Alison Hood

My academic qualifications from Trinity College Dublin include a PhD in Music Analysis and Performance (2003) and a first-class honours Bachelor of Arts in Music degree (1996). During my time at Trinity I was awarded the Taylor Entrance Exhibition (1992), the Home Hewson Scholarship (1996), the Trinity College Postgraduate Award (1999), and the Government of Ireland Scholarship (1999). I was elected Scholar of Trinity in 1994. I lectured part-time in Trinity from 1997 to 2003 and was appointed visiting lecturer at the University of Oregon for the autumn term of 2001. I began lecturing in Maynooth University in 2003, completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education in 2009, and was appointed Acting Head of Department in 2012–2013.  

As a professional pianist and cellist, my disciplinary research is focused on music analysis and performance, particularly in relation to piano repertoire from the nineteenth century. In addition, my experience as an educator at Maynooth has allowed me to develop research expertise in large group pedagogies, student engagement, and the assessment process. My current research is interdisciplinary in nature, focusing on performance and analysis and the opportunities that can emerge when Music as a discipline interacts with other parts of the Academy (most recently with Business, and Computer Science).

I was appointed Dean of Teaching and Learning at Maynooth University in February 2016. In my current role as Dean of Teaching and Learning I provide leadership for the University in the key areas of the development of teaching and learning across the University and academic supports for students, coordinating the work of the Centre for Teaching and Learning, the Career Development Centre, the Work Placement Office, the Experiential Learning Office, the Programme Advisory Office, the Student Engagement Office, and the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies, also managing the implementation of the enhanced curriculum across the University, including the first-year critical skills programme and the elective streams.