Unlike many cynics, I live in an incredible world of tremendous possibilities, a community of positive people who appreciate the splendour that nature & society offers. I remain inquisitive about our existence and hunger to learn more and am deeply appreciative of what I have been given thus far, not least my family and friends. There is no end to life's great adventures if only we seek these with our eyes and minds open, and I look forward to the future and learning and experiencing so much more!
But there are important issues we need to tackle! Mankind is accelerating towards an unrecognisable future where singing birds compete with explosive drilling; monoculture has usurped diversity and indigenous knowledge is being covered over with concrete & steel. These are signs that our responsibility towards the planet have gone off track and left destruction on cruise control. Society's dynamics affect every aspect of our lives, from the seemingly trivial to those of utmost importance. Furthermore, the effects and consequences of technology continue to fascinate and generate in me a profound interest in the sciences.
Michael (Mike) Hynes
Room 323, 2nd Floor, Áras Moyola, NUI Galway, Ireland
+353 (0)91 49 5104
mike.hynes@nuigalway.ie
Hynes, M. (2022). Walk a mile in my shoes! An autoethnographical study of urban walkability. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, first published online 4 February 2022, doi.org/10.1177/08912416221075324
Hynes, M. (2021). The Social, Cultural and Environmental Costs of Hyper-Connectivity: Sleeping Thorough the Revolution. Bingley, UK: Emerald Publishing Limited, ISBN: 9781839099793.
Hynes, M. and Malone, P. (2020). The Utility of Public Transport in Ireland: Post COVID-19 Lockdown and Beyond. PublicPolicy.ie | UCD Geary Institute for Public Policy, 1st July 2020.
Hynes, M., Bolbocean, O., McNally, M., Conroy, M., Bednarczuk, D., Hyland, F., Coyne, E. and Marie, C. (2018). “Howya gettin’ on! Investigating Public Transport Satisfaction Levels in Galway, Ireland. Urban Science, Vol. 2, No. 4, 102. doi.org/10.3390/urbansci2040102.
My study primarily focused on subjects such as software, databases, and networking, in addition to the mathematical and theoretical foundations of computing rather than emphasising specific technologies. This provided me with a critical insight into the application of Information Technology to the processes of administration, management, and innovation within a range of industries and organisations.
Founded in theory and focused on practice and application, the Certificate in Learning & Development covered the process of delivering training, including assessment, preparation, creating a positive learning environment, facilitating learning, and evaluating learning. It also provided a comprehensive understanding of establishing and running an effective organisational coaching system, and social media in training.
The Masters in Information Technology (MIT) helped develop my core technical knowledge combined with a strong appreciation of business environments and an understanding of how people behave in a workplace context. These skills enable me to make significant contributions to organisations across technical and business boundaries,and faciltates strong consulting and management roles.
Mobility Matters? Technology, Telework, and the (Un)sustainable Consumption of Distance
This four year body of research used Ecological Modernisation (EM) theory to investigate the social and environmental impacts of telework in Ireland. It critiqued telework policy and practice for its frequent overemphasis on technology-induced efficiency and productivity gains and identified contradictions with broader social and environmental sustainability goals in the areas of mobility, work, and consumption.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching & Learning at Higher Education raises critical awareness of the key issues in teaching, learning and assessment in contemporary higher education. It helps promote the concept of reflective practice as a key attribute of a professional approach to third and fourth level teaching and provides opportunities to develop specific practical skills in teaching, course design, assessment and evaluation.
Delivery, sorting, and dispatch of mail, PABX operations, sale of products and financial services, cash accounting, customer services, staff IT training, TV license database administration, payment of wages and allowances, HR, transport fleet maintenance scheduling, newsletter editor, and general office management.
Managed the daily processing of mail, meeting significant network deadlines in a highly and technical and demanding environment, deputising for the Systems Manager, testing and systems maintenance control, induction training to all new staff, training in Integrated Letter Processing Systems (ILPS) and IT applications, frontline administration to all staff, Industrial Relation, developed and implemented ILPS testing and procedures, and implemented the Occupational Health & Safety Management System & OHSAS 18001.
Researched and wrote a market report on web widget technologies for online European social networking environments, provided user analysis reports including fluctuations in reach and popularity, and drafted company whitepapers while providing administrative support to Cynelix personnel in the Netherlands.
Managed the Galway FA District Leagues, organising fixtures and leagues in accordance with rules and regulations, appointed and reimbursed match officials, liaised with all stakeholders in football including local and national media, and maintained the Galway FA website prioritising results and information.
