World-class research based on a distinctive, interdisciplinary approach to the natural sciences, social sciences, engineering and technology, and the arts and humanities.
The MU International Office is the first point of contact for international students applying for full-degree, Erasmus, Study Abroad, and Summer School programmes, and supports MU students who wish to study abroad.
Ciarán Mac an Bhaird was awarded his PhD in Mathematics (Algebraic Number Theory) in 2007. From 2007-2023 he was a lecturer (appointed associate professor in 2022) and also manager of the mathematics support centre (appointed director in 2016).
The majority of Ciarán's research has been in mathematics education, particularly related to the effectiveness of interventions which target improved student retention and progression, and facilitate improved student engagement with and experience of mathematics and mathematics support. Recently, his research has had increased focus on topics from the history of mathematics, and includes consideration of increased use of historical material in the teaching of mathematics.
Peer Reviewed Journal
Year
Publication
2023
Ruth Hand, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Peter Mulligan, James O'Malley, Rachel O'Neill (2023) 'The sigma Accessibility Special Interest Group: Resources Update'. MSOR Connections, 21 (1):76-80. https://doi.org/10.21100/msor.v21i1
2023
Caitríona Ní Shé, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn (2023) 'Factors that influence student engagement with technology-enhanced resources for formative assessments in first-year undergraduate mathematics'. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, . https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2023.2182725
2021
Fitzmaurice O.; Mac an Bhaird C. (2021) 'Effective tutoring in mathematics learning support: the student perspective'. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, . [DOI]
2021
Calum Heraty, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Aisling McGlinchey, Peter Mulligan, Pádhraic O'Hanrahan, James O'Malley, Rachel O'Neill, Tara Vivash (2021) 'Technological Explorations in the Move to Online Mathematics Support'. MSOR Connections, 19 (1):55-62. https://doi.org/10.21100/msor.v19i1 [Full-Text]
2021
Calum Heraty, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Peter Mulligan, James O'Malley, Rachel O'Neill (2021) 'A trial of resources to support students with Dyslexia'. MSOR Connections, 19 (1):13-21. https://doi.org/10.21100/msor.v19i1 [Full-Text]
2021
Mac An Bhaird C.; McGlinchey A.; Mulligan P.; O'Malley J.; O'Neill R. (2021) 'Student experiences of online study groups and drop-in mathematics support during COVID-19'. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications, 40 (4):356-373. [DOI]
2021
Mac An Bhaird C.; Mulligan P.; O'Malley J. (2021) 'Mathematics support centres' online presence: Provision in Ireland and the UK in 2018'. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications, 40 (3):190-209. [DOI][Full-Text]
2020
Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Peter Mulligan, James O'Malley (2020) 'Student Perspectives on their Engagement with a Mathematics Support Centre Website'. MSOR Connections, 18 (3):4-9. https://doi.org/10.21100/msor.v18i3 [Full-Text]
2020
Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Peter Mulligan, James O'Malley (2020) 'Mathematics Support Centre Attendees and their Use of Online Resources'. MSOR Connections, 18 (3):63-69. https://doi.org/10.21100/msor.v18i3 [Full-Text]
2020
Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Peter Mulligan, James O'Malley (2020) 'Mathematics support centres’ online presence: provision in Ireland and the UK in 2018'. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications, . https://doi.org/10.1093/teamat/hraa010 [Full-Text]
2019
Emma Cliffe, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn, Clare Trott (2019) 'Mathematics instructors’ awareness of accessibility barriers for disabled students'. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications, 39 (3):184-200. https://doi.org/10.1093/teamat/hrz012 [Full-Text]
2019
Michael Grove, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Ciarán O'Sullivan (2019) 'Professional development opportunities for tutors of mathematics learning support'. MSOR Connections, 18 (1):4-15. [Link] https://doi.org/10.21100/msor.v18i1 [Full-Text]
2018
Peter Mulligan, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird (2018) 'The Role of a Full-time Mathematics Support Tutor'. MSOR Connections, 16 (2):30-36. https://doi.org/10.21100/msor.v16i2.728 [Full-Text]
2017
Ciaran Mac an Bhaird, Brien Nolan, Ann O'Shea, Kirsten Pfeiffer (2017) 'A study of creative reasoning opportunities in assessments in undergraduate calculus courses'. Research in Mathematics Education, 19 (2):147-162. [Link] https://doi.org/10.1080/14794802.2017.1318084 [Full-Text]
2017
Caitríona Ní Shé, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn, Ann O'Shea (2017) 'Problematic topics in first-year mathematics: lecturer and student views'. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 48 (5):715-734. [DOI][Full-Text]
2017
