Organisation profile
Overview of our Research
Research in Psychology aims to describe, predict and explain human behaviour. The range of questions addressed varies enormously, from very fundamental questions about perception, to applied questions about health. Our two research themes are ‘Brain and Behaviour’ and ‘Health and Wellbeing’. Across these areas, psychology research is unified by a scientifically rigorous approach to understanding human experience. This is done based on empirical observations made at multiple levels, right through from behavioural responses to subtleties of neural activity and participatory research.
The school is extremely fortunate to have a critical mass of academic staff, research fellows, and postgraduate students working in both school-led research teams and university wide research centres. Across these activities we collaborate widely with other international academic research centres of excellence, and our work is generously sponsored.
Research Centres
There are a number of Research Centres and groups affiliated with the School of Psychology:
UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre (UCFRC)
Irish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research (ICAN)
Centre for Neuroimaging and Cognitive Genomics (NICOG)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Our work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 15 Life on Land -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions -
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Profiles
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A narrative review of cancer-related loneliness in those living with and beyond cancer, and their close persons
Mckeown, L., Dempster, M., Groarke, J. & Graham-Wisener, L., 1 Mar 2026, In: Postgraduate Medical Journal. 102, 1205, p. 206-213 8 p.Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Review article › peer-review
Open Access -
A Qualitative Exploration of Healthcare Workers’ Experiences in a Sexual Assault Referral Centre
McFadden, S., Lavelle, M., Graham-Wisener, L., Hull, S. & Groarke, J. M., 2026, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice.Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
A systematic review identifying personally modifiable factors for self-harm recovery in young people and the barriers and facilitators to their implementation
McEvoy, D., Sweeney, C., Ryan, L., Wilson, C., Healy, C., Mongan, D., Sheaf, G., Higgins, A., Gallant, A. J., Doyle, L., Darker, C. D., Keogh, B., Kartalova-O'Doherty, Y., Murphy, R., Fitzgerald, C., Staines, L., Lyne, J. P., O'Connor, K., Anand-Vembar, S. & O'Keeffe, D. & 10 others, , May 2026, In: Journal of Psychiatric Research.Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Article › peer-review
Activities
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Mc Tiernan, A (2026). Values in Educational Practice. Invited Speaker at Southern Connecticut State University, College of Education, 3rd Annual Conference: Expanding the Reach of Applied Behavior Analysis in Education, online conference.
Mc Tiernan, A. M. (Speaker)
2026Activity: Talk or presentation (Unpublished) › Invited Talk
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Mc Tiernan, A (2026). Translating the Science of Behaviour Analysis into Values-driven Practice. Invited speaker at the 19th Annual Conference of the Division of Behavioural Psychology, Galway, (April, 2026).
Mc Tiernan, A. M. (Speaker)
2026Activity: Talk or presentation (Unpublished) › Invited Talk
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Work-related quality of life and well-being of social care workers in the disability sector in Ireland.
Fallon-Hogan, V. (Speaker), Hodgins, M. (Other), Hogan, M. (Other), Hynes, S. (Other), O'Malley, M.-P. (Other) & Power, M. (Other)
6 Nov 2025Activity: Talk or presentation (Unpublished) › Invited Talk
Prizes
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1st place, Poster Competition, Wiring the Brain Conference
MOTHERSILL, D. (Recipient), 2011
Prize: Honorary award
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