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Dr. Susan Pike
Assistant Professor, Education

Biography

Susan is an Assistant Professor in Geography Education in the School of Education. She leads Geography Education on the Professional Masters in Education and Emergency and Disaster Management on the TCPID ASIAP Programme. She is Dissertation Coordinator on the Masters of Education. Susan is a qualified secondary teacher, and has worked at all levels of education over the past 30 years. She was awarded her EdD in 2008, with her doctoral thesis focussing on children's experiences of their local environments.

Susan's current research focuses on teaching and learning in schools as well as in teacher education. She has a particular interest in the young people's experiences and learning in geography, citizenship and sustainability education, especially in fieldwork and enquiry.

Susan was President of the Geographical Association (2020-21), an organisation she continues to contribute to through charing the GA's Geography Education Research Special Interest Group (GERSIG), as well as writing and other advocacy roles. She was a member of the Organising Committee for the International Geographical Congress, and chaired the Geography Olympiad, both of which will took place in August 2024.

Publications and Further Research Outputs

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Finding Futures: Purposes of Geography in the Irish Education System in, editor(s)Bednarz, Sarah and Mitchell, Jerry , International Handbook of Geography Education, USA, Springer, 2025, [Pike, Susan] Book Chapter, 2025 URL

Encountering Ideas of Place: Conclusion in, Emma Rawlings Smith and Susan Pike , Encountering Ideas of Place: Scholarship and Practice in Place-Based Education, Abingdon, Routledge, 2024, [Susan Pike and Emma Rawlings Smith] Book Chapter, 2024 URL

Pike, S., Austin, S., Greenwood, R. and Bacon, K., Inquiry in teacher education: Experiences of lecturers and student teachers, Irish Education Studies, 43, (4), 2024 Journal Article, 2024 DOI

Encountering Place in Education: Introduction in, editor(s)Emma Rawlings Smith and Susan Pike , Encountering Place in Education, Abingdon, Routledge, 2024, [Rawlings Smith, Emma and Pike, Susan] Book Chapter, 2024 URL Other

Rawlings Smith, Emma and Pike, Susan, Encountering Place in Education: Scholarship and Practice in Place-based Learning, Abingdon, Routledge, 2024 Book, 2024

Clarke, L. and Pike, S., Local geography: Are we teaching it effectively?, Primary Geography, 2024 Journal Article, 2024

Home, place and young people's geographies in the classroom in, editor(s)Emma Rawlings Smith and Susan Pike , Encountering Ideas of Place in Education Scholarship and Practice in Place-based Learning, Abingdon, Roultedge, 2024, [Freeman, D. and Pike, S.] Book Chapter, 2024 Other URL

Pike, Susan, Geography at Senior Levels in Irish Schools: Research and Practice in Curriculum Change, EuroGeo: Compromised Geography: Spreading a New World, Faculdade de Letras da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal, 29th-30th May 2024, 2024 Conference Paper, 2024

Pike, S., Subject based and integrated teaching: The research evidence, Geography Teacher Educators, York, 27-29th January, 2024 Conference Paper, 2024

Dempsey, M., Doyle, A., Pike, S. and Gleeson, J., Curriculum Reform in Ireland, Educational Studies Association of Ireland, Maynooth University, 4-6th April, 2024, ESAI Invited Talk, 2024

Clarke, Lisa and Pike, Susan, The impact of forming a community of practice on teachers" attitudes and approaches to primary geography, Irish Educational Studies, 42, (4), 2023, p911 - 930 Journal Article, 2023 DOI

Pike, S., Ní Cassaithe, C., McGuirk, N., Usher, J., Mallon, B. and Whelan, P., Literature Review to Inform the Curriculum for Social and Environmental Education (Geography, History and Education about Religion and Beliefs), National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, October, 2023 Report, 2023 URL TARA - Full Text

Pike, Susan, Geography Teacher Educators' Conference, January, 2023, Trinity College Dublin / Online Meetings /Conferences Organised, 2023

Pike, Susan and Rawlings Smith, Emma, Collaboration for place-based pedagogies, Geographical Association Annual Conference, University of Sheffield, 13th-15th April, 2023 Oral Presentation, 2023

Pike, Susan, Geography for the Future? Power and knowledge in the Geography Curriculum in Ireland, IGU-CGE Oxford Conference, University of Oxford, July, 2023 Conference Paper, 2023

Pike, S., McGuirk, N. and Whelan, P., Findings from the Literature Review to Inform the Curriculum for Social and Environmental Education (Geography, History and Education about Religion and Beliefs), NCCA Reimagining Curriculum Seminar , Gresham Hotel, March, 2023 Conference Paper, 2023

Pike, Susan, Findings from the Literature Review to Inform the Curriculum for Social and Environmental Education (Geography, History and Education about Religion and Beliefs), NCCA Early Years and Primary Board Meeting, Marino Institute of Education, September, 2023, NCCA Invited Talk, 2023 URL

Pike, Susan, NCCA Literature Review for Geography, History and Education about Religion and Beliefs, NCCA Early Years and Primary Board, Marino Institute of Education, 7th September 2023, 2023, NCCA Invited Talk, 2023

