Biography
Dr Mary Masterson is a Lecturer in Education at the School of Education, University of Limerick, Ireland. She is working primarily in the field of initial and continuing teacher education, policy, and practice. She designs and contributes to a number of education studies modules to undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Limerick (e.g., History, Policy & Contemporary Issues; Curriculum & Policy Studies; Responding to Diversity). She supervises postgraduate students on research projects mainly in the areas of teacher well-being, inclusive education & global citizenship education. She supervises a number of research students and works with student teachers on school placement.She is a national ambassador for the eTwinning European Schools Partnerships programme in Ireland that aim to develop European awareness through international collaboration and exchanges.
She obtained her PhD from the University of Kassel, Germany (magna cum laude), her Masters from the University College Dublin, her teacher qualification and undergraduate degree (German, History) from University College Galway, Ireland (now known as National University of Ireland, Galway). She has also qualifications in Gaeilge (CTG - Ceard Teastas Gaeilge, written & oral); Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL); Communication Studies (CCS); European Drivers License in Information & Communication Technology, ECDL - international digital literacy qualification). She is multilingual
(English, Gaeilge, German, French). She has a number of qualifications in language studies, linguistics & literature studies from Cologne University, Germany, Bochum University, Germany, Goethe Institute, Germany, Kassel University, Germany.
Before becoming a lecturer in Education, she was a employed as a post-primary teacher of German, History and Information and Communication Technology. She held a post of responsibility and was responsible for the placement of foreign language assistants within the school. She was coordinator of an EU iinternational school placement initiative. She mentored student teachers in the school. She has taught English as a Second Language in Ireland and internationally. For many years, she has been an examiner with the State Examinations Commission (SEC) in Ireland. She has been active in her Subject Associations and was a regional leader for the German Teachers' Association (GDI). She has led European Awareness Raising Initiatives and has coordinated European exchange programmes.
She has been an external examiner for teacher education programmes at the National University of Ireland, Galway. Her role as a national ambassador for the eTwinning schools partnership programme focuses on delivering professional development workshops on blended learning and promotes cross-cultural exchanges and projects. She has a long professional association with the Faculty of Humanities, Foreign Language Research & Intercultural Communication. University of Kassel, Germany where she has been an invited guest speaker on several occasions, and has collaborated with colleagues on international research projects.
Research Interests
Dr Mary Masterson's research ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2483-4440;
https://www.drmarymasterson.com/
She has conducted a number of empirical qualitative studies with a focus on diversity in Irish schools in collaboration with her colleagues at the School of Education, University of Limerick, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, and with a number of international partners (Germany, Norway, Denmark, South Africa). Her research interest lies in the areas of teacher well-being, inclusive education, teaching and learning in online environments, blended learning approaches to education. Her work has been published in national and international peer reviewed education journals and she has given numerous presentations in many countries to peers and to practitioners alike. She is committed to teacher as researcher partnerships and supports the professional development of teachers through university-school partnerships. Her work is visible internationally and has attracted citations and the invitations to join international research networks demonstrates a growing interest in her work.
Her research interest in Linguistic & Cultural Diversity connects with Ireland's Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017-2026 (Languages Connect) which seeks to enhance the quality of teaching and learning and ensuring a supply of skilled teachers and educators of foreign languages in schools and in the higher education sector. For recent research in this area, see Masterson, M (2017). Perception of the Self and Other and the Role of Language: An Exploratory Qualitative Study (Peter Lang); Masterson, M. (2018). Self-Discovery Through the Experiential Co-Construction of Life-Stories in the Foreign Language Classroom, Journal of Experiential Education (ISI, Q1, 2018); Parker-Jenkins, M. & Masterson, M. (2013) No longer 'Catholic, White and Gaelic': schools in Ireland coming to terms with cultural diversity, Irish Educational Studies. (ISI, Q 4).
