Researcher Details |

Francis Ward

Contact Details

Assistant Professor In Music Education

F129
DCU - St Patrick's Campus
Drumcondra
Dublin 9
Ireland

T:+353 1 700 9008

E:francis.ward@dcu.ie

Francis Ward is a music educator and ethnomusicologist based in the School of Arts Education and Movement, Institute of Education, Dublin City University. His varied research interests include music education in formal, informal and non-formal learning contexts, technology in music education and online learning, multicultural music education and social inclusion, Irish traditional music and dance, creative processes in music and dance, and the use of GenAI as a teaching and assessment co-pilot in higher education. In 2019-20 he was awarded a Fulbright Scholar fellowship and spent six months at the School of Music at the University of Washington. He completed his PhD studies at University of Limerick as an Irish Research Council scholar investigating the development of a virtual orality in the processes of transmission in Irish traditional music. He has worked previously as lecturer in music and dance, lecturer in music and educational technologist at University of Limerick, Dundalk Institute of Technology and Mary Immaculate College respectively. Francis is also a well-respected teacher, performer and composer/choreographer of Irish traditional music and dance.

** Current Research Projects **

GenAI as an Co-Pilot in the Assessment of Third Level Capstone Research Projects in Education
CeoLingua - Music and Action-Oriented Language Learning in the Primary Classroom (funded under Teaching Council’s John Coolahan Research Support Framework)
Creative Linguistic Strategies for Embodied Learning: Verbal Language in Competitive Irish Dance Instruction

** Current Doctoral Students **

Dave Flynn
Veronica Ward

Peer Reviewed Journal

	Year	Publication
	2025	Ward, F.; Campbell, P.S. (2025) 'World Music Pedagogy in Practice: Part 1 – Learning Irish Traditional Music'. Journal of General Music Education, . [Link] [DOI]
	2024	Byrne, R.; Murphy, R.; Ward, F.; McCabe, U. (2024) 'Towards a model of playful music learning for primary classrooms: recommendations based on a review of literature'. British Journal of Music Education, 41 . [Link] [DOI]
	2024	Byrne, R.; Murphy, R.; Ward, F.; McCabe, U. (2024) 'Playful (music) teaching and learning in Irish primary school classrooms'. Irish Educational Studies, 43 . [Link] [DOI]
	2022	Murphy, R.; Ward, F.; McCabe, U.; Flannery, M.; Cleary, A.; Hsu, H.P.; Brennan, E. (2022) 'Recasting embodied and relational teaching in the arts: teacher educators reflect on the potential of digital learning'. Irish Educational Studies, 41 . [Link] [DOI]
	2019	Ward, F. (2019) 'Technology and the transmission of tradition: An exploration of the virtual pedagogies in the Online Academy of Irish Music'. Journal of Music, Technology and Education, 12 . [Link] [DOI]
	2019	Leahy, S.M.; Holland, C.; Ward, F. (2019) 'The digital frontier: Envisioning future technologies impact on the classroom'. Futures, 113 . [Link] [DOI]

Other Journal

	Year	Publication
	2023	Ward, Francis (2023) 'Enabling Musical, Pedagogical, and Social Continuities through “Participation” in Mary O’s Virtual Irish Traditional Music Session' Action, Criticism, and Theory for Music Education, 22 (4) :87-130. [Link] https://doi.org/10.22176/act22.4.87

Book Chapter

	Year	Publication
	2021	Murphy, R.; Ward, F. (2021) 'Connecting social justice education with the teaching of music' In: Teaching For Social Justice And Sustainable Development Across The Primary Curriculum. [Link] [DOI]

Conference Publication

	Year	Publication
	2018	Leahy, S.; Holland, C.; Ward, F.; Doiron, J. (2018) 12TH INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE (INTED) *BEYOND WEB 3.0: INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION EXPLORING LEARNING ECOLOGIES AND TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE DIAMOND AGE*