Pike, Susan, Geography for the Future? Curriculum Change in Ireland, EuroGeo Conference, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Poland, April, 2023 Conference Paper, 2023

Pike, Susan, Resilient Geography? Geography in the Primary Curriculum, Conference of Irish Geographers, Talbot Hotel, Wexford, May, 2023 Conference Paper, 2023

Becoming acquainted: Young(er) children's geographies in, editor(s)Hammond, L., M. Biddulph, S. Catling and J.H. McKendrick , Transforming Children's Geographies: Rethinking Children's (Geographical) Education, Abingdon: Routledge, Routledge, 2022, [Pike, Susan and Catling, Simon] Book Chapter, 2022 URL

Freeman, Denise and Pike, Susan, Going Places: Transitions on Geography Education, Geographical Association Annual Conference, University of Surrey, UK, 2022 Conference Paper, 2022

Pike, Susan, Geography Curriculum Change in Ireland, Geography Teacher Educators' Annual Conference, University of Worcester, January, edited by GTE Committee , 2022 Conference Paper, 2022

Pike, Susan, Primary Geography in our Curriculum - Going Places?, Geographical Viewpoint, (Summer ), 2021 Journal Article, 2021

Geography Education for Social and Environmental Justice Education in, editor(s)Kavanagh, AM., Waldron, F. and Mallon, B. , Teaching for Social Justice and Sustainable Development Across the Primary Curriculum, Abingdon, Routledge, 2021, pp37-53 , [Pike, Susan] Book Chapter, 2021

Pike, Susan, Geographical Association Annual Conference: Compassionate Geographies, 8th-10th April, 2021, Online, Geographical Association Meetings /Conferences Organised, 2021 URL

Greenwood, R., Austin, S., Bacon, K. and Pike, S., Enquiry-based learning in the primary classroom: Student teachers' perceptions, Education 3-13, 49, (1), 2021, p1-15- Journal Article, 2021 DOI

Pike, Susan, Presidential article: Compassionate geographies, Teaching Geography, 46, (2), 2021 Journal Article, 2021 URL

Pike, Susan, Geographies and the deaf community: The ISL environmental science glossary project, Charney Manor Primary Geography Conference, Oxford, February, 2021 Conference Paper, 2021

Pike, Susan, Presidential article: Dimensions of compassionate geographies, Primary Geography, 106, 2021 Journal Article, 2021 URL

Pike, Susan, Going Places? Geography in the Irish Primary Curriculum, Geography Teacher Educators' Conference, Dublin City University , January , 2021 Conference Paper, 2021

Local experiential fieldwork in initial teacher education in, editor(s)Wessell, Jonathan , Experiential Learning in Geography: Experience, Evaluation, and Encounters, USA, Springer, 2021, [Pike, Susan] Book Chapter, 2021

Pike, Susan, Geography Teacher Educators' Conference, January, In:American Educational Research Association Annual Conference, 2021, Dublin City University / Online Meetings /Conferences Organised, 2021

Austin, Sandra, Greenwood, Richard, Bacon, Karin and Pike, Susan , Enquiry in Teacher Education: Models, experiences and attitudes to EBL in teacher education, Centre for Cross Border Studies: Standing Committee on Teacher Education North and South, 2020 Report, 2020

Irish Educational Studies, Abingdon, England, Taylor and Francis, [Reviewer], 2020 Editorial Board, 2020

Pike, Susan, GIS in Irish Schools: Merging policy, participation and practice, Primary Geography Conference, Charney Manor, Oxford, England, February , 2020 Conference Paper, 2020

GIS for Young people's participatory geography in, editor(s)Walshe, Nicola & Healy, Grace , Geography Education in the Digital World Linking Theory and Practice, Abingdon, Routledge, 2020, [Pike, Susan] Book Chapter, 2020

Pike, Susan, Austin, Sandra, Greenwood, Richard, Bacon, Karin, The Multiplicities of Enquiry in Initial Teacher Education: Findings from an All-Ireland Research Project, Geography Teacher Educators' Conference, IoE, London, England, January, 2020 Conference Paper, 2020

Pike, Susan and Tanner, Julia, Geographical Learning and Wellbeing, Geographical Association Annual Conference, University of Surrey / Online, April, 2020 Conference Paper, 2020

Pike, Susan, Exploring the Locality with GIS, Primary Geography , 95, (3), 2019 Journal Article, 2019

Pike, Susan, Politics, Pedagogies and Possibilities: Geography in the Irish Education System , Geography Teacher Educators Conference, University of Bristol / University of the West of England, January , 2019 Conference Paper, 2019

Teaching geography through topics in, editor(s)Willy, Tessa , Leading Primary Geography: The Handbook for Primary Geography, Sheffield: The Geographical Association, Geographical Association, 2019, [Pike, Susan] Book Chapter, 2019

Pike, Susan, Fascination fixes for troublesome topics: Teaching through enquiry, Geographical Association Annual Conference , University of Manchester , April, 2019 Conference Paper, 2019

Pike, Susan, Geographies of play, hazards and risks, Primary Geography , 94, (1), 2019 Journal Article, 2019

