Academic biography

Associate Professor / Senior Lecturer in the School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health (SNPCH) , Dublin City University with a PhD from Ulster University for a study entitled Experiences in post-secondary and higher education: a hermeneutic interpretation of the narratives of people with intellectual disability. MSc. in Nursing Management, Graduate Diploma in Public Management, National Diploma in Personnel Management, Registered Nurse (Intellectual Disabilities).  I have a number of years of clinical experience prior to becoming involved in  Education.

Currently I am leading a team of researchers from DCU and UL undertaking a HSE funded review, to investigate indicators of undiagnosed intellectual disabilities.

I led the DCU Ability Project from 2018 - 2022  which aimed to support adults  with disabilities to become career ready. The programme was  co-financed by the Irish Government and the European Social Fund as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020 until August 2021. The project was extended to December 2022 with approval by Government and support from the Dormant Accounts Fund. My interests include supporting  people with intellectual disability to become involved in decisions within the services they attend and also promoting access to post-secondary and higher education. I am also interesting in helping students with their knowledge of assistive technology and how it can help and support people with illness or disability.
One of the research studies I was involved in was the SOPHIE study (Special Olympics Programmes Health Impact Evaluation). During this study I was one of the key members of the research team  examining if people involved in Special Olympics were happier and healthier than those not involved.