Conference Contribution

	Year	Publication
	2025	Ward, F; O Farrell, Pia; Panadero, E (2025) Education After the Algorithm: Co-designing critical and creative futures AI as an Assessment Copilot in Capstone Research Projects in Education Dublin City University, Dublin, .
	2025	Ward, F; Ní Bhriain, O; Ní Bhriain, M (2025) International Council for Traditions of Music and Dance (Ireland) Creative Linguistic Strategies for Embodied Learning: Verbal Language in Competitive Irish Dance Instruction Dublin City University, Dublin, .
	2024	Ward, Francis; O'Connell, Wayne (2024) DCU Pride in Teaching & Research Hidden in Plain Sight: The Experiences of Three Queer Native English Teachers in South Korea Dublin City University, Dublin, 13/06/2024-13/06/2025.
	2024	Ward, F.; Ní Bhriain, M. (2024) Scenarios Conference CeoLingua: Music and Action-Oriented Language Learning in the Primary Classroom [workshop] Trinity College, Dublin, .
	2022	Ward, Francis (2022) MayDay Group Colloquium 33 Enabling Pedagogical, Musical and Social Continuities through ‘Participation’ in a Virtual Irish Traditional Music Session Windsor, ON, .
	2022	McCabe, U.; Murphy; R. Ward, F.; Cleary, A; Brennan, E (2022) Educational Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI) Conference 2022 A Matter of Presence in Higher Education Classrooms: Virtual and In Person Marino College Dublin, .
	2019	Murphy, R., Ward, F. (2019) MayDay Group Colloquium 31: Music Education as Social, Cultural, and Political Action ‘The child will be enabled to…’: Re/imagining Socially Inclusive Music Education in Initial Teacher Education Limerick, 20/06/2019-.
	2019	Ní Bhriain, M., Ward, F., Ní Bhriain, O. (2019) French Teachers Conference 2019 [keynote] Action-Orientated Language Learning: The Use of Performative Practices and Spaces in the Development of Creative Pedagogies for Learners of French Athlone, 02/03/2019-.
	2019	Ward, Francis (2019) ICTM Ireland 2019: Social Interaction and Change through Music - Applications and Approaches Developing Socially Inclusive Music Education in ITE: Multi and Inter Cultural Music Education for the Primary Classroom University College Dublin, 22/02/2019-.
	2018	Ward, Francis (2018) An Dara Comhdháil Taighde Uile-Oileánda ar an Tumoideachas (The Second All-Ireland Research Conference on Immersion Education) 'Connections Between Music and Language Learning in Informal and Formal Contexts' as part of symposium on 'The use of music in Action-Orientated language learning' Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, 19/05/2018-.
	2018	Ward, Francis (2018) 2nd ICTM Study Group Symposium on Music, Education and Social Inclusion Irish Representative on Study Group Executive Board Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing, 7-10 July 2018, 07/07/2018-10/07/2018.
	2018	Ward, Francis (2018) The 3rd International ICTM Music Forum: Approaches to Research on Music and Dance in the Internet Era Methodological Approaches to Analysing Big Data within an Irish Traditional Music Virtual Ethnography - TheSession.org Discussion Forum Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing, 11/07/2018-14/07/2018.
	2018	Ward, Francis (2018) 2nd ICTM Study Group Symposium on Music, Education and Social Inclusion Research Opportunities in the Development of a Curriculum for Socially Inclusive Music Education (SIME) within Initial Teacher Education in Ireland Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing, 7-10 July 2018, 07/07/2018-10/08/2018.
	2018	Murphy, Regina; Ward, Francis (2018) American Educational Research Association (AERA) Using ePortfolios to Enhance Preservice Early Years Educators’ Engagement with Music Education New York, USA, 14/04/2018-14/04/2018.
	2018	Murphy, Regina; Ward, Francis; Bowe, Marie-Louise (2018) International Society for Music Education World Conference 2018 Catch and Release: A Model to Develop Student Teacher Situational Interest in Music Education in a Generalist Teacher Education programme Baku, Azerbaijan, 16/07/2018-.
	2017	Ward, Francis (2017) ICTM 44th World Conference Challenges in the Transmission of an Oral Tradition Online: Irish Traditional Music - Approaching a Virtual Orality University of Limerick, 17/07/2017-.
	2017	Ward, Francis (2017) Digital Folk Conference Approaching a Virtual Orality: Challenges to the Classic Model of Irish Traditional Music Transmission University of Sheffield, 19/04/2017-.
	2017	Murphy, Regina; Ward, Francis (2017) INY Creative Education Symposium: The Increasing Role of Creativity and the Creative Process in Education Designing a Rubric to Measure Creativity in an ePortfolio for Music Education at Third Level University of Limerick, 12/10/2017-.
	2017	Ward, Francis (2017) Scenario Forum International Conference Approaching a Virtual Orality: (Virtual) Spaces in the Transmission of Irish Traditional Music University College Cork, 26/05/2017-.
	2014	Ward, Francis (2014) Joint Annual Meeting of BFE (British Federation of Ethnomusicology) and ICTM (International Council for Traditional Music) Irish Traditional Music and the Virtual Community: Towards a Netnography of TheSession.Org NUI Galway, Ireland, .
	2013	Ward, Francis (2013) Joint Annual Meeting of BFE (British Federation of Ethnomusicology) and ICTM (International Council for Traditional Music) The Transmission of Irish Traditional Music in the Digital Age: Representing the Oral Tradition Online Queen's University Belfast, .
	2012	Ward, Francis (2012) Ethnomusicology Programme Irish Traditional Music and Dance: History, Ensemble Playing and Instrumentation Beijing Foreign Studies University, .
	2012	Ward, Francis (2012) ICTM (International Council for Traditional Music) Ireland Annual Conference 'Movement and Music: Migration of Irish Traditional Music Online Trinity College Dublin, .
	2011	Ward, Francis (2011) Web Science Doctoral Summer School Online Transmission in Irish Traditional Music National University of Ireland Galway, .
	2010	Ward, Francis (2010) National Graduate Conference For Ethnomusicology Virtual Fieldwork: The Transmission of Music in the Irish Traditional Music Virtual Community University of London, .
	2010	Ward, Francis (2010) National Graduate Conference For Ethnomusicology Virtual Fieldwork: The Transmission of Music in the Irish Traditional Music Virtual Community Institute for Music Research, University of London, .

