What is the title of your thesis?
Co-creation of content in online postgraduate provision at
Ulster University – student and tutor participation education
Tell us about your research interests, including projects
and key publications.
Areas of interest,
which are reflected in technology transfer, conference papers, journal articles
and teaching include:
- Adoption and
implementation of online learning
- Student partnerships
in online learning
- Adoption and
implementation of information and communication technologies
- International Business
Details of three recent publications/public output:
Shiels, H.,
Sloan, D., (2017), Student engagement: Active
learners through the co-creation of content, Chartered Association
of Business Schools, Learning Teaching and Student Experience (LTSE) 2017
conference, Bristol, 26th April.
Shiels, H.,
Sloan, D., (2016), Transforming teaching: Making feedback work for students, Higher Education Academy Survey
Conference, Birmingham, 13th July.
Shiels, H.,
(2016), Online collaborative learning
environment: Effective co-creation of content, Faculty and Doctoral
Conference, Faculty of Business and Law, Northumbria University, 24th June. Winner of Best Poster.
Why did you choose to do your postgraduate research at
Northumbria University?
A colleague recommended Northumbria, having carried out
extensive research. I then attended an
information session in Ireland, attended by two senior teaching/research staff
from Northumbria – I was sold!
How are you funding your research? Is Newcastle an affordable city as a DBA student?
I studied on a part-time basis, by distance. Therefore, I did not get to experience the
university life that Newcastle has to offer, except for flying and purposeful visits.
I was largely self-financing initially and subsequently supported by my
employer.
How has Northumbria University supported you through your
research?
Northumbria offered extensive research training initially
for two intensive weeks. This was
followed by opportunities for regular seminars and workshops. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend these
physically but did avail of their recordings and electronic circulation of
notes, subsequent to these seminars being hosted. Annual doctoral conferences at Northumbria
were a great way to disseminate current work, obtain feedback and guidance –
all in a supportive environment. I had a
great supervision team, especially my Principal Supervisor Professor Diane
Sloan. She was hugely supportive of my
academic and personal trials and tribulations throughout my studies and a key
factor in me achieving my end goal.
What do you think of the facilities on offer?
I believe the facilities on offer are outstanding for
research students, including dedicating desk space, IT equipment and library
services.
Which academics are supervising your project?
My research team included Dr Nick Creatby-Attwood and
Professor Diane Sloan as my principal supervisor. Diane was always accessible to me and I
enjoyed regular contact and access to her – by phone, email, Skype and in
person. Her relentless encouragement for
my research studies, personal well-being and development, have been invaluable
and she went above and beyond her professional remit in supporting me through
my research studies at Northumbria.
Have you had the opportunity to collaborate with other
researchers/academics during your time at Northumbria?
I experienced belonging to a formal “Learning Set” of fellow
doctoral students at the outset of my studies. This was a great support network initially and we went on to develop
lifelong friendships as a result. We
continued to support one another throughout the duration of our studies, and since.
I have been successful in having research outputs being accepted at national
conferences, in conjunction with Professor Sloan and more work is in progress.
What are your career aspirations and how will your time at
Northumbria help you achieve them?
I set out to achieve my doctoral award as a personal
goal. However, as a result of my
research studies, I have attended and delivered webinars, conference papers and
training at Ulster University and at academic events nationally. I envisage that this will continue as a
direct result of my research training at Northumbria University.
What is the best thing about doing postgraduate research at
Northumbria University?
My doctoral studies were achievable by distance learning
without a significant commitment to physically attend Newcastle on a regular
basis. The accessibility of relevant training,
support materials, and academic and administrative support were all significant
factors in my successful studies at Northumbria University.
