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Political Science & Sociology

Dr Michael Hynes

B.Sc., MIT, Ph.D.

Contact Details

Lecturer (Fixed Term)
Room 323, 2nd Floor
School of Political Science & So
Áras Moyola
NUI Galway

E: MIKE.HYNES@nuigalway.ie
 
researcher

Biography

Mike Hynes is a Lecturer in Political Science and Sociology, specialising in Environmental Sociology, Mobilities and Sustainable Transport, Sustainability Research and Society-Technology-Environment-Interactions. He is co-chair of the Governance and Sustainable Development research cluster, a member of the Teaching & Learning (T&L) committee and Secretary of the Social Sciences Research Centre (SSRC). Mike obtained first-class honours Batchelor of Science Degree in Information Technology through Oscail/DCU, the National Distance Learning Centre, in 2007. He then obtained an honours Master’s Degree in IT in 2009 from the National University of Ireland, Galway. He's PhD research work for the ConsEnSus Project (2009 to 2013) was to explore the advantages and drawbacks of ‘virtual mobility’ options and their sustainability attributes. This sociological study critiqued telework policy and practice for their overemphasis on technology-induced efficiency and productivity gains and identified contradictions with wider social and environmental sustainability goals in the areas of work and consumption.

Research Interests

Mike has had a long-standing interest in sustainability issues related to technology adoption and diffusion and socio-technical transitions, which reflects his previous work experience and his intellectual curiosity regarding diverse forms of technology use in everyday contexts (e.g. households, businesses, organisations). He is very familiar with key theoretical approaches to sustainability transitions and related areas of debate (e.g. MLP, EM, various practice-theoretical and environmental sociological approaches) and he has successfully applied these insights to the topic of sustainable transport, mobility and the ‘consumption of distance’ in his previous research. Current research interests continue to focus on ICT and the societal changes stimulated by open social media platforms, policy design in relation to work and environmental decision-making, and issues relating to socio-technical transition processes.

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2017) 'Public and Stakeholder Engagement and the Built Environment: a Review'
Kevin M. Leyden, Amanda Slevin, Thomas Grey, Mike Hynes, Fanney Frisbaek and Richard Silke (2017) 'Public and Stakeholder Engagement and the Built Environment: a Review'. Current Environmental Health Reports, :1-11 [DOI] [Details]
(2017) 'Students-as-producers: Developing valuable student-centered research and learning opportunities'
Hynes, Mike (2017) 'Students-as-producers: Developing valuable student-centered research and learning opportunities'. International Journal of Research Studies in Education, 7 (4):1-13 [DOI] [Details]
(2017) 'At a Crossroads: Investigating Automobility and Its Implications for Local Urban Transport Policy Design'
Hynes, Mike (2017) 'At a Crossroads: Investigating Automobility and Its Implications for Local Urban Transport Policy Design'. Urban Science, 1 (2) [DOI] [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2016) 'Developing (Tele)work? A multi-level sociotechnical perspective of telework in Ireland'
Hynes, Mike (2016) 'Developing (Tele)work? A multi-level sociotechnical perspective of telework in Ireland'. Research in Transportation Economics, 57 (September 2016):21-31 [DOI] [Details]
(2016) 'Transport policy and governance in turbulent times: Evidence from Ireland'
Rau, Henrike, Hynes, Mike,Heisserer, Barbara (2016) 'Transport policy and governance in turbulent times: Evidence from Ireland'. Case Studies on Transport Policy, 4 (2):45-56 [DOI] [Details]
(2014) 'Telework Isn't Working: A Policy Review'
Hynes, M. (2014) 'Telework Isn't Working: A Policy Review'. Economic And Social Review, 45 (4):579-602 [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2013) 'The Practices of Technology: Putting society and technology in their place'
Hynes, M. (2013) 'The Practices of Technology: Putting society and technology in their place'. International Journal of Technology, Knowledge and Society, 8 (3):37-55 [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2010) 'Leveraging New Opportunities from the Use of Web Widgets in Online Web 2.0 Environments'
Hynes, M. (2010) 'Leveraging New Opportunities from the Use of Web Widgets in Online Web 2.0 Environments'. Journal of Internet Business, 8 :109-141 [ARAN Link] [Details]