Thesis

	Year	Publication
	2016	Ward, Francis (2016) Processes of Transmission in Irish Traditional Music: Approaching a Virtual Orality. THES [Link]

Television

	Year	Publication
	2016	Ward, Francis (2016) The Vanishing Lake. TV
	2011	Ciorras (2011) The Expensive Sneeze. China: TV
	2009	Riverdance (2009) Riverdance and Distant Thunder. TV [Link]

Video recording / TV

	Year	Publication
	2014	Ward, Francis (2014) The Vanishing Lake. VID [Link]
	2012	Awbeg Ceili Band (2012) Polkas. VID [Link]
	2012	Awbeg Ceili Band (2012) Jigs. VID [Link]
	2009	Ward, Francis; Mullin, Shauna (2009) Ned of the Hill. VID [Link]

Web Page

	Year	Publication
	2011	Ward, Francis (2011) Studying Irish traditional music, song and dance in Ireland. WEBP [Link]

Grant

	Year	Publication
	2011	Ward, Francis (2011) Marie Duffy Foundation Award for Excellence in Irish Dance Composition. GRANT
	2010	Ward, Francis (2010) Irish Research Council Doctoral Scholarship. GRANT

Sound recording

	Year	Publication
	2019	McMahon, Rory; Ward, Francis; Naughton, Ger; Howley, Sharon (2019) Waiting in the Long Grass. SOUND
	2011	Éalú: Ward, Francis; Murphy, Ryan; Sheedy, Dermot; King, Ciillian (2011) Escape. SOUND
	2006	Ward, Francis; Fromsieir Mortenson, Ditte (2006) Anything Strange?. SOUND

Composition

	Year	Publication
	2011	Ward, Francis (2011) The Vanishing Lake. COMPS
	2005	Ward, Francis (2005) Dickeystown Hop. COMPS

Honors and Awards

Date	Title	Awarding Body
01/01/2020	Fulbright Scholar Award	Fulbright Commission
01/01/2011	Marie Duffy Excellence Award in Irish Dance Composition	Marie Duffy Foundation
01/09/2010	IRCHSS Postgraduate Research Scholarship	Irish Research Council

Professional Associations

Association	Function	From / To
International Council for Traditions of Music & Dance (Ireland)	Member	-
SMEI (Society of Music Education Ireland)	Member	-
An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha (The Irish Dance Commission)	Teacher/Adjudicator	-
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí na hÉireann	Teacher/Adjudicator	-
International Council for Traditions of Music & Dance	Member	-