Comprehensive maintenance of the on-campus PC suites and ensuring that all PCs and printers are functioning and available for use, checking and ensuring the application software profile is accurate, resolving software and network faults, offering advice training and IT support to staff and students, IT hardware fault investigation and resolution, and liaising with all levels within the ISS Department to resolve outstanding issues/problems.
My current position is that of an undergraduate and postgraduate lecturer in Political Science and Sociology at the National University of Ireland Galway, specialising in environmental sociology, Mobilities and sustainability research. I'm a key member of the Governance and Sustainable Development research cluster, A Member of the Teaching and Learning Committee (TLC), a member of the Social Science Research Centre (SSRC), and a researcher with the Whitaker Institute for Innovation and Societal Change.
Through hard work, perseverance, and genuine achievement, I am well-organised, reliable, and motivated, with a clear and positive approach to all and any work undertaken. I have strong acknowledged abilities working in multi-disciplined groups and managing teams achieving high standards in all tasks, projects, and work. In particular, research and teaching/training experience provides a clear understanding of sustainability practices, lifestyles and development, and technology use and adoption, which are some of my stronger qualities.
Education & learning enhances social inclusion, active citizenship, personal development, and is the means to improved self-sustainability and satisfaction rather than mere competitiveness and employability.
To transfer my key technology, sustainability and sociological knowledge and experience in a way that allows students take control of their learning and to equip myself for the rapidly developing roles of a lecturer by focussing on how learning really happens.
Provided extensive induction training to all new staff at the Athlone Mails Centre. Delivered on-going training in Integrated Letter Processing Systems (ILPS) and IT applications to staff & management and facilitated and supported continuous training and develoment in ICT related problems and issues.
Assisted cross disciplinary groups of undergraduate and postgraduate students in mastering the statistical software package SPSS. This course included; Introduction to Statistics, Data Management & Statistical Analysis, Intermediate Statistics, Introduction to Longitudinal Analysis, and Data Visualisation. Tutorials (held 3 times weekly) consisted of approximately 30 to 40 students per class.
Basic computer training provides students and staff with an introduction to using the PC Suites in various locations across the university. It involves practical training in available applications and software, file and sharedrive management, public and private drive security and usages, the Blackboard learning environment, printing, email, and problem reporting and resolution.
These seminars for undergraduate students are designed to promote inquiry based learning, to enhance practical scholarship skills in Politics & Sociology while engaging with real world problems. Students work in groups under the guidance of a seminar tutor and are introduced to reading texts critically, taking effective notes, gathering information and using the library, using the internet as a research tool, doing group assignments, giving presentations, preparing and writing essays, using academic language, revising and taking exams, preparing for future subject and career choices. This module is examined by continuous assessment, several assignments, and two long essays.
As a volunteer tutors for Age Action Ireland, I assist older people (55+) to learn basic IT, internet and email skills. The Getting Started programme helps older people to bridge the digital divide, to beat exclusion and isolation and to increase independence. Beginner courses encourage and help older students to learn simple IT tasks. More advanced learners may be interested in learning other skills such as how to use Skype, streaming, downloading & uploading photos, and other such online activities.
My current position is that of an undergraduate and postgraduate lecturer in Political Science and Sociology at the National University of Ireland Galway, specialising in environmental sociology, Mobilities and sustainability research. I'm a key member of the Governance and Sustainable Development research cluster, A Member of the Teaching and Learning Committee (TLC), a member of the Social Science Research Centre (SSRC), and a researcher with the Whitaker Institute for Innovation and Societal Change.
I have a passion for all team sports, in particular Football, Hurling and Gaelic Football. Sport doesn't build character, it reveals character!
The Friday Footie CrewI am an avid reader and enjoy fiction and non-fiction writing. However, the writings of John Steinbeck have intrigued me most.
(One) of my favourite books!One of life's great enjoyments on a fine day is getting up early in the morning, a strong hot coffee, and then walking our family dog Belle.
See more of BelleIn my spare time I also enjoy building and deploying websites using HTML, CSS, and various client-side and server-side scripts.
See an exampleMy plea is quiet straightforward; we must do everything humanly possible to save earth, it's the only planet thats got chocolate!
Beautiful Planet EarthI cycle daily and find it relaxing and therapeutic. It also keeps me (relatively) fit and healthy and I'm doing a small bit for the environment.
I grew up (& live) in Galway City on the western seaboard of Ireland, which lies on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay.