Hi, I’m Briony.
I’m an educator, facilitator, coach and researcher with a particular interest in helping people think differently, make sense of complexity and navigate change.
My work sits at the intersection of learning, creativity, facilitation and reflection. Sometimes that means working with a team using LEGO® Serious Play® to explore a complex challenge. Sometimes it means working one-to-one with someone who needs space to think about a transition or decision. Across both, I’m interested in creating the conditions for people to see things from different perspectives and develop their own way forward.
My Background
I’m a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Learning and Teaching Enhancement at University College Cork, with more than 20 years’ experience in higher education in Ireland and internationally.
I’m originally from Australia and moved permanently to Ireland in 2016. I completed my undergraduate degree in Japanese and Linguistics at Western Sydney University and spent a year studying at Daito Bunka University in Japan on scholarship in 1999. Living and working across different cultural contexts has shaped how I think about communication, learning, facilitation and the assumptions people bring to professional and educational settings.
I completed a PhD in Education at Monash University in 2013 and a Higher Diploma in Coaching and Coaching Psychology at University College Cork in 2025/26.
My academic work has spanned programme leadership, teaching, research, professional development, postgraduate supervision and the design and facilitation of learning experiences for educators, professionals and organisations.
What Connects My Work
Although LEGO® Serious Play®, coaching, education and research might look like different strands, for me they are closely connected.
I’m interested in what helps people move beyond habitual ways of thinking. That might mean making an idea physical, seeing a situation from another perspective, creating space for reflection, or working collectively to understand a problem differently.
Across all of my work, I aim to create thoughtful, engaging and inclusive spaces where people can explore ideas, make connections and develop their own understanding.
Research and professional profiles
You can find more about my academic research, publications and projects on my University College Cork research profile.
You can also connect with me on LinkedIn for updates on workshops, training, research and other work.