Caitríona Ní Shé, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn, Ann O’Shea (2017) 'Students’ and lecturers’ views on mathematics resources'. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications, 36 (4):183-199. [Link][DOI][Full-Text]
2017
Peter Mulligan, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird (2017) 'Motivating Mature Students of Mathematics'. MSOR Connections, 15 (3):36-43. https://doi.org/10.21100/msor.v15i3.481
2016
Terry McIvor, Jonathan Cole, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird (2016) 'The Pilot Maths Centre at the North West Regional College'. MSOR Connections, 15 (1):56-63. https://doi.org/10.21100/msor.v15i1.362
2016
Kirsten Pfeiffer, Anthony Cronin, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird (2016) 'The key role of tutors in Mathematics Learning Support – A report of the 10th annual IMLSN workshop'. MSOR Connections, 15 (1):39-46. https://doi.org/10.21100/msor.v15i1.367
2016
Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn, Olivia Fitzmaurice, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Ciarán O'Sullivan (2016) 'Gender Differences in the Level of Engagement with Mathematics Support in Higher Education in Ireland'. International Journal of Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, 2 (3):297-317. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40753-016-0031-4
2016
Grehan, M; Bhaird, CM; O'Shea, A (2016) 'Investigating students' levels of engagement with mathematics: critical events, motivations, and influences on behaviour'. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 47 :1-28. [DOI]
2015
Olivia Fitzmaurice, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn, Ciarán O'Sullivan. (2015) 'Adult learners and mathematics learning support'. ADULTS LEARNING MATHEMATICS AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, 10 (1):68-83. [Full-Text]
2015
Berry, E, Mac an Bhaird C.; OShea A. (2015) 'Investigating relationships between the usage of mathematics learning support and performance of at-risk students'. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications, 34 (4):194-204. [DOI][Full-Text]
2014
Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Brian Nolan (2014) 'University Students’ Perspectives on Diagnostic Testing in Mathematics'. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 45 (1):58-74. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2013.790508
2014
Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn, Olivia Fitzmaurice, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Ciarán O'Sullivan (2014) 'Student perception of the impact of mathematics support in higher education'. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 45 (7):953-967. [DOI]
2013
An Bhaird C.; Fitzmaurice O.; NÃfhloinn E.; O'sullivan C. (2013) 'Student non-engagement with mathematics learning supports'. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications, 32 (4):191-205. [DOI][Full-Text]
2013
Gráinne Burke, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Ann O'Shea (2013) 'The effect of a monitoring scheme on tutorial attendance and assignment submission'. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 44 (4):545-553. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2012.756553
2012
Burke G.; Macan Bhaird C.; O' shea A. (2012) 'The impact of a monitoring scheme on engagement in an online course'. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications, 31 (4):191-198. [DOI][Full-Text]
2011
Martin Grehan, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Ann O'Shea (2011) 'Why do students not avail themselves of mathematics support?'. Research in Mathematics Education, 13 (1):79-80. https://doi.org/10.1080/14794802.2011.550736 [Full-Text]
2011
Ciarán Mac an Bhaird (2011) 'The provision of mathematics support and the role of the history of mathematics'. Hermathena, 191 (Winter 2011):53-67. [Full-Text]
2011
Olivia Gill, Kevin Jennings, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn, Ciarán O'Sullivan (2011) 'The Irish Mathematics Support Network; its origins and progression'. All Ireland Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (AISHE-J), 3 (2):51.1-51.14. [Link][Full-Text]
2010
Olivia Gill, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn (2010) 'The Origins, Development and evaluation of Mathematics Support Services'. BULLETIN OF THE IRISH MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY, 66 (2):51-63. [Link][Full-Text]
2009
Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Tadhg Morgan, Ann O'Shea (2009) 'The impact of the mathematics support centre on the grades of first year students at the National University of Ireland Maynooth'. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications, 28 (3):117-122. https://doi.org/10.1093/teamat/hrp014 [Full-Text]
2009
Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Ann O'Shea (2009) 'Is Mathematics Support worthwhile? An overview of the 3rd Irish workshop on Mathematics Learning and Support Centres'. MSOR Connections, 9 (2):52-59. [Link][Full-Text]
Book Chapter
Year
Publication
2011
Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Ann O'Shea (2011) 'The role of Technology in Mathematics Support' In: Teaching Mathematics Online: Emergent Technologies and Methodologies. Hershey PA17033 : IGI Global.