Pike, Susan, Children's Research Digest: Children's Outdoor Play, Dublin, Children's Research Network., 2018 Book, 2018 TARA - Full Text

Pike, Susan, Places, Decisions and Butterflies: Early years geography, Geographical Association Annual Conference, Sheffield Hallam University, April, 2018 Conference Paper, 2018

Pike, Susan, Curriculum making with children's geographies: Enhancing children's participation through geographical learning, Royal Geographical Society: Geographies of Children, youth and families Conference, Royal Geographical Society, London, January, 2018 Conference Paper, 2018

Pike, Susan, 'I'm loving life': First in Family Experiences in Teacher Education, Geography Teacher Educators' Conference, University of Birmingham, January , 2018 Conference Paper, 2018

Pike, Susan, Pedagogies of Teacher Education: What can Geography Education Offer?, Geographical Association Annual Conference,, Sheffield Hallam University, April, 2018 Conference Paper, 2018

Pike, Susan, Children's Geographies and Primary Geography: Children's Participation, Charney Primary Geography Conference, Charney Manor, Oxford, February, 2018 Conference Paper, 2018

Children's Research Digest: Children's Outdoor Play in, editor(s)Pike, Susan , Children's Research Digest: Children's Outdoor Play, Dublin, Children Research Network, 2018, [Pike, Susan] Book Chapter, 2018

Pike, Susan, Pedagogies in Geography Education: Sharing theories and practices, Charney Primary Geography Conference, Oxford, February, 2017 Conference Paper, 2017

Pike, Susan and Blankman, Marian, Research in Geography in Primary Teacher Education, EuroGeo Conference , Amsterdam, May, 2017 Conference Paper, 2017

The Charney Factor: Primary Geography in the Republic of Ireland in, editor(s)Catling, Simon , Reflections on Primary Geography, Oxford, Charney Publication, 2017, [Pike, Susan] Book Chapter, 2017 Other URL

Pike, Susan, To challenge or not? Lev Vygotsky and Primary Geography, Primary Geography , 93, (3), 2017 Journal Article, 2017

Pike, Susan, Reasons to be Cheerful: Primary Geography in Ireland, Geography Society of Ireland Conference, DCU School of Geography and History, DCU St Patrick's Campus, May, 2016 Conference Paper, 2016

Our school, our world: Geography through the school grounds in, Learning Primary Geography: Inspiration from Classrooms, Abingdon, 2016, pp81 - 97, [Pike, Susan] Book Chapter, 2016

Dolan A.M., Waldron F., Pike S., Greenwood R., Learning to teach primary geography in the context of school placement: lessons from an all-Ireland study, European Journal of Teacher Education, 39, (1), 2016, p20 - 35, p20-35 Journal Article, 2016 DOI

Creative teaching about the physical world in, editor(s)Scoffham, Stephen , Teaching Geography Creatively, 2016, Routledge , 2016, [Pike, Susan] Book Chapter, 2016

Pike, Susan, Student teachers" ideas about geography education: Learning about learning, Charney Geography Conference, Charney Manor, Oxford, England, February, 2016 Conference Paper, 2016

A world of geography: Past, present and future of geography education in, Learning Primary Geography: Ideas and Inspirations from Classrooms, Abingdon, Routledge , 2016, pp1 - 17, [Pike, Susan] Book Chapter, 2016 URL DOI

Fabulous geography: Avoiding dull geography in, Learning Primary Geography: Inspiration from Classrooms, Abingdon, 2016, pp62 - 80, [Pike, Susan] Book Chapter, 2016

Pike, Susan, Learning Primary Geography: Ideas and Inspirations from Classrooms, 1st, Abingdon, Routledge, 2016 Book, 2016 URL

Learning through experience: The literacies of geography in, editor(s)Pike, Susan , Learning Primary Geography: Ideas and inspiration from classrooms, Abingdon, Abingdon, 2016, pp39 - 61, [Pike, Susan] Book Chapter, 2016

Connecting geography: Learning about places in, Learning Primary Geography: Inspirations from Classrooms, Abingdon, Routledge, 2016, pp141 - 161, [Pike, Susan] Book Chapter, 2016

Real geography: Topical geography through issues and events in, Learning Primary Geography: Inspirations from Classrooms, Abingdon, 2016, pp119 - 140, [Pike, Susan] Book Chapter, 2016

Pike, Susan, Learning through enquiry: First steps, Geographical Association Annual Conference, University of Manchester, April, 2016 Conference Paper, 2016

Making geography work: Planning for learning in geography in, Learning Primary Geography: Inspirations from Classrooms, Abingdon, Routledge, 2016, pp181 - 197, [Pike, Susan] Book Chapter, 2016

Learning through enquiry: The pedagogies of teaching and learning in geography in, Learning Primary Geography: Ideas and Inspirations from Classrooms , Abingdon, Routledge , 2016, pp18 - 38, [Pike, Susan] Book Chapter, 2016

Go geography: Children's agency and action through geography in, Learning Primary Geography: Ideas and Inspirations from Classrooms, Abingdon, Routledge, 2016, pp162 - 180, [Pike, Susan] Book Chapter, 2016

