Dr Patricia Kennon

    Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education, Sexualities and Gender

    Associate Professor

    School of Education
    3rd
    318
    (01) 474 7410

    Biography

    I teach across a wide range of children's literature, young adult (YA) literature, youth culture, and English Education. I am General Editor of The International Journal of Young Adult Literature, the Secretary of NAES (the Irish national section of the European Society for the Study of English), and the chair of the steering committee of MU SexGen, an interdisciplinary network of Maynooth University faculty, students, and staff who do research on genders and sexualities. 

    Research Interests

    My research interests address a wide range of issues regarding intersections of childhood, young adulthood, and power. I am interested in concepts of childhood, children's and YA literature and youth culture in the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries. I especially welcome research collaborations and supervising research in the following areas: genders and sexualities in children's and YA culture and literature; picturebooks (picture books); and global citizenship education.

    Research Projects

    Title Role Description Start date End date Amount
    LGBTQIA+ Young-Adult Literature Principal Investigator 01/07/2023 31/07/2023 1800
    Maynooth University Teaching and the Sustainable Development Goals PI 01/09/2022 30/06/2023 5000
    ‘A collaborative review of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) pedagogies and practices in a Dublin primary school’. Co PI 01/09/2022 30/05/2023 4000
    ‘Integrating the gender dimension into teaching, learning and educational outreach in initial teacher education’ Co-Investigator 01/09/2021 30/06/2023 19000
    ‘Free For Whom?’: A Multi-disciplinary Conference on Gender, Sexuality and the Irish Free State 1922-1937’ PI 09/09/2022 09/09/2022 1000
    Post COVID 19: the Irish and Scottish youth literature sectors PI 01/09/2021 22/02/2022 4426.17
    ‘Integrating the Gender Dimension Into Teaching and Learning’ Co-Investigator 01/10/2021 20/11/2021 2500
    'Representing Time and Wordless Picturebooks' PI 01/04/2019 30/04/2019 3000
    'Asexuality in contemporary young-adult fiction' PI 02/02/2019 30/06/2019 2000
    ‘Picturebooks and History Education’ PI 01/02/2019 02/03/2019 1500
    'Inclusive children’s and young adult literature' PI 01/01/2018 30/06/2018 300
    'Picturebooks and Diversity' PI 01/01/2018 30/06/2018 2000
    'Social justice education and children's literature' PI 01/06/2017 30/06/2017 1500

    Peer Reviewed Journal

    Year Publication
    2022 Alison Waller, Patricia Kennon, and Emily Corbett (2022) ''Editorial''. International Journal of Young Adult Literature, 3 . [Link] http://doi.org/10.24877/IJYAL.109
    2021 Patricia Kennon (2021) '‘Asexuality and the Potential of Young Adult Literature for Disrupting Allonormativity’'. International Journal of Young Adult Literature, 2 (1):1-24. [Link] http://doi.org/10.24877/IJYAL.41
    2020 Kennon, P (2020) 'Reflecting Realities in Twenty-First-Century Irish Children's and Young Adult Literature'. Irish University Review, 50 . [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2017 Kennon P. (2017) 'Monsters of Men: Masculinity and the Other in Patrick Ness’s Chaos Walking Series'. Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 37 (1):25-34. [DOI] [Full-Text]
    2016 Kennon, P (2016) 'Childhood, Power, and Travel in Salvatore Rubbino's Picture Books: A Walk in the City'. JEUNESSE: YOUNG PEOPLE, TEXTS, CULTURES, 8 :20-41. [Full-Text]
    2015 Dr Patricia Kennon (2015) ''If the Inside was the Outside: Gender, Heteronormativity and the Body in David Levithan's Every Day''. FOUNDATION: THE INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF SCIENCE FICTION, 22 . [Full-Text]
    2015 Kennon, P (2015) '"'Little Girls are Even More Perfect When They Bleed"': Monstrosity, Violence, and the Female Body in Kristin Cashore's Graceling Trilogy"'. BOOKBIRD: A JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S LITERATURE, 53 :52-61. [DOI]
    2005 Dr Patricia Kennon (2005) ''Belonging in Young Adult Dystopian Fiction: New Communities Created by Children''. PAPERS: EXPLORATIONS INTO CHILDREN'S LITERATURE, 15 :40-49. [Full-Text]

