Staff Profile

Rory McConnon MBA MSC FHEA PMP

Biography

A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and Project Management Professional at the Project Management Institute, Rory completed his MSc. in Renewable Energy, and MSc. in Energy Management with the University of Ulster before obtaining his Masters in Business Administration from Middlesex University Dubai. He also holds a Higher Diploma in Business Management from the Institute of Technology Carlow (Ireland), a Diploma in Environmental Resources Management from Technological University Dublin, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education from Middlesex University Dubai. Rory is a PhD in Management candidate with Middlesex University London, investigating the potential for Urban Vertical Farming to support Sustainable Food Systems.  

Rory worked for 12 years in the sustainable energy and environment industry before moving to full time academia in 2013. His learning and teaching interests include International Business, Entrepreneurship, Project Management, and Sustainable Business. He is a member of the MDX Institute of Sustainable Development and the MDX Centre for Supply Chain Excellence.  Rory is the MDX Dubai Campus Programme Coordinator for Undergraduate Business Management and International Business Programmes.  

Qualifications
  • Master of Business Administration, Middlesex University Dubai, UAE.
  • Master of Science Energy Management, University of Ulster, UK.
  • Master of Science Renewable Energy, University of Ulster, UK.
  • Higher Diploma in Business Management, Institute of Technology Carlow, Ireland.
  • Diploma in Environmental Resources Management, Technological University Dublin, Ireland.
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCertHE) (Teaching & Supporting Learning), Middlesex University Dubai, UAE. 
Membership of professional bodies and associations
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, United Kingdom
  • Project Management Professional, Project Management Institute  

Research Interests

Sustainable Food Systems, Sustainable Development, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Community Development. 

Selected Publications, Presentations, and Abstracts
  • McConnon, R. (2023). A Systematic Literature Review of Urban Vertical Farming to support Sustainable Food Systems. Second International Conference on Technology, Innovation, and Sustainability. 3rd – 4th May 2023, Dubai, UAE.
  • Mackenzie, A., McConnon, R., and Hyland, L. (2022). Stakeholder experiences of an integrated curriculum in a foundation programme. HCT International General Education Conference - Practice and Pedagogy in General Education. 5th October 2022, [Online] Dubai, UAE.  
  • McConnon, R. (2022). Sustainable Organic Food Systems in the United Arab Emirates - Current Research Status. Sixth International Conference on Emerging Research Paradigms in Business and Social Sciences, 24th – 26th February 2020, Dubai, UAE.
  • Mackenzie, A., McConnon, R., and Hyland, L. (2021). Student experiences of an integrated curriculum in a university transition programme module. Teaching & Learning Conference 2021: New Frontiers in Higher Education Teaching and Learning - Strategy and Planning for the Digital Learning Age. 16th June 2021. [Online], London, UK.  
  • McConnon, R. (2020). Faculty and Student Experiences of an Integrated Curriculum in a University Transition Programme Module, Fifth International Conference on Emerging Research Paradigms in Business and Social Sciences, 14th – 16th January 2020, Dubai, UAE.
  • McConnon, R., 2020. Measures to facilitate the scale-up of education for sustainable development in higher education. International Journal of Sustainable Society, 12(1), pp.36-50.
  • Satti, R, and McConnon, R. (2019). The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on Consumer Buying Behaviour in Pakistan. First International Conference on Technology, Innovation, and Sustainability. 2nd May 2019, Dubai, UAE.  
  • McConnon, R. (2018). Measures to Facilitate the Scale-up of Education for Sustainable Development in Higher Education - Summary of the literature, Fourth International Conference on Emerging Research Paradigms in Business and Social Sciences, 16th - 18th January 2018, Dubai, UAE.
  • McConnon, R and Minhas, W. (2016). Testing the Waters. Workshop for Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) on MVP (minimum viable product) and designing experiments for customer validation. April 2016, American University of Sharjah, UAE.
  • McConnon, R. (2016). Active Learning: Tactics to modify static PowerPoint lists into student engagement opportunities.  Presentation at HCT System-wide Business Faculty Best Practice Series. April 2016, Dubai, UAE.  
  • McConnon, R. (2015). The Transdisciplinary Role of Sustainability: Educating for Sustainable Development.  Presentation at Innovation Talks - An Initiative from the Ministry of Energy United Arab Emirates, November 2015, Sharjah, UAE.  
  • McConnon, R. (2011). Utilising Innovative Financial Instruments for the Development of Sustainable Energy Practices (November 2011).  First International Conference on Emerging Research Paradigms in Business and Social Sciences in Dubai.  January 2011, Dubai, UAE.  
  • Kilkenny Local Government Authorities (2010). Climate Change Strategy and Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2010-2014. Lead author and coordinator for this strategy. Kilkenny, Ireland.  
  • McConnon. R. (2009). Eco-tourism. Green & Sustainable programme for the Development and Marketing of Quality ‘Green’ Tourism. Seminars on behalf of Tourism Wales & Ireland. Carlow, Ireland.  
  • Sustaining Community Buildings - Sustainable Energy Training and Manual for Community and Sports Centre Operators (2008). Prepared the sustainable energy and water conservation chapter of this manual.  
  • Renewable Energy Resource Studies for Co. Carlow & Co. Kilkenny, Ireland (2005). Reports prepared for Carlow and Kilkenny Local Government Authorities.  
  • Wind Energy Farm as a Public Private Partnership (2003). Consultancy project advising a Government Authority on the opportunities for Public Private Partnership as a mechanism for wind farm financing and development (Client - Donegal Local Government Authority).  
  • Potential to Recover Wood from Construction and Demolition Activities (2002).  Consultancy project prepared for the National Forestry Council of Ireland.  

