Academic biography

Dr. Sinéad Smyth is Associate Professor and Head of the School of Psychology at Dublin City University (DCU). She holds a BA and PhD in Psychology, a Postgraduate Diploma in Sleep Medicine, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice. She is chair of the MSc in Psychology and Wellbeing and is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA).

One strand of Sinéad’s research focuses on co-developing inclusive solutions in collaboration with neurodivergent populations, including those with ADHD and Autism, as well as their families. Her work is centred on topics of interest to these communities, with an emphasis on understanding how neurodivergent individuals navigate environments that were not designed with their needs in mind and to explore how we can develop more inclusively. She works collaboratively to explore ways to create more supportive, accessible, and equitable educational, health and social experiences, ensuring that strategies are relevant and beneficial.

In addition to her work with neurodivergent populations, Sinéad investigates the impact of ACEs on children and adolescents. She explores how early life adversities can affect mental health, social relationships, and academic achievement, and works collaboratively with affected communities to develop support mechanisms that help mitigate these challenges.

Sinéad also conducts research on sleep, focusing on both clinical and non-clinical populations. She examines the role of sleep in cognitive and emotional functioning, with a particular focus on children, young people and families.