Committees

Committee	Function	From / To
ICTMD (Ireland) Conference Committee	https://static1.squarespace.com/static/667d262aab8e6c7b3656f7f7/t/67cae09fbcd40e493fb7bdc2/1741349045884/ICTMD+Ireland+2025+Programme+Booklet-2.pdf	07/03/2025 - 08/03/2025
Narrative Inquiry in Music Education	https://journalofmusic.com/listing/19-05-24/narrative-inquiry-music-education-9th-biennial-conference-nime9	22/05/2024 - 24/05/2024
Music, Education and Social Inclusion ICTM Study Group	Music education and music educational institutions - as products of the society and culture in which they are created and function - preserve, maintain, transmit and reproduce socio-cultural values and inequalities embedded in their very structures, forms, discourses and content through curricula, learning materials, teaching methods and so on. We acknowledge that historically excluded and/or marginalized groups such as women and girls; ethnic, racial, linguistic and religious minorities; indigenous communities; the poor; individuals with disabilities; LGBTQIA individuals; vulnerabilities including those of low class/caste and those excluded from citizenship have systematically been un- or under-represented in formal education. This reflects wider discriminatory practices at the societal level that in turn are perpetuated and transmitted in educational institutions, which as such continue to shape society at large. Furthermore, in a number of societies globally, academic discourse and institutions continue to be shaped by and use methods inherited from European and North American music education systems, creating further layers of socio-cultural exclusions and discriminations perpetuated through their educational institutions. The Study Group is likewise informed by publications and guidelines produced by high-level international organizations, specifically: • UNESCO’s Policy Guidelines on Inclusion in Education of 2009, which advanced the need to reform current approaches to support and welcome diversity in order to develop more inclusive societies by taking a holistic approach to education reform, and which also stressed the importance of developing effective strategies for the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals. • The United Nations’ 2016 Report on the World Social Situation, Leaving no one behind: the imperative of inclusive development, which highlighted how no single actor or set of policies could singlehandedly promote social inclusion, and which drew attention to the importance of developing and promoting inclusive institutions where exclusionary attitudes are challenged in order to respond to the call to leave no one behind. In line with ICTM acting as a ‘bond among peoples of different cultures and thus contribut(ing) to the peace of humankind’, the MESI (Music, Education and Social Inclusion) Study Group proposes to serve as the place where these calls for action are addressed and discussed in the study of music and transmission practices in music educational settings at all levels. Given that music education and social inclusion are critical concerns for ethnomusicology, the MESI Study Group responds to the need for such discussions within the ICTM, giving specific focus to these issues within music educational settings and institutions. The main aim of the Study Group is to study, practice, uncover, produce, document and disseminate good practices in music education and transmission that can foster and promote social inclusion. In addition, it aims to engage in constructive discussions around systems-level approaches in music, education and related practices that can contribute to increased social inclusion, both in education and in global society at large. We believe the combination of the two approaches – a bottom-up approach in studying and uncovering good practices in music education and transmission, and a top-down approach in analyzing and constructively interrogating/examining music education structures and institutions – will lead to significant and actionable results for promoting and advancing social inclusion in the fields of music education and ethnomusicology.	01/07/2017 -

