Dr HAZEL KILLEEN

B.Sc.OT, Ph.D

Contact Details

Assistant Professor
Aras Moyola
North Campus
University of Galway
T: Ext. 5767
E: hazel.killeen@universityofgalway.ie
Twitter handle: @hazel_killeen
 
researcher
 

Biography

Dr. Hazel Killeen, BScOT, PhD, is a full-time Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, in the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Galway, Ireland.
CORU Registration no. OT21317.

In 1998, Hazel completed her undergraduate degree in Occupational Therapy at Trinity College, Dublin. Over the next 12 years, Hazel worked clinically in the public sector, in private practice and on a voluntary capacity in the area of paediatric occupational therapy. During this time she had the privilege of experiencing a diverse range of international healthcare systems and working closely with many wonderful children and families from a broad range of cultural backgrounds through her clinical work and training in paediatrics in Ireland, Australia, Canada, Siberia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

In 2010 Dr Killeen commenced as a full-time lecturer in the University of Galway, further pursuing her passion for best practice and evidence-based interventions in the areas of childhood disability and child development. Hazel's PhD (2011-2015) supervised by Professor Agnes Shiel, University of Galway, and Professor Mary Law, McMaster University, Canada, compared the adaptive behaviour and participation of children between 2 and 5 years of age born preterm, to those born full-term.  Building on these results, in 2016, Hazel completed postdoctoral training in McGill University, Montreal, Canada. With Dr Dana Anaby, McGill School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Hazel researched the use of an environmental-based intervention to improve the participation of former preterm infants in Ireland.

Ever passionate about what is best for families and children with additional needs, Hazel continues to research and supervise postgraduate students in this area. Her current studies focus on the use of the 'F-Words for Child Development' with children with additional needs, their families and special schools; developing an Ability Awareness training programme for primary school children in Ireland; and exploring transdiagnostic motor markers and participation issues in infancy as part of a funded ENLIGHT European partnership. 
 
 

 
 

Research Interests

Dr. Killeen's area of interest is in Childhood Disability and Child Development Research.

Dr. Killeen welcomes applicants for both Masters and PhD research in this area.
If you are considering postgraduate research that focuses on children, especially those with additional needs or in marginalised groups, please contact hazel.killeen@universityofgalway.ie for more information. 


Current Studies:

F-Words for Child Development

Dr Hazel Killeen is the Principal Investigator and postrgraduate supervisor of a number of 'F-Words for Child Development' studies in Ireland (2021 -2024). The Irish team includes Co-Investigator Dr Mairead Dempsey, postgraduate students and two parent experts. Studies include:

  1. Exploring the use of the `F-words for child development with children with additional needs and their families in Ireland. 
  2. Exploring the application, impacts and perceived value of the `F-Words for Child Development' with multiple stakeholders in a special educational setting in Ireland.
  3. Exploration of Service Providers, knowledge and application of the `F-Words for Child Development, in Children's Disability Services in Ireland (Yanlin Liu, PhD student).
  4. Exploring the Perceived Facilitators and Barriers to Participation in Rugby for Children with Disabilities in Ireland, using the 'F-Words' framework (Cathal Connolly, MPhil student).

The study is being done in collaboration with Dr Peter Rosenbaum, Ms. Rachel Teplicky, Dr Andrea Cross and the F-Words Team, CanChild, McMaster University, Canada. 

The 21st century has witnessed a major change in the way that childhood disability and child development are viewed. The F-Words for Child Development were  developed by Rosenbaum & Gorter, 2011 and stand for: Function, Family, Fitness, Fun, Friends and Future. These F-Words provide a philosophy with the potential to holistically support the development of all children including those with disabilities. It is firmly grounded in the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (WHO, 2001). The above studies aim to investigate the impact of the F-Words and it's tools on children with additional needs, their families, and children's health and educational services in Ireland. 

