Philip Penny
Philip Penny is a researcher at Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT), specialising in cyberpsychology, educational technology, mobile learning, assistive technologies, and digital innovation in education. With more than two decades of experience working on national and European research initiatives, he has contributed extensively to Erasmus+ and international collaborative projects focused on creativity, inclusion, digital literacy, and emerging technologies.
Philip’s work explores the intersection of psychology and technology, with particular expertise in virtual reality, user experience design, mobile journalism, and technology-enhanced learning. He has played a leading role in numerous European research projects including Y-NEX, T+D Stories, iProfessional, DICE, and M-TRAINING, developing innovative approaches to digital education, media literacy, and social inclusion.
He is also widely recognised for his research and development work on the internationally acclaimed “School in a Box” initiative, a mobile learning solution designed to bring technology-enabled education to underserved and rural communities. The project has been presented at UNESCO, the African Ireland Forum, and international education conferences, and has attracted collaboration with global organisations, government agencies, and technology partners.
In addition to his research activities, Philip has presented at conferences across Europe, contributed to publications on mobile learning and educational technology, and served on the steering committee for the Media + Learning Conference and the MEDEA Awards initiative. His academic background includes an MSc in Cyberpsychology and a BSc in Psychology Applied to Information Technology from IADT.
The TU RISE IADT Elevate Programme hosted an XR Design Sprint bringing together enterprises and creative practitioners to explore real-world applications of immersive technologies through collaborative, hands-on innovation. Over five days, participants developed early-stage concepts across education, culture and creative industries, supported by design thinking and industry expertise.
The TU RISE Elevate team was delighted to attend Amplify 2026, hosted by the IRDG Innovation Network, where Aisling Cox and Dorota Zurek gained valuable insights into innovation, R&D and collaboration. Thank you to the IRDG team for delivering such an inspiring event.
We were delighted to take part in the IADT Summer School on Research & Social Justice, which brought together researchers, educators and community partners to explore the role of research in creating positive social impact. Thank you to everyone who contributed to such an inspiring and engaging event.