Our geographical locality: Primary geography through the locality in, Learning Primary Geography: Inspirations from Classrooms, Abingdon, Routledge, 2016, pp98 - 118, [Pike, Susan] Book Chapter, 2016

Pike, Susan, Learning Critically: The Use of Enquiry Pedagogies in Primary Geography, National Council for Geographic Education Annual Conference, Washington DC, USA, July, 2015 Conference Paper, 2015

Pike, Susan, Thinking Geographically: A Pedagogy of Teacher Education in Geography, Charney Primary Geography Conference, Oxford, England, February, 2015 Conference Paper, 2015

Pike, Susan and Kilcran, Michael, Global news & views: Critical global citizenship via the media, Primary Geography , 84, (2), 2015 Journal Article, 2015

Pike, Susan, Primary Geography in the Republic of Ireland: Practices, issues and possible futures, Research in Geography Education Online, 2015 Journal Article, 2015 TARA - Full Text

Pike, S. and Austin, S., Learning Outdoors: Theories, Examples & Outcomes Learning in Teacher Education, Outdoor Learning Conference, University of East London, February, 2015 Conference Paper, 2015

Pike, Susan, Slow pedagogies and well-being in primary schools, Understanding well-being in changing times: The Role of SPHE, St Patrick's College, Dublin, July, 2014 Conference Paper, 2014

Pike, Susan, Geography adds up: Linking geography and mathematics, Geography Teacher Educators" Conference, University of Winchester, January, 2014 Conference Paper, 2014

Pike, Susan, Adding up the issue with geography and mathematics, Primary Geography , 83, (2), 2014 Journal Article, 2014

Pike, Susan , Places, spaces and learning: Place based education in primary education, Burren Insight, 6, (1), 2014 Journal Article, 2014

Pike, Susan, 100 Years of enquiry learning: The influence of John Dewey, Primary Geography, 82, (3), 2014 Journal Article, 2014

Dolan, Anne; Waldron, Fionnuala; Pike, Susan and Greenwood, Richard, Student teachers' reflections on prior experiences of learning geography, International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 23, (4), 2014 Journal Article, 2014 DOI

Pike, Susan and Beresford, Caitríona, Food, connections and green flags: Linking the early years curriculum through food, Primary Geography, 82, (1), 2013 Journal Article, 2013

Green, J., Shaw-Hamilton, A., Walsh, M., Pike, S. and OMahony, O. , On our own, with a bit of help: Geographical enquiry in our school, Primary Geography, 80, (1), 2013 Journal Article, 2013

Pike, Susan, `It's about the things we don't notice everyday': 10 Years of children's definitions of Geography, Charney Manor Geography Conference, Oxford , February, 2013 Conference Paper, 2013

Pike, Susan and Ryan, Maria, Using big ideas for big places: Australia, 79, (1), 2012 Journal Article, 2012

Pike, Susan, Tackling the `boring" topics: Curriculum making with children, Charney Manor Geography Conference, Oxford, February, 2012 Conference Paper, 2012

Waldron, F., Kavanagh, A., Kavanagh, R., Maunsell, C., Oberman, R., O'Reilly, M., Pike, S., Prunty, A., & Ruane, B., Teachers, Human Rights and Human Rights Education: Knowledge, perspectives and practices of primary school teachers in Ireland, 2021, Centre for Human Rights and Citizenship, DCU, September , 2011 Report, 2011 TARA - Full Text

Pike S., If you went out it would stick: Irish children's learning in their local environments, International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 20, (2), 2011, p139 - 159, p139-159 Journal Article, 2011 DOI

Pike, Susan, Children, locality and the future, Primary Geography , 79, (2), 2011 Journal Article, 2011

Pike, Susan, 'EcoDetectives: Locality based enquiries for Geography and Science', Dublin, 2010, - Protocol or guideline, 2010

Pike, Susan, Becoming a Teacher: Student Teachers' Experiences as Learners of Science and Geography, Geographical Association Conference, University of Derby, April, 2010 Conference Paper, 2010

For once, just listen to a kid': Children's Rights and Local Communities in, editor(s)Waldron, F. and Ruane, B. , Human Rights Education: Reflections on Theory and Practice, Dublin, Liffey Press, 2010, [Pike, Susan] Book Chapter, 2010

Pike, S., Murphy, C., Dolan, A. & Waldron, F., Becoming a Teacher: Student Teachers' Experiences as Learners of Science and Geography, Education Studies of Ireland Annual Conference, Royal Hotel, Malahide, September, 2010 Conference Paper, 2010

Pike, Susan, Children"s and their local environments in Ireland, Irish Association for Social, Scientific and Environmental Education Annual Conference, Dublin, June, 2009 Conference Paper, 2009

Waldron, F., Pike, S., Varley, J., Greenwood, R., Murphy, C. and Murphy, C., Student teachers' prior experiences of history, geography and science: Initial findings of an all-Ireland survey, Irish Educational Studies, 26, (2), 2007, p177 - 194 Journal Article, 2007

Pike, Susan, Children's Geographies in Ireland: The Potential for Participation, Geography Society of Ireland Conference, St Patrick's College, Dublin, May, 2007 Conference Paper, 2007

