DrPáraic Kerrigan

I teach across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the School of Information and Communication Studies at University College Dublin, where I specialise in critical approaches to media, digital technologies, and identity. My teaching philosophy is grounded in reflexivity, interdisciplinarity, and a commitment to inclusive, research-led learning environments. I consistently integrate contemporary research, professional practice, and social engagement into the curriculum to equip students with both critical literacies and practical skills.

At undergraduate level, I coordinate and lecture the introductory first-year module Introduction to Communication & Media. This module provides a foundational understanding of communication and media studies by exploring key theories, media histories, and the cultural, economic, and ideological forces that shape media content, industries, and audience perception.

At postgraduate level, I coordinate and deliver a suite of advanced modules designed to support academic, professional, and creative development. These include:

• Media Production Cultures, which prepares students for careers in media industries by critically examining labour, authorship, and identity in media work.
• Research Theory and Practice, a capstone research module introducing students to diverse methodological frameworks and equipping them with skills in project design, data ethics, and scholarly communication.
• Media Management Project, a practice-based module that offers students applied experience through work placements and independent media projects.

Beyond the classroom, I am deeply engaged in mentoring and supervision at all levels. I have supervised over 80 postgraduate research and practice-based projects, and currently supervise six PhD students across themes including AI, platform governance, trans information practices, and media activism. I have also served on several doctoral panels and examined PhD theses across interdisciplinary topics in media, information, and cultural studies.

I am actively involved in curriculum development and pedagogical innovation. I co-developed the third-year undergraduate module Diversity and Media, and regularly revise existing modules to reflect evolving digital ecologies, critical debates, and global challenges. Through this teaching portfolio, I aim to cultivate critical thinkers and reflexive practitioners who are equipped to navigate and shape the complex intersections of media, technology, and society.