Dr Thomas Delahunty

    Education

    Assistant Professor

    Biography

    Dr. Tom Delahunty (PhD, MSc. Psych, B.Tech(ed), CPsychol)  joined the Department of Education in Maynooth in January 2022. He has previously held academic posts at the University of Birmingham, University College Cork, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Limerick. Tom has worked across psychology and education programmes in his career to date but has a keen interest in teacher education and STEM areas. He holds dual qualifications as a second-level teacher and psychologist and is a chartered member of the British Psychological Society. Tom teaches across the suite of programmes in the department, in particular the BSc. Education programmes (Mathematics, Science & Computer Science) as well as the Professional Masters in education and doctoral programmes (PhD and EDD). He is the Programme Director for the BSc. Education (Years 1 & 2) programme.

    Tom’s core research interests lie in the areas of STEM education across all levels of schooling, where he is particularly interested in issues of equality (e.g. gender) as well as the interaction of presage variables with mathematics performance and identity. He also has core interests in the psychology of problem solving and in particular how cognitive processes of conceptualisation and representation affect performance in mathematics and science. He actively researches in the broad area of teacher education and is committed to critical analysis of policy as it applies to practice and identity formation/change in teaching and learning contexts.

    In addition to these core areas, he actively promotes critical approaches to quantitative and educational research and has an emerging interest in how issues of power and neoliberalism interact with research practices and discourses in the field. His current research adopts perspectives from critical feminist and decolonial theories to unsettle implicit reproduction of colonial logics through contemporaneous pedagogical and policy research in neoliberal times. He is also active in research concerning the impact of gender stereotypes on STEM identity formations in modern schooling, and engaged in several other areas related to the RAISE (Research, Application, and Inclusion in STEM Education) group, which he currently chairs. See www.raise-stem.ie for more.

    Research Interests

    STEM Education
    Presage Variables, Student Motivation, & Subjectivities
    Postcolonial theory and Decolonisation 
    Quant-Crit Methodology and Research Methods
    Education Policy
    Teacher Education

    Book Chapters

      Year Publication
    2023 'Neurocognitive and physiological measurment of STEM learning processes'
    Thomas Delahunty;Thomas Delahunty; (2023) 'Neurocognitive and physiological measurment of STEM learning processes' In: International Encyclopedia of Education(Fourth Edition). [DOI] [Details]
    2022 'The learning sciences as a mindset for STEM education research'
    Thomas Delahunty; (2022) 'The learning sciences as a mindset for STEM education research' In: Perspectives in Contemporary STEM Education Research. UK: Routledge. [DOI] [Details]
    2022 'Conclusions and Future Directions in STEM Education Research Approaches'
    Máire Ní Ríordáin; Thomas Delahunty; (2022) 'Conclusions and Future Directions in STEM Education Research Approaches' In: Perspectives In Contemporary Stem Education Research. UK: Routledge. [DOI] [Details]
    2022 'Introduction'
    Thomas Delahunty; Máire Ní Ríordáin (2022) 'Introduction' In: Perspectives in Contemporary STEM Education Research. UK: Routledge. [DOI] [Details]
    2019 'Enhancing the Teaching of Problem-Solving in Technology Education'
    Thomas Delahunty (2019) 'Enhancing the Teaching of Problem-Solving in Technology Education' In: Contemporary Issues in Technology Education. Netherlands: Springer. [DOI] [Details]

    Edited Books

      Year Publication
    2022 Perspectives in Contemporary STEM Education Research
    Thomas Delahunty and Máire Ní Ríordáin (Ed.). (2022) Perspectives in Contemporary STEM Education Research UK: Routledge. [DOI] [Details]