    Book Chapter

    Year Publication
    2021 Patricia Kennon (2021) 'Zombies Vs Unicorns: An Exploration of the Pleasures of the Gothic for Young Adults' In: Young Adult Gothic Fiction: Monstrous Selves/Monstrous Others. Cardiff : The University of Wales Press.
    2020 Patricia Kennon (2020) '‘Writing Childhood: Young Adult and Children’s Literature’' In: Irish Literature in Transition, Volume 6, 1980-2020. Cambridge, UK : Cambridge University Press. [Link]
    2018 Patricia Kennon (2018) '“Superpowers Don't Always Make You a Superhero”: Posthuman Possibilities in Michael Grant’s Gone Series' In: Posthumanism in Young Adult Fiction: Finding Humanity in a Posthuman World. Jackson, Mississippi : University Press of Mississippi.
    2014 Dr Patricia Kennon (2014) '‘Building Bridges To Intercultural Understanding: The Other in Contemporary Irish Children’s Literature.’' In: Our Chums in the Family of Nations: Internationalism in Children’s Series. London : Palgrave Macmillan.
    2013 Patricia Kennon and Ciara Ní Bhroin (2013) ''Introduction'' In: What Do We Tell the Children? Critical Essays on Children’s Literature. Cambridge : Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
    2012 Dr Patricia Kennon (2012) ''Contemplating Otherness: Imagining the Future in Irish Children’s Science Fiction’' In: Irish Children’s Literature: New Perspectives. London : Routledge.
    2007 Dr Patricia Kennon (2007) '‘F(r)ictional Masculinities: The Representation of Manhood in Rosemary Sutcliff’s Roman Britain series of historical novels for young adults’' In: Divided Worlds: Studies in Children’s Literature. Dublin : Four Courts Press.
    2006 Dr Patricia Kennon (2006) '‘(W)rites of Passage in Siobhán Parkinson’s Fiction’' In: Mary Shine Thompson and Celia Keenan(Eds.). Treasure Islands: Studies in Children’s Literature. : Four Courts Press.

    Edited Book

    Year Publication
    2012 Ciara Ní Bhróin and Patricia Kennon (Ed.). (2012) What Do We Tell The Children? Critical Essays on Children’s Literature. Cambridge: Cambridge Scholars Publishing,

    Conference Publication

    Year Publication
    2018 Patricia Kennon and Thérèse Hegarty (2018) Citizenship Education: 100 Years On . In: Margaret Nohilly, Bernie Collins, Anne Marie Kavanagh, Seline Keating, Fiona O’ Mahony and Carol O’ Sullivan eds. 50 Picturebooks to Change the World! Dublin, [Link] [Full-Text]

    Electronic Article

    Year Publication
    2018 Patricia Kennon (2018) Bold Girls: Academic Resource Pack. Dublin: [Electronic Article]
    2013 Dr Patricia Kennon (2013) Communicating Though Imaginations: Gerda Dendooven and the Rights of the Child Reader. [Electronic Article] [Link]
    2013 Dr Patricia Kennon (2013) Time, Space and Childhood: Museums as Cultural and Educational Sites for European Young People. [Electronic Article] [Link]
    2012 Patricia Kennon (2012) 'Hats Off to a Storytelling Master: Jon Klassen’s Visual Narratives'. Inis: The Children's Books Ireland Magazine: [Electronic Article] [Link]
    2012 Patricia Kennon (2012) 'Making Worlds: Talking Design and Storytelling with the Emberleys'. Inis: The Children's Books Ireland Magazine: [Electronic Article] [Link]

    Published Report

    Year Publication
    2022 Melanie Ramdarshan Bold, Patricia Kennon and Siobhán Morrissey (2022) ‘Building A Youth Literature Community Resilience Framework: Children’s and Young Adult Literature and Sustainable Wellbeing Post-COVID 19’. CBI, . [Link]
    2021 Kenny, Michael, Patricia Kennon, Rebecca Maguire, Joost Slingerland, and Susan Gottlober. (2021) ‘Inaugural Report on Maynooth University’s Teaching & Learning’s Engagement with Sustainability and the SDGs’. Maynooth University website, . [Link]