Book Chapters

  Year Publication
(2014) 'Consuming Distance or (all) Consuming Work? The case of telework'
Hynes, Mike (2014) 'Consuming Distance or (all) Consuming Work? The case of telework' In: Challenging Consumption: pathways to a more sustainable future. London: Routledge. [Details]
(2013) 'What’s ‘Smart’ About Working from Home? Telework and the sustainable consumption of distance in Ireland'
Hynes, Mike (2013) 'What’s ‘Smart’ About Working from Home? Telework and the sustainable consumption of distance in Ireland' In: Internet Research, Theory, and Practice: Perspectives from Ireland. Dublin: Research-Publishing. [ARAN Link] [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(2015) The 6th Irish Transport Research Network Conference - Green Shoots vs. Green Transport: Are sustainable transport and economic recovery compatible?
Hynes, Mike (2015) Teleworking in Ireland: a multilevel socio-technical transition perspective The 6th Irish Transport Research Network Conference - Green Shoots vs. Green Transport: Are sustainable transport and economic recovery compatible? NUI Galway, , 27-AUG-15 - 28-AUG-15 [Details]
(2014) XVIII ISA World Congress of Sociology
Hynes, Mike and Rau, Henrike (2014) Environmental Gains and Social Losses? Critical reflections on the sustainability potential of telework XVIII ISA World Congress of Sociology Yokohama, Japan, , 13-JUL-14 - 19-JUL-14 [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2012) 8th International Conference on Technology, Knowledge & Society (virtual participant)
Hynes, M. (2012) The Practices of Technology . In: Common Ground Publishing eds. 8th International Conference on Technology, Knowledge & Society (virtual participant) University of California, Los Angeles, USA, , 16-JAN-12 - 18-JAN-12 [Details]

Published Reports

  Year Publication
(2015) Effects of Revised Oral Irish Examination at Leaving Certificate Level: Research Update - Tentative Results.
Máirtín Ó Curraoin, Nioclás Mac Fhlanncha, Aodh Ó Máirtín, Seán Ó Scanláin, Michael Hynes, Rose Ní Dhubhda (2015) Effects of Revised Oral Irish Examination at Leaving Certificate Level: Research Update - Tentative Results. Department of Education, Gaillimh. [Details]
(2015) ConsEnSus: Consumption, Environment and Sustainability.
Davies, A.D., Fahy, F., Rau, H., Devaney, L., Doyle, R., Heisser, B., Hynes, M., Lavelle, M.J. and Pape, J. (2015) ConsEnSus: Consumption, Environment and Sustainability. EPA Ireland, Co. Wexford. [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2012) Consensus Lifestyle Survey - Report on public attitudes and behaviours towards sustainable consumption and sustainable lifestyles in Ireland: (3) Transport.
Lavelle, M. J., Rau, H., Fahy, F., Heisserer, B. & Hynes, M (2012) Consensus Lifestyle Survey - Report on public attitudes and behaviours towards sustainable consumption and sustainable lifestyles in Ireland: (3) Transport. EPA Ireland, Co. Wexford. [Details]

