Vısıtıng lecturer

Atlantic Technological University

DR. Ciarán Ó'hAnnracháin

Ciarán Ó hAnnracháin has worked in tertiary education, both public and private, for over 30 years in the Irish, UK, US, and Swiss education systems, predominantly working in the field of Hospitality and Tourism Management. He has held several academic management roles in Switzerland and Ireland for the past 20 years and has been a member of a range of national advisory panels in both Hospitality & Tourism and Higher Education. He holds an undergraduate degree from Trinity College Dublin, a master’s degree from both University College Dublin and Waterford Institute of Technology, and a doctoral degree from University of Sheffield. He was Project Manager in Letterkenny Institute of Technology for merger of GMIT. IT Sligo and LYIT to become the Atlantic Technological University in April 2022 with responsibility for Academic Strategy and Planning, Student Services, Internationalisation and External Engagement. He currently works as Director of Strategic Projects for the ATU Faculty of Business. He is the outgoing Chair of the Operational Board of the World Technology University Network, facilitating collaboration between academics across the globe.

 

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The topic of the visiting lecture was “Beyond Green: Exploring Sustainability’s Deep Dimensions – Theory, Praxis and Navigating the Complexities for a Resilient Future” on May 27th, 2025. This session offers an advanced exploration of sustainability, delving into complex socio-ecological systems through theoretical frameworks and critical analysis-from Brundtland’s definition to Ostrom’s commons governance and planetary boundaries in ecological economics. Engaging with cutting-edge research, emerging technologies, and

innovative governance, participants will examine the behavioural and systemic dimensions of sustainability transitions through case studies. Designed to sharpen analytical tools and inspire impactful research, the session aims to provoke new questions and deepen commitment to the sustainability agenda.

Dr. Ciarán Ó'hAnnracháin
The workshop was held in Bursa Uludag University Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences.

workshop learnıng outcomes

  • Critically analyse and compare advanced theoretical frameworks in sustainability science, including ecological economics, systems thinking, and socio-ecological systems approaches, evaluating their strengths, limitations, and applicability to diverse real-world challenges
  • Evaluate cutting-edge research and frontier challenges in sustainability, such as the role of emerging technologies, novel governance models, and behavioural dimensions in driving or hindering sustainability transitions
  • Apply a multi-dimensional perspective to sustainability case studies, identifying the intricate interplay of environmental, social and economic factors, and proposing evidence based solutions informed by theoretical understanding
  • Formulate relevant impactful research questions to address current knowledge gaps