Digital Commons Network^™

Trends, Challenges And Developments In Jewish Latin American Film, Mirna Vohnsen

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

This article surveys the specialized field of Jewish Latin American film, detailing its foundational years, current challenges and potential future developments. Begin-ning with the field’s origins and early pioneering work, it tracks how scholars have addressed Jewish representation in Latin American cinema, underscoring milestones such as the emergence of interdisciplinary approaches and comparative studies. The article presents the challenges and opportunities that the field faces, including dif-ficulties in accessing films, the impact of global streaming platforms on academic research and assessment of the role of women in film. By highlighting future research directions, the discussion offers insight into how Jewish …

Hidden Scientists/Hidden Creatives Exhibition 2025, Con Kennedy, Niamh Ann Kelly, Claire Wynne, Jesus Maria Frias, Steve Meaney

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Hidden Scientists/Hidden Creatives is an annual exhibition about underrepresented women in STEM and Design.

The students from the TU Dublin School of Art and Design, TU973 B.A. (hons) Visual Communication Design, completed this assignment in their Design and Career Management module.

This year, all the students who participated in this module are Erasmus students from our international partners. This international cohort joined us from IADE - Universidade Europeia - Faculdade de Design, Tecnologia e Comunicação da Universidade Europeia, Lisbon, Portugal and Escuela de Arte San Telmo, Malaga, Spain.

This exhibition ran from 6-9 May 2025, East Quad Atrium, TU Dublin, …

Fostering Undergraduate Research A Practice-Based Approach, Muireann Okeeffe, Tim Kovar, Robert Tully, Ruth Harris, Sue Norton, Emma Obrien, Deirdre Mcgrath Mcgrath, Rachelle O'Brien, Evin Mccarthy, Liam Mcglynn, Ceri Almrott, Connell Vaughan, Aija Freimane, Con Kennedy, Jesús Urda, Pearl O’Rourke, Clare Bell, Deirdre Kennedy, Sinead Mcdonald, Robbie O Connor

Compendium

This Compendium has its origins in the Undergraduate Practice-Based Research Community of Practice (CoP) established as an outcome to a Faculty of Arts & Humanities Teaching and Learning symposium that highlighted the importance of practice-based learning, including research, at undergraduate level.

The examples in this Compendium describe research that is focused on active-learning goals that help in creating a richer learning experience for students, assisting them to become more capable and effective learners across a range of disciplines in the Arts and Humanities.

Thirteen cross-disciplinary case studies are presented in this compendium that seek to both contribute to this …

A Business Model For Communication Design Enterprises (Paper), Con Kennedy

Academic Articles

Several international reports and studies indicate that the Communication Design sector has a skill deficit in entrepreneurship and business management, and a greater understanding of these topics is needed. Some authors advocate applying existing business models for design enterprises. However, the skill deficit prevails. It is worth noting that these reports discuss the entrepreneurship deficit in general terms without an explanation of the causes of this deficit or how to remedy the issue. Therefore, this paper explores the development of a Business Model specific for Design Entrepreneurs for deployment in Communication Design enterprises. A theoretical framework for a specific business …

Hidden Scientists/Hidden Creatives, Con Kennedy

Conference Presentations

This presentation discussed how the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were integrated into an existing graphic design module delivered on the BA in Visual Communication Design in a joint project with the TU Dublin School of Art and Design, School of Biological, Health and Sports Sciences
 Sustainability and Research Hub
Research, the Ethics and Integrity Office. The project explored underrepresented women in science and graphic design.

Hidden Scientists/Hidden Creatives Exhibition 2024, Con Kennedy, Jesus Maria Frias, Steve Meaney, Claire Wynne, Niamh Ann Kelly

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Hidden Scientists/Hidden Creatives is a poster exhibition about underrepresented women in STEM and Design.

As part of the Design and Career Management Module, second-year BA in Visual Communication Design students have crafted posters about women in STEM, drawing inspiration from influential female designers.

The exhibition was opened by Professor John Doran, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences and Health and acting President of TU Dublin and runs from 24 to 27 April 2024, East Quad Atrium, TU Dublin, City Campus, Grangegorman.

