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News 2018-early 2020

2024 Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Medal Winners

The following medals were awarded on 3 Dec 2024 [Read more]

School of Psychology Awards Ceremony 2024

The following medals were awarded on 3 Dec 2024 and are based on the academic year 2023/24. [Read more]

3rd Annual Aidan P. Moran Research Day

December 2nd, 2024, UCD Village Auditorium and Balcony
10am to 4pm [More details]

Subsidised Micro-credentials

The UCD Centre for Disability Studies from the UCD School of Psychology Offers Upskilling Opportunities through Subsidised Micro-credentials. [Read more]

Paving the way for girls in STEM

The School of Psychology would like to invite you to the event "Paving the way for girls in STEM and keeping them on the path" hosted by the Geary Institute for Public Policy on May 21, 2024, at 9 am. [Read more]

Transforming children’s mathematics education through digital games

The School of Psychology would like to invite you to launch the Report “Transforming children’s mathematics education through digital games: Insights from the Arithmós Project”. [Read more]

Ad Astra Fellows – Two Funded PhD Positions 2024 (**CLOSED**)

The UCD Ad Astra Fellowship scheme, an initiative launched in 2019, aims to promote the quality, quantity and impact of UCD research, scholarship and innovation. As part of this scheme UCD School of Psychology has two fully funded PhD positions on offer for excellent students. [Read more]

Dance and the brain: PPI event opens School of Psychology laboratories to people with Parkinson’s

Late last year, neuroscience researchers in the UCD School of Psychology welcomed 13 people with Parkinson’s to the Aidan P. Moran Research Laboratories as part of the national PPI (public and patient involvement) Festival. [see  more]

Clinical Psychology Conferring 2023

The conferring took place 7th December [see more]

School of Psychology Awards Ceremony

The annual Psychology awards ceremony took place on Thursday 7th December, honouring students who achieved academic excellence in the 2022-23 academic year. [ More details]

UCD Centre for Disability Studies webinars for International Disability Day

To celebrate International Disability Day, December 3rd, the UCD Centre for Disability Studies is co-hosting two events next week. [More details]

Executive function, child development and learning PhD

UCD School of Psychology has a 3 year funded Ad Astra PhD opportunity. Interested in executive function, child development and learning? -- Deadline 26th October [more details]

The cognitive development of infants in the E-cigarettes on Childhood Health Outcomes (ECHO) study

The Babylab at the School of Psychology, University College Dublin (UCD) has a 4 year funded PhD opportunity for anyone interested in early child development  [more details]

Dr Flavia H. Santos is an invited speaker at the University of Cambridge, Faculty of Education, Mathematics Education Research Group

 Her talk will explore numeracy, maths anxiety and digital transformation in the light of the Arithmós Project funded by the Irish Research Council. [More details]

Poster for math anxiety talk

Dr Geraldine Boland’s to present at the upcoming American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) 2022 Annual Conference.

In June 2022, Dr Geraldine Boland, Adjunct Assistant Professor of the UCD Centre for Disability Studies will deliver an oral presentation at the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) conference on Connecting locally: Do non-disabled adult siblings have a role in supporting social inclusion in neighbourhoods of adults with intellectual disability?

[Read more]

Visit from Penn State University Students and Staff

Following a COVID pause, the UCD Centre for Disability Studies was delighted to welcome back our friends from Penn State University

[Read More]

Epilepsy in Education Webinar Series

The UCD Centre for Disability Studies joins the UCD Neuropsychology Lab to present a free webinar series titled ‘Epilepsy in Education’. Two webinars will take place on May 4th and 11th from 12.30 to 13.30pm

[Read more]

Youth Mental Health in the time of COVID-19

Banner image for Youth Mental Health in a Time of Covid seminar showing speakers and QR code

 Dr Niki Nearchou will chair a lunchtime seminar on Friday March 25th from 11am to 12.30pm on her research in the field of Youth Mental Health in the time of COVID-19. Invited speakers include Associate Professor Amanda Fitzgerald, Co-investigator of the My World Survey and Lorna Kerin, Public Patient Involvement Manager at RCSI Medical.

