Professor Jim O'Brien

Professor Emeritus

Background

Jim O'Brien was a secondary school teacher of history and a Principal Teacher (Guidance), teaching in comprehensive schools in the west of Scotland, before taking up a career in higher education. He then worked in St Andrew's College of Education, Glasgow as lecturer, Director of In-Service, and Assistant Principal (Educational Development). Appointed to Moray House Institute of Education in 1993 as Vice Principal, he became the permanent Vice Dean of the Moray House Faculty/School of Education in 1998 when the Institute merged with the University of Edinburgh. He was also Director of the Centre for Educational Leadership (CEL) and Head of School from 2007 in Moray House School of Education, The University of Edinburgh. He held a personal Chair in Leadership and Professional Learning until 30th September 2009 when he retired. He continues to research, write, lecture and offer consultancy in an Emeritus capacity.

Research summary

Jim's development work and research interests lie mainly in the field of continuing professional development, school improvement and school leadership. He has been a member of a number of national development groups associated with teacher professional development and leadership themes such as Teacher Appraisal and Professional Review and Development; the Standard for Headship and Scottish Qualification for Headship (SQH) programme; the Chartered Teacher Standard and Development Programme, and the national CPD Advisory Group on School Leadership, participating in the OECD Thematic Review Improving School Leadership, Scotland Background Report Committee (March, 2007).

Current research interests

Jim edited the UK chapters of the International Handbook for Leadership for Learning, (eds.) Townsend, T. and MacBeath, J., Springer Education: ISBN 978-94-007-1349-9, published in July 2011. His latest co-edited book with C. Forde, Coaching and Mentoring: Developing Teachers and Leaders was published (September, 2011) by Dunedin Academic Press, Edinburgh. He co-edited a special issue of 'Professional Development in Education' (Vol. 37, 5), with the theme of European Perspectives on CPD Policy; this was published (2014) in book format as European Perspectives on Professional Development in Teacher Education, Routledge. A chapter on the evaluation and impact of CPD was published (2012) in Challenging the orthodoxy? Perspectives on school effectiveness and improvement research policy and practice Eds. Chapman, C., Harris, A., Muijs, D., Reynolds, D. & Sammons, P. London: Routledge; he followed this with Education for Citizenship: An experiment in leadership development of pupils making the transition from primary to secondary school, a chapter which was published March 2013 in Constructing school achievement: A sociocultural perspective. Eds. Phillipson, S., Ku, K. Y. L., & Phillipson, S. N., London/ New York: Routledge. Jim's most recent work is co-authored with Christine Forde and Fiona Patrick of Glasgow University (2016) Expectation of leaders and tensions among staff , in (Eds.) Martin, C. R., Fleming, M. P. & Smith, H. "Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Learning and Teaching Environment" Auchtermuchty, Fife: Swan and Horn. Also (2016) with Christine Forde, a chapter entitled Leadership Development and Issues of Effectiveness, in Routledge International Handbook on Educational Effectiveness and Teaching. (Eds.) Chapman, C., Muijs, D., Reynolds, D., Sammons, P. and Teddlie, C. London/ New York: Routledge. Recently with co-authors he has completed the 3rd Edition of School Leadership, Dunedin Academic Press for publication in 2016 (In Press). Current research projects/themes include: Professional Learning and Leadership: Policy and Practice; Policy, Practice, Standards and Frameworks for Professional Learning and CPD. Jim is Managing Editor of the 'Professional Development in Education' Journal (Routledge/Taylor & Francis); co-Editor of the Education Policy and Practice Series (Dunedin Academic Press: Edinburgh); a former President of the International Professional Development Association (IPDA), of which he is a Fellow; a former member of the Editorial Board for the journal 'Educational Assessment, Evaluation and Accountability' (Springer), and a former board member of the International Congress on School Effectiveness and Improvement (ICSEI).