Faculty Members

Lulu Baddar PGCHE MSc
Lulu Baddar PGCHE MSc
Senior Lecturer, Campus Programme Coordinator- BSc International Tourism Management
Rhoderick Romano PGCHE MBA
Rhoderick Romano PGCHE MBA
Senior Lecturer
Dr Jeongsoo Han FHEA
Dr Jeongsoo Han FHEA
Senior Lecturer
Eleni Kitra
Eleni Kitra
Senior Lecturer in Digital Marketing
Sandra Stephenson MEd, BJourn, PGCHE, FHEA
Sandra Stephenson MEd, BJourn, PGCHE, FHEA
Lecturer
Claudia L. Maher MA MCIPD FHEA
Claudia L. Maher MA MCIPD FHEA
Lecturer
Neelofer Mashood MA MBA FHEA PGCHE
Neelofer Mashood MA MBA FHEA PGCHE
Senior Lecturer
Dr Nitin Simha Vihari Poluru
Dr Nitin Simha Vihari Poluru
Senior Lecturer in HRM, Campus Programme Coordinator - MA Human Resource Management and Development
Professor Ajit Karnik PhD
Professor Ajit Karnik PhD
Professor of Economics
Professor Cedwyn Fernandes PhD
Professor Cedwyn Fernandes PhD
Pro-Vice Chancellor, Director
Andrew Mackenzie MBA SFHEA
Andrew Mackenzie MBA SFHEA
Senior Lecturer, Head of Institute of Sustainable Development
Dr Supriya Kunnath Kaitheri FHEA
Dr Supriya Kunnath Kaitheri FHEA
Senior Lecturer, Campus Programme Coordinator - MA International Business Management
Ryan Stephenson MAIBM FHEA MCMI
Ryan Stephenson MAIBM FHEA MCMI
Lecturer in Business
Matthew Brown MA, BA (Hons), HND, Dip PolGov (Open), PGCHE, MCIM, MIDM, FCMI, FHEA
Matthew Brown MA, BA (Hons), HND, Dip PolGov (Open), PGCHE, MCIM, MIDM, FCMI, FHEA
Senior Lecturer
Dr Vijay Pujari FCIM SFHEA
Dr Vijay Pujari FCIM SFHEA
Senior Lecturer, Campus Programme Coordinator - MSc Strategic Marketing and MSc Corporate and Marketing Communications, Campus Programme Coordinator - MSc Digital Marketing
Professor Cody Morris Paris PhD
Professor Cody Morris Paris PhD
Deputy Director of Research & Business, Head of the Business School
Dr Sreejith Balasubramanian FHEA
Dr Sreejith Balasubramanian FHEA
Associate Professor, Chair, Office of Research, Head & Founder: Centre for Supply Chain Excellence
Dr Sheldon Carvalho
Dr Sheldon Carvalho
Senior Lecturer in HRM & Organizational Behavior
Dr Shawn Mathew
Dr Shawn Mathew
Senior Lecturer in Marketing
Christopher Jensen
Christopher Jensen
Lecturer in Management
Muneeza Shoaib Sandeela
Muneeza Shoaib Sandeela
Senior Lecturer in Marketing, Campus Programme Coordinator- BA Marketing
Sony Sreejith Assoc. CIPD FHEA
Sony Sreejith Assoc. CIPD FHEA
Lecturer in Business Foundation, IFP - Business Pathway Coordinator
Mohammad Meraj MBA PGCHE EFQM Assessor
Mohammad Meraj MBA PGCHE EFQM Assessor
Lecturer in Business, Deputy Director Academic Professional Services & Quality