Ability Awareness Training for Primary School Children in Ireland

Dr Hazel Killeen is the Principal Investigator of an Evaluation of the feasibility and initial effectiveness of an `Ability Awareness Programme for Primary School Children' in Ireland.

Initial piloting of this programme gained nationally recognition: https://www.rte.ie/news/connacht/2022/0315/1286522-mobility-equipment-claddagh-galway/

Identification of Transdiagnostic motor markers and participation issues in infancy 

I am co-applicant of a successful ENLIGHT Scientific Research Network grant with colleagues from three other ENLIGHT partner universities: Ghent University, Belgium, Uppsala University, Sweden, and University of Groningen, Netherlands. Project title: 'An Enlight Network for the Identification of Transdiagnostic motor markers and participation issues in infancy (ENtITY)'.
2022 - 2024 ENLIGHT Network funding ¿80,000 


Previous studies include:
Dr. Killeen's PhD study explored the adaptive behaviour and participation of preterm infants (very low birth weight) between 2 years to 5 years 6 months of age, in comparison to their full term peers. This study was supervised by Professor Agnes Shiel, University of Galway, and Professor Mary Law, McMaster University, Canada, and Dr Donough O'Donovan, Consultant Neonatologist, University Hospital Galway.  

Dr Killeen was also co-principal investigator of an intervention study that used an environmental-based approach (PREP) to enhance the participation of former preterm infants in Ireland. Dr. Dana Anaby, McGill University, Canada, was co-investigator of this study.                  

Other areas of Interest in Paediatrics 
  • Strengths based approaches that emphasise what children can and want to do
  • Participation of children with additional needs
  • Universal training for primary school children on childhood disabilities and abilities
  • Handwriting
  • Goal setting and outcome measures

Research Projects

  Project Start Date End Date
An Enlight Network for the Identification of Transdiagnostic motor markers and participation issues in infancy (ENtITY) 01-NOV-22 30-APR-24
Evaluation of the feasibility and initial effectiveness of an Ability Awareness Programme for Primary School Children in Ireland 01-SEP-22 31-DEC-23
Exploring the application, impacts and perceived value of the F-Words for Child Development with multiple stakeholders in a special educational setting in Ireland. 01-FEB-22 01-JUN-24
Exploring the use of the F-Words for Child development with children with additional needs and their families in Ireland 26-APR-21 30-APR-23
IMPROVING THE PARTICIPATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN BORN PRETERM USING THE PREP APPROACH: THE REPLICATION OF A CANADIAN PROTOCOL IN IRELAND 01-JUL-16 30-JUN-19
THE IMPACT ON PRETERM BIRTH ON PARTICIPATION IN CHILD HOOD OCCUPATIONS MILLENIUM AC HAZEL KILLEEN 28-FEB-12 30-JUN-15