Recent publications

Authored Books

  • O'Brien, J. and MacLeod, G., 2009 The social agenda of the school.  Policy and Practice in Education Series. Edinburgh: Dunedin Academic Press, 978-1-903765-23-4.
  • O'Brien, J., Murphy, D. and Draper, J., 2008 School Leadership (2nd Edition) Policy and Practice in Education Series. Edinburgh: Dunedin Academic Press, 978-1-903765-93-7.
  • O'Brien, J., Murphy, Daniel and Draper, Janet, 2007 School Leadership India Edition. New Delhi: Discovery Publishing House, 81-8356-313-9.
  • Draper, Janet and O'Brien, J., 2006 Induction ~ Fostering Career Development at All Stages Policy and Practice in Education Series. Edinburgh: Dunedin Academic Press. 1-903765-55-2.
  • O'Brien, J., Murphy, Daniel and Draper, Janet, 2003 School Leadership Policy and Practice in Education Series. Edinburgh: Dunedin Academic Press, 1-903765-25-0.
  • Christie, F., Draper, Janet and O'Brien, J., 2003 A Study of the Induction Scheme for Beginning Secondary Teachers in Scotland Edinburgh: Centre for Educational Leadership: Moray House School of Education, The University of Edinburgh, 0-9544451-1-2.
  • Reeves, J., Forde, C., O'Brien, J., Smith, P. and Tomlinson, H., 2002 Performance Management in Education: improving practice London: Paul Chapman Publishing, 0-7619-7171-8.

Edited Books

  • O'Brien, J., (Ed.) 2016  School Leadership.(3rd Edition) Edinburgh: Dunedin Academic Press, ISBN 978-1780460512
  • Jones, K. and O'Brien, J., (Eds.) 2014 European Perspectives on Professional Development in Teacher Education. London: Routledge, ISBN 978-0-415-70459-5
  • Forde, C. and O'Brien, J., (Eds.) 2011  Coaching and Mentoring: Developing Teachers and Leaders. Policy and Practice in Education Series. Edinburgh: Dunedin Academic Press, 9781906716295.