Pike S., Irish primary school children's definitions of geography, Irish Educational Studies, 25, (1), 2006, p75 - 91, p75-91 Journal Article, 2006 DOI

Waldron F., Pike S., What does it mean to be Irish? Children's construction of national identity, Irish Educational Studies, 25, (2), 2006, p231 - 251, p231-251 Journal Article, 2006 DOI

Pike, S., Varley, J., & Greenwood, R., Student teachers" prior experiences as learners of science and geography: A comparison drawn from an All-Ireland survey, Charney Manor Primary Geography Conference, Oxford, February, 2006 Conference Paper, 2006

Pike, Susan and Varley, Janet, Student teachers' prior experiences as learners of science and geography: An All-Ireland Survey, Association of Science Teacher Educators Summer Conference: Science Education for the Real World, St Mary's University College, Belfast, June, , 2005 Conference Paper, 2005

Pike, Susan and Greenwood, Richard, All-Ireland Survey of BEd Primary Teaching Students: Experiences of, and attitudes towards Science, History and Geography, Educational Studies Association of Ireland Conference, University College Cork, April, 2005 Conference Paper, 2005

Pike S., Clough P., Children's voices on learning about countries in geography, International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 14, (4), 2005, p356 - 363, p356-363 Journal Article, 2005 DOI

Pike, Susan and Waldron, Fionnuala, What does it mean to be Irish?: Children's construction of national identity, American Educational Research Association Annual Conference, Montreal, April, 2005 Conference Paper, 2005

Pike, Susan, Recently Qualified Teachers' experiences of teaching geography in the primary school, Irish Association for Social, Scientific and Environmental Education Annual Conference, St Mary's College, Belfast, June, 2005 Conference Paper, 2005

Waldron, Fionnuala and Pike, Susan in Gilligan, Ann Louise (ed.), National Forum on Primary Education: Ending Disadvantage, St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin, 1st-5th July, 2002 Proceedings of a Conference, 2002

Pike, Susan and Waldron, Fionnuala, Irish Children's Ideas of National Identity, IoE Human Rights and Citizenship Conference, Institute of Education, London, July, 2002 Conference Paper, 2002

Pike, Susan, Ideas of Irishness, Primary Geography, 69, (3), 2002 Journal Article, 2002

Pike, Susan, Geography Teacher Education: Reflections on a Year of ITE, Irish Association for Social, Scientific and Environmental Education Annual Conference, St Patrick's College, Dublin, June, 2002 Conference Paper, 2002

Pike, Susan, Geography in the Primary Curriculum, Geography Society of Ireland: Conference of Irish Geographers, University College Cork, April, 2001 Conference Paper, 2001

Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications

Pike, Susan, Learning through Enquiry: Experience, Practice and Stance, Cork Geography Teachers' Conference, Cork, 5th October, 2024 Oral Presentation, 2024

Educational Studies of Ireland Curriculum Research SIG Conference, Curriculum Making in Ireland: a multiplicity of actors and sites of activity engaging in the social practice of interpreting, translating, mediating, and enacting curriculum, 14th June, 2024, All Hallows College, DCU Meetings /Conferences Organised, 2024

Pike, Susan, International Geography Olympiad, 19th-26th August, 2024, University of Maynooth and Trinity College Dublin Meetings /Conferences Organised, 2024

Pike, Susan and Rawlings Smith, Emma, 'Encountering Places in Education 2: February Webinar', Encountering Places in Education, Abingdon, Routledge, 2024, - Broadcast, 2024

Pike, Susan, International Geography Olympiad, 19th-26th August, 2024, University of Maynooth and Trinity College Dublin Meetings /Conferences Organised, 2024

Pike, S., Rawlings Smith, E. And Maude, A., Around the world in 60 minutes, GeoNight Australia, Australia and online, 12th April, 2024, Australian Geography Teachers Association Invited Talk, 2024

Pike, Susan, Kelly, Amy and Doyle, Orla, Space and Hermeneutics: Children's Constructions of Spatial Meanings in their Localities, The Spatial Turn Interdisciplinary Symposium, Dublin City University, 5th-6th June, 2024, DCU Educational Disadvantage Centre Invited Talk, 2024

Rawlings Smith, Emma and Pike, Susan, 'Encountering Place in Education 1: January Webinar', Encountering Place in Education, Global, Routledge, 2024, - Broadcast, 2024

Pike, Susan, 'Young people geographies and the Geography Olympiad for Ireland', RTÉ Radio 1 Nine O'Clock Show, RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ, 2023, - Broadcast, 2023

Wilson, S. and Pike, S. , Sustainability in Teacher Education: St Mary's University and Trinity College Dublin, St Mary's University Teaching and Learning Festival, London, 20th June, 2023 Invited Talk, 2023

Pike, S., Ní Cassaithe, C., McGuirk, N., Usher, J., Mallon, B. and Whelan, P., Findings from the Literature Review to Inform the Curriculum for Social and Environmental Education (Geography, History and Education about Religion and Beliefs), NCCA Seminar, Marino Institute of Education, February, 2023, NCCA Invited Talk, 2023

Pike, S., Social and Environmental Education - Literature Review, NCCA Council, Marino Institute of Education , 21st September, 2023, NCCA Invited Talk, 2023