    Podcast

    Year Publication
    2018 Patricia Kennon, Valerie Coghlan and Claire Dunne (2018) Podcast: “The Representation and Celebration of Females in Children’s Literature”. Dublin: [Podcast] [Link]

    Magazine Article

    Year Publication
    2022 Patricia Kennon (2022) ‘Youth Literature: A Rich Tapestry of Storytelling’. ReSourceE Magazine Summer 2022: [Magazine Article] [Link]

    Conference Contribution

    Year Publication
    2023 Patricia Kennon (2023) Gender Equity in Teacher Education webinar ‘Exploring Gender Norms and Discourses in Literature for Young People in Initial Teacher Education’ Online, .
    2023 Patricia Kennon and Suzanne O'Keeffe (2023) Educational Studies Association of Ireland conference ‘Creating a Collaborative and Caring Policy for Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in a Dublin Primary School’ Belfast, .
    2022 Patricia Kennon (2022) ‘Impacts of COVID-19 on Scottish and Irish Child and Young Adult Readers’ UCD CHiLD-RC and Children’s Research Network conference UCD, 08/12/2022-08/12/2022.
    2022 Patricia Kennon (2022) 'Reading and Wellbeing: Mental Health and Literature for Children and Young Adults’ 2022 ‘Parenting Programme: Supporting Reading’ series of talks, Kildare Libraries Celbridge Library, 24/03/2022-24/03/2022.
    2022 Patricia Kennon (2022) ‘Children's and YA Literature in Ireland - Developments & Challenges’ Irish Society for the Study of Children’s Literature seminar Online, 18/11/2022-18/11/2022.
    2022 Patricia Kennon and Emily Corbett (2022) ‘Publishing with The International Journal of Young Adult Literature’ Young Adult Studies Association conference Online, 02/11/2022-02/11/2022.
    2022 Patricia Kennon (2022) ‘Perspectives on YA Studies Publishing’ Young Adult Studies Association conference Online, 02/11/2022-02/11/2022.
    2022 Patricia Kennon (2022) Roundtable discussion on strategic planning for Ireland-Scotland research collaborations Royal Irish Academy and Royal Society of Edinburgh roundtable Dublin, 21/10/2022-21/10/2022.
    2022 Patricia Kennon and Melanie Ramdarshan Bold (2022) ‘COVID-19 impacts on Irish and Scottish young readers and children’s literature communities’ Children’s Books Ireland conference Dublin, 23/09/2023-23/09/2023.
    2022 Patricia Kennon (2022) ‘Reading and Wellbeing: Mental Health and Literature for Children and Young Adults’ 2022 ‘Parenting Programme: Supporting Reading’ series, Kildare Libraries Celbridge Library, 24/03/2022-24/03/2022.
    2022 Patricia Kennon (2022) ‘Editors Roundtable’ Children’s Literature Association conference Atlanta, USA, 03/06/2022-03/06/2022.
    2022 Patricia Kennon (2022) 'The Sustainable Development Goals: Teaching and Learning Contexts’ Maynooth University Social Justice Week 2022 Maynooth University, 08/03/2022-08/03/2022.
    2022 Patricia Kennon (2022) ‘MU Teaching and Learning and the Sustainable Development Goals’ Maynooth Green Day 2022 Maynooth University, 10/03/2023-10/03/2023.
    2022 Patricia Kennon (2022) 'Cultural Diversity and Inclusion in Youth Literature’. This online workshop explores the importance of equitable and authentic representation and global citizenship education in literature for young National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) Annual Conference Online, 16/02/2022-16/02/2022.
    2021 Patricia Kennon (2021) Irish Young Adult Literature International Youth Literature module, MLIS, iSChool, San Jose State University, USA Online, .
    2021 Patricia Kennon (2021) ‘Integrating the Gender Dimension into Teaching and Learning’ This online panel (funded by the National Forum of Teaching and Learning) involved presentations and discussion about developing an awareness around embedding gender equality across teaching and learning for academics in teacher education Online, 25/11/2021-25/11/2021.
    2021 Patricia Kennon (2021) Cognitive Approaches in Young Adult Literature Let’s Talk About Sex in YA conference Online, .
    2021 Patricia Kennon (2021) ‘The Representation of Irish Travellers in Youth Literature’ The Irish Society for the Study of Children's Literature 2021 Conversation series Online, .
    2020 Patricia Kennon (2020) 'Asexuality and Heteronormativity in Young Fiction' International Women's Day 2020 symposium Maynooth University, 11/03/2020-11/03/2020.
    2019 Dr Patricia Kennon (2019) The Irish Publishing Market World Science Fiction Convention Dublin, 15/08/2019-18/08/2019.
    2019 Patricia Kennon (2019) Telling Tales for Children Through Art and Pictures World Science Fiction Convention Dublin, 15/08/2019-18/08/2019.
    2019 Dr Patricia Kennon (2019) Being Aromantic and the Romance Plot in Young Adult Fiction Researchers Exploring Inclusive Youth Literature conference Glasgow, 08/08/2019-10/08/2019.
    2019 Dr Patricia Kennon (2019) Equality and Justice: A Picturebook Workshop Ethical Education Curriculum events Drumcondra Education Centre, Dublin, 11/06/2019-11/06/2019.
