Irish Doctoral Education Academy

(L-R) Kate Acton, Hannah Callaghan, Diane Cashman, Robin Farrell.

To support the veterinary educational research activities of PhD students in UCD, a group attended the annual Irish Doctoral Educational Academy (IDEA) meeting on the 23rd of January 2024. Hosted by the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, IDEA provides a forum for health professional education student researchers and their supervisors to network and for scholars to offer advice.

PhD and Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree students from around Ireland gave presentations about their educational research. (opens in a new window)Professor Marco Antonio de Carvalho-Filho of Research in Health Profession Education at the University Medical Center, Groningen, the Netherlands gave an engaging keynote presentation on the uncertainties of becoming a researcher.

Currently three students are completing part-time PhD research projects in the School of Veterinary Medicine while several others are about to commence their PhD journey:

Diane Cashman: The design and implementation of a dialogic teaching strategy to support veterinary students self-regulated learning on Clinical Extra-Mural Studies.

Niamh O'Donoghue: Development of a medication safety framework for the veterinary practice team using a human factors approach.

Kate Acton: Use of technology enhanced learning to develop metacognitive skills in veterinary education.

IDEA was a great opportunity for educational researchers across the health professions (humans and animals) to share ideas and grow this community of practice.