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https://www.facebook.com/UCDInnovationAcademyAs an Entrepreneurial Specialist at the UCD Innovation Academy in Dublin Ireland, Alan has curated and facilitated a level 9 accredited programme that offers educators around the world the opportunity to reimagine their teaching practice. Over the past 5 years as Programme Director for The Professional Diploma in Creativity & Innovation in Education, or for short ‘The Entrepreneurial Educators Programme’, I have helped others t0 reimagine education in Ireland and around the globe. As an educator himself, Alan feels a responsibility to assist colleagues across the globe to develop their own creative & innovative entrepreneurial mindsets, help them to re-engage with their vocation, and experience new approaches to teaching & learning. The Entrepreneurial Educators Programme offers educators from all over the world a chance to explore experiential teaching practices and the development of their entrepreneurial mindset which they then bring back to their classrooms with renewed energy, to transform learning for their students. The programme has a scaffolded learning approach over three modules: 1) Creative Thinking & Innovation; 2) Cultivation of an Entrepreneurial Mindset; 3) Leadership for Change. A key aim of the programme is to help participants access their innate ability for independent creative thinking and innovation in its broadest sense, as well as to develop an entrepreneurial mindset by exploring ideas in a multidisciplinary team environment with all three modules delivered through activity-based exercises and interactive challenges at both individual and group level. Alan’s work on the programme has directly engaged 700 educators “worldwide”, and in turn through the ripple effect, impacted over 40,000 students
CATEGORY WINNER
Entrepreneurial Leader of the Year Award
Alan Morgan
CATEGORY WINNER Entrepreneurial Leader of the Year Award
UCD Innovation Academy - Ireland (Republic)
"Empowering Educators, Transforming Classrooms: The Power of the Ripple Effect "
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Summary
Key People
Rosie Leanard-Kane
Facilitation Specialist
Innovation Academy,
UCD
Prof. Suzi Jarvis
Found Director
Innovation Academy ,
University College Dublin
DR Eileen Diskin
Education Innovation Lead
Innovation Academy ,
University College Dublin
Eleanor Kelly
Head of Strategic Partnerships
Innovation Academy ,
University College Dublin
Jacinta Owens
Education Innovation Lead (EIL)
Innovation Academy ,
University College Dublin
Eina McHugh
Entrepreneurial Specialist
Innovation Academy ,
University College Dublin
Dr. Colman Farrell
Former Head of Programme Development at The UCD Innovation Academy (Now Education Innovator at Screen Ireland)
Screen Ireland ,
Screen Ireland
Acknowledgements
Alan would like to acknowledge and thank all the participants of the entrepreneurial educators programme over the last 10 years. These educators from around the world made a decision to enroll in a programme, develop new skills, create a community of practice and are now changemakers in their educational institution.
Some recent feedback from alumni of the programme:
"Alan is a master in the art of group facilitation and mentoring for creativity and innovation in education. It was through his guidance on the Entrepreneurial Educators programme I truly discovered the meaning of creativity and all its facets. With Alan’s guidance and support I’ve explored and developed new collaborative opportunities in my teaching practice and research. I now enjoy collaborating with Alan as I progress some of those endeavours. "
Dr Ailish O'Halloran Deputy Provost, Beijing Dublin International College
“I would like to extend my gratitude and congratulations to Alan for the professional manner in which he conducted this course. The level of expertise, information provided, and especially his dedication and passion were truly commendable.