Conference Contributions

  Year Publication
(2017) 2017 ICBTS International Multidiscipline Research Conference,
Hynes, Mike (2017) Students as Producers: learning by “rolling up your selves and just doing it!”. [Oral Presentation], 2017 ICBTS International Multidiscipline Research Conference, Amsterdam , Netherlands , 07-JUN-17 - 09-JUN-17. [Details]
(2017) The Sociological Association of Ireland (SAI) 44th Annual Conference,
Hynes, Mike (2017) Illuminating the ‘Blackbox’: A call for more robust sociological (re)engagement with technology design, development and adoption processes. [Oral Presentation], The Sociological Association of Ireland (SAI) 44th Annual Conference, Ulster University, Belfast Campus , 05-MAY-17 - 06-MAY-17. [Details]
(2016) The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS),
Shaharan S., Rolle C., Egan A., Rabbitt L., Chan J., Joyce K., Hynes M., Malesevic V., Kelly J. (2016) Public Perception on Funding and Litigation in Facelift Surgery. [Poster Presentation], The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), London, UK , 06-OCT-16 - 07-OCT-16. [Details]
(2016) The Social Sciences Research Conference 2016: Galway: Today and Tomorrow,
Hynes, Mike, Coyne, Emer, Gjecaj, Eliona and Seoighthe, Eibhlín (2016) A conference to discuss Galway's present and future potential. [Invited Oral Presentation], The Social Sciences Research Conference 2016: Galway: Today and Tomorrow, ILAS at the NUI Galway , 20-OCT-16 - 20-OCT-16. [Details]
(2016) The Social Sciences Research Conference 2016: Galway: Today and Tomorrow,
Hynes, Mike (2016) A conference to discuss Galway's present and future potential. [Conference Organising Committee Member], The Social Sciences Research Conference 2016: Galway: Today and Tomorrow, ILAS at the NUI Galway , 20-OCT-16 - 20-OCT-16. [Details]
(2016) IAPS: 2016 Meeting Trauma Symposium,
Malesevic V., Hynes M., Shaharan S., Rolle C., Egan A., Rabbitt L., Joyce K., Kelly J. (2016) The summer meeting of the Irish Association of Plastic Surgeons [Oral Presentation]. [Oral Presentation], IAPS: 2016 Meeting Trauma Symposium, Killashee House Hotel, Co Kildare , 12-MAY-16 - 13-MAY-16. [Details]
(2014) Sociological Association of Ireland (SAI) Postgraduate Conference 2014,
Hynes, M. (2014) Administrative & Technical Support. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], Sociological Association of Ireland (SAI) Postgraduate Conference 2014, National University of Ireland Galway , 07-MAR-14 - 08-MAR-14. [Details]
(2012) The ConsEnSus International Conference on Sustainable Consumption: Pathways to a More Sustainable Future,
Hynes, M. (2012) Organising Committe and Technical Support. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], The ConsEnSus International Conference on Sustainable Consumption: Pathways to a More Sustainable Future, NationalUniversity of Ireland Galway , 18-MAY-12 - 20-MAY-12. [Details]
(2012) The Consensus Conference: Pathways to a More Sustainable Future,
Hynes, M. (2012) Telework as a Sustainable Mobility Option. [Poster Presentation], The Consensus Conference: Pathways to a More Sustainable Future, National University of Ireland Galway , 18-MAY-12 - 20-MAY-12. [Details]
(2011) 38th Annual Conference of the Sociological Association of Ireland (SAI),
Hynes, M. (2011) Practicing Technology: No silver bullet!. [Oral Presentation], 38th Annual Conference of the Sociological Association of Ireland (SAI), University College Cork , 05-MAY-11 - 06-MAY-11. [Details]
(2011) Sociological Association of Ireland (SAI) Postgraduate Conference 2011,
Hynes, M. (2011) Teleworking: what are the practices involved in location independent working?. [Oral Presentation], Sociological Association of Ireland (SAI) Postgraduate Conference 2011, National University of Ireland Galway , 04-FEB-11 - 05-FEB-11. [Details]
(2010) 2nd Annual Social Marketing Conference,
Hynes, M. and Heisserer, B. (2010) Changing Travel Behaviour: The ConsEnSus Project, WP3. [Invited Oral Presentation], 2nd Annual Social Marketing Conference, J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics and Áras Moyola, National University of Ireland Galway , 04-JUN-10 - 04-JUN-10. [Details]

Book Review

  Year Publication
(2016) C.A. Bowers (2014) The False Promise of the Digital Revolution: How computers transform education, work, and international development in ways that are ecologically unsustainable. Peter Lang: New York, NY, USA. 119 pp. ISBN 978-1-4331-2612-3 (paperback). €30.30.
Hynes, Mike (2016) C.A. Bowers (2014) The False Promise of the Digital Revolution: How computers transform education, work, and international development in ways that are ecologically unsustainable. Peter Lang: New York, NY, USA. 119 pp. ISBN 978-1-4331-2612-3 (paperback). €30.30. Manchester: Book Review [DOI] [Details]

Conference Poster

  Year Publication
(2016) Influence of Socio-Economic Factors on Litigation against Healthcare Provider.
Shaharan S., Rolle C., Egan A., Rabbitt L., Chan J., Joyce K., Hynes M., Malesevic V., Kelly J. (2016) Influence of Socio-Economic Factors on Litigation against Healthcare Provider. London: Conference Poster [Details]

Thesis

  Year Publication
(2013) Mobility Matters: Technology, telework and the (un)sustainable consumption of distance.
Hynes, Michael (2013) Mobility Matters: Technology, telework and the (un)sustainable consumption of distance. Galway, Ireland: Thesis [Details]

Honours and Awards

  Year Title Awarding Body
2010 Early Career Research Award Finalist The Global Forum, Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (IRCSET), Dublin, Ireland
2009 Doctoral Scholarship STRIVE) Programme 2007-2013 administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ireland on behalf of the Irish Government