A Business Model For Communication Design Enterprises, Con Kennedy

Articles

Several international reports and studies indicate that the Communication Design sector has a skill deficit in entrepreneurship and business management, and a greater understanding of these topics is needed. Some authors advocate applying existing business models for design enterprises. However, the skill deficit prevails. It is worth noting that these reports discuss the entrepreneurship deficit in general terms without an explanation of the causes of this deficit or how to remedy the issue. Therefore, this paper explores the development of a Business Model specific for Design Entrepreneurs for deployment in Communication Design enterprises.A theoretical framework for a specific business model …

Dealing With The Trauma Of Undiagnosed Dyslexia, Aisling Dolan

Journal of Franco-Irish Studies

The theme of my Master’s by research is an investigation into the condition and effects of dyslexia on one’s personality, academic experience and professional growth. I wish to examine and acknowledge the effects dyslexia has on an individual’s ability to learn and grow in a “typical” twenty-first-century society. I intend also to highlight the emotional impact this disability can have on a person’s sense of self and how they develop through childhood. I hope to demonstrate the link dyslexia has in fostering a visual form of thinking and expression. I also hope to evaluate how one’s dyslexia reveals itself in …

Synergising Bim And Real-Time Data For Improved Efficiency: An Irish Case Study, Ahmed Hassan, Ankur Mitra, Alan Hore, Mark Mulville

Conference Papers

The evolution of 3D visualisation and the Internet of Things (IoT) presents a substantial opportunity for integrating real-time data with Building Information Models (BIM) to improve its functionality and construction workflow efficiency. Integrating real-time data with BIM can enhance the digital representation of construction buildings’ physical and functional characteristics and provide recordable status of on-site operations. Nevertheless, the integration between Visualisation and IoT technologies with BIM remains in its preliminary stages and faces a myriad of technical and operational challenges. Furthermore, developing advanced solutions to facilitate this complex integration requires a considerable understanding of the viability and feasibility of merging …

Digital Challenges And Opportunities Of Addressing On-Site Productivity And Safety On Construction Job Sites: An International Perspective, Ahmed Hassan, Ankur Mitra, Mark Mulville, Alan Hore

Conference papers

The slow pace of digital transformation in construction remains an impediment to the industry’s evolution. Despite rapid developments in digital technologies, the vast bulk of data generated on construction job sites remains underutilised due to the limited use of real-time data capture. The diffusion of digital solutions in construction depends on successfully capturing critical real-time data that can inform and contribute to more productive work patterns and safer job sites. Nevertheless, the construction industry’s fragmented nature has segregated the digital solutions offered by technology providers from the volatile challenges facing on-site construction practitioners.

This paper will present the early development …

2023 School Of Culinary Arts & Food Technology Newsletter - Summer Edition 2023, James Murphy

Other resources

The School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology, TU Dublin, Summer Edition Newsletter captured the many events, sustainability, research, awards, significant contributions and special civic and community activities which the students and staff members of the school have successfully completed up to the Summer period of 2023. The successful completion of these activities would not be possible without the active and on-going support of the 'INSPIRED' friends of Culinary Arts and our 'Transforming Tommorrow' partners (school supporters) plus our school's industry association supporters. If you would like to support our school and the next Generation of Food, Culinary and Horticulture …

Using Ict To Motivate And Achieve Learning Outcomes In Live Teaching Of 650 Students, Juraj Petrović, Predrag Pale

Practice Papers

This paper describes efforts and practices used in teaching a Communication skills course with two full time teachers to approximately 650 enrolled students. It is focused on issues including motivating students if they consider this course to be non-essential for their professional development and a nuisance in their study, achieving learning outcomes in an efficient way, and using of ICT for assessment and self-assessment of communication skills. The ways and means of leveraging ICT in achieving these goals are presented in the paper. The potential of ICT and multimedia to motivate, keep students on schedule, gain their attention in lectures …

Discovering Child Sexual Abuse Material Creators’ Behaviors And Preferences On The Dark Web, Vuong Ngo, Rahul Gajula, Christina Thorpe, Susan Mckeever

Articles

Background: Producing, distributing or discussing child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) is often committed through the dark web in order to remain hidden from search engines and regular users. Additionally, on the dark web, the CSAM creators employ various techniques to avoid detection and conceal their activities. The large volume of CSAM on the dark web presents a global social problem and poses a significant challenge for helplines, hotlines and law enforcement agencies.

Objective: Identifying CSAM discussions on the dark web and uncovering associated metadata insights into characteristics, behaviours and motivation of CSAM creators.

Participants and Setting: We have conducted an …

Synergising Bim And Real-Time Data For Improved Efficiency: An Irish Case Study, Ahmed Hassan, Ankur Mitra, Alan Hore, Mark Mulville

Conference papers

The evolution of 3D visualisation and the Internet of Things (IoT) presents a substantial opportunity for integrating real-time data with Building Information Models (BIM) to improve its functionality and construction workflow efficiency. Integrating real-time data with BIM can enhance the digital representation of construction buildings’ physical and functional characteristics and provide recordable status of on-site operations. Nevertheless, the integration between Visualisation and IoT technologies with BIM remains in its preliminary stages and faces a myriad of technical and operational challenges. Furthermore, developing advanced solutions to facilitate this complex integration requires a considerable understanding of the viability and feasibility of merging …

From Overlay To Interplay - Subverting The Message And Creating The Surreal With Augmented Reality, Nina Lyons

Academic Posters Collection

This proof of concept utilises content creation tools that create diegetic presentation which is not commonly utilised in AR systems. In this study, the virtual overlay that becomes visible through AR displays diegetic content that disrupts the meaning of the poster highlighting the potential for AR as a visual communication medium and the opportunities that AR has, as a medium, for creating narrative.