Reviews

	Journal	Role
	Irish Educational Studies	Reviewer

Other Activities

	Description
	The concert featured Francis Ward (piano) and a performance of his 'The Flight of the Wild Geese', the fourth and final movement from the poetico-musical suite, Cuimhnigh ar Sarsfield: The Wild Geese Suite, arranged for traditional instruments and string quartet. https://journalofmusic.com/listing/27-02-25/celebrating-traditions-music-ictmd-ireland-20th-anniversary-concert A special concert celebrating intersections of music traditions from Ireland, Ghana, Peru and India with performances from DCU Faculty, the Irish Institute of Music and Song (IIMS) Ensemble, the Rodrigo Almonte Andean Jazz Ensemble, and Indian Classical musician Sruthi Ravali. DCU All Hallows Chapel, Grace Park Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, D09 N920 6.00-7.30pm FREE ADMISSION (Note: tickets must be pre-booked via Eventbrite. Please click on 'Website' below) Programme Overview DCU Faculty and Friends: Irish Traditional Music Celebrate the richness of Irish traditional and contemporary music with performances by DCU faculty members Francis Ward (piano), Síle Denvir (vocals/harp), Marie-Louise Bowe (fiddle/viola), Robert Harvey (flute), and Róisín Nic Athlaoich (viola); alongside special guests Martin O’Connell (button accordion), Ruadhan Redmond (uilleann pipes), and Mary Barnecutt (cello). The performance includes the soulful sean-nós song Eileanóir a Rún, the opening track of Síle Denvir’s critically acclaimed album Anamnesis, and Francis Ward’s The Flight of the Wild Geese, the fourth and final movement from the poetico-musical suite, Cuimhnigh ar Sarsfield: The Wild Geese Suite, arranged for traditional instruments and string quartet. The programme also showcases lively contemporary dance tunes by master composers Paddy O’Brien and Charlie Lennon, blending tradition and innovation in a celebration of Ireland’s musical heritage. IIMS Ensemble: Afro-Irish Soundscape Performance Explore the vibrant fusion of Afro-Irish instrumental music, where rich traditions from Africa and Ireland come together in a dynamic cultural dialogue. This collaboration highlights unique rhythms, melodies, and instruments, creating a captivating soundscape that celebrates diversity and shared heritage. Discover how contemporary artists from the Irish Institute of Music and Song, Balbriggan blend their backgrounds, fostering connection and creativity while showcasing the beauty of their intertwined histories. Join Dr. John Nutekpor (percussion), Nial Preston (bodhran) and Ciara Dunbar (violin) on a journey through this inspiring musical landscape, where every note tells a story of unity and cultural exchange. Sruthi Ravali: Indian Classical Music Sruthi Ravali is an accomplished singer, violinist, composer and educator. Driven by aesthetics and bhaava (emotion), her music is an expression of artistic sensibilities which strike a chord with listeners beyond the barriers of language and culture. Her forward-thinking outlook and collaborative approach in music establishes her as a virtuoso in various genres. ICTMD Ireland is grateful to the Ireland India Institute at DCU for hosting Sruthi's participation in this concert. Rodrigo Almonte Andean Jazz Ensemble Rodrigo Almonte’s Andean Jazz ensemble is a project that delves into the rich musical traditions of the Peruvian Andes, exploring compositions that have withstood the passage of time and continue to shape Andean cultural identity. This trio blends traditional Andean music with contemporary improvisation, reimagining ancient melodies through the lens of a modern jazz ensemble. The repertoire includes pieces discovered during Almonte’s ethnographic fieldwork in the Andes, as well as original compositions inspired by the region’s deep musical heritage. This ensemble captures the essence of Andean rhythms, timbres, and storytelling, bridging past and present through an innovative musical dialogue. Line up includes Rodrigo Almonte (guitar), Aidan Gray (acoustic double bass) and Dr. Matthew Jacobson (drums).
	Piano performance with LGBTQ+ traditional Irish music and dance ensemble Trad is Amach. Excerpt from TradFest website below: We are delighted to welcome back Trad is Amach to host the Dublin Pride Trad Géilí at TradFest 2025. The Géilí will be a celebration of LGBTQ+ artists in Irish traditional music and dance, and a great chance to join in some Irish céilí dances. The Pride Géilí is an integral part of the Dublin pride festival annual celebrations. Many members of the LGBTQ+ Trad is Amach community, and their allies, have played and danced at the annual Dublin Pride Céilí or “Géilí” for over 20 years. Trad is Amach is a community of LGBTQ+ trad musicians, singers, dancers and followers. The group organise music sessions, céilithe, concerts and gatherings to foster an inclusive trad community and celebrate LGBTQ+ artists in Irish traditional music and dance. This is an inclusive event and everyone is welcome for a night of great music, dancing and craic. https://buttonfactory.ie/shows/2025/1/23/tradfest-2025-dublin-pride-trad-gil
	For this event, I gathered a group of Irish dancers from the BEd (primary) cohorts, and choreographed an ensemble piece to celebrate DCU Incorporation. This was performed in The Helix, Nov 216. The music was performed by DCU Trad Soc, and their programme featured some of my musical compositions. https://x.com/SchoolAEM/status/801176166040145920
	Two concerts of Irish traditional music, song, and dance, as part of DCU St Patrick's Campus Culture Night Celebrations. featuring Francis Ward (piano) https://www.dcu.ie/artseducationmovement/news/2017/09/culture-night
	I accompanied (piano) our BEd primary music education students, along with the choir from the local St Patrick's BNS, as they performed a selection of music at the Christmas Carol Service on DCU St Patrick's Campus.
	From Dublin Pride https://dublinpride.ie/event/dublin-pride-geili/ - We are delighted to welcome back Trad is Amach to host the Dublin Pride Trad Géilí at TradFest 2025. The Géilí will be a celebration of LGBTQ+ artists in Irish traditional music and dance, and a great chance to join in some Irish céilí dances. The Pride Géilí is an integral part of the Dublin pride festival annual celebrations. Many members of the LGBTQ+ Trad is Amach community, and their allies, have played and danced at the annual Dublin Pride Céilí or “Géilí” for over 20 years. Trad is Amach is a community of LGBTQ+ trad musicians, singers, dancers and followers. The group organise music sessions, céilithe, concerts and gatherings to foster an inclusive trad community and celebrate LGBTQ+ artists in Irish traditional music and dance. This is an inclusive event and everyone is welcome for a night of great music, dancing and craic. https://buttonfactory.ie/shows/2024/1/25/tradfest-dublin-pride-trad-gil
	From https://dcuedtrust.ie/2019/08/01/anam-a-unique-north-dublin-cultural-festival/ - DCU opened its doors for the second ANAM festival in April 2019. Billed as a ‘Celebration of Arts, Ideas and Creativity in North Dublin,’ the event programme was curated and produced by Philip King’s South Wind Blows team, creators of the popular Other Voices television show and festival. Supported by Fingal County Council, Dublin City Council, IMRO and Neogen, ANAM 2019 boasted an impressive line-up of leading artists and musicians performing alongside DCU staff, students and people from surrounding communities. It included concerts, readings, films, masterclasses and discussions, with events taking place across DCU’s Glasnevin, Drumcondra and All Hallows campuses. Highlights from the two-day event in 2019 included The Heart of the Rowl which took place in the atmospheric All Hallows Chapel. Guests were treated to an extraordinary roster of musical talent and the line-up included David Keenan, Landless, Cormac Begley and Libby McCrohan, Gay McKeon and Amy Campbell, Anna-Mieke, Dermot and Danny Diamond, Francis Ward and DCU Trad Society. Some video footage of concert here: https://x.com/DCU/status/1113523535165698048 https://www.dcu.ie/president/presidents-news - April ezine 2019
	I accompanied (piano) our BEd primary music education students, along with the choir from the local St Patrick's BNS, as they performed a selection of music at the Christmas Carol Service on DCU St Patrick's Campus.
	I performed (piano) with DCU colleague Síle Denver (vocals) at the Brian Ruane Memorial Service (DCU SPD).