To register for this event please visit (opens in a new window)https://www.eventbrite.com/e/youth-mental-health-in-the-time-of-covid-19-tickets-266817497317

3 year PhD scholarship

The UCD School of Psychology in conjunction with the Irish Cancer Society & St Vincent’s University Hospital are delighted to announce a three year PhD Scholarship (commencing 2022). This scholarship is attached to an innovative clinical research project at the High Risk Genetics Clinic at St Vincent's University Hospital.

[Read more details]

Apply for a UCD Ad Astra Fellowship at the UCD School of Psychology

We are excited to be part of the current call for Ad Astra Fellows in UCD. The job description for these posts is available  here and the portal to submit your application is available via  https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs/ 

Appointment of Associate Professor Christine Linehan as Chair of the International League against Epilepsy’s Task Force on Intellectual Disabilities 2022-2025.

The Centre is delighted to announce the appointment of Director Christine Linehan as Chair of the International League Against Epilepsy’s Task Force on Intellectual Disabilities for the period 2022-2025.  Christine has been member of this Task Force for the periods 2014-2017 and 2018-2021 [Read more]

Recording available for webinar ‘Connecting locally: recognising the facilitators and overcoming the barriers to the social inclusion in neighbourhoods of adults with intellectual disabilities’

9 of the participants of the Connecting Locally Webinar in a 3 * 3 tile view from Zoom

Over 200 delegates attended our webinar ‘Connecting locally: recognising the facilitators and overcoming the barriers to the social inclusion in neighbourhoods of adults with intellectual disabilities’ on September 29 2021.[Read more and view video recording]

Taught Graduate Virtual Information session

Register for UCD School of Psychology Taught Graduate Virtual Information session taking place on Monday 31st May at 11am to learn more about the MSc Mindfulness Based Interventions and MSc Disability programmes .

Register now at   (opens in a new window)http://ucdsocscilaw.info/2021_VirtualGradSeries  OR   https://www.ucd.ie/socscilaw/study/virtualtaughtgraduateseriesevent2021/

Face looking right with test MSc in Mindfulness Based Interventions UCD School of Psychology

UCD School of Psychology Memory Wall

The project creates a visual record showcasing the network of students, staff and graduates who are part of the UCD Psychology community - past, present and future. [more]

Sport Psychology in Ireland - A webinar celebrating the work of Prof Aidan P. Moran

In March 2020 we lost our dear colleague and friend Professor Aidan Moran. The webinar includes video tributes from colleagues and friends, followed by a panel discussion with preeminent sport psychologists in Ireland. [ Read more & video the video recording]

Image advertising  SPORT PSYCHOLOGY IRELAND Webinar celebrating the work of Prof Aidan P.  Moran 

Coping during Covid-19 workbook

For anyone who might be struggling with feelings of anxiety or low mood at the moment here is a free-to-download self-help CBT workbook "(opens in a new window)Coping During COVID", developed from one of the School of Psychology's staff members Keith Gaynor, and St John of God Hospital

Cover of Coping with Covid 19 booklet

Report: The Status of Disability Mainstreaming and Disability Inclusion in Development and Humanitarian Practice.

The report was based on Charlotte Thumser master thesis' (Master of Public Administration in Development Practice) under the supervision of Dr Flavia Santos at University College Dublin in collaboration with Dóchas, The Association of Irish Non-Governmental Development Organisations. 

[Read more]

Cover of report on Disability Inclusion & Development

Book Launch: Mental Health, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and the Ageing Process

The UCD Psychology and the UCD Centre for Disability Studies are proud to announce the launch of the book: "Mental Health, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and the Ageing Process [More details

Cover of the book Mental Health, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and the Ageing Process

Psychology Memorial Wall project

We are inviting you to share your memories of the UCD School of Psychology!

