Personal profile
Research interests
My research interests include educational transitions, the characteristics of primary teachers; the impact of teacher education models, Lesson Study, problem posing and STE(A)M education.
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Limerick
Master of Science (M.Sc), University of Limerick
Physical Ed & Mathematics, Bachelor of Science (B.Sc), University of Limerick
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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- 1 Similar Profiles
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SPARK: SPARK- STEM Partnerships for Action, Relevance, and Knowledge: A school-university partnership of educators to support integrated STEM learning and understanding of societal issues
Fitzpatrick, M. (CoPI), O'Dwyer, A. (CoPI), Leavy, A. (CoI), Hourigan, M. (CoI), Carroll, C. (CoI), Murphy, B. (CoI) & Ryan, M. (CoI)
1/01/26 → 31/12/26
Project: Teaching & Learning
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PROTECT: Erasmus+ Pupil-led Response to the Effects of Climate Change on Their Local Communities
McInerney, R. (PI), Corry, E. (CoPI), Hourigan, M. (CoPI), Leavy, A. (CoPI) & O'Dwyer, A. (CoPI)
1/09/25 → 31/08/28
Project: Research
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Studio LAB Encounters: Becoming STEAM Educators
Morrin, A. M. (PI), Leavy, A. (CoPI), Hourigan, M. (CoPI), Liston, M. (CoPI), O'Dwyer, A. (CoPI) & Corry, E. (CoPI)
15/11/21 → …
Project: Teaching & Learning
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STEM Café: Embracing Integrated STEM Education
Leavy, A. (CoPI), Hourigan, M. (CoPI), Carroll, C. (CoPI), Fitzpatrick, M. (CoPI), O'Dwyer, A. (CoPI), Corry, E. (CoPI), Hamilton, M. (CoPI), McNamara, M. (CoPI), Liman-Kaban, A. (CoPI), O'Shea, J. (CoPI), Young, K. (CoPI), Liston, M. (CoPI), Ryan, M. (CoPI), Cleary, C. (CoPI), McGann, R. (CoPI) & Walsh, E. (CoPI)
25/09/17 → …
Project: Teaching & Learning
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Science & Maths Week (Community Engagement)
Hourigan, M. (Other), Leavy, A. (Other), Carroll, C. (Other), Fitzpatrick, M. (Other), Walsh, M. (Other), Ryan, M. (Other) & Cleary, C. (Other)
8/10/12 → …
Project: Teaching & Learning
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Nurturing problem solving and problem posing practices
Leavy, A. (CoPI) & Hourigan, M. (CoPI)
7/11/11 → …
Project: Teaching & Learning
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Theory building classroom-based research in mathematics teacher education through Lesson Study
Leavy, A. (CoPI), Hourigan, M. (CoPI), Fitzpatrick, M. (CoI), Carroll, C. (CoI) & O'Ceallaigh, T. (CoI)
8/01/07 → …
Project: Teaching & Learning
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Research on knowledge and affect in teacher education
Hourigan, M. (CoPI), Leavy, A. (CoPI), Fitzpatrick, M. (CoI), Carroll, C. (CoI), O'Dwyer, A. (CoI), Corry, E. (CoI), Murphy, B. (CoI), Yilmaz, N. (CoI), Bjerke, A. H. (CoI) & Hamilton, M. (CoI)
12/01/04 → …
Project: Research
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Advancing statistics education in schools and initial teacher education
Leavy, A. (CoPI), Hourigan, M. (CoPI) & Fitzpatrick, M. (CoI)
24/09/01 → …
Project: Teaching & Learning
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STEAMing: Erasmus+ STEAM: International Guidance to best practice
McInerney, R. (PI), Leavy, A. (CoPI), Hourigan, M. (CoPI), O'Dwyer, A. (CoPI), Corry, E. (CoPI) & Browne, M. (CoPI)
9/09/19 → 27/01/23
Project: Teaching & Learning
Profiles
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Integrating STEAM and Child Voice in Climate Change Education: A Local Perspective
Corry, E., Dwyer, A., Hourigan, M. & Leavy, A., 2026, International Technology, Education and Development : INTED2026 Proceedings 20th International Technology, Education and Development Conference. IATED Digital Library, 8 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
Open Access -
Integrating STEAM and Child Voice in Climate Change Education: A Local Perspective
Corry, E., Dwyer, A., Hourigan, M. & Leavy, A., 30 Mar 2026, Proceedings of the 20th Annual International Technology, Education and Development Conference (INTED2026).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
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Navigating facilitation challenges in lesson study of rural primary schools
