Aldrin E. Sweeney, BSc (Hons); EdS; PhD

Professor, Academy for Teaching & Learning

Biography

Dr. Aldrin E. Sweeney is Professor of Medical Education at Ross University School of Medicine. He received his PhD in Science Education from Florida State University in 1997, and has taught at institutions in the USA, the UK and the Caribbean.  Prior to his current role, he served as Senior Lecturer in Science/STEM Education; MPhil/PhD research supervisor; and Chief Editor of the Journal of Education and Development in the Caribbean at The University of the West Indies, Mona. His wide range of research and teaching interests include STEMM education policy in developing countries; the use of concept mapping in preclinical medical education (foundational biomedical sciences); biomedical ethics; public health policy in Latin America and the Caribbean; and nanoscale science and engineering education.

Education

BSc (Hons), University of Sussex (1990)
Educational Specialist (EdS), Florida State University (1995)
PhD, Florida State University (1997)

Honors and Awards

Faculty Appreciation Award, 2023; The University of the West Indies, Mona School of Education
Excellence in Teaching Award, 2022-2023; The University of the West Indies, Mona
Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Award, 2004-2005; University of Central Florida
Research Incentive Award, 2003-2004; University of Central Florida
Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award, 2001-2002; University of Central Florida
Teaching Incentive Program Award, 2001-2002; University of Central Florida
Science Education Faculty Appreciation Award, 1997; Florida State University College of Education
Teacher of the Year (Chemistry), 1995; Florida State University Developmental Research School

Research Interests

STEMM education policy in developing countries; concept mapping in preclinical medical education (foundational biomedical sciences); biomedical ethics; public health policy in Latin America and the Caribbean; nanoscale science and engineering education.

RUSM Committees

Chair, Institutional Review Board
Member, Research Committee
Member, Faculty Appointments & Promotions Committee

Selected Publications

Sweeney, A. E., Williams, H. K., & George, L. (2024). STEM education research, policy, and practice in the Caribbean: Imperatives for the next 5 years. Caribbean Journal of Education and Development, 1(1), 87-102. https://doi.org/10.46425/cjed1001018191
Jackman, J. A., Cho, D-J., Jackman, J. S., Sweeney, A. E. & Cho, N-J. (2020). Training leaders in nanotechnology. In K. Sattler (Ed.), 21^st Century Nanoscience - A Handbook: Public Policy, Education, and Global Trends (Volume Ten); Chapter 5, 12pp. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis. ISBN: 9780815357094
Sweeney, A. E. & George, L. G. (2019). Current challenges and future directions for STEM education in the Caribbean (editorial). Journal of Education and Development in the Caribbean 18(1), i-xvi.
Sweeney, A. E. (2015). Nanomedicine concepts in the general medical curriculum: Initiating a discussion. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 10, 7319-7331.
Sweeney, A. E. (2009). Welcome to the Journal of Nano Education. Journal of Nano Education, 1(1), 1-5. (Written as founding Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Nano Education, 2008-2010).
Sweeney, A. E. & Seal, S. (Eds). (2008). Nanoscale science and engineering education. Los Angeles, CA: American Scientific Publishers. ISBN: 1-58883-085-3
Sweeney, A. E. (2006). Social and ethical dimensions of nanoscale science and engineering research. Science and Engineering Ethics, 12(3), 435-464.
Sweeney, A. E. (2006). Teaching & learning in nanoscale science & engineering: A focus on social & ethical issues and K-16 science education. In Ray Carpenter, Sudipta Seal, Nancy Healy, Neal Shinn and Wolfgang Braue’s (Eds.), Education in Nanoscience and Engineering (Symposium KK), Proceedings of the Materials Research Society, Vol. 931E (Spring 2006). (Paper # 0931-KK03-05).
Sweeney, A. E., Vaidyanathan, P. & Seal, S. (2006). Undergraduate research and education in nanotechnology. International Journal of Engineering Education, 22(1), 157-170.
Sweeney, A. E. & Paradis, J. A. (2004). Developing a laboratory model for the professional preparation of future science teachers: A situated cognition perspective. Research in Science Education, 34(2), 195-219.
Sweeney, A. E., Seal, S. & Vaidyanathan, P. (2003). The promises and perils of nanoscience and nanotechnology: Exploring emerging social and ethical issues. Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society, 23(4), 236-245.
Sweeney, A. E. (2003). An overview of science education in the Caribbean: Research, policy and practice. Science Education International, 14(2), 43-55.
Sweeney, A. E. (2003). Science education in the Caribbean: Analysis of current trends. In Tony Bastick and Austin Ezenne's (Eds.), Researching change in Caribbean education: Curriculum, teaching and administration, pp. 3-40. University of the West Indies.
Sweeney, A. E. (2003). Articulating the relationships between theory and practice in science teaching: A model for teacher professional development. Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice, 9(2), 107-132.
Sweeney, A.E. & Paradis, J. A. (2003). Addressing the professional preparation of future science teachers to teach hands-on science: Pilot study of a laboratory model. Journal of Chemical Education, 80(2), 171-173.
Sweeney, A. E. (2001). Incorporating multicultural and Science-Technology-Society issues into science teacher education courses: Successes, challenges and possibilities. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 12(1), 1-28.
Sweeney, A. E., Bula, O. A. & Cornett, J. W. (2001). The role of personal practice theories in the professional development of a beginning high school chemistry teacher. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 38(4), 408-441.
Sweeney, A. E. (2001). E-scholarship and electronic publishing in the 21st century: Implications for the academic community. Educational Media International, 38(1), 25-38.
Sweeney, A. E. (2000). Tenure and promotion: Should you publish in electronic journals? Journal of Electronic Publishing, 6(2).
Sweeney, A. E & Tobin, K. G. (Eds.). (2000). Language, discourse and learning in science: Improving professional practice through action research. Southeastern Regional Vision for Education (Eisenhower Consortium for Mathematics and Science Education at SERVE).
Sweeney, A. E. (2000). L’Édition du savoir et la publication électronique du 21e siècle. En Fabrice Lachenmaier’s (Ed.), L’Edition pedagogique en Europe: Temoignages et propositions de bonnes pratiques editoriales, pp. 182-193. Idées Nouvelles Éditions – Commission Européenne.
Gerlis, L. M., Ho, S. Y. & Sweeney, A. E. (1993). Mitral valve anomalies associated with Ebstein's malformation of the tricuspid valve. American Journal of Cardiovascular Pathology, 4(4), 294-301.

Current Affiliations and Memberships

Peer reviewer, Academic Medicine (journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges)
Associate Editor, Caribbean Journal of Education & Development (UWI, Mona School of Education)

Former Affiliations and Memberships

Chief Editor, Journal of Education and Development in the Caribbean; 2020-2023
Founding Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Nano Education; 2008-2010
Editorial Board Member, Journal of Research in Science Teaching; 2003-2006
Editorial Board Member, Journal of Science Teacher Education; 2003-2005
Peer Reviewer, Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society; Journal of Chemical Education; Journal of Research in Science Teaching; Journal of Science Teacher Education; Science Education; International Journal of Science Education; International Journal of Engineering Education; Journal of Education and Development in the Caribbean; Caribbean Curriculum; Caribbean Journal of Mixed Methods Research; 1997-2023