When evaluating the impact of this learning program on me, I realize that it has had a significant personal impact, followed closely by a professional one”
Monica Calin - Rome Education Fund (REF), Romania
“I have learned so much about creativity and innovation which has changed not only my personal and professional perspective, but has the power to positively influence both my pupils and my colleagues as I implement changes in my practice”
Esther Hogan - Primary School Principal
Images
Alan Morgan Teaching the programme to Academics in Vietnam
Educators on the Programme presenting their final Diploma Project
Alan Morgan working with Academics at Ho Chi Minh City International University
Working with Academics and their Undergraduate students in VNU Hanoi
Working with Academics and their Undergraduate students in VNU Hanoi
Working with Academics and their Students at VNU Hanoi
Irish Academics presenting their final Diploma Projects
At the Deaf Mute School in Hanoi with the Vietnam Ireland Deputy Ambassador - The Ripple Effect of the Programme enabled €5,000 funding for the school
Bringing the Programme to Academics and students at The National University of Laos Vientiane
IMPACT STORY
Impacting lifes
The Entrepreneurial Educators programme has impacted the lives of teachers, educators and students around the world by igniting a spark and reimagining teaching & learning. A significant ripple effect took place in 2021/22 working with academics from The National University of Vietnam (VNU) in Hanoi. Following completion of the programme, four academics from VNU came together to complete their Diploma project as a team. Mentored by Alan,, they designed a programme of creative, innovative & entrepreneurial activities and brought this to young students in the Deaf Mute School in Hanoi - Trường PTCS dân lập dạy trẻ câm điếc Hà Nội. Here, the children learned new skills and today they have a business making handbags from old denim and a small coffee & lemonade shop, all of which generate revenue for the school. There is also a much stronger culture of creativity & innovation throughout the school. Alan was so impressed by their entrepreneurial spirit that during his next visit to Hanoi in Autumn of 2022, he visited the school to feel the impact. Alan was so touched by the students and their work, he wanted to do more. Alan approached the Irish Embassy in Hanoi and I invited the Irish Deputy Ambassador to visit the school. Following this visit, he negotiated a €5,000 fund from the Embassy for the school. This funding has been transformational for the school as it survives on donation funding. This is the ripple effect of the programme in action.
LEARNINGS
Lessons learned
For 15 years before moving into academia, Alan always held industry leadership positions, for example, Global Head of Supply Chain. This leadership experience gave him a rich entrepreneurial spirit which he has integrated into his teaching practice - Alan sometimes refers to this as leading with a “Pracademic Approach”. Working at Kaplan Dublin Business School from 2014 - 2019 Alan specialised in marketing and consumer behaviour at undergrad and masters level. While working at DBS, in 2015 he took the Entrepreneurial Educators programme at the UCD Innovation Academy - this was one of the best self leadership decisions he made in his career. He brought entrepreneurial education methodologies to all his classes at DBS, introduced experiential learning, design thinking and more. His entrepreneurial leadership spirit was recognised and he became Course Director for Marketing at DBS, won the DBS Student Award for ‘Above & Beyond’ Lecturer of the Year in 2017 and Innovation Leadership Spirit Award in 2019. Key learnings for Alan in leading educational change is to stick to your plan, embrace creativity and collaborate with people who want to achieve similar goals. For advice, he would say, do not be afraid to try and fail and learn from that failure, be a great listener and strengthen your own empathy by always challenging yourself, get out of your comfort zone, accept feedback, explore the heart not just the head, walk in others' shoes, examine your biases, cultivate your sense of curiosity and ask better questions.
FUTURE PLANS
What's coming?
The Entrepreneurial Educators programme has reached a significant milestone, celebrating ten years of fostering creativity and transformative teaching practices among educators. As the programme looks to the future, Alan is now horizon scanning to be at the forefront, establishing next practice, including:
To maintain momentum, the programme can offer ongoing professional development opportunities for graduates. This could include refresher courses, advanced workshops, or online modules that allow educators to continue their learning journey and stay updated on the latest trends in creativity and innovation. A Masters programme in Entrepreneurial education is also being considered.
The programme can expand its curriculum to include emerging topics such as digital literacy, artificial intelligence in education, and sustainability in teaching practices.
Building stronger partnerships with educational institutions and social enterprises will enhance the programme's practical relevance.
The programme already emphasizes experiential learning, but further development of hands-on projects and workshops can deepen participants' engagement.
The programme has produced a diverse and accomplished alumni network, which can be a powerful resource for current participants. Establishing a formal mentorship system where alumni guide new educators can foster a supportive community and encourage the exchange of ideas and best practices.
Promoting Research and Thought Leadership by encouraging participants to engage in research related to creativity and innovation in education can position the programme as a thought leader in the field. Publishing findings, hosting conferences, and contributing to educational journals will enhance the programme's visibility and credibility.