Creative Outputs

Year	Title	Type
2025	Piano Accompaniment at Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne (World Irish Dance Championships)	Exhibition
2025	Performance of 'The Flight of the Wild Geese' from Cuimhnigh ar Sarsfield: The Wild Geese Suite	Exhibition
2025	'Celebrating Traditions of Music' - ICTMD Ireland 20th Anniversary Concert	Exhibition
2025	Piano Accompaniment at Oireachtas Rince na hÉireann (All Ireland Irish Dance Championships)	Exhibition
2025	TempleBar TradFest Dublin Pride Géili	Exhibition
2024	'Pride of Dublin' Ceili Band Performance - Mother Cultúr Club	Exhibition
2024	TempleBar Trad Fest Dublin Pride Géilí	Exhibition
2023	'Pride of Dublin' Ceili Band Performance - Dublin Pride Festival	Exhibition
2022	Original Music & Dance Choreography performed by Planxty O'Rourke at 'Nuits Interceltiques' as part of Festival Interceltique de Lorient	Exhibition
2021	Cuimhnigh ar Sarsfield: The Wild Geese Suite	Recording
2021	Cuimhnigh ar Sarsfield: The Wild Geese Suite	Composition
2021	Cuimhnigh ar Sarsfield: The Wild Geese Suite [live performance]	Exhibition
2020	Scoil Uí Ruairc Christmas Showcase 2020 - dance choreography & video editing	Recording
2020	Fleadh Cheoil 2020 (Red Shoe Productions; broadcast on RTÉ One)	Documentary
2019	DCU SPD Christmas Carol Service - performance with DCU students & local school children	Exhibition
2019	Waiting in the Long Grass (music album) - guest musician	Recording
2019	DCU Anam Festival - 'Heart of the Rowl' concert - Performance with DCU Trad Soc	Exhibition
2018	DCU SPD Christmas Carol Service - performance with DCU students & local school children	Exhibition
2017	DCU Culture Night Concert of Music & Dance - musical performance	Exhibition
2016	DCU Incorporation Celebration Concert - Irish dance choreography, music composition	Exhibition
2012	All in a Day's Play (music album) - guest musician	Recording
2011	The Vanishing Lake [musical composition] - winner of the Marie Foundation Award in Musical Composition for Irish Dance	Composition
2005	Anything Strange? (music album) - guest musician.	Recording

Enterprise Engagement

Year	Engagement Type	Client	Description
2024	Continuous Professional Development/Training	CeoLingua - CLIL music/French teaching resource for primary school - Primary School Teachers	Providing training to eight schools, 16 teachers in total, on the CeoLingua CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) resource, of which I am co-principal investigator, and and musical and creative lead. The project introduces primary school children to French with music over a six week period. The project received funding from the Teaching Council Research Support Framework Awards.
2022	Consultancy	External Examine, Doctoral Studies Review Panel, Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford	Doctoral Studies Review Panel (Music Education)
2022	Invited talk/presentation	University of Hartford - music/dance workshops	Workshops in music and dance for Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford.
2022	Invited talk/presentation	Central Connecticut State University - invited lecture and workshops	Invited lecture on Teaching Irish Music, as well as practical workshops, at Central Connecticut State University
2019	Continuous Professional Development/Training	Ceol na Coille - Composing in the Primary Classroom (DES approved summer course)	I co-designed an approved DES summer course on 'Composing in the Primary School', which ran at Ceol na Coille Summer School, Letterkenny in 2019. It attracted a broad cross-section of primary teachers, some with significant musical experience, but all who were very inexperienced and ensure about how the facilitate composing in the primary classroom. It presents highly scaffolded guidance on how to facilitate moving from how to move from sound-sound-effect-music through expressive and imaginative use of vocal, body and instrumental sounds; story-based approaches to composing; structured music composing focusing on musical features such as limited rhythm and pitch palettes, roll-by-dice ’chance’ composing, etc.; and simple approaches to chant and song writing for primary schools. The course was well received and was fully subscribed.
2018	Invited talk/presentation	We Love Languages French Teachers' Conference	Invited Keynote: 'Action Orientated Language Learning: The Use of Performative Practices and Spaces in the Development of Creative Pedagogies for Learners of French'. Attended by over 200 secondary French teachers. Interactive keynote, demonstrating how music and the arts can be used to enhance learning of modern foreign languages.
2018	Other	Welcome Céilí & Lecture for Erasmus+ Delegation from Estonia	Welcome Céilí & Lecture for Erasmus+ Delegation from Estonia