The area of Teacher Well-being is another area of research. This has been prompted by the successful conclusion of a joint application to the EU for a project entitled Teacher Well-being and Diversity: Managing language and social diversity in classrooms (Erasmus+ 2016-1-NO01-KA201-022081). The NCCA (2017) evidenced the significance of such research stating that: Wellbeing in school starts with the staff. They are in the front line of the work and it is hard for them to be genuinely motivated to promote emotional and social wellbeing of others if they feel uncared for and burnt-out themselves'. She ahs contributed to a chapter in a co-edited volume, from this project, with Springer on International Perspectives on Teacher Well-being Insights from Diverse Classroom Teaching Contexts (Murphy and Mannix-McNamara, Spring 2021). She was the leader for the University of Limerick contribution to the Teacher Well-being Handbook (2020) for schools across the three sectors (early school years, primary school, post-primary) in conjunction with colleagues in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. This well-being manual is used as a resource for schools by both the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) and by the Limerick & Clare Education Training Board.
In addition, currently she is conducting a research project on: Teacher Learning Communities and Teacher Reflexivity. This study explores the development of teacher reflexivity via Teacher Learning Communities with a view to enhancing teachers' practice.
She is also interested in the area of digital supported teaching and learning and is conducting research on the development and implementation of digitally enhanced teaching and learning. She is collaborating with a colleague in the School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences on a project exploring Teaching & Learning in Online Environments.
Recent research activities focus on exploring new technologies' initiatives for developing pedagogies that support more active participatory and reflective approaches. This work is timely considering the recent emergency move to remote teaching. These research activities connect with the new Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 (DES). Additionally, I have collaborated on a number of international intercultural online projects with a research team at Kassel University, Germany and have recently joined the international research network 'ANGEL' (Academic Network on Global Education and Learning) in order to make links with other researchers working in the area.
Teaching Interests
Dr Mary Masterson contributes to a number of modules to undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Limerick: History, Policy and Contemporary Issues in Education; Curriculum & Policy Studies; Responding to Diversity. She supervises postgraduate students on research projects mainly in the area of teacher well-being.
Her teaching philosophy is based on developing students' critical thinking skills and independence of mind (Biesta, 2019). She prioritises the development of student teachers' capacity for critical reflection. I encourage students to question their taken for granted assumptions and beliefs about teaching and learning (OECD, 2020).
She has designed, co-ordinated and delivered a variety of teacher education programmers in the School of Education. She has led accreditation of the languages programmes for the School of Education. She has also engaged with external examiners for the languages teacher education programmes.
Professional Activities
Award
- 2019 - John Coolahan Research Support Award
- 2012 - DAAD Postgraduate International Award, Kassel University, Germany
- 2007 - eTwinning award for teachers with excellent eTwinning projects
- 2002 - Cross-Border Studies National Prize, The Louvain Institute for Ireland, Belgium
- 2000 - Intercultural Studies Prize, Goethe Institut Dublin/Munich
- 1998 - Research Scholarship, University of Kassel, Germany
- 1994 - Gold Medal
- 1992 - Scholarship for undergraduate studies, Bochum, Germany
Research Collaborators
- - Sabbatical - University of Kassel -Germany
Publications
Books
Masterson, M. (2017). Perception of the Self and Other and the Role of Language: An Exploratory Qualitative Study.
Masterson
(2017)
Masterson, M. (2017). Perception of the Self and Other and the Role of Language: An Exploratory Qualitative Study.
Frankfurt am Main :
Peter Lang.
Book Chapters
No Longer Enough to Know Things: Moving Beyond Current Classroom Practice in Global Citizenship Education
Masterson, M.
(2022)
No Longer Enough to Know Things: Moving Beyond Current Classroom Practice in Global Citizenship Education
In Redirecting the Flow of Knowledge: From the Individual to the Local to the National to the International Perspective' ;
Claudia Finkbeiner & Rahat Zaidi, Zaline Roy-Campbell & Desiree Pallais, Chinwe Ikpeze & Bettina Buch(Ed.)