Flanagan, B. & Hourigan, M., 14 Mar 2026, In: International Journal for Lesson & Learning Studies. p. 51-65 15(5).Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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“Rather than Simply Learning Statistics, We Aimed to Learn About the Bees, From the Bees”: An Exploration of the Factors Influencing the Development of Positive Teacher Attitudes Toward Statistics
Fitzpatrick, M., Leavy, A. & Hourigan, M., 7 Jan 2026, In: Journal of Statistics and Data Science Education.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Exploring the plight of the honeybee: Using Data Sensors and CODAP to support emerging bilingual learners in reasoning about big statistical ideas
Leavy, A. M., Hourigan, M. & Fitzpatrick, M., 14 Jan 2025, In: Statistics Education Research Journal. 23, 2, p. 1-24 24 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
3 Citations (Scopus) -
From last place to first: Repositioning the M in STEM. Using Contemporary Research as a Guide to Navigate Curriculum Change
Hourigan, M., 18 Oct 2025, Proceedings of the Tenth Conference of Research in Mathematics Education in Ireland (MEI 10): Mathematics for a Connected World: Integration, Challenges and Possibilities. p. 11-28Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
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Teachers’ Professional Journeys during the first decade longitudinal study: Reviews of literature. Report No.1.
Conway, P., Leavy, A., Smyth, E., Calderón, A., Fitzgerald, J., Hourigan, M., Ní Chróinín, D., Fitzpatrick, M. & Zubareca, A., 2025Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › peer-review
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The first decade of teachers’ professional lives: a scoping review of research in the Republic of Ireland
Hourigan, M., Ní Chróinín, D., Fitzgerald, J., Conway, P. F., Leavy, A., Smyth, E. & Fitzpatrick, M., 7 Nov 2025, In: Irish Educational Studies.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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The F-PosE Framework: Supporting Primary Teachers in Unpacking Cognitively Challenging Mathematics Tasks
Hourigan, M., 18 Oct 2025, Proceedings of the Tenth Conference of Research in Mathematics Education in Ireland (MEI 10): Mathematics for a Connected World: Integration, Challenges and Possibilities.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
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Attending to task variables when engaging in group problem posing for elementary level mathematics
Leavy, A. & Hourigan, M., 1 Mar 2024, In: Journal of Mathematical Behavior. 73, 101128.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access7 Citations (Scopus)
Activities
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Integrating STEAM and Child Voice In Climate Change Education: A Local Perspective
Corry, E. (Speaker), O'Dwyer, A. (Speaker), Hourigan, M. (Speaker) & Leavy, A. (Speaker)
2 Mar 2026 → 4 Mar 2026Activity: Conference Presentations, Speaking Events & Workshops › Conference Presentations
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Collaboration between STEM teacher educators and pre-service primary teachers to design and implement integrated STEM workshops: teaching mathematics concepts through game based learning
Fitzpatrick, M. (Organiser and Participant), Carroll, C. (Organiser and Participant), Leavy, A. (Organiser and Participant), Murphy, B. (Organiser and Participant) & Hourigan, M. (Organiser and Participant)
24 Jan 2026 → 28 May 2026Activity: Participation/Organisation of Events › Collaborative practice-based engagements
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Lesson Study as a Pathway to Future-Focused Teacher Professional Learning in Ireland
Leavy, A. (Invited speaker) & Hourigan, M. (Invited speaker)
18 Nov 2025Activity: Conference Presentations, Speaking Events & Workshops › Invited talk
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Limerick Festival of Science: Bigger Better Brainteaser Bandits
Carroll, C. (Organiser), Hourigan, M. (Organiser), Fitzpatrick, M. (Organiser), Murphy, B. (Organiser), Leavy, A. (Organiser), Ryan, M. (Member of programme committee) & O'Dwyer, A. (Member of programme committee)
14 Nov 2025Activity: Participation/Organisation of Events › Collaborative practice-based engagements