Pike, Susan, The Geography Olympiad for Ireland: A Celebration of Geographical Learning, Association of Geography Teachers of Ireland Conference, Tallaght, Dublin, 21st October, 2023, AGTI Invited Talk, 2023

Pike, Susan, 'The Eneable Project. Inquiry in Teacher Education', IoE Podcasts , 1, Dublin City University, 2022, - Broadcast, 2022

Pike, Susan and McManus, Ruth, 'Celebrating Geography - Through the Ages', GeoWeek 2022, Dublin, Dublin City University, 2022, - Broadcast, 2022

Pike, Susan, Theory and practice of outdoor Learning in the North East Inner City, NEIC Event , Dublin / Online, July, 2021, Department of Education. Invited Talk, 2021

Pike, Susan, Innovation in Geography, Geography through the Ages Seminar Series, Online, May, 2021 Oral Presentation, 2021

Pike, Susan, Healy, Grace and Wilson, Sophie, Geography Education and COVID-19, Geography Education and COVID-19, Institute of Education, University College London, January, 2021, IoE University of London and Geographical Association Invited Talk, 2021

Pike, Susan, 'Atlas Hunt: Making Sense of Places', 2021, Folen's Educational Publishers, 2021, - Map, GIS map, 2021

Kinder, Alan and Pike, Susan, Policy Matters: Geography, identity and futures, Geographical Association News , Summer , 2021 Journal Article, 2021 TARA - Full Text

Pike, Susan, Presidential Keynote Lecture: Compassionate Geographies, Geographical Association Annual Conference , Sheffield Hallam University / Online , April , 2021, Geographical Association Invited Talk, 2021

Pike, Susan, 'Philip's / Foley's Primary Atlas', 2021 Edition, Dublin, Philip's & Folens, 2021, - Map, GIS map, 2021

Pike, Susan, 'The Power of Subject Associations', Teachers' Talk Radio, Online, 2021, - Broadcast, 2021

Kinder, Alan and Pike, Susan, Policy Matters: Schools and COVID-19, Geographical Association News, (Spring), 2021 Journal Article, 2021

Pike, Susan, Progression in Primary Geography, Royal Geographical Society Primary Geography and History TeachMeet, Royal Geographical Society / Online, November, 2020 Oral Presentation, 2020

Pike, Susan and Kinder, Alan , Policy Matters: From compassion to action, through geography education, Geographical Association News, (Autumn), 2020 Journal Article, 2020

Pike, Susan, The Geographical Association Community, Geographical Association Sheffield Branch, Sheffield / Online , January , 2020, Sheffield GA Branch Invited Talk, 2020

Downes, P., Pike, S., Murphy, S., Brady, S., Crosson, S., Cuddy, S., Doyle, O., Duffy, R., Kennedy, M., Naughton, C., OCallaghan, L., Rafferty, A., Sinnott, F. and Wynne, M., Marginalised students in Primary and Post-Primary DEIS Schools and other settings: System Gaps in Policy and Practice and the Priority Issues for consideration, with reference to the impact of Covid 19, EDC, 2020, 2020 Report, 2020 TARA - Full Text

Pike, Susan, The Incredible Capabilities of Primary Pupils, Geographical Association Annual Conference , University of Manchester , April, 2019 Oral Presentation, 2019

Pike, Susan, Digital mapping in localities across the ages, ESRI Ireland ArcGIS Event, ESRI Ireland, June, 2019, ESRI Ireland Invited Talk, 2019

Pike, Susan , 'Folen's Geography Webinar for Primary Teachers', Folen's, Dublin, 2019, - Protocol or guideline, 2019 URL

Pike, Susan, Powerful Geographies from age 0, Geography through the Ages TeachMeet, Dublin City University, April, 2019 Oral Presentation, 2019

Pike, Susan, Can geography do more? Young people's geographies and participation in their schools and communities, Association of Geography Teachers of Ireland Annual Conference, Maldron Hotel, Tallaght, May, 2018, Association of Geography Teachers of Ireland Invited Talk, 2018

Irish Sign Language Environmental Science Glossary, 1, Dublin, 2018, [Matthews, Elizabeth and Pike, Susan ] Item in dictionary or encyclopaedia, etc, 2018

Pike, S. and Usher, J., Written Submission: Consultation on Curriculum Structure and Time, 2017, - Miscellaneous, 2017

Pike, Susan, Children and their localities: From place to participation, BurrenBeo Place Based Learning Symposium, Kinvarra, Co Galway , July , 2017 Invited Talk, 2017

Pike, S. and Usher, J., Written Submission: Consultation on Curriculum Structure and Time, 2017, - Miscellaneous, 2017

Pike, Susan, Geography Question Time, Charney Manor Primary Geography Conference, Charney Manor, Oxford, February, 2016, Professor Simon Catling Invited Talk, 2016

Pike, S. and Austin, S., Outdoor Learning in Initial Teacher Education, DCU Create21 Teacher Education Project Launch, Dublin City University , May, 2016 Poster, 2016

Pike, S., Austin, S. and Coulter, M., Outdoor Learning across the Primary Curriculum, Festival of Outdoor Learning, Wicklow, April, 2016 Invited Talk, 2016