Chapters in books

  • O’Brien, J. and Forde, C.  2016    Leadership Development and Issues of Effectiveness, in Routledge International Handbook on Educational Effectiveness and Teaching.  Eds. Chapman,  C., Muijs, D., Reynolds, D., Sammons, P. and Teddlie, C. pp. 326-347. London/ New York: Routledge, ISBN 978-0-415-53443-7.
  • Forde, C., O’Brien, J. and Patrick, F.  2016  Expectation of leaders and tensions among staff,  in Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Learning and Teaching Environment.  Eds. Martin, C. R., Fleming, M. P. & Smith, H., pp. 211-222,  Auchtermuchty, Fife : Swan and Horn, ISBN 978-1-909675-02-5.
  • O'Brien, J., Plotnikova, E. & Mills, I.  2013  Education for Citizenship: An experiment in leadership development of pupils making the transition from primary to secondary school in Constructing school achievement: A sociocultural perspective. Eds. Phillipson, S., Ku, K. Y. L., & Phillipson, S. N. pp. 188-200, London/ New York: Routledge, 978-0-415-51712-6.         
  • O'Brien, J., 2012  The Potential of Continuing Professional Development: Evaluation and 'Impact' in Challenging the orthodoxy? Perspectives on school effectiveness and improvement research policy and practice Eds. Chapman, C., Harris, A., Muijs, D., Reynolds, D. & Sammons, P., pp. 149-162, London: Routledge, 978-0-415-69894-8.
  • O'Brien, J., 2011 Leadership for Learning in the United Kingdom: research findings in International Handbook of Leadership for Learning, Ed. Townsend, T. & MacBeath, J., pp. 81-88, Dordrecht: Springer, 978-94-007-1349-9.
  • O'Brien, J., 2011 School Leadership in the United Kingdom: a policy perspective in International Handbook of Leadership for Learning, Ed. Townsend, T. & MacBeath, J., pp. 319-333, Dordrecht: Springer, 978-94-007-1349-9.
  • O'Brien, J., 2011 Teacher Professional Development: Purpose, Policy and Practice, in Coaching and Mentoring: Developing Teachers and Leaders, Ed. Forde, C. & O'Brien, J., pp. 1-16. Edinburgh: Dunedin Academic Press, 9781906716295. 
  • Forde, C. and O'Brien, J., 2011 Taking continuing teacher education forward, in Coaching and Mentoring: Developing Teachers and Leaders, Ed. Forde, C. & O'Brien, J., pp. 82-90. Edinburgh: Dunedin Academic Press, 9781906716295.
  • Alexandrou, A. and O'Brien, J., 2009 Partnership Out of Conflict: The Emerging Relationship of Teacher Learning Representatives and Local Authority CPD Quality Improvement Officers in Scotland in Union Learning Representatives: Challenges and Opportunities, Ed. Alexandrou, A., pp. 89-102, London: Routledge, 0-415-55858-1.
  • O'Brien, J., 2009 Is there a recruitment crisis? School leadership, professional development and succession planning in Transformative Leadership and Educational Excellence: Learning Organizations in the Information Age, Ed. Khine, M. S. & Saleh, I. M., pp. 351-362, Rotterdam: Sense Publishers, 978-90-8790-903-1.
  • O'Brien, J. and Draper, J. 2008 Leadership for learning or learning for leadership? The role of teacher induction and early professional development in England and Scotland in Leadership for Learning: International Perspectives, Ed. MacBeath, J. & Cheng, Y. C., pp. 229-240, Rotterdam: Sense Publishers, 90-8790-388-X.
  • O'Brien, J., 2007 Control or Empowerment? The professional learning of Scottish teachers in the post McCrone era in New Designs for Teachers' Professional Learning, Ed. Pickering, J., Pachler, N. & Daly, C., London: Bedford Way Papers No. 27: Institute of Education, 978 0 85473 729 1.
  • O'Brien, J., Christie, F. and Draper, Janet, 2007 Induction Standards and the Assessment of Beginner Teacher Competence: a UK Perspective in Professional inductions of Teachers in Europe and Elsewhere, Ed. Valencic-Zuljan, M. & Vogrinc, J., pp. 289-308, Ljubijana: European Social Fund and Ministry of Education, Slovenia, 978 961 253 021 1.
  • Draper, Janet, Christie, F. and O'Brien, J., 2006 Meeting the Standard? The New Teacher Education Induction Scheme in Scotland in Handbook of Teacher Education: Globalization, Standards and Professionalism in Times of Change, Ed. Townsend, T. & Bates, R., pp. 391-406, Dordrecht: Springer, 1 4020 4772 X.
  • Christie, F. and O'Brien, J., 2005 A CPD Framework for Scottish Teachers: steps or stages, continuity or connections? in The Continuing Professional Development of Educators: Emerging European Issues, Ed. Alexandrou, A., Field, K. & Mitchell, H., Oxford: Symposium, 1-873927-25-8.
  • O'Brien, J., 2004 Sexing Up the Flipcharts: Managing Professional Development on Controversial Issues in Teachers Behaving Badly, Ed. Myers, K., pp. 129-155, London: RoutledgeFalmer, 0-415-32115-8.

