Una Meehan
Senior Lecturer
Biography
Uná Meehan is the Deputy Director of Partnerships within the School of Education, where she is committed to enhancing educational outcomes for all. She believes in the transformative power of bringing together ideas and people to create meaningful change. In her role, Uná focuses on developing and strengthening partnerships that connect the university with the community across social, civic, and economic spheres. Her expertise in drama and arts-based methods has been pivotal in innovating educational programmes and workshops. A highlight of her work is her long-standing collaboration with Chester Zoo, which has led to significant educational initiatives centred on conservation and sustainability. Uná has also played a key role in the strategic development of arts and sustainability education through her involvement with various educational and cultural organisations. This includes serving on the Chester Zoo Curriculum Advisory Panel and working with the Local Cultural Education Partnership alongside Curious Minds. Beyond her academic responsibilities, Uná co-leads Good for Nothing Chester, a dynamic community group with over 400 members dedicated to fostering positive change across the city. The group promotes collaborative, innovative, and creative approaches, encouraging diverse voices to engage, share knowledge, and contribute to societal well-being.
Teaching and Supervision
My teaching interests are rooted in fostering creativity, enhancing teacher training, and promoting innovative pedagogical practices within the field of education. I am strongly committed to interdisciplinary approaches, integrating arts education with broader academic disciplines to enrich the learning experience and foster holistic development in students. My work is also informed by a focus on sustainability, both in terms of developing sustainable educational practices and incorporating themes of environmental and social sustainability into the curriculum. I have designed subject-specific knowledge programmes, organised international CPD weeks, and facilitated mentor training sessions to support both new and experienced educators. My interdisciplinary approach is evident in the creation of programmes across both sustainability and arts based education that connect with other areas of study, such as history, literature, and social sciences, thereby broadening students' perspectives and encouraging critical thinking. My experience includes leading the development of a whole-school performing arts specialism, creating partnerships with internationally renowned organisations, and innovating teaching methods across both adult and young people's educational journeys. These initiatives have often involved collaborative efforts across different academic and cultural disciplines, underscoring my commitment to interdisciplinary education. I am passionate about coaching and mentoring educators to enhance their teaching practices, and I am dedicated to the continuous improvement of teaching and learning within the arts.
Research and Knowledge Exchange
Notable Presentations Devised and chaired ‘The Future of Chester is Female’ with major organisational leaders across Cheshire West (2024) Delivered keynote lecture at UCET National Conference on 'The Power of Partnership in tackling the Climate Crisis with Chester Zoo. (2023) Chester Residents Association conference panel and presentation 'Education, Young People and the One City Plan' (2023) TEDx talk entitled ‘Democratising City Strategies’ (2022) Designed and implemented highly successful community consultation on the One City Plan for Chester & Cheshire West (2020-2022) Conference Presentation ‘Black and White Chester – 'The Future for Young People’ (2019) Delivered a conference paper on 'Disrupting the Status Quo' at the Storyhouse Educating Creatively Conference (2019) Keynote a Liverpool Arts Conference ‘The Future for Young People as Active Citizens’. (2018) Funded Projects Building on my commitment to international collaboration and applied theatre practice, I successfully secured funding from the Santander Excellence in Research initiative. This project focused on exploring Applied Theatre Practice through a cross-European partnership, involving four groups of 12 teachers working alongside arts and cultural organisations in Spain. The project aimed to foster a deeper understanding of applied theatre methodologies while also building lasting collaborations across Europe. This initiative not only advanced the practice of the participating educators but also strengthened cultural ties and shared learning among European partners, demonstrating the power of theatre as a tool for educational and cultural exchange. As a Project Lead for the Dee House Consultation (2019), my research interests have centred around engaging young people in heritage and urban planning processes. Commissioned by Cheshire West and Chester Council, I devised a consultation strategy targeting young people aged 6-25 years to explore their relationship with the historic Dee House site and their vision for its future. Through the design and facilitation of workshops and panel discussions, I engaged with over 250 young people, ensuring their voices were heard in the planning process. The insights gathered were formally included in stage one of the Dee House consultation, alongside contributions from Historic England. My role also involved creating a comprehensive report that highlighted the perspectives of young participants, further solidifying youth engagement in heritage discussions. Additionally, I was invited to serve as an expert panel member at the CWAC public feedback event, underscoring the importance of inclusive dialogue in heritage conservation. This project reflects my commitment to incorporating diverse voices in the preservation and development of historic sites. For more detailed findings and recommendations, you can view the final report here: Dee House - The Future Findings and Recommendations.