The world of adult education has lost one of its most innovative practitioners with the passing of Joan O'Hagan, who died from cancer at the age of 75. Throughout her remarkable 40-year career, O'Hagan revolutionised how mathematics was taught to adults, blending historical context with cultural awareness to ignite students' imaginations.
A Pioneering Approach to Mathematics Education
Joan O'Hagan possessed a unique talent for asking insightful questions that opened new pathways of thinking for her students. Her career began in 1976 when she moved from Northern Ireland to England, initially teaching adult numeracy in Manchester before establishing herself in London.
During the 1980s, O'Hagan and her then-partner Jim Logue launched an innovative initiative called Walk-In Numeracy through Hammersmith and Fulham Council for Racial Equality. This groundbreaking programme featured adults learning together in collaborative circles, breaking away from traditional classroom hierarchies.
Her exceptional work was recognised by the Inner London Education Authority, which appointed her as Ilea adult numeracy coordinator from 1986 to 1988. In this role, she led professional development for numeracy educators across inner London, spreading her innovative teaching methods.
Beyond the Classroom: Aviation and Social Justice
O'Hagan's passions extended far beyond mathematics education. In 1984, she earned her private pilot licence, demonstrating the same determination that characterised her teaching career. Her aviation interests took a socially conscious turn in 1986 when she discovered Project Solo, an initiative enabling people from disadvantaged backgrounds to learn gliding.
She integrated this passion with her educational work, taking Walk-In Numeracy students for gliding training and eventually joining the project's committee. Her fundraising efforts proved crucial to the project's continuation, and she provided coaching on gliding theory and PPL written exams.
When she moved to Birmingham in 1990 to work at Fircroft residential adult college, she qualified as a gliding air experience instructor, further blending her educational and aviation interests.
Transforming Mathematics Through Cultural Context
At Fircroft College, O'Hagan developed her signature approach to teaching mathematics for university access courses. She placed mathematical concepts within cultural and historical contexts, making the subject accessible and engaging for students who had previously struggled.
One student perfectly captured the transformative effect of her teaching, stating: "Came in negative; went out positive." This testimonial reflected the experiences of many learners who discovered mathematical confidence under O'Hagan's guidance.
Recognising that adult numeracy was a global challenge, O'Hagan co-founded the international Adults Learning Mathematics (ALM) research forum in 1992. This organisation brought together researchers and practitioners to advance adult mathematics education worldwide, with O'Hagan contributing engaging and enlightening sessions to numerous international conferences.
A Legacy of Innovation and Social Commitment
From 2000 onward, O'Hagan worked on various local, regional and national projects across England and Ireland. Her diverse initiatives included devising a Basic Skills strategy for the NHS, training prisoners to become Maths Mentors for fellow inmates, and supporting further education teachers in improving mathematics instruction for the construction industry.
Her intellectual curiosity spanned multiple disciplines, including physics, cloud science, probability mathematics, and history - particularly Irish history. Her commitment to social justice remained unwavering, evidenced by her volunteer work teaching mathematics to refugees in her later years.
O'Hagan faced her final illness with characteristic grace, expressing contentment with her life's work. She reflected on having achieved "a strong sense of having made enough of a contribution whilst having a great time in adult maths teaching. Perfect combination really."
Born in Magherafelt and raised in Maghera, County Derry, Joan O'Hagan was the daughter of homemaker Pat (née Quigley) and civil engineer Charlie O'Hagan. She earned a physics degree from the New University of Ulster in Coleraine before beginning her educational journey in England.
She is survived by her sister Anne, brothers Donal and John, and five nieces, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence adult mathematics education internationally.