Journal articles

  • Jones, K. & O'Brien, J., 2024 Editorial: From INSET to professional learning: 50 years of change as seen through the pages of Professional Development in Education, Professional Development in Education (1941-5257), 50:1, 1-10, DOI: 10.1080/19415257.2024.2296231
  • O'Brien, J., 2016 Editorial: Professional Learning: Concepts, Models and Empirical Practice Professional Development in Education (1941-5257), Vol. 42 (1), pp. 1-4.
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  • O'Brien, J. and Jones, K., 2014 Editorial: Professional learning or professional development? Or continuing professional learning and development? Changing terminology, policy and practice Professional Development in Education (1941-5257), Vol. 40 (5), pp. 683-687.
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  • O'Brien, J., 2014 The attempt to reform School Councils in the 1980s: A rehearsal for the furore that greeted the proposals for School Boards? Scottish Educational Review (0141-9072), Vol. 46 (1), pp. 65-82.
  • Jones, K. and O'Brien, J., 2014 Editorial: 40 years on … and accelerating Professional Development in Education (1941-5257), Vol. 40 (1), pp. 1-10.
  • MacBeath, J., O'Brien, J. and Gronn, P.  2012 Drowning or waving? Coping strategies among Scottish head teachers School Leadership & Management (1363-2434), Vol. 32 (5) pp.421-437.
  • O'Brien, J., 2012 Teacher Education in Scotland: The Donaldson Review and the early phases of teacher learning Research in Teacher Education (2046-1240), Vol. 2 (2), pp.42-47.
  • O'Brien, J., 2012 Editorial: Revised responsibilities, practices and decisions Professional Development in Education (1941-5257), Vol. 38(3), pp. 361-364
  • O'Brien, J., 2011 CPD for Scottish Teachers - tensions in policy and practice Professional Development in Education (1941-5257), Vol. 37(5), pp. 777-792
  • Jones, K. and O'Brien, J., 2011 Editorial: Professional Development in Teacher Education - European Perspectives Professional Development in Education (1941-5257), Vol. 37(5), pp. 645-650.
  • O'Brien, J., 2009 Editorial: The never-ending story: from INSET to Professional Development to... Professional Development in Education (1941-5257), Vol. 35(1), pp. 1-4.
  • O'Brien, J. and Christie, F., 2008 A Role for Universities in the Induction of Teachers? A Scottish Case Study Journal of In-Service Education, Vol. 34 (2), pp. 147-163.
  • Alexandrou, A. and O'Brien, J., 2008 Partnership Out of Conflict: The Emerging Relationship of Teacher Learning Representatives and Local Authority CPD Quality Improvement Officers in Scotland Journal of In-service Education (1367-4587), Vol. 34(4), pp. 483-496.
  • O'Brien, J. and Weiner, G., 2007 Editorial: Seeking to engage hearts and minds: professional development and ICT Journal of In-Service Education (1367-4587), Vol. 33(4), pp. 385-388.
  • Rae, A. and O'Brien, J., 2007 ICT and teacher professional learning policy and practice: some primary school perspectives Journal of In-service Education (1367-4587), Vol. 33(4), pp. 425-441.
  • Alexandrou, A. and O'Brien, J., 2007 CPD for Scottish Teachers: The Role of Union Learning Representatives International Electronic Journal for Leadership in Learning (ISSN 1206-9620), Vol. 11 (19), http://www.ucalgary.ca/~iejll/.
  • O'Brien, J. and Christie, F., 2005 Characteristics of Support for Beginning Teachers: Evidence from the new Induction Scheme in Scotland Mentoring and Tutoring (1361-1267), Vol. 13(2), pp. 189-203.
  • O'Brien, J. and Hunt, Gillian, 2005 A New Professionalism? Becoming a Ch artered Teacher - part I Teacher Development (1366-4530), Vol. 9, No.3, pp. 447-465.
  • O'Brien, J. and Torrance, D., 2005 Professional Learning for School Principals: Developments in Scotland Education Research and Perspectives (0311-2543), Vol. 32 (2), pp. 165-181.
  • Groundwater-Smith, Susan and O'Brien, J., 2005 Editorial Journal of In-service Education (1367-4587), Vol. 31(4), pp. 613-616.
  • O'Brien, J., 2004 Leadership Development Leading Matters: CLME, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Vol. 3(1), pp. 1-2.
  • Draper, Janet, O'Brien, J. and Christie, F., 2004 First Impressions: the new teacher induction arrangements in Scotland Journal of In-service Education (1367-4587), Vol. 30(2), pp. 201-223.
  • O'Brien, J. and Murphy, Daniel, 2003 Assessing effective interpersonal skills in prospective school leaders Journal of In-service Education (1367-4587), Vol. 29(2), pp. 221-235.
  • O'Brien, J., 2003 Editorial Journal of In-service Education (0305-7631), Vol. 29(3), pp. 357-361.
  • O'Brien, J., Clayton, P., Myers, Kate and MacBeath, John, 2002 Harvey Street Junior - primary school improvement series Managing Schools Today.
  • O'Brien, J., 2002 Workload questions still unresolved Managing Schools Today, Vol. September, pp. 27-30.
  • O'Brien, J. and Draper, Janet, 2002 Frameworks for CPD: The Chartered Teacher Initiative in Scotland Professional Development Today, Vol. 6 Winter, pp. 69-75.
  • O'Brien, J. and Draper, Janet, 2002 Preparing for headship in Scotland Professional Development Today (1460-8340), Vol. 5(2), pp. 61-67.
  • O'Brien, J. and Draper, Janet, 2002 Frameworks for CPD: The Chartered Teacher Initiative in Scotland Professional Development Today (1460-8340), Vol. 6(1), pp. 69-75.
  • Murphy, Daniel, Draper, Janet, O'Brien, J. and Cowie, M., 2002 Local management of the Scottish Qualification for Headship (SQH) Journal of In-service Education (1367-4587), Vol. 28(2), pp. 277-296.
  • O'Brien, J. and Draper, Janet, 2001 Developing Effective School Leaders? Initial Views of the Scottish Qualification for Headship (SQH) Journal of In-Service Education (1367-4587), Vol. 27(1), pp. 109-121.

