Rory McConnon MBA MSC FHEA PMP

ROLE:Senior Lecturer, Campus Programme Coordinator - Undergraduate Business Management and International Business
CONTACT:+971 (0)4 361 2889
EMAIL:[email protected]

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.