International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, Abingdon, England, Taylor and Francis, [Member of Editorial Board], 2015 Editorial Board, 2015

Downes, P, Gilligan, A.L., Bryan, A., Pike, S. et al., Recognition of the Travelling Community as an Ethnic Minority in Ireland, 2015, - Miscellaneous, 2015

Pike, Susan and Toal, Joanne, Enquiring Minds: A Local Geography Investigation, TeachMeet: Outside the Box: Beyond the Three Rs , Dublin, March, 2015 Conference Paper, 2015

Pike, Susan, Keynote: Adventures in Place based learning - Research & practice in classrooms, BurrenBeo Landscape Symposium, Kinvarra, Co. Galway. , July, 2014 Conference Paper, 2014

Pike, Susan, Children's definition of Geography: Ten years of curriculum change, Irish Association for Social, Scientific and Environmental Education Annual Conference, St Patrick's College, Dublin, June, 2013 Conference Paper, 2013

Pike, Susan, Climate change and education (Invited Panel Presentation), Irish Association for Development Education Annual Conference, Dublin City Council Offices, June, 2012 Invited Talk, 2012

Moore-Cherry, N. with Pike, S. and others, Mapping Geography in Ireland, Geographical Society of Ireland, September, 2012 Report, 2012

Pike, Susan , Innovation on the doorstep: Theory and practice of learning in the locality (Keynote Lecture), Innovation in der Lehre (Innovation in the Classroom), University of Köln, March , 2012, University of Köln Invited Talk, 2012

Pike, Susan, Geography in Primary Schools, Geographical Viewpoint, 39, (1), 2011 Journal Article, 2011

Pike, Susan, 'Primary schools and climate change education', Waterford Local Radio, Ian Noctor Show, 2010, - Broadcast, 2010

Pike, Susan, Becoming a Teacher: Student Teachers' Experiences as Learners of Science and Geography, Charney Manor Primary Geography Conference, Oxford, February, 2010 Conference Paper, 2010

Pike, Susan, Student Teachers" Prior Experiences as Learners of Science and Geography: An update on the longitudinal study, Charney Manor Primary Geography Conference, Oxford, February, 2008 Conference Paper, 2008

Pike, Susan, Children's Experience of their Environments, Irish Association for Social, Scientific and Environmental Education Annual Conference, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, June, 2007 Conference Paper, 2007

Pike, Susan, Children and their Localities: Home and School, Conference of Irish Geographers, St Patrick's College, Dublin, May, 2006 Conference Paper, 2006

Pike, Susan, Primary children's voice on place in geography, Charney Manor Primary Geography Conference, Charney Manor, Oxford, February, 2005 Conference Paper, 2005

Pike, Susan, Students' Interpretations of Geographical Photographs, University of Southampton, 1999 Thesis, 1999

Pike, Susan, Development Pressures in East Hampshire, University of Nottingham, 1990 Thesis, 1990

Research Expertise

Description

Susan's research focuses on teaching, learning and pedagogies in Geography, Sustainability and Outdoor Education in schools. She also researches in teacher education, specifically on the experiences and impact of teacher education on the process of becoming a teacher for students on initial teacher education programmes. Her book Learning Primary Geography: Ideas and Inspirations from Classrooms (Routledge, 2016) drew together theory, research and practice in Geography across a wide range on schools. She co-edited Encountering Place in Education, an international cross-phase book to support all educators teach about, within and for place (Routledge, 2023).