Management Education In An Engineering Environment. The Case Of Bme, Mária Szalmáné Csete, Emma Lógó, Bence Bodrogi, Tamás Koltai

Practice Papers

Engineering higher education institutes need to integrate new skills and competences into their practice and curricula to accelerate the sustainability transition.

This paper introduces the interdisciplinary upskilling of engineering students enrolled in engineering programs at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) and which has been provided by the Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences (GTK) since 1998. The BME GTK delivers an educational experience that fits into the environment defined by the engineering faculties at BME. The BME GTK has experience of more than a quarter of a century in engineering education related to socio-economic and management upskilling. …

A-Eye Tech: Framework To Evaluate An Ai Construction Visibility Platform, Ahmed Hassan, Alan V. Hore, Mark Mulville

Conference Papers

The authors present the early stages of an Irish government-funded project, A-EYE. This disruptive technology seeks to create a construction visualisation platform that enables measurable productivity advantages through passive data capture and real-time delivery of mission-critical information in an accessible form. The authors outline how they will utilise data captured during construction site operations using camera and sensor equipment to monitor construction resources and processes. Moreover, the positive impact of easy access to visualised data on collaboration between construction stakeholders is discussed. Extensive user-experience research data will be captured after deploying the technology on live projects to create interactive dashboards …

Investigation, Detection And Prevention Of Online Child Sexual Abuse Material: A Comprehensive Survey, Vuong Ngo, Christina Thorpe, Cach N. Dang, Susan Mckeever

Conference papers

Child sexual abuse inflicts lifelong devastating consequences for victims and is a growing social concern. In most countries, child sexual abuse material (CSAM) distribution is illegal. As a result, there are many research papers in the literature which proposed technologies to detect and investigate CSAM. In this survey, a comprehensive search of the peer reviewed journal and conference paper databases (including preprints) is conducted to identify high-quality literature. We use the PRISMA methodology to refine our search space to 2,761 papers published by Springer, Elsevier, IEEE and ACM. After iterative reviews of title, abstract and full text for relevance to …

Re-Evaluating Learning Environments To Nurture Studio Culture, Ceri Almrott

Conference papers

Following the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant remote teaching that lockdown enforced the requirements and suitability of physical learning spaces such as studios can be questioned. This paper seeks to understand the requirements of students in this decade of their physical studio spaces. Using focus groups, surveys and user feedback activities students on the Product Design programme were asked to evaluate the studio spaces within the university as they returned to on-campus learning and provide qualitative feedback on their experiences.

It was found students still require physical studios that allow them to undertake their design work and utilise tools and …

Design For Climate - A Case Study From Architectural Education, Jennifer E. Boyer

Irish Journal of Academic Practice

This case study examines the impacts of a project that utilised a form of collaborative innovation, called co-creation, to embed sustainability into the five-year Bachelor of Architecture programme curriculum at the Technological University Dublin. This project’s co-creation process deployed design thinking, a term used to describe a human-centred creative problem solving process, to develop understanding, create shared purpose, and generate accountability across a wide range of the academic programme stakeholders to enact change. The project’s approach sponsored an opportunity for exchange and dialogue which enabled cultural change, using the unique and established pedagogy found within the programme’s core learning subject, …

Understanding The Library As A Commemorative Exhibition Space, Theresa Ryan Dr, Bernadette Quinn Dr

Other resources

This research responds to calls to further our understanding of exhibitions in the library context (Rogatchevskaia, 2018; Fouracre, 2015) by exploring the significance of a commemorative exhibition staged in a public library. Employing a qualitative methodology, it centres on the ‘Goodbye Dublin: The War of Independence in the City’ commemorative exhibition, staged by Dublin City Pearse Street Library, between August 14^th and October 31^st, 2019. The findings show that the commemorative nature of the exhibition appealed to a variety of new, lapsed and frequent library users, connecting with Irish and non-Irish residents, as well as tourists visiting …

Towards A Model Of The Design Process For Games, John Healy, Charlie Cullen

Conference Papers

In this paper, we present an approach to studying the game design process by drawing upon general models of design to support research into the process of game design. Several general models of design exist to consider the processes through which designers work. Many of these fit within a structure of analysis, synthesis and evaluation that was first proposed by Christopher Jones in 1963 and later adapted by Bryan Lawson to account for the messy nature of design and the undertaking of these activities while negotiating between problem and solution. This paper proposes the adaptation of Lawson’s model of design …

Every Day Is A School Day: Educators Experiences Of Utilising An Integrative Framework Within Social Care Education In Ireland, Jennifer Mcgarr, Margaret Fingleton, Noel Molloy, Gillian Larkin, Marian Connell, Ailish Jameson, Anne Marie Shier

