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Dr. Susan Pike

Assistant Professor (Education)
ARTS BUILDING
      
Profile Photo

Dr. Susan Pike

Assistant Professor (Education)
ARTS BUILDING

 SUSAN.PIKE@tcd.ie

 3531896 4858


Susan is an Assistant Professor in Sustainability and Geography Education in the School of Education. She leads Geography and Sustainability Education on the Professional Masters in Education, and Emergency and Disaster Management in the TCPID. Susan is Dissertation Coordinator on the Masters of Education, coordinating and teaching on the Academic Literacy module. Susan is the Academic Director for TCD Portal, supporting their innovation education, entrepreneurship and partnership programmes. Susan is a qualified secondary teacher, and has worked at all levels of education over the past 30 years. Susan's current research focuses on teaching and learning in schools as well as in teacher education. She was awarded her EdD in 2008, with her doctoral thesis focussing on children's experiences of their local environments. Susan is currently carrying out new research in children and their local environments with a range of schools. She also has a particular interest in the young people's experiences and learning in geography, citizenship and sustainability education, especially through fieldwork and enquiry pedagogies. Susan is involved with the work of the International Geography Union, as Chair of the SIG for Inquiry and Fieldwork. She is also on the Editorial Board of International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education (IRGEE). Susan was President of the Geographical Association (2020-21). She is currently editor of the Geographical Viewpoint, the journal of the Association of Geography Teachers of Ireland.
  Geography Education   Outdoor Education   Place Based Education   Primary education   Second Level Education   Sustainability Education   Teacher Education
Project Title
 Geography Olympiad for Ireland
From
2023
To
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
Programme
Geography Olympiad for Ireland
Project Type
Competition for Schools / Research Project
Project Title
 Systematic Literature Review for the SEE (Geography, History and ERB) Primary Curriculum
From
2022
To
2023
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
Programme
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
Project Type
Literature Review
Project Title
 International Geography Olympiad
From
2022
To
2024
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
Programme
International Geography Olympiad
Project Type
Youth Participation
Project Title
 Encountering Place in Education
From
2020
To
2023
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
Programme
Place Based Education
Project Type
Edited book
Project Title
 Leaving Certificate Geography Development Group
From
To
Summary
Redevelopment group for Leaving Certificate Geography
Funding Agency
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
Programme
Leaving Certificate Cycle
Project Type
Curriculum Development

Page 1 of 3
Details Date
Leaving Certificate Geography Development Group - Member 2023
International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education: Editorial Board - Member 2015-Present
St Columba's National School, North Strand, Dublin: Board of Management - Chair / Member 2021-2025
Geographical Association: Geography Education Research SIG - Chair and Member 2022-2025
External Examiner - Masters in Geography Education, University College London 2025-Present
International Geography Olympiad: Local Organising Committee - Chair 2022-2025
Educational Studies Association of Ireland - Curriculum Studies SIG: Committee Member 2023-Present
Royal Geographical Society - Fellow, member of the Children, Young People and Families Research Group and the Geography and Education Research Group 2004-Present
International Geographical Congress Conference: Organising Committee - Member 2022-2024
School of Education: Research in Schools and Education (RISE) - Co-Chair 2023-2024
Children's Geographies Journal - Reviewer (2022-Present) 2022-Present
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 2017-2024
Dublin North West Partnership: Board of Management - Member 2021-2023
Young People at the Crossroads - Member of Advisory Board 2020-2022
Irish Educational Studies - Reviewer 2018-Present
BA Outdoor and Adventure Education at Coláiste Dhúlaigh & University of Chichester (2017-2020) - External Examiner 2017-2020
BA Education at the University of Roehampton - External Examiner (2018-2022) 2018-2022
Geography through the Ages - Event coordinator with Dr Ruth McManus (2015-2021) 2015-2021
DCU Educational Disadvantage Centre - Deputy Director and Member 2000-2023
Geography Society of Ireland - Schools' Liaison Committee Member, Member 2018-2024
Geographical Association: Curriculum Framework Working Group - Member 2020-2022
Geography Teacher Educators - Conference Chair & Member 2020-2023
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
Details Date From Date To
International Geographical Union's Committee on Geography Education 2026 Present
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
Irish Association for Social, Scientific and Environmental Education (2000-2015) 2000 2015
British Education Research Association (since 2010) 2010 Present
Universal Design and Geography: Learning inside and out in, editor(s)Joanne Banks, J., Bray, A., Devitt, A., McCormick, S. and Flood, M. , Universal Design for Learning: Multidisciplinary Examples from the Secondary Classroom, England, Routledge, 2026, [Pike, S., Aziz, A. and Mathews, R.], Book Chapter, IN_PRESS
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, PUBLISHED  URL
Pike, S., Learning through enquiry: Possibilities and plans, Geographical Association, Oxford, 15-17th April, 2025, Conference Paper, PRESENTED
Rawlings Smith, Emma and Pike, Susan, Encountering Place in Education: Scholarship and Practice in Place-based Learning, Abingdon, Routledge, 2024, Book, PUBLISHED
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, PUBLISHED  URL  Other
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, PUBLISHED  URL
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, PUBLISHED  URL  Other
Pike, S., Subject based and integrated teaching: The research evidence, Geography Teacher Educators, York, 27-29th January, 2024, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
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, ACCEPTED
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, ACCEPTED
  

Page 1 of 12
Kaplan, D., Pike, S., O'Sullivan, B., Clavin, A. and Power, S., Geography and Geosciences in the School Curriculum, Geography and Geosciences in the School Curriculum, Royal Irish Academy, 19th November, 2025, Royal Irish Academy, Invited Talk, PUBLISHED
Pike, Susan, Conference on Geography and Sustainability Education, 11th October, 2025, Trinity College Dublin, Meetings /Conferences Organised, PRESENTED
Pike, Susan, Report on the 20th International Geography Olympiad, 2025, September, 2025, Report, PUBLISHED
Pike, Susan and Rawlings Smith, Emma, 'Encountering Places in Education: Webinar Series - January to May', Encountering Places in Education, Abingdon, Routledge, 2024, -, Broadcast, COMPLETED
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, PRESENTED
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, APPROVED
Pike, Susan, Learning through Enquiry: Experience, Practice and Stance, Cork Geography Teachers' Conference, Cork, 5th October, 2024, Invited Talk, PRESENTED
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, ACCEPTED
Pike, Susan, International Geography Olympiad, 19th-26th August, 2024, University of Maynooth and Trinity College Dublin, Meetings /Conferences Organised, PRESENTED
Pike, Susan, 'Young people geographies and the Geography Olympiad for Ireland', RTÉ Radio 1 Nine O'Clock Show, RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ, 2023, -, Broadcast, PUBLISHED

  


Page 1 of 6
Award Date
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
Susan's research focuses on teaching, learning and pedagogies in Geography, Sustainability and Outdoor Education in primary and post-primary 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 recently co-edited 'Encountering Place in Education', an international cross-phase book to support all educators teach about, within and for place (Routledge, 2024).