Outreach Activities

Year	Engagement Type	Organisation	Description
2025	Educational Outreach/Public Engagement	Planxty O'Rourke	Planxty O Rourke is the performing group of Scoil Uí Ruairc (The O'Rourke School of Irish Dance), which was established in 1929. I have been teaching music and dance with the school for over twenty years, and I am principally responsible for creative outputs such as musical composition and arrangement, and dance choreography. The school has a long history of serving underprivileged children in the Munster area, providing access to music and dance instruction, and performance opportunities at home and abroad. For several years now (2015, 2016, 2022, 2023, and again now in 2025), we sought and were successful in gaining funding to bring a group of 30 young Irish dancers, singers and musicians to Lorient to represent Ireland at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient. In the weeks before the event, we develop new musical arrangements and dance choreography especially for the 'Nuit Magique' concerts which take place in Stade de Moustoir, to an audience of over 12,000 people. The school also performs more locally at parades, in nursing homes, charity events, and fundraisers.
2024	Community-based learning	Visiting 'Culture Bearer' Musician/Teacher Solomon Gwerevende	As module coordinator for Multicultural Music Education, part of the BEd Primary: Socially Inclusive Music Education specialism, I invited musician, dancer and teacher Solomon Gwerevende—originally from Zimbabwe and now based in Ireland, where he is completing his doctoral studies at DCU—to visit DCU St Patrick’s Campus and share his musical and pedagogical expertise. His session focused on the traditional music and dance practices of Zimbabwe, and their place within school music curricula. As a culture bearer, Solomon offered students a rich, first-hand insight into the practice, context, and transmission of this musical heritage, deepening their understanding of culturally responsive and inclusive approaches to music education.
2023	Community-based learning	Visiting 'Culture Bearer' Musician/Teacher Khalile Vial	As module coordinator for Multicultural Music Education, part of the BEd Primary: Socially Inclusive Music Education specialism, I invited percussionist and music educator Khalile Vial—originally from Mauritius and now based in Crumlin, where he teaches music as an external tutor across several primary schools—to visit DCU St Patrick’s Campus and share his musical and pedagogical expertise. His session focused on the vibrant Sega music tradition of Mauritius. As a culture bearer, Khalile offered students a rich, first-hand insight into the practice, context, and transmission of this musical heritage, deepening their understanding of culturally responsive and inclusive approaches to music education.
2022	Community-based learning	Visiting 'Culture Bearer' Musician/Teacher Khalile Vial	As module coordinator for Multicultural Music Education, part of the BEd Primary: Socially Inclusive Music Education specialism, I invited percussionist and music educator Khalile Vial—originally from Mauritius and now based in Crumlin, where he teaches music as an external tutor across several primary schools—to visit DCU St Patrick’s Campus and share his musical and pedagogical expertise. His session focused on the vibrant Sega music tradition of Mauritius. As a culture bearer, Khalile offered students a rich, first-hand insight into the practice, context, and transmission of this musical heritage, deepening their understanding of culturally responsive and inclusive approaches to music education.
2021	Presentations/Talks to an external audience	From Dublin to Seattle: My Fulbright Experience - sharing with DCU community and general public	Fulbright Scholar Evening at the Institute of Education. From Dublin to Seattle: My Fulbright Experience Dr. Francis Ward is a music educator and ethnomusicologist who in 2020 was the recipient of a Fulbright Scholar Award and spent a semester at the School of Music at the University of Washington in Seattle. The Fulbright Program, established in Ireland in 1957, is a prestigious exchange programme and offers critical opportunities for cultural exchange, and Francis will share his experiences of teaching, research and engaging with life in the USA as a visiting scholar. These diverse experiences include delivering a module on pedagogy and creativity in diverse musical cultures, teaching music and dance in an elementary public school, developing resources for the teaching of music through CLIL at primary level in Ireland, documenting the emergence of virtual orality in the online transmission of Irish traditional music, and living in the USA through the Covid19 crisis and the Black Lives Matter social movement. The presentation will be of interest to researchers and practitioners of education, the arts and beyond, as well as to Fulbright alumni and applicants.
2020	DCU in the Community	Laurelhurst Elementary School - teaching music/dance	Teaching music and dance to the pupils of Laurelhurst Elementary School, Seattle, WA, USA.
2018	Community-based learning	Sing & Move! - music workshops by children as part of DCU Culture Night celebrations - School of Arts Education and Movement	I was part of the music education team who delivered the below workshops as part of DCU Culture Night celebrations. Sing & Move! Two music workshops for children (aged 4-7) and their guardians were hosted by the School of Arts Education & Movement, Music on Culture Night 21st September 2018. see: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/culture-night-at-dcu-st-patricks-campus-sing-move-for-4-7yr-olds-guardians-tickets-50267503456?aff=ebdssbdestsearch# https://www.dcu.ie/arts_education_movement/news/2018/Sep/Culture-Night.shtml