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Invited Keynote: From last place to first: Repositioning the M in STEM. Using Contemporary Research as a Guide to Navigate Curriculum Change
Hourigan, M. (Keynote speaker)
18 Oct 2025Activity: Conference Presentations, Speaking Events & Workshops › Invited talk
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The F-PosE Framework: Supporting Primary Teachers in Unpacking Cognitively Challenging Mathematics Tasks
Leavy, A. (Speaker) & Hourigan, M. (Speaker)
17 Oct 2025Activity: Conference Presentations, Speaking Events & Workshops › Conference Presentations
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Lesson Study as a vehicle to promote STEM teacher educators' professional learning
Hourigan, M. (Organiser and Participant), Fitzpatrick, M. (Organiser and Participant), O'Dwyer, A. (Organiser and Participant) & Ryan, M. (Organiser and Participant)
4 Sep 2025 → 24 Jan 2026Activity: Participation/Organisation of Events › Collaborative practice-based engagements
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Evolving Identities: A collaborative study exploring teacher educators’ identity as teachers of integrated STEM
O'Dwyer, A. (Speaker), Leavy, A. (Speaker), Carroll, C. (Speaker), Corry, E. (Speaker), Fitzpatrick, M. (Speaker), Hourigan, M. (Speaker), Liman-Kaban, A. (Speaker), Liston, M. (Speaker), O'Shea, J. (Speaker), Ryan, M. (Speaker), Walsh, E. (Speaker) & Young, K. (Speaker)
28 Aug 2025Activity: Conference Presentations, Speaking Events & Workshops › Conference Presentations
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Lesson Study as a response to evolving policies in teacher education
Hourigan, M. (Speaker) & Leavy, A. (Speaker)
27 Aug 2025Activity: Conference Presentations, Speaking Events & Workshops › Conference Presentations
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Exploring Irish primary mathematics education through a wellbeing lens
Hourigan, M. (Speaker)
7 Jun 2025Activity: Conference Presentations, Speaking Events & Workshops › Conference Presentations
Prizes
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Teachers' Research Exchange (T-REX) Module Innovation Module Innovation Framework Award
Hourigan, M. (Recipient) & Leavy, A. (Recipient), 2020
Prize
Press/Media
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Minister for Education Norma Foley and the Teaching Council announce landmark research study on teaching in Ireland
Conway, P., Leavy, A., Smyth, E., Hourigan, M., Ní Chróinín, D. & Fitzgerald, J.
2/04/24 → 2/08/24
3 items of Media coverage
Press/Media
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Data from Mary Immaculate College Broaden Understanding of Engineering (Primary teachers' learning experiences of integrated STEM education)
2/07/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
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MIC Plays Major Role in Pioneering €2.8 million Study Charting Teachers’ Professional Journeys
Conway, P., Leavy, A., Smyth, E., Hourigan, M., Fitzgerald, J. & Ní Chróinín, D.
3/04/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
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Studies from University of Limerick Have Provided New Data on Pediatrics ('i Have Seen Stem In Action and It's Quite Do-able!' the Impact of an Extended Professional Development Model On Teacher Efficacy In Primary Stem Education)
Hourigan, M., Leavy, A., Dwyer, A. & Corry, E.
14/04/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
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Consultation reports published on the Draft Primary Mathematics Curriculum: MIC
Leavy, A., Hourigan, M., Fitzpatrick, M., Harmon, M. & Treacy, M.
1/03/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
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Minister Foley welcomes MIC review of STEM Education
Leavy, A., Hourigan, M., O'Dwyer, A., Fitzpatrick, M., Hamilton, M., Carroll, C., Corry, E., McGann, R. & LaCumber, G.
13/07/22
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
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Minister Foley welcomes new research on STEM and the Arts Education to inform future policy in this area
Hourigan, M., Leavy, A., Carroll, C., Dwyer, A., Hamilton, M., Fitzpatrick, M. & McGann, R.
30/06/22
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media