Caroline Heary graduated with a BA from the University College Dublin (UCD), after which she completed a Masters of Psychological Science in Health Psychology in NUI, Galway. She subsequently returned to UCD, where she completed her PhD on the development of an instrument to assess childrens satisfaction with hospital services (under the supervision of Dr. Eilis Hennessy amp; Prof. Hannah McGee). Having worked as a researcher in the Childrens Research Centre, Trinity College Dublin, she then obtained a post-doctoral research fellowship from the National Childrens Office. She was appointed to her post in NUI, Galway in November 2003.Carolines professional activities include: Member of the Growing Up In Ireland Policy Advisory Group Research and Practice Advisory Group (2023 onwards) and formerly member of the Scientific advisory group; Health Panel, Growing up in Ireland, Phase 2 (2015 to 2023). European Paediatric Psychology Network Board Member (2020 to date) (and founding member of EPPN) Helium Arts Creative Health Hub West Advisory Group Committee Meeting Planet Youth West, Research and Data subgroup Young Ireland, Academic Advisory Panel Former activities include ulResearch Officer amp;Committee Member, Special Interest Group in Paediatric Psychology, Psychological Society of Ireland(PSI) Member of the International Committee, Society of Pediatric Psychology, APA(2018-2023) Member of the Council of the Psychological Society of Ireland (2004-2007) Co-Founder, Youth Academy (NUI, Galway Secretary of the local organising committee of the European Health Psychology Conference (hosted by School of Psychology, National University of Ireland, Galway, August 2005 Member of the Scientific Committee, European Health Psychology Conference (2005; 2023; 2024) Member of the Academic Advisory Board, The Irish Centre for Talented Youth, Dublin City University (2002-2016).

Caroline has specific interests in the social context of health and wellbeingduring childhood and adolescence. Specific research themes include: Youth Mental health: Stigma associated with chronic health conditions during childhood amp; adolescence Help-seeking for mental health difficulties Risk amp; Protective factors for young peoples wellbeing (role of peers, family, school) Mental health literacy Evidence-based interventions School mental health Development of Youth Mental Health services Paediatric Psychology Psychosocial issues associated with childhood chronic illness Mental health needs for young people living with a chronic physical condition Social support; Peer support Transition from paediatric to adult health care Health behaviours of children and adolescents (physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep, healthy eating) Prevention and early intervention Socio-ecological approaches Health behaviours of children and adolescents and the role of parent and peers Caroline is involved in a number of projects on factors relating to healthy eating, physical activity and the sedentary behaviours of children. Co-applicant on a HRB ICE award on designing, evaluating and implementing a pilot complex intervention on childhood obesity (2016-2019). For more information on this project check out our Cherish website (Choosing Healthy Eating for Infant Health): a target=_blank rel=nofollow href=https:cherishstudy.comhttps:cherishstudy.com Carolinewas a collaborator on the following research led by Dr. Colette Kelly (School of Health Promotion): Weaning Practices on the Island of Ireland: A Qualitative Approach (funded by safefood). In 2011, Caroline spent a period of time as a visiting research associate of the Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public - No restriction Health, University of Minnesota, where Prof. Dianne Neumark-Sztainer was her host (and the Project EAT team). Youth Mental Health Caroline works closely with Dr. Eilis Hennessy (Department of Psychology, University College Dublin) and Dr. Lorraine Swords (Childrens Research Centre, TCD) on research relating to understanding the acceptance of children with mental health difficulties; the stigma that children and families can experience and exploring help-seeking for psychological issues during adolescence and young adulthood.This research team have been successful in receiving funding from the Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Sciences and the Millennium Research Fund, National University of Ireland, Galway. In 2009, Caroline Heary amp; Eilis Hennessy received a Health Research Award from the Health Research Board to carry out research ona target=_blank rel=nofollow href=http:www.hrb.ieresearch-strategy-fundinggrants-and-fellowshipsfunding-awardedfunding-awardawards71the stigmatization of psychological difficulties in children: An exploration of self and Public - No restriction stigma . During her sabbatical period (2011), Caroline spent a period of time at the Illinois Institute of Psychology amp; the National Consortium of Stigma and Empowerment with Prof. Pat Corrigan Caroline was a core partner of YOULEAD a consortium of youth mental health researchers responsible for the delivery of a new doctoral training programme in Youth Mental Health (funded by the Health Research Board, 2018-2023): a target=_blank rel=nofollow href=http:www.nuigalway.ieyouleadhttp:www.nuigalway.ieyoulead Psychosocial issues associated with childhood chronic illness Caroline is currently working on a number of paediatric psychology projects including: Pathways to Improving Transition to Adult services amp; Enhancing Self-Management in Adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis (Caroline Heary, PI; Funded by the Health Research Board amp; Cystic Fibrosis Ireland). Postdoctoral Researcher: Dr. Angeline Traynor; Collaborating with Childrens Health Ireland, St. Vincents University Hospital amp; Sick Kids Toronto (2023-25) Exploring the feasibility amp; acceptability of a nature-based therapeutic intervention for children with a chronic health condition (Clinical Trainee Laura McDonnell in collaboration with Childrens Health Ireland) Exploring healthcare participation experiences of adolescents living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (Sarah Quinn, former Clinical trainee 2024; in collaboration with Childrens Health Ireland) Role of arts based interventions in supporting children during outpatient visits (in collaboration with Helium Arts). Prior to moving to NUI, Galway, Caroline worked as the lead researcher on a national study of children with acquired brain injury based in TCD, which was commissioned by the National Rehabilitation Hospital. .

Developmental PsychologyChild health psychology