Irish Journal of Academic Practice

Within an evolving regulatory context, this paper identifies some of the emergent challenges and opportunities for social care education in Ireland. The paper discusses the potential offered by the Integrative Framework for Practice Teaching to address some of these contextual demands and examines the pedagogy underpinning this approach. A number of educators’ experiences of using this framework are provided, demonstrating how they innovatively integrated the framework with commonly used teaching and assessment strategies within social care education, such as mind-mapping, problem-based learning and the use of creative media. These experiences are offered to other educators who may wish to utilise …

The Role Of Communication Technologies In Restructuring Pilgrimage Journeys, Reni Polus, Neil Carr

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage has evolved alongside the evolution of communication technology. Emergent communication technology is changing how people present themselves and tell others about their experiences, including within the context of pilgrimages. Building upon this recognition, this paper examines how evolving communication technologies have changed pilgrimage using Victor Turner’s concepts of rite of passage and communitas. This conceptual paper recognises that technologies, such as the internet, mobile phones and social media, all influence the three stages of the pilgrimage ritual process: separation, liminality, and reintegration. This paper provides a conceptual clarification of the differences between how the medieval and the 21st Century …

Designing A Module In Entrepreneurship For Product Design Students, Pj White, Con Kennnedy

Academic Articles

Creative problem-solving has been identified as one of the most critical future-proof skillsets we can develop in our society. When educating future designers, entrepreneurship skills are now considered essential; however, designers find it difficult to establish themselves as entrepreneurs. Therefore, graduate designers are increasingly in need of these skills to complement their creative ability. This paper offers information to academic institutions looking to implement entrepreneurship modules in existing design and creative programmes. The paper seeks to understand the entrepreneurship skills required for product design graduates through a case study. Current teaching practice is described, and interviews and co-design sessions with …

Opportunities In The Irish Reinforced Concrete Industry For Lean And Bim Adoption, Bim Tudublin, Kieran Mcconnell

Capstone Reports

The Irish Reinforced Concrete (RC) sector has yet to realise the full potential of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Lean construction. The positive impacts and benefits of both BIM and Lean in the wider Architecture, Engineering and Construction sector are widely recognised; many of these are transferable to the RC sector, but there is limited research and knowledge on practical transference, uses and advantages. This research aims to fill some of the existing knowledge gaps by examining BIM and Lean adoption and awareness in the Irish RC sector across sub-sectors, professions, and organisational levels, and by exploring opportunities for increasing …

Embracing Online Engagement With Undergraduate Supervisors: Collective Perspectives On The Online Pivot, Roisin Donnelly, Yurgos Politis

Journal Articles

The sudden national move to online/remote teaching and learning has presented a unique dual opportunity to explore the strategic value and importance of embracing learning technology toincrease the proportion of the undergraduate (UG) supervision community actively developing their practice. We have delivered a redesigned module as part of an accredited professional development (PD) masters programme, which offers online practices and approaches sought by UG supervisors. This paper proposes an experiential and reflective contribution by educational developers in supporting the PD of UG supervisors. Our aim is to boost institutional informal conversations on UG supervision through formal engagement strategies in the …

How Does Convergence Influence Cluster-Based Economic Growth In Regions?, Jamie Meehan

Doctoral

This thesis is a novel study examining the influence of convergenceon cluster-based economicgrowth in regions. The goal of which isto provide exploratory insights frombothnational and international perspectives. This research study examines the relevant literature in thefieldsof convergence,clusters,and regions. It thenadoptsideologies from the most salient studies,to create a conceptual framework. There is limitedextantliterature currently available on the connection between convergence, cluster-based economicgrowth,and regions. AnOECD (2011) report identified the importance of regions as they are themost effective place to make economic decisions. The convergence approachof moving towards equality, bottom-up growth,and co-opetition can be regarded as being imperative to the successful augmentation of …

Uses And Gratifications Of Generation Z Within Social Networks: A Dialectical Investigation Into The Facebook Domain, Ryan O'Carroll, Tara Rooney

Articles

To date, little research has considered how various types of gratifications operate within SNSs such as Facebook (LaRose et al. 2001; Quan-Haase and Young, 2010; Wang, 2015). To address this gap, we explore Generation Z’s motivational behaviour through the lens of Uses and Gratifications Theory. Additionally, we investigate the types of gratification obtained by Generation Z through Facebook. The research adopted an interpretivist philosophy and employed a qualitative approach. The data collection method used semi-structured interviews, in conjunction with qualitative digital diary research. Research participants were requested to record emotions, behaviours and opinions in their digital diaries over a consecutive …

Castlepark: A Vernacular Architecture For Modern Ireland 1969-1972, Brian Ward

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

No abstract provided.