Skip to Main Content

Completed research projects

NCI is delighted to be involved in some hugely interesting and notable research projects in recent years.

School of Computing

The NEWTON Project

National College of Ireland is a partner for the NEWTON Project which aims to develop, integrate and disseminate innovative technology-enhanced learning (TEL) methods and tools, to create new or inter-connect existing state-of-the-art teaching labs and to build a pan-European learning network platform that supports fast dissemination of learning content to a wide audience in a ubiquitous manner.

Personalised m-Learning Environment for Mobile Devices with Multiple Wireless Connectivity

IRCSET Embark Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme. This project investigated means of providing learners with educational content that best suits their profile and access network while taking into account user budget constraints. The project administrator was Andreea Molnar, PHD in Technology Enhanced Learning.

Text messaging and mobile learning as a means to lowering barriers to help-seeking in students with depression

The project administrator was David Joyce, PHD in Technology Enhanced Learning.

Battery Power Aware Adaptive M-Learning System: IRCSET Embark Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme 2010-2014

This project aimed to design, test and validate adaptive strategies for assisting mobile learners in situations were their learning outcome is impacted by low battery conditions. The project administrator was  Arghir-Nicolae Moldovan, Masters in Technology Enhanced Learning.

Towards the Integration of Transectorial IT Design and Evaluation (TWIN TIDE) Network 2009-2013

The aim of the COST Initiative is to reduce the fragmentation in European research investments and opening the European Research Area to cooperation worldwide.  This network will collaborate on research and share good practice in the areas of HCI, usability and user experience.  Funded through the ESF COST Initiative. The project administrator was Dr. Stephan Weiblzahl, Lecturer, School of Computing.

Motivation-oriented Personalised e-Learning through PLAY: IRCSET Embark Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme 2009-2013

This research looked at how motivation in gaming based e-learning can be measured, identifying factors that increase motivation with a focus on adaptive strategies for personalisation-based motivation in gaming based e-learning. The project administrator was Ioana Ghergulescu, Masters in Technology Enhanced Learning.

NAIRTL Funded Project: Problem-Based Learning 2010 -2011

The design and development of a Problem Based Learning Induction resource to equip students with the skills necessary for successful participation in any Problem Based Learning Module. The project administrator was Dr Orla Lahart., Lecturer School of Computing

NAIRTL Funded Project: How do you Moodle? 2010-2011

Improving Students' Learning Experience of Virtual Learning Environments (VLE's) in Moodle. The project administrators were Dr Stephan Weiblzahl and Abi Reynolds.

Cloud Competency Centre

ICT COST Action IC1406 High-Performance Modelling and Simulation for Big Data Applications (cHiPSet) 2015-2019

Funded by the European Commission as part of the Horizon 2020 programme, the 4-year Action fostered a novel, coordinated Big Data endeavour supported by High Performance Computing from 2015 to 2019. It will support information exchange, synergy, and coordination of activities among leading European research groups and top global partner institutions, and promote European software industry competitiveness.

Horacio González-Vélez and Adriana Chis were vice-chair and management committee representative respectively. Selected results can be found through the open access Springer LNCS 11400 book

IC1408 - Computationally-intensive methods for the robust analysis of non-standard data (CRoNoS) 2015-2019

Funded by the European Commission as part of the Horizon2020 programme, the Action aimed to improve knowledge extraction from non-perfect and non-standard datasets via novel methods and tools in computing, statistics, machine learning, and mathematics. Simon Caton was the institutional representative to the Action's management committee. 

Parallel Patterns for Adaptive Heterogeneous Multicore Systems (ParaPhrase) 2011-2015

ParaPhrase project produced parallel software that was easy to write using multicore hardware more effectively with the goal of speeding up processing by at least one order of magnitude over sequential execution on real near-term multicore architectures for the use cases and systems that will be considered in the project. 

ParaPhrase built on a (multi-level) model of parallelism, where implementations of parallel programs are expressed in terms of interacting components. By expressing parallelism in terms of high-level parallel patterns that have alternative parallel implementations, we will be able to redeploy/refactor parallel components to dynamically match the available hardware resources. Horacio González-Vélez was the principal investigator at NCI.

TrainRDM “Open Science and Research Data Management Innovative and Distributed Training Programme”

TrainRDM aims to empower the education and skills dimension of Open Science and Open Data through exploring innovative mechanisms and tools.

