Cillian Brennan

Dr

Contact Details


S105
T:+353 (0)1 700 7908

E:cillian.brennan@dcu.ie
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Dr Cillian Brennan is an Assistant Professor in Physical Education in the School of Arts Education and Movement at DCU Institute of Education. His research interests include teacher socialisation, physical education teacher education, continuous professional development, physical education leadership, and meaningful physical education. Cillian is a graduate of Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, where he completed his undergraduate degree (B Ed with a specialism in PE) and his PhD. This doctoral work investigated the socialisation of PE specialism graduates (PESGs) as generalist teachers with expertise in PE. Teacher development was examined from a variety of perspectives, including PESGs’ self-efficacy to teach PE; the influence of PESGs’ prior experiences on their understanding of quality PE; the organisational socialisation of PESGs through a micropolitical lens; and the influence of an online community of practice on PESGs’ development as teachers and leaders of PE.

Prior to joining DCU, Cillian worked as a primary school teacher in Clare and contributed to teacher education and early childhood programmes at Mary Immaculate College and the University of Limerick. Having worked closely with primary school teachers, Cillian's teaching interests are centred upon preparing student teachers to apply their skills within their complex teaching landscapes.


Peer Reviewed Journal

Year Publication
2023 Cillian Brennan; Elaine Murtagh; Richard Bowles (2023) 'Turning over a new leaf: PE specialism graduates’ understanding of ‘quality PE’'. Irish Educational Studies, . [Link] [DOI]
2023 Cillian Brennan; Richard Bowles; Elaine Murtagh (2023) 'The best of both worlds? The impact of the initial teacher education physical education specialism programme on generalist teachers’ self-efficacy, beliefs, and practices'. Education 3-13, . [Link] [DOI]
Certain data included herein are derived from the © Web of Science (2023) of Clarivate. All rights reserved.

Professional Associations

Association Function From / To
International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education Member 01/06/2021 -
British Education Research Association Member 01/04/2021 -
International Society for Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise Member 01/04/2021 -
Educational Studies Association of Ireland Member 01/03/2021 -
Irish Primary PE Association Member 01/01/2018 -

Enterprise Engagement

Year Engagement Type Client Description
2021 Consultancy Student Sport Ireland Commissioned to compile an evidenced based position statement, outlining the value of third level sport and physical activity, calling the university sector to increase engagement in sport and physical activity for all students.
2021 Continuous Professional Development/Training The Meaningful Movement Project As a member of the PE team at Mary Immaculate College, contributed to this CPD project in collaboration with the Clare Education Centre, supporting teachers in their implementation of meaningful PE strategies in primary schools.
2022 Invited talk/presentation Meaningful Movement Project: Competition in PE Webinar Invited to speak to primary school pupils about adopting a balanced approach to competition in PE.

Research Interests

Teacher socialisation in physical education.
Physical education teacher education.
School culture and physical education leadership in Irish primary schools.
Continuous professional development in physical education, particularly through online communities of practice.
Facilitating meaningful experiences in primary physical education and youth sport.

External Collaborators

Type Name Company Role
External Prof Elaine Murtagh University of Limerick Academic
External Dr Richard Bowles Mary Immaculate College Academic

Teaching Interests

Cillian has contributed to teacher education and early childhood programmes at Mary Immaculate College and the University of Limerick, as a lecturer, departmental assistant and tutor.

  • Social, Personal, Health and Physical Education 1 (MIC, BEd)
  • Social, Personal, Health and Physical Education 2 (MIC, BEd)
  • Child Health and Wellbeing (MIC, BA in Early Childhood Care & Education)
  • Guest lecturer on M. Ed in Leadership of Wellbeing in Education (MIC)
  • Tutor for 'Inclusive Education 1: Contemporary Perspectives' (UL, BEd)

His teaching interests include:

  • Developing self-efficacy to teach PE among student teachers.
  • Challenging student teachers' understanding of PE to develop a more holistic, inclusive understanding of PE.
  • Supporting student teachers to implement meaningful PE within primary schools.
  • Preparing student teachers to negotiate the challenges they will face in the complex landscape of primary schools.