Personal profile
Biography
Deirdre has been employed as a lecturer in the Management Discipline for since 1997. Prior to joining University of Galway, Deirdre worked as an associate lecturer for the National College of Ireland (NCI) and as an independent management consultant. Deirdre is actively involved in researching the lived experience of hospitality workers in Ireland with a view to highlighting issues and promoting positive change. She is a founding member of the Global Hospitality Research Alliance (GHRA), a network of over 40 intellectual activists using research to provoke positive change to working conditions in hospitality and tourism.Deirdre was awarded a National Teaching Hero Award in 2014 and 2021.Deirdre is Vice Dean for Equality Diversity amp; Inclusion for the College of Business Public Policy and Law. Sherepresents the College of Business, Public Policy, and Law, as a Steering Committee member for the University of Sanctuary initiative aimed at making University of Galway a welcome place for refugees, asylum-seekers, and members of our travelling community.
Research Interests
Deirdres primary research interest focuses on the lived experience of hospitality workers. She is a founding member of the Global Hospitality Research Alliance (GHRA) a collective of over 40 intellectual activists from around the world. Other areas of interest include, exploring the impact of the law in bringing about change in workplace employment relations, and the value of mediation as an alternative to litigation.
Teaching Interests
Dr Deirdre Curran, Lecturer in Management at NUI Galway is the recipient of the prestigious national Teaching Hero award in 2014 and 2021. The student-nominated award is the run by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching amp; Learning in Higher Education. Deirdre contributes to a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Her primary subject areas are, employment relations, employment law, equalitydiversityinclusion, and the management of workplace conflict.Deirdres teaching philosophy is to develop in students not only knowledge of the subject area but also the ability to think critically about the concepts, rationale and implications for life outside the university. Deirdre constantly strives to improve the quality of her inputs by involving students in their own learning and using innovative learning techniques. Through active engaement with class representatives, Deirdre gives voice to her students regarding their own learning.
Related documents
Education/Academic qualification
B.Sc., M.Sc., PhD.
External positions
Internal Training & Development Consultant1990 ¿ 1993, The National Grid Company plc
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 1 No Poverty
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SDG 4 Quality Education
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SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
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SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
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SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
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SDG 15 Life on Land
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SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Fingerprint
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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The lived experience of hospitality workers in Ireland: A 2025 snapshot
Curran, D., Ward, K., Kulichyova, A., Ogunpaimo, O., O'sullivan, M. & Ní Léime, Á., 1 Apr 2026, University of Galway.Research output: Book/Report › Published Report › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Downloads (Pure) -
INTERROGATING TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY’S WICKED EMPLOYMENT ISSUES THROUGH THE LENS OF PARADOX THEORY
Baum, T., Curran, D., Hadjisolomou, A., Gjerald, O., Linge, T. T., Yoo, K. I. & Winchenbach, A., 9 Sep 2024, Advances in Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research. Emerald Publishing , p. 1-20 20 p. (Advances in Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research; vol. 17B).Research output: Chapter in Book or Conference Publication/Proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
8 Citations (Scopus) -
Tourism Policy-Making in the Context of Contested Wicked Problems
Curran, D., 1 Sep 2024, Tourism Policy-Making in the Context of Contested Wicked Problems: Politics, Paradigm Shifts and Transformation Processes: Volume 17B. Emerald Publishing LimitedResearch output: Chapter in Book or Conference Publication/Proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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Ahead of the Tide: Exploring a Unique Change Agenda at the Armada Hotel
Curran, D. & O'DRISCOLL, F., 1 May 2023, University of Galway.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned Report › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure) -
Joint paper on empoyee voice in hospitality
Curran, D., 1 Jan 2023.Research output: Contribution to conference (Published) › Abstract › peer-review
Activities
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Olaiwola Ogunpaimo
Curran, D. (Co-Supervisor)
2024 → …Activity: Other › Current Postgraduates (Research) Supervised
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International Labour Process Conference
Curran, D. (Chaired Session)
11 Apr 2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participating in a conference, workshop, ...
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Law Society and Human Rights Conference
Curran, D. (Plenary Lecture)
18 Nov 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participating in a conference, workshop, ...
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Mental Health Ireland Conference
Curran, D. (Other)
21 Oct 2022Activity: Talk or presentation (Unpublished) › Invited Talk
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Chartered Institute of Personnel Development CIPD) Applied Research Conference
Curran, D. (Other)
22 Jan 2020 → 23 Jan 2020Activity: Talk or presentation (Unpublished) › Oral Presentation