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
Sociology Assocation of Ireland Full Member 01-APR-15 / 01-APR-17
Whitaker Institute for Innovation and Social Change (NUI Galway) Member 01-APR-15 / 01-APR-17
SCORAI (Sustainable Consumption Research and Action Network) Member 01-APR-15 / 01-APR-17

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
Social Sciences Research Centre (SSRC) Secretary 01-APR-15 / 31-DEC-20
Teaching and Learning Committee Committee Member 01-APR-15 / 31-DEC-20
Development and Governance Research Cluster Member 01-APR-15 / 31-DEC-20
Institutional Review of Research Performance (IRRP) Committee Committee Member 01-APR-15 / 31-DEC-20

Employment

  Employer Position From / To
Galway & District Football League, Terryland, Galway Office & Leagues Manager 02-JUN-08 / 01-JUN-09
School of Political Science & Sociology, NUI Galway Seminar Tutor - BA in Political Science & Sociology 01-OCT-12 / 31-MAR-15
An Post Postman, Post Office Clerk, and Operations Clerk 03-NOV-86 / 27-SEP-02
Technology Transfer Office, NUI Galway Research Associate/Office Manager 02-JUN-08 / 24-DEC-08
School of Political Science & Sociology, NUI Galway Lab Instructor - SP220 Methods for Social Science 01-SEP-09 / 31-AUG-10
An Post Athlone Mails Centre, Athlone, Co Westmeath Process Area Manager 01-OCT-02 / 31-AUG-07
Information Solutions & Services Department (ISS), NUI Galway Computer Assistant/Support Technician 01-SEP-10 / 01-OCT-14

Education

  Year Institution Qualification Subject
2007 Irish Institute of Training and Development ADVANCED CERTIFICATE (LEVEL 6) Training and Group Development
2002 Galway and Mayo Institute of Technology HIGHER CERTIFICATE (LEVEL 6) Advanced Business Computers

Community Engagement

  Title Type From / To
Teaching (e.g. Service learning / comunity based learning) Teacher/Tutor for Age Action Ireland 01-OCT-13 / 30-MAY-14

Teaching Interests

Environmental Sociology
Climate Change
Environmental Movements
Mobilities & Sustainable Transportation
Technology Adoption Processes
Society-Technology-Environment-Interactions
Irish & European Politics



Recent Postgraduate Students

  Graduation Name Degree Primary Supervisor
2016 Theresa Doherty Master of Arts Y

Modules Taught

  Term/Year Module Title Module Code Subject / Desc
2015-2016 Mobilities SP3106 Mobilities & Sustainable Transportation
2011-2016 Practising Sociology and Politics SP160/SP1100 Political Science & Sociology
2015-2016 Sociology of the Environment SP420 Environmental Sociology
2015-2016 Sociology of the Environment SP159 Environmental Sociology
2015-2016 Fundamentals of Engineering: Sustainability, A Systems Perspective EI140 Carbon Footprinting
2015-2016 Research Methods for Social Science SP220 Researching Sociology & Political Science
2015-2016 "Studying Soc & Pol" SP158/SP159/SP160 An Introduction to Studing Sociology & Political Science at NUI Galway

External Collaborators

  Name Organisation / Institute Country Description of Collaboration
Prof. Jack Kelly University College Hospital Galway IRELAND
Influence of Socio-Economic Factors on Attitudes towards Surgery. For this project I provided support for data inspection, correlation, and the analysis of results. This research seeks a better understanding of socio-economic factors that influence people’s attitudes and understanding of surgery, in particular plastic surgery. The project is undertaken with my colleague Dr Vesa Malesevic and Dr Jack Kelly, Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon at Galway Clinic and Galway University Hospital. The research is currently on-going.
Máirtín Ó Curraoin Department of Education IRELAND
Effects of Revised Oral Irish Examination at Leaving Certificate Level (Éifeachtaí na Béaltrialach Leasaithe sa Ghaeilge ag Leibhéal na hArdteistiméireachta) The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) commissioned a research study into the revised Leaving Certificate Oral Irish Examination and its impact on candidate performance. While revisions have been introduced across all levels of the examination - Higher, Ordinary, and Foundation, the researchers’ focus was to investigate the impact of these revisions at Higher and Ordinary levels only. This research study comprised of two parts: the impact of the revisions on candidate performance in the oral examination, and the impact of the revisions on candidate performance in the written examination. The final report outlined the tentative results of the impact of the revisions on candidate performance in the oral element of the examination only.