    2019 Dr Patricia Kennon (2019) Asexuality, Difference and Heteronormativity in Youth Literature Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children's Literature events California State University Fresno, USA, 25/04/2019-25/04/2019.
    2019 Dr Patricia Kennon (2019) 'Diversity and Inclusion in Children’s Literature' Kildare Libraries Reading for Pleasure series Maynooth Community Library, 29/01/2019-29/01/2019.
    2019 Dr Patricia Kennon (2019) Worlds of Stories: Exploring Global and Intercultural Issues Through Picturebooks Beyond a Single Story: Intercultural Education Conference Dublin City University, 25/01/2019-27/01/2019.
    2018 Patricia Kennon (2018) 'Picturebooks and Development and Intercultural Education' Picturebooks and DICE Dubliin City University, 11/04/2018-11/04/2018.
    2016 Patricia Kennon and Anne Dolan (2016) 'Picturebooks and Critical Literacy' Picturebooks and critical literacy Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, 07/12/2016-07/12/2016.
    2016 Patricia Kennon and Therese Hegarty (2016) '50 Picturebooks to Change the World!' Citizenship Education: 100 Years On Dublin City University, 12/11/2016-12/11/2016. [Full-Text]
    2015 Patricia Kennon (2015) Picturebooks and Intercultural Education Picturebooks and intercultural education Maynooth University, 23/09/2015-23/09/2015.
    2015 Patricia Kennon (2015) 'Picturebooks: constructing childhoods and texts for children' Irish Society for the Study of Children's Literature DLR Lexicon, Dublin, 10/04/2015-10/04/2015.
    2015 Patricia Kennon (2015) Worlds of Picturebooks: World Book Day Talk on international picturebooks for World Book Day Irish Development Education Association office, Dublin, 06/03/2015-06/02/2015.
    2014 Patricia Kennon (2014) 'Young-Adult Science Fiction and Popular Culture' European Science Fiction Society convention (Eurocon) Dublin, 23/08/2014-23/08/2014.
    2014 Patricia Kennon (2014) 'Jobs in Young Adult Science Fiction' European Science Fiction Society (Eurocon) convention Dublin, 23/08/2014-23/08/2014.
    2014 Patricia Kennon (2014) 'Heteronormativity in David Levithan's Every Day' World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) London, 17/08/2014-17/08/2014.
    2014 Patricia Kennon (2014) 'Picturing Self and Other: Picturebooks and Ways of Knowing' DCU Summer School on Intercultural Studies Dublin City University, 17/06/2014-17/06/2014.
    2014 Patricia Kennon (2014) 'Children’s Literature and Irish Curricula' Irish Society for the Study of Children's Literature Maynooth University, 28/03/2014-28/03/2014.
    2012 Patricia Kennon (2012) 'Windows and Mirrors: Social Justice in Jeannie Baker’s Picturebooks' Irish Society for the Study of Children's Literature St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, 25/02/2012-25/02/2012.
    2011 Patricia Kennon (2011) 'Girlhood, national identity and The American Girl collection' Girlhood and national identity in The American Girl collection of historical fiction Comparative Media Studies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, 14/11/2011-14/11/2011.
    2010 Patricia Kennon (2010) 'Histories, Readers, Audiences' Irish Society for the Study of Children's Literature Trinity College, Dublin, 06/03/2010-06/03/2010.
    2010 Patricia Kennon (2010) 'Picturebooks and Social Justice Education' Comhlámh (Irish organisation for global solidarity) Dublin, 13/02/2010-13/02/2010.
    2009 Patricia Kennon (2009) 'Travellers and the Irish Nation in Irish Children’s Film and Literature 1990-2009' Biennial Congress of International Research Society for the Study of Children's Literature Frankfurt, Germany, 10/08/2009-10/08/2009.
    2008 Patricia Kennon (2008) 'Slashing Harry Potter: fandom and readers writing back' Irish Society for the Study of Children's Literature Coláiste Mhuire, Marino Institute of Education, Dublin, 09/02/2008-09/02/2008.
    2007 Patricia Kennon (2007) 'Male subjectivity in William Sleator’s Science Fiction' Irish Society for the Study of Children's Literature Church of Ireland College of Education, Dublin, 23/02/2007-23/02/2007.
    2005 Patricia Kennon (2005) '“‘Belonging’ in Young Adult Dystopian Fiction: New Communities Created by Children' Biennial Congress of International Research Society for Children's Literature Trinity College Dublin, 15/08/2005-15/08/2005.
    2005 Patricia Kennon (2005) 'The private and the public spheres in Rosemary Sutcliff’s series of historical fiction' Irish Society for the Study of Children's Literature St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, 11/03/2005-11/03/2005.
    2004 Patricia Kennon (2004) ‘Rites of Passage and Encounters with the “Other” in Siobhan Parkinson’s Children’s Novel Four Kids, Three Cats, Two Cows, One Witch (Maybe)’ Irish Society for the Study of Children's Literature St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, 21/02/2004-21/02/2004.
    Certain data included herein are derived from the © Web of Science (2023) of Clarivate. All rights reserved.