Funder: EC Erasmus+

Big Data and Process Modelling for Smart Industry, Smart Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (SPuMoNI) 2019-2022

SPuMoNI will design data quality assessment models that account for industry regulations, and analyze data behavior patterns over time to identify outliers, i.e.; data that violates compliance. This semi-autonomous data quality control decision support system will more efficiently ensure best pharmaceutical manufacturing practice.

The project is led by Adriana Chis who jointly presented SPuMoNI at the CHIST-ERA Projects Seminar with Horacio González-Vélez, which took place in Bucharest this April 2019 as part of the EU Presidency 2019 activities. CHIST-ERA is a programme for European Coordinated Research on Long-term Information and Communication Sciences and Technologies, supported by the EU’s Horizon 2020 Future and Emerging Technologies programme. In Ireland, CHIST-ERA is managed by the Irish Research Council.

Clinically-validated INtegrated Support for Assistive Care and Lifestyle Improvement: the Human Link (vINCI) 2018-2021

High-Performance Modelling and Simulation for Big Data Applications(cHiPSet) 2015-2019

This Action provided the integration to foster a novel, coordinated Big Data endeavor supported by HPC. It will strongly support information exchange, synergy and coordination of activities among leading European research groups and top global partner institutions, and will promote European software industry competitiveness. 

School of Business

NCI President Seed Funded Project 2010-2011

The research examined the degree to which segregation exists in the investment management sub sector of the financial services industry in Ireland and the underlying reasons for these patterns.  It compared and analysed the experiences of men and women who work, or have worked, in the sector in order to identify the enablers and barriers they encountered in recruitment, progression and retention. The project administrator was Corina Sheerin, Lecturer School of Business.

NCI President Seed Funded Project: Employee Fairness Judgements 2010-2011

Employee fairness judgements in respect of termination of employment: A Longitudinal Study. The research aimed to explore the factors which impact upon an employee's fairness perception in relation to the termination of employment in an Irish context. The project administrator was Dr Colette Darcy, Lecturer School of Business.

Student Support Services

NAIRTL Funded Project: Adaptive Tutoring System 2010-2011

Development of an Adaptive Tutoring System for a Computing & Business Mathematics Module as a way to facilitate self-directed learning through the use of the On-Line Virtual Learning Environment Moodle. The project administrators were Francis Sheridan, Computer Support Tutor and Jonathan Lambert, Maths Support Tutor.

Other Projects

Knowledge Economy Skills Passport (KESP) 2007-2009

KESP is a HETAC accredited Programme designed to deliver the core competencies and business skills needed for the Knowledge Economy. It is a special purpose award at level 6 of the Framework and delivered using an innovative blended learning model. KESP was funded by FAS and delivered to just under 400 work based learners in 2007-2009. 

The Know IT Programme 2006-2009

Know IT is a beginners computer course. Know IT encourages learners to take their first steps in learning about computers and concentrates on everyday practical tasks such as writing an email, exploring the internet or simple word processing. Know IT is an e-learning course delivered via CD and is a FETAC accredited course at level 3. Know IT was funded by FAS and delivered to over 1000 learners during the period 2006-2009.  

Digital Literacy in Irish Primary Schools (DLIPS) 2007-2009

The aim of the Dlips project was to look at digital literacy in the context of the Irish primary education sector. Our objective was to investigate the use and impact of digital media practices in a sample of 4 DEIS Primary Schools. This project was funded by the Department of Education and Science and was carried in partnership with the Digital Hub Development Agency, the Education Research Centre and the University of Glasgow.

Technology in Docklands Education (TIDE) 2007-2008

National College of Ireland secured funding from the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) to undertake a feasibility study into the current use of technology in schools in the Docklands area. Two areas of need in particular were highlighted: technical support and using technologies for learning. Researchers worked with 26 schools in the Docklands area over the period December 2007- May 2008 and produced a report with recommendations for this area. 

Leonardo Da Vinci Programme: SMART Course: Alternative Media Production 2013-2015

The goal of this European project is to develop a new technology training course to further educate teachers, parents and professionals working in the area of inclusive education. This new project has arose out of findings from an older LdV Project EDU RoboBraille (2011-2013), where partners discovered the need to develop and describe a practical hands-on training course aimed at improving the skills of teachers, parents and alternate media producers supporting people with visual and reading impairments. The consortium is made up of 8 partners from Denmark, Hungary, Austria, Italy, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania and Ireland. Contact Dr. Michael Goldrick Irish Lead Researcher.