Academic biography

Irene White is is a lecturer and researcher in the School of Human Development, Institute of Education, Dublin City University. She is Programme Chair of the Professional Master of Education (Post-Primary) and Teaching and Learning Convenor for the School of Human Development. Irene teaches Creativity in Education, English Education, Drama in Education and Academic Reading and Writing across a range of initial teacher education programmes. Before joining DCU, Irene taught at post-primary level for twelve years, during which time she was a mentor for initial teacher education students and a State Exams Commission examiner for the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme. Irene also has considerable experience in the participatory arts sector. Her work in this field includes her role as artist and director with Upstate Theatre Project on The Crossover Project, a cross-border, cross-community participative drama programme, and her work with students from the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, New York University on the study abroad programme. Irene also worked with Smashing Times Theatre and Film Company on the ‘Acting for the Future' programme using drama and theatre performance to promote positive mental health and the 'Acting for Change' programme using drama to explore cultural diversity and identity and promote anti-racism, anti-sectarianism and equality. Irene’s research interests are informed and inspired by her work as a teacher, initial teacher educator and artist. She has a particular interest in creativity, teacher education, teacher identity, arts education, and creative activity for health and wellbeing. Her PhD examined creativity in participatory arts initiatives and articulated a Participatory Arts for Creativity in Education (PACE) model, an applied participatory arts model aimed at fostering creativity in education.