Paul Russell

Master of Science in Leadership & Innovation in the Public Sector

Donegal – Letterkenny

Can you tell us your name, job title and the course you studied at ATU?

Paul Russell, IT Operations Manager, ATU Donegal

Can you share your career path to date?

Software Engineer, Project Manager for past 20 years

What does your current role involve?

Overseeing IT Operations in ATU Donegal

What motivated you to start studying?

I was motivated by a desire to enhance my leadership capability during a period of significant digital transformation within the university. As technology was becoming a key driver of change, I wanted to strengthen my understanding of strategic leadership, innovation processes, and change management — not just from a technical perspective, but from a people and organisational culture perspective. The Master’s offered a structured way to reflect on real challenges in higher education and to apply new frameworks directly to my professional context.

Why did you choose this course from ATU?

I chose this course from ATU because it offered a unique combination of leadership, innovation, and applied research — all highly relevant to my professional role in higher education. The focus on practical application and reflective leadership aligned perfectly with the challenges I was facing during the university’s digital transformation.

The structure of the programme allowed me to balance full-time work while engaging in meaningful study that directly complemented my role in IT management and academic leadership.

How did you find the process of studying online? What elements did you find helpful? Were there elements you found challenging?

This course was delivered onsite.

How did you balance work and study?

Balancing work and study required careful planning and time management. I treated my study time as a formal commitment — setting aside dedicated hours each week and integrating assignments with ongoing projects where possible. Fortunately, many of the course topics aligned directly with initiatives I was leading in the university, which meant that academic learning often reinforced and informed my professional work. Support from family and colleagues was also a key factor in maintaining balance.

In terms of your employer, were they supportive of your decision to study? Were there elements of the course that were particularly relevant to your current employer?

Very supportive

Did this course provide any unexpected benefits to your career?

Yes, absolutely. One of the most unexpected benefits was the enhanced confidence and credibility it gave me when leading strategic initiatives. The course improved my ability to articulate the rationale behind innovation and to engage effectively with senior management and cross-departmental teams. It also encouraged me to think more systemically about organisational change — not just focusing on technology implementation, but on people, culture, and process alignment.

Did you find that the elements you were studying had practical relevance in your day-to-day role?

Very much so. The modules on innovation management, digital leadership, and organisational change were directly applicable to my role. Concepts such as design thinking, systems leadership, and strategic alignment provided useful frameworks for approaching complex institutional challenges. I was able to apply learning outcomes to live projects within the university’s digital transformation programme, making the course both relevant and immediately practical.

What were the key skills you took away from your time studying at ATU?

The key skills I developed include strategic thinking, innovation leadership, and reflective practice. I also strengthened my ability to lead cross-functional teams, communicate change effectively, and evaluate the impact of digital initiatives through both qualitative and quantitative lenses. Perhaps most importantly, the programme enhanced my capacity to view challenges holistically — combining technical expertise with leadership insight and empathy.