P. (2022) Facilitating Inclusive Education in Refugee Camps. Webinar [Details]
    2021 How to Become an Online Tutor for Refugees.
    O'Keeffe, P. (2021) How to Become an Online Tutor for Refugees. Webinar [Details]
    2021 Queering Integration in Higher Education.
    O'Keeffe, P. et al (2021) Queering Integration in Higher Education. Switzerland: Webinar [Details]

    Honours and Awards

      Year Title Awarding Body
    2016 PhD Con Lotte La Sapienza University of Rome

    Teaching Interests

    KD353[A] — Development & Conflict (2022-23:Semester 1)

    KD618D[A] — Conflict, Development and Security (2022-23:Year-long)7

    Consultation Hours
      
    Tuesdays 2pm - 4pm
    Wednesdays 9.00am - 11.00am
     
    Please mail Paul.OKeeffe@mu.ie to make an appointment