[Read more]

Funder requirements for research data to be made available: managing and sharing research data

Please join us for our next Psychology Seminaron Thursday, October 22nd, at 1:00 PM on zoom, with a talk from Gail Birkbeck and Associate Professor Christine Linehan titled "Funder requirements for research data to be made available: managing and sharing research data". [read more]

The zoom link is: (opens in a new window)https://ucd-ie.zoom.us/j/96253213352

UCD School of Psychology  -Lunchtime Seminar Series 2020 

All via Zoom @ 1.00pm - more information

PDF of the list of late 2020 lunchtime seminars

Launch of International Survey documenting the Impact of COVID 19 on Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Caregivers

The UCD Centre for Disability Studies is delighted to announce the launch of our international survey documenting the impact of COVID 19 on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers

[Read more]

Professor Aidan Moran RIP

Our School is deeply saddened to share news of the death of our dear friend and colleague Prof. Aidan Moran. Aidan was known, respected and loved by colleagues and students across UCD, the community of Psychology in Ireland and internationally.

[Read more and sign the book of condolences]

Post-doc opportunity

Dr Keith Gaynor and Professor Eilis Hennessy are working with Pieta House to define a set of policies and procedures to inform the work and support therapists and clinical support staff working with children under the age of 18. We are currently recruiting a post-doctoral researcher. 

[Read more]

Forthcoming Conference and Roundtable on Supported Decision Making

A two day event on Supported Decision Making of Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is being hosted by IASSIDD’s Comparative Policy and Practice Special Interest Research Group in conjunction with the renowned Tizard Centre at the University of Kent, UK

[Read more]

Appointment to Chair IASSIDD Special Interest Group

Dr Christine Linehan, Director of the UCD Centre for Disability Studies, has been appointed Chair of one of IASSIDD’s Special Interest Research Groups (SIRGs).

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Psychology book chosen as ‘top read’ in sport science for 2020

Pure Sport: Sport Psychology in Action (Kremer, Moran, & Kearney; published by Routledge 2019) - a psychology book co-authored by Aidan Moran (UCD School of Psychology) - has been chosen by BookAuthority as one of its “8 best new sport science books to read in 2020”.

See https://bookauthority.org/books/new-sports-science-books

MSc in Behavioural Neuroscience

We are delighted to announce that admissions are OPEN for our new taught MSc in Behavioural Neuroscience, beginning September 2020. (opens in a new window)More details on the admission page.

Improvement through Partnership: Promoting collaborative research in community intellectual disability services

UCD Centre for Disability Studies and St Michael’s House celebrated our ten-year partnership on International Disability Day, December 3rd, 2019. The partnership, led by Associate Professor Suzanne Guerin, UCD and Professor Philip Dodd, St Michael’s House, is the first such Memorandum of Understanding between an Irish university and disability service provider.

[Read more]

Helen O’Shea receives Dr Máire de Paor Award for best PhD thesis

Congratulations to Dr Helen O’Shea who received the Dr Máire de Paor Award for best PhD thesis in the College of Social Sciences and Law (CoSSL) in UCD on 12th November. Her thesis was entitled “An Investigation into the Neurocognitive Processes Underlying Motor Imagery” 

[Read more]

Seminar in Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act

On November 5th 2019, the UCD Centre for Disability Studies was delighted to host an evening seminar on the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act. Speakers included Patricia Rickard-Clarke, Chair of Safeguarding Ireland and Sage Advocacy; Eileen O’Callaghan, Sage Advocacy; and Emer Meighan, Sage Advocacy.

[Read more]

Dr Flavia Santos presents a keynote address at the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine

UCD’s Centre for Disability Studies congratulates our colleague Dr Flavia Santos who delivered a keynote address at the prestigious America The cress of Rehabilitation Medicine’s 2019 conference entitled Progress in Rehabilitation Research - Translation to Clinical Practice. The conference took place in Chicago from 5-8 November. Dr Santos’ paper, Attitudes towards Healthy Ageing in People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, was included in a special symposium on Aging with and into Disability: State of The Science and Rehabilitation Implications.

[Read more]

Successful Discussions in Disability Conference hosted in August 2019 – Youth Mental Health: Break the Stigma

The Centre for Disability Studies was delighted to collaborate with YOULEAD, a doctoral training programme in youth mental health, on our 2019 Discussions in Disability Conference ‘Youth Mental Health: Break the Stigma’. 

[Read more]

Hats off to our recent graduates on the MSc in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies – Class of 2019 Graduation

The UCD Centre for Disability Studies is delighted to celebrate the graduation of our Class of 2019.