Projects

  • Title
    • Geography Olympiad for Ireland
  • Summary
    • The Geography Olympiad for Ireland (GOI) is part of the networks of international olympiads to select students for the International Geography Olympiad (IGEO) connected to the International Geographical Union (IGU) and their Congress (IGC). The competition will run from October 2023 to April 2024 to select students from each province to represent Ireland at the International Geography Olympiad (iGEO).
  • Funding Agency
    • Department of Education
  • Date From
    • 2023
  • Title
    • Encountering Place in Education
  • Summary
    • An edited book connecting theories and research on place with education, and focuses on innovative content and creative approaches to teaching and learning about place in schools. Co-edited with Dr Emma-Rawlings Smith of the University of Oxford
  • Funding Agency
    • Routledge
  • Date From
    • 2020
  • Date To
    • 2023
  • Title
    • International Geography Olympiad
  • Summary
    • The International Geography Olympiad (iGeo) is an annual competition for the best 16 to 19 year old geography students from all over the world. Students chosen to represent their countries are chosen from thousands of students who participate enthusiastically in their own National Geography Olympiads. The iGeo consists of three parts: a written test, a multimedia test and substantial fieldwork requiring observation, leading to cartographic representation and geographical analysis. The 2024 event will be held in Ireland and the programme will include poster presentations by teams, cultural exchanges, and time for students to get to know their fellow students and explore the Ireland. www.geoolympiad.org/fass/geoolympiad/what-is-igeo/index.shtml
  • Funding Agency
    • International Geographic Union & 8 West Consulting
  • Date From
    • 2022
  • Date To
    • 2024
  • Title
    • Systematic Literature Review for the SEE (Geography, History and ERB) Primary Curriculum
  • Summary
    • Leading the research team providing a literature review in Geography, History and Education about Religion and Beliefs for the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.
  • Funding Agency
    • National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
  • Date From
    • 2022
  • Date To
    • 2023
  • Title
    • Leaving Certificate Geography Development Group
  • Summary
    • Redevelopment group for Leaving Certificate Geography
  • Funding Agency
    • National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
  • Title
    • First in Family Teachers
  • Summary
    • Research on the experiences of 'first in family' students teachers in initial teacher education programmes.
  • Funding Agency
    • DCU Dean's Fund
  • Date From
    • 2018
  • Date To
    • 2024
  • Title
    • ISL Environmental Science Gloosary
  • Summary
    • Irish Sign Language Glossary, Science Foundation Ireland funded project to develop an online glossary for Environmental Science / Geography terms for primary and second level schools: www.sfi.ie/research-news/news/irish-sign-language/
  • Funding Agency
    • Science Foundation Ireland
  • Date From
    • 2017
  • Date To
    • 2020
  • Title
    • Embedding and Nurturing Enquiry-based Learning in Teacher Education
  • Summary
    • A SCOTENS funded project to investigate the multiple experiences of enquiry within teacher education, including school placement, from students' perspectives.
  • Funding Agency
    • SCOTENS
  • Date From
    • 2016
  • Date To
    • 2024
  • Title
    • Geographical Association Conference 2021
  • Summary
    • Chair of the Organising Committee for the GA's Conference in 2021. Member of the Committee for 2019, 2020 and 2022.
  • Funding Agency
    • Geographical Association
  • Date From
    • 2019
  • Date To
    • 2022
  • Title
    • Becoming a Teacher
  • Summary
    • Longitudinal study of all primary students teachers on the island of Ireland
  • Funding Agency
    • Standing Committee on Teacher Education North and South
  • Date From
    • 2003
  • Date To
    • 2009
  • Title
    • Learning Secondary Geography
  • Summary
    • The Learning Secondary Geography project shares good practice in geography education through collaborations between Trinity College Dublin and schools. It will create at least 30 case studies of practice that will feature in articles and a book on learning in geography in post-primary schools.
  • Date From
    • 1st May 2024
  • Date To
    • 31st December 2026

Keywords

Geography Education; Outdoor Education; Place Based Education; Primary education; Second Level Education; Sustainability Education; Teacher Education

Recognition

Representations

International Geography Olympiad: Local Organising Committee - Chair 2022-

International Geographical Congress Conference: Organising Committee - Member 2022-

School of Education: Research in Schools and Education (RISE) - Co-Chair 2023

St Columba's National School, North Strand, Dublin: Board of Management - Chair / Member 2021-

Geographical Association: Geography Education Research SIG - Chair and Member 2022-

Children's Geographies Journal - Reviewer

Educational Studies Association of Ireland - Curriculum Studies SIG: Committee Member 2023

Geography Education Research Collective (GERECO): Committee - Member 2015-2023

University of Exeter: Post-Graduate Certificate in Education - External Examiner 2015-2019

Geographical Association - President, Vice President and Past President 2017-

Dublin North West Partnership: Board of Management - Member 2021-2023

Young People at the Crossroads - Member of Advisory Board 2020-

Irish Educational Studies - Reviewer 2018-

BA Outdoor and Adventure Education at Coláiste Dhúlaigh & University of Chichester (2017-2020) - External Examiner 2017-

BA Education at the University of Roehampton - External Examiner (2018-2022) 2018-

Geography through the Ages - Event coordinator with Dr Ruth McManus (2015-2021) 2015-2021

DCU Educational Disadvantage Centre - Deputy Director and Member 2000-2023

Editorial Board of International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education - Member 2017-

Royal Geographical Society - Fellow, member of the Children, Young People and Families Research Group and the Geography and Education Research Group 2004-

Geography Society of Ireland - Schools' Liaison Committee Member, Member 2018-

Geography Teacher Educators - Conference Chair & Member 2020-2023

International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education: Editorial Board - Member 2015-

Geographical Association: Curriculum Framework Working Group - Member 2020-2022

Irish Association for Social, Scientific and Environmental Education: Committee: Founding member, President, Conference Chair, Committee member and Member 2000-2015

Geographical Association: Governing Body - Trustee 2017-2021

Awards and Honours

Geographical Association: Annual Award for Excellence 2016

Dublin City University: Teaching and Learning Award Won: 2001, 2014; Nominated: 2021

Teacher Training Agency: Bursary for Masters in Education 1996

University of Southampton: PGCE Prize for Highest Achievement on Placement 1994

Memberships

Royal Geographical Society (since 2002) 2001 – Present

Geography Teacher Educators' Collective (since 2014) 2012 – Present

Geographical Association (since 1993) 1993 – Present

Geography Education Research Collective (GERECO) (since 2016) 2015 – Present

Geographical Society of Ireland (since 2000) 2000 – Present

Educational Studies Association of Ireland (since 2000) 2000 – Present

British Education Research Association (since 2010) 2010 – Present

Irish Association for Social, Scientific and Environmental Education (2000-2015) 2000 – 2015