Published conference papers

  • O'Brien, J. and Plotnikova, E. 2011 Self Regulation, Education for Citizenship and Learning Social Responsibility: An experiment in leadership development of pupils making the transition from primary to secondary school Constructing School Achievement: A Sociocultural Perspective Colloquium,  Hong Kong Baptist University, 7-8 December.
  • O'Brien, J., 2010 Principal Preparation Programmes: Experimentation With Flexible Route(s) 8th Hawaii Education Conference, Honolulu, 7-10 January.
  • Naylor, C., Alexandrou, A. and O'Brien, J., 2010 Developing Teacher Leadership in Unconventional Contexts: The Experience of Teacher Trade Unionists in Symposium on New Perspectives on Developing Teacher Leadership [BELMAS], AERA, Denver, Colorado, April 28- May 4th.
  • O'Brien, J., 2010 Professional Development Standards and Frameworks: the UK experience in Conference Proceedings, pp. 47-59, Teacher Education: Dialogue Between Policy and Practice Conference, Invited keynote, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 11-12 June 2010.
  • O'Brien, J., 2010 Exploring the Relationship between School Effectiveness Research and Practice: The 'Impact' of Continuing Professional Development in ESRC Seminar Glasgow, Challenging the Orthodoxy of School Effectiveness and School Improvement: Towards new theoretical perspectives, 23 June.
  • Alexandrou, A., Naylor, C., O'Brien, J., Murphy, R., Signer, B. and Stevenson, H., 2009 Who are the school leaders of tomorrow? Phase 2 of an international teacher union project in Symposium on Current Research on Teachers' work and Teacher Unions, AERA, San Diego, April.
  • O'Brien, J., Mills, I. and Plotnikova, E., 2009 Leadership Training for Pupils as an Instrument of Pupil Support for Primary-to-Secondary School Transition SERA, Perth, 26-28 November.
  • O'Brien, J., 2009 The Efficacy of Flexible Approaches to School Headship Preparation in Scotland ATEE, Palma de Mallorca, August 29th-September 2nd.
  • Draper, J. and O'Brien, J., 2009 Different solutions? Teacher professionalisation in an era of reform in Scotland and Hong Kong International Asian Conference on Education, Osaka, Japan, October 24-25.
  • Naylor, C., Alexandrou, A., Garsed, J. and O'Brien, J., 2008 An emerging view of teacher leaders working within teacher unions: can networks build understanding and capacity? AERA, Paper presented at the AERA Annual Conference, 24-28 March.
  • O'Brien, J., 2008 Probation and Induction: Are Scottish Developments Comparable With The Best In Other Systems? in Symposium on Teacher Induction, AERA, New York, March.
  • O'Brien, J., 2008 Leadership and relationships: perceptions of senior school managers in Scotland ICSEI, Auckland, New Zealand, January.
  • Alexandrou, A. and O'Brien, J., 2008 Creating a CPD Community in Scottish Education Through Teacher Union Learning Representatives in Teachers' Work/Teacher Unions Special Interest Group, AERA, New York, March.
  • Dempster, N., Sim, C. and O'Brien, J., 2008 Teaching and leadership hopes and realities in the first few years: a comparison of new teachers in Scotland and Queensland BERA, Heriot-Watt University, September 3-6.
  • Naylor, C., Alexandrou, A., Garsed, J. and O'Brien, J., 2008 An emerging view of teacher leaders working within teacher unions: Can networks build understanding and capacity? AERA, New York, March.
  • Alexandrou, A., O'Brien, J. and McClintock, L., 2007 The Role of the Educational Institute of Scotland's Learning Representatives in Developing and Empowering Scottish Educators in Schools and Further Education IPDA, Belfast, November 30- December 1.
  • O'Brien, J., 2007 New Professionalism, Standards and the Induction of Newly Qualified Teachers, Invited Keynote 20th Annual Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement, Portoroz, Slovenia, 3-6 January.
  • Alexandrou, Alex and O'Brien, J., 2007 Union Learning Representatives: Facilitating CPD for Scottish Teachers AERA, Chicago, April.
