MOOCs: A story of power, culture and change

This doctoral study presents findings from a cross‑country investigation of how Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are developed, embedded and sustained within Irish and British higher education institutions (HEIs). MOOCs began as open‑education initiatives designed to expand access, strengthen public engagement and support digital pedagogy, while also offering a mechanism for institutional experimentation and learning. However, their long‑term sustainability varies significantly across HEIs.

This study deepens understanding of how MOOC innovation unfolds in practice by foregrounding the experiences of the staff who design, deliver and manage these initiatives. The study investigates why HEIs develop MOOCs, how MOOCs are developed and their future within Irish and British HEIs.