    Peer Reviewed Journals

      Year Publication
    2012 '*An Evaluation of the Assessment of Graphical Education at Junior Cycle in the Irish System'
    Delahunty, T., Seery, N. and Lynch, R. (2012) '*An Evaluation of the Assessment of Graphical Education at Junior Cycle in the Irish System'. International Journal of Design Education, [Details]
    2018 'Exploring the role of spatial skill in electrical circuits problem solving'
    Delahunty, T., Pérez, L.C, and Rivera-Reyes, P. (2018) 'Exploring the role of spatial skill in electrical circuits problem solving'. Engineering Design Graphics Journal, 82 (2):31-35 [Details]
    2018 'The relationship between spatial ability and electrical circuits problem solving in an engineering degree program'
    Delahunty, T., Perez, L.C., Rivera-Reyes, P., Psota, E., Molfese, D. (2018) 'The relationship between spatial ability and electrical circuits problem solving in an engineering degree program'. Cognitive Processing, 19 (1) [Details]
    2021 '(Re)framing a philosophical and epistemological framework for teaching and learning in STEM: Emerging pedagogies for complexity'
    Delahunty, T.;Kimbell, R.; (2021) '(Re)framing a philosophical and epistemological framework for teaching and learning in STEM: Emerging pedagogies for complexity'. British Educational Research Journal, [DOI] [Details]
    2021 'Teachers' Perspectives on Achieving an Integrated Curricular Model of Primary STEM Education in Ireland: Authentic or Utopian Ideology?'
    Thomas Delahunty;Mark Prendergast;Máire Ní Ríordáin (2021) 'Teachers' Perspectives on Achieving an Integrated Curricular Model of Primary STEM Education in Ireland: Authentic or Utopian Ideology?'. Frontiers In Education, [DOI] [Details]
    2020 'An exploration of the variables contributing to graphical education students’ CAD modelling capability'
    Delahunty, T.;Seery, N.;Dunbar, R.;Ryan, M.; (2020) 'An exploration of the variables contributing to graphical education students’ CAD modelling capability'. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, [DOI] [Details]
    2020 'Exploring problem conceptualization and performance in STEM problem solving contexts'
    Thomas Delahunty; Niall Seery; Raymond Lynch (2020) 'Exploring problem conceptualization and performance in STEM problem solving contexts'. Instructional Science, [DOI] [Details]
    2019 'Integrating learners into the assessment process using adaptive comparative judgement with an ipsative approach to identifying competence based gains relative to student ability levels'
    Seery, N.;Buckley, J.;Delahunty, T.;Canty, D.; (2019) 'Integrating learners into the assessment process using adaptive comparative judgement with an ipsative approach to identifying competence based gains relative to student ability levels'. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, [DOI] [Details]
    2018 'Exploring the Use of Electroencephalography to Gather Objective Evidence of Cognitive Processing During Problem Solving'
    Delahunty, T.;Seery, N.;Lynch, R.; (2018) 'Exploring the Use of Electroencephalography to Gather Objective Evidence of Cognitive Processing During Problem Solving'. Journal of Science Education and Technology, [DOI] [Details]
    2013 'Investigating student teachers' approach to solving applied analytical graphical problems'
    Delahunty, T.;Seery, N.;Lynch, R.;Lane, D.; (2013) 'Investigating student teachers' approach to solving applied analytical graphical problems'. Engineering Design Graphics Journal, [Details]

    Other Journals

      Year Publication
    2022 'Unpacking the motivational variables which impact engagement in Lesson Study as a form of professional development among practicing mathematics teachers'
    Thomas Delahunty; (2022) 'Unpacking the motivational variables which impact engagement in Lesson Study as a form of professional development among practicing mathematics teachers' [], . [DOI] [Details]

    Conference Publications

      Year Publication
    2022 Attitudes to lesson study and the relationship to perceived teaching self-efficacy in mathematics among practicing teachers
    Delahunty, T., and Ní Shúilleabháin, A. (2022) Attitudes to lesson study and the relationship to perceived teaching self-efficacy in mathematics among practicing teachers Educational Studies Association of Ireland Annual Conference 2022 Merino Institute of Education, Dublin, [Details]
    2022 Gender stereotypes and self-concept as predictors of pre-service early childhood teachers’ STEM attitudes
    Delahunty, T., Ní Ríordáin, M., and Prendergast, M. (2022) Gender stereotypes and self-concept as predictors of pre-service early childhood teachers’ STEM attitudes Educational Studies Association of Ireland Annual Conference 2022 Merino Institute of Education, Dublin, [Details]
    2012 The growing necessity for graphical competency
    Delahunty, T., Seery, N. and Lynch, R. (2012) The growing necessity for graphical competency PATT 26 Stockholm, [Details]
    2012 Examining Neuronal Function during the Completion of Established Graphical Tasks
    Delahunty, T., Seery, N. and Lynch, R. (2012) Examining Neuronal Function during the Completion of Established Graphical Tasks Engineering Design Graphics Division 67th Mid Year Conference Limerick, Ireland, [Details]
    2013 Capturing Graphical Capability Through Ipsative Enquiry Using Adaptive Comparative Judgement
    Seery, N. and Delahunty, T. (2013) Capturing Graphical Capability Through Ipsative Enquiry Using Adaptive Comparative Judgement Engineering Design Graphics Division 68th Mid Year Conference Worcester, Massachusetts, [Details]
    2013 Conceptualisation in Visuospatial Reasoning Tasks: A Research Direction
    Delahunty, T., Seery, N., Lynch, R. (2013) Conceptualisation in Visuospatial Reasoning Tasks: A Research Direction Engineering Design Graphics Division 68th Mid-Year Conference Worcester, Massachusetts, [Details]
    2015 'Cognitive load as a key element of instructional design and its implications for Initial Technology Teacher Education
    Seery, N. and Delahunty, T. (2015) 'Cognitive load as a key element of instructional design and its implications for Initial Technology Teacher Education 29th PATT Conference Marseille, France, [Details]
    2016 'Spatial Skills and Success in Engineering Education: A Case for Investigating Etiological Underpinnings
    Delahunty, T., Sorby, S., Seery, N. and Pérez, L. (2016) 'Spatial Skills and Success in Engineering Education: A Case for Investigating Etiological Underpinnings 70th Engineering Design Graphics Division Annual Mid-Year Conference Daytona Beach, Florida, [Details]
    2017 'Illustrating Educational Development through Ipsative Performance in Design Based Education
    Seery, N., Delahunty, T., Canty, D. and Buckley, J. (2017) 'Illustrating Educational Development through Ipsative Performance in Design Based Education Pupils Attitudes Towards Technology 2017 Philadelphia, PA, [Details]
    2018 Exploring the role of spatial skill in electrical circuits problem solving
    Delahunty, T., Pérez, L.C, and Rivera-Reyes, P. (2018) Exploring the role of spatial skill in electrical circuits problem solving 72nd Engineering Design Graphics Division Mid-Year Conference [Details]
    2018 Adaptive Comparative Judgement as an Alternative to the Delphi Method for Establishing a Concept Inventory for Graphics
    Seery, N., Sadowski, M.A., Sorby, S.A and Delahunty, T. (2018) Adaptive Comparative Judgement as an Alternative to the Delphi Method for Establishing a Concept Inventory for Graphics 72nd Engineering Design Graphics Mid-Year Conference Montego Bay, Jamaica, [Details]
    2018 Investigating the relationship between spatial ability and electrical circuits problem solving in an engineering degree program
    Delahunty, T., Pérez, L.C, Rivera-Reyes, P., Molfese, D.L and Psota, E. (2018) Investigating the relationship between spatial ability and electrical circuits problem solving in an engineering degree program The International Conference on Spatial Cognition [Details]
    2019 Assessing the Demand of Problems in an Undergraduate Electrical Engineering Course
    Rivera-Reyes, P.;Perez, L.C.;Delahunty, T.; (2019) Assessing the Demand of Problems in an Undergraduate Electrical Engineering Course Proceedings - Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE [DOI] [Details]
    2019 The Link between Spatial Skills and Engineering Problem-Solving
    Duffy, G.;Sorby, S.;Reves, P.R.;Delahunty, T.;Perez, L.;Ravishankar, J.; (2019) The Link between Spatial Skills and Engineering Problem-Solving Proceedings of 2018 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering, TALE 2018 [DOI] [Details]
    2015 Spatial skills and success in problem solving within engineering education
    Delahunty, T.;Seery, N.;Lynch, R.; (2015) Spatial skills and success in problem solving within engineering education 6th Research in Engineering Education Symposium: Translating Research into Practice, REES 2015 [Details]
    2015 Developing a spatial ability framework to support spatial ability research in engineering education
    Seery, N.;Buckley, J.;Delahunty, T.; (2015) Developing a spatial ability framework to support spatial ability research in engineering education 6th Research in Engineering Education Symposium: Translating Research into Practice, REES 2015 [Details]
    2014 Considering cognitive load as a key element in instructional design for developing graphical capability
    Delahunty, T.;Seery, N.;Lynch, R.;Lane, D.; (2014) Considering cognitive load as a key element in instructional design for developing graphical capability ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings [Details]
    2013 An exploratory study of students' approaches to generating, maintaining and communicating visual-mental images
    Delahunty, T.;Seery, N.;Lynch, R.;Lane, D.; (2013) An exploratory study of students' approaches to generating, maintaining and communicating visual-mental images ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings [Details]
    2012 Investigating student teachers' approach to solving applied analytical graphical problems
    Delahunty, T.;Seery, N.;Lynch, R.;Lane, D.; (2012) Investigating student teachers' approach to solving applied analytical graphical problems ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings [Details]