  • O'Brien, J., 2007 Reaching across professional barriers: the contribution of Union Learning Representatives in promoting teacher professional learning and leadership in International Yearbook, ICET World Assembly, University of San Diego, California, 16-19 July.
  • O'Brien, J., Torrance, D. and Van der Kuyl, T., 2006 Indicators of early leadership potential ICSEI 2006, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 2-6 January, http://www.leadership.fau.edu/ICSEI2006/archive.htm.
  • O'Brien, J., 2006 The Scottish Approach to Probation and Induction: Leading CPD?, Invited Keynote International Professional Development Association (IPDA), Stirling, 1-2 December, http://www.ipda.org.uk.
  • O'Brien, J., 2006 Probation and Induction: How are Scottish developments measuring up? Invited paper ESRC: TLRP Seminar Series - Learning to teach in post-devolution UK: The transition from initial teacher education through induction to early professional development, University of Glasgow, 8 November, 2006, http://www.learningtoteach.org/.
  • Thomson, D., O'Brien, J. and Van der Kuyl, T., 2005 ICT Support for the Induction of New Teachers in Scotland in Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference, Ed. Crawford, C., Willis, D., Carlsen, R., Gibson, I., McFerrin, K., Price, J. & Weber, R., pp. 2347-2350, SITE, Phoenix, AZ, AACE, Chesapeake, VA.
  • O'Brien, J. and Jones, Ken, 2005 Politics, Professionalism and Pragmatics: Teacher professional development and learning - perspectives from Wales and Scotland in AARE website -http://www.aare.edu.au/05pap/alpha.htm#O :ISSN 1324-9339 : OBR05265, Symposium: International Perspectives on Teachers' Professional Learning: The ways in which it is understood and provided for. AARE Conference, Paramatta, New South Wales, November, http://www.aare.edu.au/confpap.htm.
  • O'Brien, J., 2005 Professional Standards: Principles, Policy and Practice, Invited Seminar in Dalian Normal University, PRC, September.
  • O'Brien, J. and Van der Kuyl, T., 2004 Professional Learning and Changing Teacher Attitudes : the role of technology-based approaches and resources in AARE website - http://www.aare.edu.au/04pap/alpha04.htm#O :ISSN 1324-9339 : OBR04743, AARE, Melbourne, December, AARE, http://www.aare.edu.au/confpap.htm.
  • O'Brien, J., 2004 Teacher CPD: E-Learning and the National Priorities in Scotland in Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education, Ed. Richards, G., pp. 863-867, E-Learn International Conference, Washington DC, November, AACE.: Chesapeake, VA.
  • O'Brien, J. and Van der Kuyl, T., 2002 Dealing with Disruptive Pupils: A Professional Development CDRom in Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference, Ed. Crawford, C., Willis, D., Carlsen, R., Gibson, I., McFerrin, K., Price, J. & Eds, R. Weber, pp. 886-887, SITE: Nashville, Tenessee, AACE: Chesapeake, VA.
  • Thomson, D., O'Brien, J. and Van der Kuyl, A., 2002 Dealing with Disruptive Pupils: Professional Development for Teachers in Nashville, TN and Norfolk, VA, Ed. Davis, N., Price, J. & Willis, D., pp. 886-887, Proceedings of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference, SITE and AACE.
  • O'Brien, J., 2001 Assessing effective interpersonal skills in school leaders: experimental work in the Scottish Qualification for Headship (SQH) Fourteenth Annual International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement (ICSEI), Toronto, January 2001.
  • O'Brien, J. and Van der Kuyl, T., 2001 Multimedia Approaches to Teacher Continuing Professional Development: Dealing with Disruptive Behaviour (Best Instructional Design Project Award winner) in Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference, Ed. Crawford, C., Willis, D., Carlsen, R., Gibson, I., McFerrin, K., Price, J. & Weber, R., pp. 1460-1465, 12th International Conference of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education, Orlando, Florida, March 2001, AACE: Chesapeake, VA.