Germany :
International Research on Literacy Teaching and Teacher Education
'Perspectives on Teacher Pedagogical Well-being at an urban DEIS second level school in Irelan
Murphy, T., Mannix McNamara, P., Slattery, G., Masterson, M., O'Sullivan, M., and Corry
(2021)
'Perspectives on Teacher Pedagogical Well-being at an urban DEIS second level school in Irelan
In International Perspectives on Teacher Well-being and Diversity: Portals into Innovative Classroom Practice;
Murphy, T., and Mannix McNamara, P(Ed.)
Mew York :
Springer
Peer Reviewed Journals
Teachers' Pedagogical Work and Well-being: Perspectives from the Practitioners
Murphy, T., Masterson, M., Mannix McNamara, P., Tally, P. & McLaughlin, E.
(2021)
Teachers' Pedagogical Work and Well-being: Perspectives from the Practitioners
In Teachers And Teaching;
Taylor and Francis Published online: 12 Apr 2021 :
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13540602.2021.1913403
An exploration of the potential role of digital technologies for promoting learning in foreign language classrooms: Lessons for a pandemic
Masterson M.
(2020)
An exploration of the potential role of digital technologies for promoting learning in foreign language classrooms: Lessons for a pandemic
In International Journal Of Emerging Technologies In Learning;
DOI: 10.3991/ijet.v15i14.13297
Self-Discovery Through the Experiential Co-Construction of Life Stories in the Foreign Language Classroom
Masterson, M
(2018)
Self-Discovery Through the Experiential Co-Construction of Life Stories in the Foreign Language Classroom
In Journal Of Experiential Education;
THOUSAND OAKS :
SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
DOI: 10.1177/1053825918785396
No longer 'Catholic, White and Gaelic': schools in Ireland coming to terms with cultural diversity
Parker-Jenkins, M,Masterson, M
(2013)
No longer 'Catholic, White and Gaelic': schools in Ireland coming to terms with cultural diversity
In Irish Educational Studies;
DOI: 10.1080/03323315.2013.851438
Other Journals
Interkulturelles Lernen im Deutschunterricht: Einführung des ABC Modells für kulturelles Verständnis und Kommunikation (Intercultural Education in the German Language Classroom: Introducing the ABC....
Masterson, M.
(2002)
Interkulturelles Lernen im Deutschunterricht: Einführung des ABC Modells für kulturelles Verständnis und Kommunikation (Intercultural Education in the German Language Classroom: Introducing the ABC....
In GDI Bulletin (German Teachers' Association Publication);
German Teachers' Association of Ireland(Ed.)
Dublin :
GDI
Applications of Language Learning Strategies in the Classroom
Masterson, M.
(2001)
Applications of Language Learning Strategies in the Classroom
In GDI Bulletin (German Teachers' Association Publication);
German Teachers' Association of Ireland(Ed.)
Dublin :
GDI
Conference Publications
Association for Teacher Education in Europe (ATEE). Dubrovnik: Croatia, October 23-25.
Murphy, T., Mannix-McNamara, P., Masterson, M., O'Sullivan, M., and O'Brien, E
(2017)
Association for Teacher Education in Europe (ATEE). Dubrovnik: Croatia, October 23-25.
Teacher Education Policy in Europe (TEPE). Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, May 19-20.
Murphy, T., Mannix McNamara, P., Masterson, M., Tally, P. and McLaughlin, E.
(2017)
Teacher Education Policy in Europe (TEPE). Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, May 19-20.
Educational Association of Ireland Annual Conference
Masterson, M.
(2016)
Educational Association of Ireland Annual Conference
National University of Ireland, Galway
DAAD Alumni Conference
Masterson, M.
(2012)
DAAD Alumni Conference
University of Kassel, Germany
Practice Conference
Tindall, D. & Masterson, M.
(2011)
Practice Conference
University of Limerick
Association for Language Awareness
Masterson, M
(2010)
Association for Language Awareness
Univeristy of Kassel, Germany
Responding to Cultural Diversity in Ireland: Issues, Dilemmas and Challenges
Parker-Jenkins, M. & Masterson, M.
(2010)
Responding to Cultural Diversity in Ireland: Issues, Dilemmas and Challenges
Educational Association of Ireland Annual Conference
Masterson, M.
