From 2013 to 2017, I served as the E-learning Development Lead for Queen’s University Belfast’s first fully online distance doctorate programme, a pioneering initiative developed within the School of Nursing and Midwifery. Working alongside academic leads Professor Linda Johnston, Professor Peter O’Halloran, Dr Kevin Gormley, and Dr Jennifer McNeill, the project supported the launch and delivery of two distinct doctoral pathways: the Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) and the Doctorate in Midwifery Practice (DMP).
This innovative programme involved the end-to-end analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of over a dozen asynchronous, on-demand online modules, purpose-built to support doctoral-level learners in professional practice. Each module featured state-of-the-art multimedia content, including professionally produced video lectures, interactive formative assignments, and engaging learning activities designed to encourage critical thinking, reflection, and real-world application.
As the lead designer and developer, I incorporated best practices in user experience (UX) and instructional design, drawing on frameworks such as Jakob Nielsen’s 10 Usability Heuristics and Motivational Design principles rooted in Keller's ARCS-V Model. My approach emphasised accessibility, clarity, and learner autonomy, while iterative design and rigorous evaluation cycles ensured continuous enhancement of the learning experience.
The programme was highly successful, enabling practising nurses and midwives from many parts of the world to undertake and complete their doctoral journeys online, many of whom have gone on to make significant contributions to healthcare leadership, education, and policy.
This project represents a landmark in Queen’s University’s digital education journey and a significant contribution to scalable, high-quality online learning at the doctoral level.
| Period | 22 Jan 2013 → 01 Jan 2016 |
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| Held at | School of Nursing and Midwifery |
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| Degree of Recognition | International |
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- Distance Learning
- Doctorate in Nursing Practice
- Doctorate in Midwifery Practice
- E-learning Design
- Asynchronous Learning
- UX Design
- Jakob Nielsen
- Motivational Design
- Video Production
- Formative Assessment
- Workbook Construction
- Higher Education
- Online Learning
- Instructional Design
- UI
- User Interface Design
- User Experience Design
- human-centred design
- Professional Doctorates
- Queen’s University Belfast
- Educational Technology
- Learning Experience Design
- LXD
- Community of Practice
- Digital Pedagogy
- Evaluation and Iteration
- curriculum design
- Course Design