Professor Kalwant Bhopal

Kalwant Bhopal is Professor of Education and Social Justice and Director of the (opens in a new window)Centre for Research in Race and Education (CRRE) in the School of Education. Kalwant’s research focuses on the achievements and experiences of minority ethnic groups in education. She has conducted research on exploring discourses of identity and intersectionality examining the lives of Black minority ethnic groups as well as examining the marginal position of Gypsies and Travellers. Her research specifically explores how processes of racism, exclusion and marginalisation operate in predominantly White spaces with a focus on social justice and inclusion. Her recent book, White Privilege: the myth of a post-racial society was published by Policy press. 

Joan Freeman

Joan Freeman is an Irish psychologist and politician who has served as a Senator since May 2016, upon being Nominated by the Taoiseach. She is the founder of the Pieta House suicide prevention charity, sn organisation that deals with the intervention of suicide and self-harm. The service has provided free therapy to over 30,000 men, women and children and is one of the most loved and respected charity in Ireland. Joan has won many national awards for her work for the Irish people and pioneered the international flagship event for Pieta House, ‘Darkness into Light.’ 

Dr Emelina Ellis

Emelina Ellis is a Chartered Counselling Psychologist BSc, CPsychol., PsychD and an accredited member of the British Psychological Society, she has experience working in services with adult, older adult, child & adolescent mental health in a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches, psychological assessment and a Clinical Supervisor. Dr. Emelina has wide experience as a Clinical Lead for Global EAP providers. Dr. Emelina is the Clinical Excellence Lead in Spectrum.Life and as such she is responsible for the day to day management, development and ongoing review of the EAP service, strategic planning, as well as overseeing the service delivery of the EAP in Spectrum.Life including the clinical team, employee assistance advisors, affiliate counsellors, trauma counsellors, affiliate network, recruitment, training and clinical governance.

Professor Graeme Warren

Graeme Warren is a Professor in the School of Archaeology, UCD, having been appointed in 2002 to expand the School's practical teaching skills and provide a specialism in early prehistory. He is a specialist in the Archaeology of Hunter-Gatherers, with his primary research focus mainly in NW Europe. He is delighted to be coordinator of our new MSc/G Dip in Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology (first intake Sept 2021.) Professor Warren is part of UCD's Mental Health First Aid Peer Support Group, a panel launched in March 2020 to support employees who may be feeling overwhelmed at any stage of their lives or are concerned about their mental health and wellbeing. They provide non-judgemental, confidential support and information to employees on a strictly confidential basis and are available should you wish to make contact with them to have a chat and find out more about supports that are available if needed. All members of this Peer Support Group have been trained in Mental Health First Aid with (opens in a new window)Mental Health First Aid Ireland. 

Professor Eilis Hennessy

Eilis Hennessy is a professor in the UCD School of Psychology. She is a developmental psychologist and her research focuses on how stigma is expressed and experienced by young people with mental health problems. She has a particular interest in mental health literacy, which refers to the ways in which we can educate people about mental health to enable them to keep mentally healthy and to seek appropriate help when needed. She is currently collaborating with Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, on a project looking at the experiences of teachers who are involved in the One Good School project; and with Pieta, on a systematic review of interventions for young people who self harm or attempt suicide.