Book
Year
Publication
2005
Ciarán Mac an Bhaird (2005) Primality Testing and Gaussian Sums. : Logic Press.
Edited Book
Year
Publication
2017
Mac an Bhaird, Ciarán; Díez-Palomar, Javier; Griffiths, Graham; O’Shea, Ann (Ed.). (2017) Numeracy: A Critical Skill in Adult Education. Proceedings of the 23rd International Conference of Adults Learning Mathematics: A research Forum (ALM). Maynooth: Maynooth University, [Link]
Other Journal
Year
Publication
2018
Olivia Fitzmaurice, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn, Ciarán O'Sullivan (2018) 'Adult learners and mathematics learning support'ADULTS LEARNING MATHEMATICS: A RESEARCH FORUM 1993-2018 Celebrating 25 Years: A lot done, a lot more to do, :113-127. [Link]
Conference Publication
Year
Publication
2017
Ann O'Shea, Sinéad Breen, Conor Brennan, Frank Doheny, Fiona Lawless, Christine Kelly, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Séamus McLoone, Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn, Caitríona Ní Shé, Brien Nolan (2017) PROCEEDINGS OF THE TENTH CONGRESS OF THE EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR RESEARCH IN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION (CERME10) Technology enhanced Resources for Mathematics Education (TeRMEd)[Link]
2017
Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Terry Maguire, Ann O’Shea (2017) Numeracy: A Critical Skill in Adult Education. Proceedings of the 23rd International Conference of Adults Learning Mathematics: A research Forum (ALM) . In: Mac an Bhaird, Ciarán; Díez-Palomar, Javier; Griffiths, Graham; O’Shea, Ann eds. National and international perspectives on policies for and models of numeracy[Link][Full-Text]
2017
Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Cormac Breen, Ann O’Shea, Ciarán O’Sullivan (2017) Numeracy: A Critical Skill in Adult Education. Proceedings of the 23rd International Conference of Adults Learning Mathematics: A research Forum (ALM) . In: Mac an Bhaird, Ciarán; Díez-Palomar, Javier; Griffiths, Graham; O’Shea, Ann eds. The role of Feedback, Assessment for Learning and Adult Learners in Mathematics Learning Support Maynooth, [Link]
2016
Caitríona Ní Shé, Sinéad Breen, Conor Brennan, Frank Doheny, Fiona Lawless, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Séamus McLoone, Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn, Brien Nolan, Ann O'Shea (2016) PROCEEDINGS OF THE CETL-MSOR CONFERENCE 2015 . In: David Green eds. Identifying problematic mathematical topics and concepts for first year students University of Greenwich, [Link]
2016
Fiona Lawless, Ann O’Shea, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn, Caitríona Ní Shé, Brien Nolan (2016) PROCEEDINGS OF THE CETL-MSOR CONFERENCE 2016 Assessment for learning: resources for first year undergraduate mathematics modules Loughborough University, [Link]
2012
Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Patrick McCarthy (2012) Essays on Mathematics and Statistics: Volume 2 (Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference in Mathematics and Statistics (ATINER)) . In: Vladimir Akis eds. A Purely Diophantine System of Equations that Corresponds to Cyclotomic Numbers of Order l[Link]
2012
Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Brien Nolan (2012) SMEC 2012: Science and Mathematics Education Conference Appropriate settings and supports for third level diagnostic testing in mathematics DCU, [Link]
2012
Ann O'Shea, Martin Grehan, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird (2012) Proceedings of the 12th International Congress on Mathematical Education, Seoul (2012) The effect of fear on engagement with mathematics Seoul, South Korea,