Electronic publications

Reports for external bodies

  • MacBeath, J., Gronn, P., Opfer, D., Lowden, K., Forde, C., Cowie, M. and  O'Brien, J., 2009 The Recruitment and Retention of Headteachers in Scotland (Main Report) Edinburgh: Education Analytical Services, Scottish Government, http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/290701/0089341.pdf.
  • O'Brien, J. and Sharp, S., 2008 Developing Alternative Routes to School Headship: An Evaluation of the University DARE Programme, 2007-8 Centre for Educational Leadership: The University of Edinburgh, 978-0-9544451-2-6.
  • O'Brien, J. and Plotnikova, E., 2008 An Evaluation of the Impact of the Virtual Staff College Scotland's Leadership Preparation CPD Programme Centre for Educational Leadership: Moray House School of Education, The University of Edinburgh.
  • O'Brien, J., 2002 Co-ordinating Study Support - An Evaluation of Study Support in the City of Edinburgh 2000-2002 Edinburgh: Centre for Educational Leadership: Moray House School of Education, The University of Edinburgh, 0-9544451-0-4.
  • Murphy, Daniel, Draper, Janet, O'Brien, J. and Cowie, M., 2002 Local Authority Co-ordination of the Scottish Qualification for Headship Edinburgh: PDC: Faculty of Education, The University of Edinburgh. Report to SEED, 1-899795-21-9.

Others

  • O'Brien, J., 2009 Glasgow Celtic: Reflections on being a supporter of The Hoops in A Football Odyssey: For the Fans By the Fans, pp. 8-31, ed. Alexandrou, A. & Fenelon, S., Glasgow: Kennedy and Boyd, 978-1-84921-002-7 (chapter in book).
  • MacBeath, John, O'Brien, J. and Van der Kuyl, T., 2002 Issues in School Improvement 'Hong Kong', a professional development cd-rom Hong Kong: Hong Kong Education Department, 0-9541436-1-2 (cd-rom).

Older publications

Chapters in books

  • O'Brien, J. and Greaves, A. E., 1996 Recent changes in the UK system of teacher education with particular reference to their potential effects on participation ERASMUS-type actions in Teacher Education in Europe: Evaluation and Perspectives, Ed. Sander, T., Buchberger, F., Greaves, A.E. & Kallos, D., pp. 366-392, Osnabruck: Sigma Project of the European Commission, 91-7191-246-0.
  • O'Brien, J., 1995 The Continuing Professional Development of Teachers in Scotland in Current Changes and Challenges in European Teacher Education: SCOTLAND, Ed. O'Brien, J., pp. 48-54, Edinburgh: MHIE Professional Development Centre in association with COMPARE_TE European Network, 1-899795-04-9.
  • O'Brien, J., 1995 Some Notes on the Scottish Educational System in Current Changes and Challenges in European Teacher Education: SCOTLAND, Ed. O'Brien, J., pp. 9-14, Edinburgh: MHIE Professional Development Centre in association with COMPARE_TE European Network, 1-899795-04-9.

Edited Books

  • Ed. O'Brien, J., 1995 Current Changes and Challenges in European Teacher Education: Scotland Edinburgh: MHIE Professional Development Centre in association with COMPARE_TE European Network, 1-899795-04-9.