    Invited papers

      Year Publication
    2022 Improving STEM Education... But for Whom?.
    Thomas Delahunty (2022) Improving STEM Education... But for Whom?. Dublin: Invited papers [Details]

    Newspaper Articles

      Year Publication
    2022 It is time to financially support student teachers’ education.
    Ní Shúilleabháin A, and Delahunty, T. (2022) It is time to financially support student teachers’ education. Newspaper Articles [Details]

    Manuscript

      Year Publication
    2022 An investigation of STEM Interest, Mathematics Beliefs and gender stereotypes among pre-service early childhood educators.
    Thomas Delahunty;Máire Ní Ríordáin;Mark Prendergast; (2022) An investigation of STEM Interest, Mathematics Beliefs and gender stereotypes among pre-service early childhood educators. Manuscript [DOI] [Details]

    Honours and Awards

      Year Title Awarding Body
    2013 Frank Oppenheimer Professionalism in Research Award American Society for Engineering Education
    2012 Innovations and Ideas in Research Design Award American Society for Engineering Education
    2015 Shortlisted for University of Limerick Excellence in Teaching Award University of Limerick
    2012 ASEE Chair's Award American Society for Engineering Education
    2018 Frank Oppenheimer Professionalism in Research Award American Society for Engineering Education
    2022 Teaching and Learning Fellowship Award Maynooth University Centre for Teaching and Learning

    Professional Associations

      Association Function From / To
    Educational Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI) National organisation for educational research community in Ireland /
    American Psychological Association International organisation /
    British Psychological Society National body /

    Committees

      Committee Function From / To
    Department of Education Research Committee Member /
    Initial Teacher Education Programmes Advisory Committee Member /
    Department of Education Assessment Moderation Committee Member /

    Employment

      Employer Position From / To
    University College Cork Lecturer/Assistant Prof. 01-OCT-18 / 01-OCT-20
    University of Limerick Lecturer/Assistant Prof. 01-SEP-14 / 01-MAY-16
    University of Limerick Assistant Lecturer 01-AUG-11 / 01-JUN-14
    University of Nebraska-Lincoln Senior Research Fellow 01-DEC-15 / 01-OCT-18
    University of Birmingham Lecturer/Assistant Prof. 02-JAN-21 / 01-JAN-22
    National University of Ireland, Maynooth 01-JAN-22 /

    Education

      Year Institution Qualification Subject
    2014 University of Limerick PhD Education
    2020 British Psychological Society Chartered Psychologist Psychology
    2011 University of Limerick Bachelors of Technology Education Education
    2021 University of Derby Masters of Science Psychology

    Consultancy

      Client Description
    College of Anaesthesiologists, Ireland
    QQI

    Reviews

      Journal Role
    Irish Educational Studies Reviewer
    International Journal Of Technology And Design Educatio Reviewer
    Technology, Pedagogy And Education Reviewer

    Recent Postgraduates

      Graduation Student Name University Degree Thesis
    2021 Dr. Catriona Curtin University College Cork, Ireland PhD Perspectives on Digital Learning among Leaders of Learning and Teaching with Technology in Higher Education Institutions