[Read more]

GDPR and Capacity to Consent Roundtable

The UCD Centre for Disability Studies hosted a high-level roundtable on July 31st 2019.  Real life cases were discussed across the full spectrum of the research process from the generation of research questions through to dissemination of findings. Proceedings from this event are in preparation. 

[Read more]

Launch of WHO and ILAE/IBE’s Global Report ‘Epilepsy: A public health imperative’.

In June 2019, the World Health Organisation, in cooperation with the ILAE (International League against Epilepsy) and IBE (International Bureau for Epilepsy) launched a new global report ‘Epilepsy: a public health imperative’.

[Read more]

Irish Disability Studies Association Summer Seminar

UCD’s Centre for Disability Studies is delighted to promote the Irish Disability Studies Association’s Summer Seminar on the topic of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015-2024

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Apply for fully-funded PhD scholarship to commence Sept 2019

The UCD School of Psychology is pleased to invite applications for a fully-funded PhD scholarship, to commence in September 2019. The successful candidate will complete a structured four-year programme of PhD studies under the supervision of Dr Cliódhna O’Connor.

[ Read More ]

Congratulations to Dr Sarah Cooney

Congratulations to Dr Sarah Cooney who was awarded an NUI Grant Scheme for Early Career Academics. Sarah will use the award to travel to (opens in a new window)The University of Amsterdam to participate in a Bayesian Modeling workshop, with a view to organizing a Bayesian modeling for experimental psychologists event in the School of Psychology, UCD.

Video - A Contextual Behavioral Guide to the Self - author Louise McHugh

In(opens in a new window) this video Louise McHugh introduces her new book 'A Contextual Behavioral Guide to the Self'

The self plays an integral role in human motivation, cognition, and social identity. A Contextual Behavioral Guide to the Self translates this difficult—yet essential—therapeutic process into easy-to-apply steps and user-friendly language.

For many clients, it's incredibly difficult to shed preconceived notions of “who they really are,” and negative perceptions of the self can lead to feelings of low self-worth that stand in the way of treatment. Furthermore, every client who partakes in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) must identify a self as part of their treatment, and clinicians often report that observing the self, or “self as context,” is the most difficult of all six core ACT processes.

Problems with the self arise when clients orient themselves in the world and learn to relate to others, but these problems can vary considerably. For example, some clients may have deficits in developing a strong sense of self in the first place—particularly if they are diagnosed with autism spectrum conditions (ASC). Depressed clients or those with borderline personality disorder (BPD) may develop a skewed, negative sense of self, and those with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) may develop an inflated sense of self.
With this unique road map, you will learn to apply the complex theory of the self into everyday practice, and help all clients develop empathy, compassion, and flexible perspective taking—leading to better treatment outcomes and better lives for clients.

More details of this book at https://www.newharbinger.com/contextual-behavioral-guide-self

See also https://www.newharbinger.com/blog/conversation-regarding-“-self”-russ-harris-and-louise-mchugh

UCD Centre for Disability Studies’ epilepsy research represented at International Epilepsy Day, European Parliament

The UCD Centre for Disability Studies is delighted that our research partners, Prof Jakob Christensen and Prof Philippe Ryvlin, will meet with MEPs in the European Parliament, Strasburg to mark International Epilepsy Day 2019.  Profs Christensen and Ryvlin will have an opportunity to present preliminary findings from ESBACE, the European Study of the Burden and Cost of Epilepsy in Europe. The UCD Centre is one of the leading partners in ESBACE, a consortium of 19 European Centres who received 1.2 million euro in funding from the European Commission to examine the burden and cost of epilepsy in Europe. International Epilepsy Day provides a unique opportunity to present our preliminary findings at the heart of Europe. Further details of the event can be accessed here.

