School of Policy and Practice header
School of Policy & Practice

Dr
Natalie
O'Neill

Primary Department
School of Policy & Practice
Role
Academic Staff
Phone number:
01 700
9250
Campus
St Patrick's Campus
Room Number
SPC M 217

Academic biography

I am the current Programme Chair for Science Education at DCU and I coordinate School Placement for undergraduate PEM/PEB/SE students. 

I work within the SE programme in a lecturing capacity, utilising my expertise as a Science Teacher, Teacher Educator and Researcher to design and deliver modules that align with current academic research and educational policy. 

My current research area explores current issues in Science Education, specifically developing a curriculum theory to underpin practical activities that fosters conceptual understanding, by forming connections between prior, present and future learning activities. 



Research interests

Science Education

Biology Education

Pedagogy for Thinking

Teaching Practical Work through Enquiry

Curriculum Studies

Aligning Policy with Practice

ECER 2022. Presentation:  “From Recipe to Success – Findings from a Three-Year Study on Fostering Curricular Change in Upper Secondary Biology Practical Activties”

ECER 2021. Presentation:  “Using Educational Design Research to develop a Framework for Enquiry in upper secondary biology practical work in Ireland” – updated to include the most recent developments in my research

 Edcon -2020. Presentation: “Practical Lessons in Biology – Building a Recipe for Success?”

ECER 2019. Presentation: “Hands-On, Minds-On: The Role of Factual and Procedural Knowledge in Teaching Practical Work in Upper Secondary Science Curriculum in Ireland”

 EuroACS  2019. Presentation: “Exploring practical activities in the Irish Biology Curriculum - A recipe for success?”

Current research projects 

ESAI Biology Education Special Interest Group Lead: 

I am chairing the ESAI Biology Education SIG. Our aims are to promote plant biology education, with a particular focus on awareness of bi