Simon Brennan

Assistant Professor Philosophy of Education

Ireland

About

In my role as Assistant Professor, I lecture in the areas of Philosophy of Education, Ethics, Ethical, Multi-Belief and Values Education and Global Citizenship Education. Occasionally I lecture in the areas of Inclusion, Music Education and Geography. My PhD research, funded by Research Ireland, explores the use of Philosophical Inquiry as a method to contribute to the cultivation of critical consciousness in preservice teachers in the context of Global Citizenship Education. My other research interests include Philosophy with/for Children, Global Citizenship Education, EMBVE and aesthetic education. I am currently serving as the Acting DICE Project Coordinator at MIC. My academic background is in philosophy (BA) and music (M.Ed.) and I am also an experienced primary school teacher, having worked as an educator in five countries (Kenya, Uganda, Costa Rica, UK, Ireland). I am an experienced facilitator of philosophical inquiry, trained in various approaches including P4C (Thoughtful) and Socratic Dialogue (Society for the Furtherance of Critical Philosophy). I have conducted philosophical inquires with children as young as four, all the way up to adults at postgraduate level.

Experience

  • Mary Immaculate College, Ireland (3 yrs 11 mos)
    • Assistant Professor (Philosophy of Education)
      Sep 2025 - Present · 10 mos

    • College Lecturer (Adjunct)
      Aug 2023 - Sep 2025 · 2 yrs 2 mos

    • Teaching Fellow in Philosophy of Education
      Aug 2022 - Aug 2023 · 1 yr 1 mo

  • CPD Trainer at Education and Training Boards Ireland
    Jul 2023 - Present · 3 yrs

    Delivery of CPD in relation to the Thinking Time strand of the Goodness Me, Goodness You! curriculum.

  • Primary School Teacher at Department of Education — Ireland
    Sep 2015 - Mar 2025 · 9 yrs 7 mos

  • Guest Lecturer at Trinity College Dublin
    Jun 2023 - Jun 2024 · 1 yr 1 mo

  • Primary School Teacher at The British School of Costa Rica
    Aug 2013 - Jul 2015 · 2 yrs