Media

Title	Year	Type	Authors
'The Flight of the Wild Geese' (live performance) at ICTMD Ireland 2025 concert	2025	Documentary	Ward, F.
'DCU Faculty and Friends: Irish Traditional Music' performance at ICTMD Ireland 20th Anniversary Concert: Celebrating Traditions of Music	2025	Documentary	Ward, F.; Denver, D.; Bowe, M.L.;, Harvey, R.; O'Connell, M.; Nic Athlaoich, R.; Barnecutt, M.
Radio Rince: Interview with Francis Ward ADCRG	2022	Podcast	Tew, Richard
Fleadh Cheoil 2020 (Red Shoe Productions; broadcast on RTÉ One)	2020	Television interview/panel discussion	Ward, Francis; Healy, Ernestine; Morissey, Brian.
World of dance: 'You have to get noticed'	2012	Newspaper article (online)	ROSITA BOLAND
DITTE FROMSEIER MORTENSEN Anything Strange? Millstream Records	2005	Newspaper column (online)	Siobhan Long

Research Interests

Initial Teacher Education
Music in the Primary School
Online and Blended Learning, Teacher Identity
Virtual Pedagogies
Informal and Non-Formal Music/Dance Transmission
Creativity, Embodiment in Irish traditional music and dance
The Representation of Oral Traditions on the Internet
The relationship between music/dance, teacher/practitioner/student, composer/choreographer
Evolving Dance Education in Ireland
The Use of Music in Action-Orientated Language Learning

Research Projects

Title	Role	Description	Start date	End date
GenAI as an Assessment Co-Pilot in Higher Education	PI		01/09/2024	24/03/2025
CeoLingua: The Use of Music in Action-Orientated Language Learning	DCU PI	A CLIL resource designed for teaching French and music to primary school children. Funded under Teaching Council’s John Coolahan Research Support Framework.	18/01/2018	24/03/2025
Evaluation of Creative Schools 2019-22	Academic Collaborator		01/01/2019	31/12/2022
Processes of Transmission in Irish Traditional Music: Approaching a Virtual Orality	PI		20/09/2010	01/06/2016

Current Postgraduate Students

	Student Name	Degree	Supervision
	Coady ,Richard	PhD	Supervisor

Teaching Interests

Research Methods (PMEP Self-Study)
Music Education / Curriculum Music (BEd and PMEP)
Arts, Creativity, Imagination in Education (Ed D Social Movements 2 Strand 1 ACIE)
BEd Music Ed Minor Specialism
BEd Music Ed Major Specialism - Socially Inclusive Music Education (SIME)
PME Music Education Specialism
MEd Teacher Identity
Irish Traditional Music and Dance Studies
Ethnomusicology (World Music Survey, Music of Non-Western World)
Psychology of Music Education and Applied Music Curriculum Studies
Popular Music and Dance Studies
Histories of Western Art Music and Dance
Dance Education
Ethnochoreology
Music and Human Behaviour

Practical teaching including Keyboard Skills, Ear, Notation and Theory classes, piano, dance, music and dance ensembles.

Modules Coordinated

Term	Title	Subject
2024	PMEP Research Project	ED8057 / EDP1105
2024		ED8036
2024		ED8057
2023		ED8037
2020	Visual Arts & Music Education	ED2020
2022	Socially Inclusive Music Education	AP406
2022	Innovative Tech. as Enabling Literacy	AP211
2022	Visual Arts and Music Education	ED1014
2022	Fostering Musical Creativity in SIME II	AP307
2021	Socially Inclusive Music Ed. Diversity & SEN	AP310
2021	Music Ed as Participatory/Democratic Practice	ED8052