Journal articles

  • O'Brien, J., Myers, Kate and MacBeath, John, 2000 The Jarvis Court Files: 'Jarvis Court: An ordinary school in difficulty' - secondary school improvement series Managing Schools Today.
  • O'Brien, J., MacBeath, John and Myers, Kate, 1999 The good, the bad and the difficult (The Jarvis Court Files) Managing Schools Today (0968-1558), Vol. 8, 5, pp. 44-51.
  • O'Brien, J. and MacBeath, John, 1999 Coordinating Staff Development: the training and development of staff developing coordinators Journal of In-Service Education, Vol. 25, 1, pp. 69-83.
  • O'Brien, J. and MacBeath, John, 1999 Co-ordinating Staff Development: the training and development of staff development co-ordinators Journal of In-Service Education (1367-4587), Vol. 25, 1, pp. 69-83.
  • O'Brien, J., MacBeath, John and Myers, Kate, 1999 The revival of Jarvis Court Managing Schools Today (0968-1558), Vol. 8, 4, pp. 48-55.

Newspaper articles

  • O'Brien, J., 1998 Do boards need a revival? Labour's proposals for involving parents in running schools in Times Scotland Education Supplement.

Published conference papers

  • O'Brien, J., Myers, Kate and MacBeath, John, 2000 Jarvis Court: An ordinary school in difficulty Thirteenth Annual International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement (ICSEI), Hong Kong, January 2000.
  • O'Brien, J. and MacBeath, John, 2000 Partnership for School Improvement in 13th International Conference on School Effectiveness and Improvement, Hong Kong, January 2000, Parallel Session 12 Symposium.
  • O'Brien, J., MacBeath, John and Myers, Kate, 2000 Jarvis Court: a School Improvement 'Soap' 13th International Conference on School Effectiveness and Improvement, Hong Kong, January 2000.
  • MacBeath, John, O'Brien, J., Crawford, F. and Currie, E., 2000 Symposium on QUISS: Head Teacher Perceptions of the Quality Initiative in Scottish Schools (QUISS) Thirteenth Annual International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement (ICSEI), Hong Kong, January 2000.
  • O'Brien, J. and Van der Kuyl, T., 2000 Dimensions of Online Learning: Essential Elements of Learning Environments 11th International Conference of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE), San Diego, March 2000.
  • O'Brien, J., 1999 Going Interactive: 'Raising the Standard - Study Support' 12th International Conference on School Effectiveness and Improvement, San Antonio, Texas, 3-6 January 1999.
  • Van der Kuyl, T. and O'Brien, J., 1999 Building Online learning Communities for Teaching and Learning, which integrate Online Multi Media in Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications, Ed. Kommers, P. & Richards, G., p. 1872, SITE, San Antonio,Texas, AACE: Chesapeake, VA.
  • O'Brien, J. and MacBeath, John, 1997 School Improvement through Partnership in Initial Teacher Education: Some Developments in Scotland in http://www.leeds.ac.uk/educol/documents/00001655.htm, Tenth Annual International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement, Memphis, Tennessee, 5-8 January 1997, http://www.leeds.ac.uk/educol/documents/00001655.htm.

Reports for external bodies

  • O'Brien, J., 2000 Scottish Qualification for Headship Unit 4: Leadership and Management :Assessment and Extended Simulation' Development, Trial and Training Report (mimeograph) for SQH National Advisory Group Report for External Body, Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh.

Others

  • O'Brien, J., Lloyd, G., MacBeath, John, Munn, P., Van der Kuyl, T. and Brown, Kevin, 2000 Dealing with Disruption SITC/SEED, 0-7559-3248-X (a professional development cd rom).
  • O'Brien, J., MacBeath, John and Brown, Kevin, 1999 Raising the Standard: Study Support London: The Prince's Trust Action (cd-rom).
  • O'Brien, J., MacBeath, John, Van der Kuyl, T., Evans, Byron and Brown, Kevin, 1999 Coordinating Staff Development Scottish Office Education and Industry Dept, 1-899795-20-0 (cd-rom).
  • O'Brien, J., 1998 An analysis of participatory democracy in Scottish school boards up to 1994 Glasgow: University of Glasgow (phd thesis).