Video - Circadian Rhythms and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults

Professor  Andrew Coogan, of the Department of Psychology Maynooth University delivered this lunch time seminar

CDS representation at IASSIDD World Congress this summer

Preparations are underway by the UCD Centre for Disability Studies for our attendance at the IASSIDD World Congress in Glasgow from 6th – 9th August. IASSIDD, the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, is the premier professional association for those working in the disability field. Following from a successful trip to IASSIDD’s European Congress in Athens in 2018, the Centre has once again submitted numerous applications for papers, symposia and roundtables on a variety of topics. Given the Centre’s role on IASSIDD’s Comparative Policy and Practice Special Interest Groups, many of the applications fall within this area, for example applications on living arraignments for persons with complex needs, the relationships between homelessness and developmental disability, and the need for strong leadership in the development of quality services. A symposium is also submitted on epilepsy and intellectual disability which is a long-standing area of research for the Centre. To read more about the conference go to (opens in a new window)http://www.iassidd2019.com/ We look forward to seeing you in Glasgow!

PG Open Evening – January 22 17.00-19.00

The Centre for Disability Studies will participate in the School of Psychology’s postgraduate Open Evening on Tuesday 22 January from 17.00-19.00. The event is hosted in An Cuas, the concourse area of the Newman Building on UCD Campus. If you would like to meet with staff and students on the MSc in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, why not drop in and meat the team. Information on commuting and parking facilities on the UCD Belfield campus is (opens in a new window)available here. Click (opens in a new window)here to locate the Newman Building (also known as the Arts Block); it’s building 41 on the map.

In this (opens in a new window)video of a presentation to the schools lunctime seminar Dr Gillian Murphy reports on early results from the false memories study conducted before and after the referendum on May 2018 to repeal the 8th amendment and allow government to legislate for abortion in Ireland. Some participants who undertook this study were shown fake news stories (entirely fabricated by the researchers).

Acquired Brain Injury Ireland visit the UCD Centre for Disability Studies.

A group of people standing and sitting looking at the camera

The UCD Centre for Disability Studies was delighted to host a seminar with self-advocates and staff from Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Ireland on Saturday 1st December 2018.  Students on the MSc in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies were in attendance to hear from ABI self-advocates and staff about the impact of an acquired brain injury and the personalised supports promoted by ABI to foster independently living skills. Harley, Ireland’s only second fully-trained hearing support dog, was particularly well-behaved and resisted the temptation of mince pies at lunch time.  Our thanks to all at ABI for a marvellous day.

School of Psychology Launches 60th Anniversary Public Lecture Series

2018 is a very important year for the UCD School of Psychology, and one which we are keen to mark with a series of entertaining evenings for all. This lecture series coincides with the 60th anniversary of the very first Psychology degree programme in Ireland, established in UCD in 1958, and marks the 50th session of the UCD Psychological Society. The series includes six evening lectures hosted on campus that will be delivered by pre-eminent national and international speakers in the field of Psychology such as Prof. Elizabeth Loftus, University of California-the world leader in the field of eyewitness testimony and false memory-who has delivered expert testimony in high profile trials such as the OJ Simpson trial, Dr Tony Bates, Founding Director of Headstrong who has changed the field of youth mental health in Ireland, and child psychologist Dr David Coleman who has been helping the nation’s parents answer some of the toughest questions. Information on three more upcoming lectures in Spring 2019 in fields such as neuropsychology and sports psychology will be released soon.

Events are free but ticketed through Eventbrite-book early to avoid disappointment!

Book your place below:

Tony Bates, 17th October: (opens in a new window)https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/give-sorrow-words-public-lecture-by-dr-tony-bates-tickets-50398047918

Elizabeth Loftus, 28th November: (opens in a new window)https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-fiction-of-memory-public-lecture-by-prof-elizabeth-loftus-tickets-50398732967
*This event is kindly supported by the Psychological Society of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Branch of the British Psychological Society

David Coleman, 12th December: (opens in a new window)https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/scared-kids-supporting-children-and-teenagers-in-an-uncertain-world-tickets-50399092041

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Psy Public Lectures General poster

Launch of Managing Your Own Learning at University by Prof. Aidan Moran

On 18th Sept 2018 the third edition of Professor Aidan Moran's best-selling book Managing Your Own Learning at University: A practical guide was launched by Professor Orla Feely, Vice President for Research at UCD.

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Lunchtime Lecture Series 2018/2019

All welcome to our lunchtime seminar series in the School of Psychology (no registration required)

School Seminars 2018-19

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UCD School of Psychology

Newman Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.