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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 ]

Welcome to the UCD School of Psychology

We are looking forward to welcoming new and returning students to the School and to our newly renovated space in F2 in the Newman Building. Planning for the coming academic year remains challenging as the COVID-19 situation continues to impact around the world. Returning students will find that we have introduced new procedures to help us respond to student queries and support your participation as a member of the School.

We encourage all staff and students to be familiar with the most up-to-date information on UCD’s COVID-19 arrangements (www.ucd.ie/covid-19/ ). We are working to support the containment of the virus and continue to ensure full compliance with public health guidelines in all aspects of our operations. UCD is working with the Irish Universities Association and the new Department of Higher Education to ensure that a safe and consistent approach to face-to-face teaching is taken across the sector and that health risks posed to students returning to UCD are appropriately and effectively mitigated.  The health and safety of our students and staff are our main concerns, and UCD has put appropriate social distancing and cleaning measures in place in advance of the start of term.  The university’s inductions will highlight these measures to you.

Staff Contacts

For detailed information on School staff visit https://www.ucd.ie/psychology/ourpeople/

The majority of faculty, technical and administrative staff will be on campus and available to meet by appointment, in person or remotely as is most appropriate. The School will have limited in-person drop-in opportunities; however, staff can be contacted by email. Our Head of School is Prof. Suzanne Guerin ((opens in a new window)suzanne.guerin@ucd.ie) and our School Manager is Ms Cathrina Gaffney ((opens in a new window)cathrina.gaffney@ucd.ie). Key staff for our programmes are listed below:

BSc/BSc International in Psychology Higher Diploma in Psychology

Ms Danielle Smart – Programme Administrator

(opens in a new window)danielle.smart@ucd.ie

Ms Danielle Smart – Programme Administrator

(opens in a new window)danielle.smart@ucd.ie     

Dr Mick O’Connell – Programme Director

(opens in a new window)michael.f.oconnell@ucd.ie

Dr Ciara Greene – Programme Director

(opens in a new window)ciara.greene@ucd.ie

Dr Michelle Downes - Year One Coordinator

(opens in a new window)michelle.downes@ucd.ie

 

Dr Kathy Looney - Year Two Coordinator

(opens in a new window)kathy.looney@ucd.ie

 

Dr Cliodhna O'Connor - Year Three Coordinator

(opens in a new window)cliodhna.oconnor1@ucd.ie

 
Master in Psychological Science MSc in Mindfulness-based Interventions

Ms Mary Boyle – Programme Administrator

(opens in a new window)Mary.Boyle@ucd.ie    

Ms Mary Boyle – Programme Administrator

(opens in a new window)Mary.Boyle@ucd.ie    

Dr Patricia Gough – Programme Director

(opens in a new window)Patricia.Gough@ucd.ie

Dr Paul D’Alton – Programme Director

(opens in a new window)Paul.Dalton@ucd.ie

 

Prof Louise McHugh – Programme Director

(opens in a new window)Louise.McHugh@ucd.ie

MLitt/PhD Programme Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology

Ms Muriel Keegan – Programme Administrator

(opens in a new window)Muriel.Keegan@ucd.ie    

Ms Muriel Keegan – Programme Administrator

(opens in a new window)muriel.keegan@ucd.ie

Dr Brendan Rooney – Programme Director

(opens in a new window)brendan.rooney@ucd.ie

Prof. Alan Carr - Programme Director

(opens in a new window)alan.carr@ucd.ie

 

Prof. Gary O'Reilly - Programme Director

(opens in a new window)gary.e.oreilly@ucd.ie

Information on Teaching and Assessment in Psychology

Your timetable information for the Autumn Trimester will be made available via SISWeb following registration. The aim for the coming trimester is to delivery our programmes in the most effective way, while also protecting staff and students. Face-to-face teaching will be delivered where it is possible and appropriate to the nature of the skills and information being delivered. Many modules will be delivered in a blended format, with a mixture of face-to-face and online elements, to optimise your experience while maintaining a safe learning environment. Be sure to engage with our virtual learning environment Brightspace for the most up-to-date information on modules.

In general, essential practical teaching sessions, small group teaching, tutorials, smaller group seminars and labs will be predominantly face to face. Large lectures will be recorded and made available through Brightspace or delivered live remotely. All face-to-face teaching and live online sessions be available for students with underlying health conditions who cannot attend or those who have difficulties with live access to online material.

Assessment will take the form of continuous assessment and online examinations.  There will be no in-person examinations.  Supervision of research projects will take place regularly via a combination of in-person and online meetings.

Supports in UCD

The transition to blended learning (a combination of online and campus-based classes) can be daunting so the Access and Lifelong Learning unit have developed some resources that are available here.  

One of the most important points of contact for students is your Student Adviser. They offer practical and emotional support for students within the College. Our dedicated Adviser in the College of Social Sciences and Law is Kieran Moloney, kieran.moloney@ucd.ie  For Graduate Research students, your Student Adviser is Carita Bramhill, (opens in a new window)carita.bramhill@ucd.ie

We are also aware that students can face huge financial burdens while attending college. Information on financial supports available to students within UCD can be found here.

UCD School of Psychology

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