2012
E. Ní Fhloinn, C. Mac an Bhaird and B. Nolan (2012) Proceedings of the SMEC Conference 2012: Teaching at the heart of Learning Appropriate settings and supports for third-level diagnostic testing in mathematics[Full-Text]
2012
Ciarán Mac an Bhaird (2012) Proceedings of the Cetl-MSOR Conference 2011 . In: Dagmar Waller eds. Mentoring students can lead to increased engagement and success with mathematics[Link][Full-Text]
2012
G. Burke, C. Mac an Bhaird, A. O'Shea (2012) Proceedings of the SMEC Conference 2012: Teaching at the heart of Learning Monitoring Students' Engagement with Mathematics at Third Level[Full-Text]
2012
Gráinne Burke, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Ann O'Shea (2012) Proceedings of the Cetl-MSOR Conference 2012 . In: Peter Rowlett, Dagmar Waller eds. Peer Mentoring for At-Risk Students University of Sheffield,
2011
A. O'Shea, M. Grehan and C. Mac an Bhaird (2011) Proceedings of the Fourth Conference on Research in Mathematics Education MEI 4 The effects of social interactions on engagement in Mathematics[Full-Text]
2011
M. Grehan, A. O'Shea and C. Mac an Bhaird (2011) Proceedings of the Cetl-MSOR Conference 2010 How do students deal with difficulties in mathematics?[Full-Text]
2011
C. Mac an Bhaird, A. O'Shea. (2011) Proceedings: National Digital Learning Resources Conference: NDLR Fest 2011 Vol 1 & 2 The Development of Mathematics Resources[Full-Text]
2010
C. Mac an Bhaird and A. O'Shea (2010) Proceedings of the CETL-MSOR Conference 2009 What type of student avails of mathematics support and why?[Full-Text]
2010
C. Mac an Bhaird (2010) Proceedings of the History of Mathematics and Teaching of Mathematics Conference 2010 The lessons that struggling mathematics students can learn from the History of Mathematics
2010
C. Mac an Bhaird, M. Grehan and A. O'Shea (2010) Proceedings of the 15th SEFI MWG Seminar and 8th Workshop GFC, Mathematical education of Engineers What type of student avails of mathematics support and extra mathematics initiatives?[Full-Text]
2010
A. O'Shea, M.Grehan and C. Mac an Bhaird (2010) Proceedings of the British Congress for Mathematics Education April 2010 Why do students not avail of mathematics support? A case study of first year students at NUI Maynooth[Full-Text]
2010
C. Mac an Bhaird and A. O'Shea (2010) Research Teaching - Linkages: Practice and Policy. Proceedings of the National Academy's Third Annual Conference First year students' mathematics learning experiences at the National University of Ireland Maynooth[Full-Text]
2009
C. Mac an Bhaird (2009) Proceedings of the CETL-MSOR Conference 2008 Introducing the history of mathematics to third level students with weak mathematical backgrounds: A case study[Full-Text]
2008
C. Mac an Bhaird (2008) Proceedings of AISHE, AISHE-C Encouraging Student Engagement The Necessity of Maths Support Centres in Higher Level Education[Full-Text]
Published Report
Year
Publication
2016
Anthony Cronin, Jonathan Cole, Maura Clancy, Cormac Breen, Diarmuid Ó Sé (2016) An audit of Mathematics Learning Support provision on the island of Ireland in 2015. The National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, . [Link]
2014
Ciarán O'Sullivan, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Olivia Fitzmaurice, Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn (2014) An Irish Mathematics Learning Support Network (IMLSN) Report on Student Evaluation of Mathematics Learning Support: Insights from a large scale multi‐institutional survey. NCE-MSTL, .