    Professional Associations

    Description Function From / To
    Gender Studies Network (European Society for the Study of English) Representative for Ireland 01/01/2020 - 31/12/2023
    Íontas alliance of award-winning higher-education teachers in Ireland Member -
    International Forum for Teacher Educator Development (InFo-TED) Member and Irish representative -
    National Association of English Studies Secretary and committee member 01/09/2019 - 01/10/2022
    International Federation of National Teaching Fellows Member 01/01/2019 - 01/01/2022

    Committees

    Committee Function From / To
    Teaching Council Research Engagement Group Member 01/09/2022 - 01/09/2024
    Irish Sexualities and Genders Research Network committee Member 01/09/2022 -
    Royal Irish Academy Study of Languages, Literature, Culture and Communication Committee Vice Chair 01/09/2022 - 31/08/2026
    MU SexGen research network of Maynooth University faculty & researchers on gender and sexualities Chair of the network's steering committee 01/09/2018 - 30/12/2022
    Faculty of Social Sciences Teaching & Learning Committee Member 01/10/2016 -

    Editorial / Academic Reviews

    Amount Role From / To
    International Journal of Young Adult Literature Editor -
    Children's Literature Association Quarterly Reviewer -
    Irish University Review Reviewer -
    Children's Literature in Education Reviewer -
    Journal of Homosexuality Reviewer -

    Teaching Interests

    I teach across a wide range of genres and media regarding children’s literature and YA literature including film studies, picturebooks, comics and graphic novels, science fiction and dystopian literature, and social justice education. I am the module coordinator for the modules EDF130, EDF231, EDF342, EDF477, EDF488, EDF609, and EDF687. I have been nominated for and have won a range of institutional, national, and international awards for teaching and learning. 

    Recent Students

    Graduation date Name Degree
    2022 Linda Champkin
    2020 Jennifer McGovern
    2019 Maria Forrest