(2009)
Educational Association of Ireland Annual Conference
Kilkenny
Educational Association of Ireland Annual Conference
Parker-Jenkins, M. & Masterson, M
(2009)
Educational Association of Ireland Annual Conference
Kilkenny
British Educational Research Association Conference
Parker-Jenkins, M. & Masterson, M.
(2009)
British Educational Research Association Conference
The Irish Association for Applied Linguistics
Masterson, M.
(2009)
The Irish Association for Applied Linguistics
Limerick
Educational Studies Association of Ireland Annual Conference
Masterson< M.
(2008)
Educational Studies Association of Ireland Annual Conference
Galway
Conference Contributions
UL School of Education Research Symposium: Landscapes of Learning
Murphy, T., Mannix McNamara, P., Masterson, M., Slattery, G., Corry, J., and O'Sullivan, M.
(2020)
UL School of Education Research Symposium: Landscapes of Learning
University of Limerick
Teacher Well-being and Diversity Conference
Masterson , M., Murphy., Mannix-McNamara, P., Slattery, G., O'Sullivan, M. and Corry, J.
(2019)
Teacher Well-being and Diversity Conference
University College Copenhagen, Denmark
FÉILTE 2018: Life-long learning: Making a difference!
Murphy T. Mannix McNamara, P., Masterson, M., O'Sullivan, M., and Corry, J.
(2018)
FÉILTE 2018: Life-long learning: Making a difference!
Mary Immaculate College, Limerick
Teacher Well-being and Diversity Conference
Murphy T. Mannix McNamara, P., Masterson, M., O'Sullivan, M., and Corry, J.
(2018)
Teacher Well-being and Diversity Conference
University of Limerick
Teacher Education Policy in Europe (TEPE) Annual Conference
Murphy, T., Mannix McNamara, P., Masterson, M., Tally, P. and McLaughlin, E.
(2017)
Teacher Education Policy in Europe (TEPE) Annual Conference
Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Ireland
Teacher Education Policy in Europe (TEPE) Annual Conference
Murphy, T., Mannix McNamara, P., Masterson, M., Tally, P., and McLaughlin, E. (
(2017)
Teacher Education Policy in Europe (TEPE) Annual Conference
Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Ireland
Published Reports
Teachers' Pedagogical Work and Well-being Research Report. Seed Funded SCoTENS Research Project, University of Limerick/Queens University Belfast.
Murphy, T., Masterson, M., Mannix McNamara, P., Tally, P. & McLaughlin, E.
(2019)
Teachers' Pedagogical Work and Well-being Research Report. Seed Funded SCoTENS Research Project, University of Limerick/Queens University Belfast.
SCoTENS(Ed.)
Armagh, Northern Ireland :
SCoTENS (Cross-border studies in Teacher Education )
Articles
Self-Discovery Through the Experiential Co-Construction of Life Stories in the Foreign Language Classroom
Masterson M.
(2018)
Self-Discovery Through the Experiential Co-Construction of Life Stories in the Foreign Language Classroom
DOI: 10.1177/1053825918785396
Book Reviews
The changing faces of Ireland: exploring the lives of immigrant and ethnic minority children
Masterson, M
(2012)
The changing faces of Ireland: exploring the lives of immigrant and ethnic minority children
In Irish Educational Studies;
DOI: DOI 10.1080/03323315.2011.650020
Educational Articles
Interkulturelles Lernen im Deutschunterricht: Einführung des ABC Modells für kulturelles Verständnis und Kommunikation' (Intercultural Education in the German Language Classroom: Introducing the AB....
Masterson, M.
(2002)
Interkulturelles Lernen im Deutschunterricht: Einführung des ABC Modells für kulturelles Verständnis und Kommunikation' (Intercultural Education in the German Language Classroom: Introducing the AB....
Dublin :
Applications of Language Learning Strategies in the Classroom
Masterson, M.
(2001)
Applications of Language Learning Strategies in the Classroom
Dublin :