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2022) 'The impact of parent involvement on improving participation of children born preterm: The story in the baseline'
Killeen, H. & Anaby, D. (2022) 'The impact of parent involvement on improving participation of children born preterm: The story in the baseline'. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 28 (100942) [DOI] [Details]
(2022) 'Mitigating the impacts of confinement and distancing due to COVID-19 through service learning in occupational therapy education: evaluation of the Build-A-Box campaign'
Boylan, R., Killeen, H. & Hynes, S.M. (2022) 'Mitigating the impacts of confinement and distancing due to COVID-19 through service learning in occupational therapy education: evaluation of the Build-A-Box campaign'. AISHE-J: The All Ireland Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 14 (1):1-24 [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2020) 'Improving the participation of young children born preterm using the PREP approach'
Killeen, H., Anaby, D. (2020) 'Improving the participation of young children born preterm using the PREP approach'. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 62 (S4):23-24 [Details]
(2019) 'Supporting the participation of youth with physical disabilities: Parents' strategies'
Killeen, H., Shahin, S., Bedell, G.M., Anaby, D.R. (2019) 'Supporting the participation of youth with physical disabilities: Parents' strategies'. British Journal Of Occupational Therapy, 82 :153-161 [DOI] [Details]
(2017) 'Relationships between Adaptive Behaviours, Personal Factors, and Participation of Young Children'
Killeen, H., Shiel, A., Law, M., O'Donovan, D. J., Segurado, R., & Anaby, D. (2017) 'Relationships between Adaptive Behaviours, Personal Factors, and Participation of Young Children'. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, :1-12 [DOI] [Details]
(2015) 'The impact of preterm birth on participation in childhood occupation'
Killeen, H., Shiel, A., Law, M., Segurado, R., O'Donovan, D. (2015) 'The impact of preterm birth on participation in childhood occupation'. European Journal Of Pediatrics, 174 :299-306 [DOI] [Details]
(2014) 'Cross-cultural testing–Use of the ABAS-II to measure the adaptive behaviour of Irish VLBW preschoolers'
Killeen H, Shiel A, Law M, O’Donovan D (2014) 'Cross-cultural testing–Use of the ABAS-II to measure the adaptive behaviour of Irish VLBW preschoolers'. Archives Of Disease In Childhood-Fetal And Neonatal Edition, 99 (Suppl 1):A61-A61 [Details]
(2008) 'Handwriting speed: duration of testing period and relation to socio-economic disadvantage and handedness'
O'Mahony, P., Dempsey, M., Killeen, H. (2008) 'Handwriting speed: duration of testing period and relation to socio-economic disadvantage and handedness'. Occupational Therapy International, 15 (3):165-177 [Details]

Books

  Year Publication
(2014) The Irish Adaptation of the Handwriting Speed Test - 2nd Edition.
Killeen, H., Dempsey, M. & O'Mahoney (2014) The Irish Adaptation of the Handwriting Speed Test - 2nd Edition. Dublin, Ireland: Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland. [Details]
(2007) The Irish Adaptation of the Handwriting Speed Test.
Killeen, H., Dempsey, M., O'Mahony, P. (2007) The Irish Adaptation of the Handwriting Speed Test. Dublin: Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland. [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(2023) European Academy of Childhood Disability. Smarter goals for better future. 35th Annual Meeting. Slovenia
Connolly, C., Dempsey, M., Killeen, H. (2023) Exploring the perceived facilitators and barriers to participation in rugby for children with disabilities: a mixed methods study European Academy of Childhood Disability. Smarter goals for better future. 35th Annual Meeting. Slovenia [Details]
(2023) European Academy of Childhood Disability. Smarter goals for better future. 35th Annual Meeting. Slovenia
Scanlon, S., Donnellan, A., Dempsey, M., Killeen, H. (2023) Exploring the application, impacts and perceived value of the `F-Words for Child Development¿ with multiple stakeholders in a special educational setting in Ireland European Academy of Childhood Disability. Smarter goals for better future. 35th Annual Meeting. Slovenia [Details]
(2019) Canadian Association of Occupational Therapist Conference
Shahin, S., Killeen, H, Bedell, G, & Anaby, D. (2019) Parents strategies for enhancing participation in youth with physical disabilities Canadian Association of Occupational Therapist Conference [Details]
(2019) 73rd American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine and 2nd International Alliance of Academies of Childhood Disability Triennial meeting
Anaby, D., Killeen, H., Burrough, M., Teplicky, R., Golos, A. & Turner, A. (2019) PREP 101: An Innovative Therapy Intervention for Improving Participation of Children and Youth Around the World 73rd American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine and 2nd International Alliance of Academies of Childhood Disability Triennial meeting Anaheim, California, [Details]
(2017) American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, 71st Annual Meeting
Killeen, H., Shiel, A., Law, M. & Anaby, D. (2017) Do personal factors and adaptive behaviours effect the participation of young children with and without a history of preterm birth? American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, 71st Annual Meeting Montreal, Canada, , 13-SEP-17 - 16-SEP-17 [Details]
(2016) 3rd #CountMeIn! International Scientific Meeting, Supporting Children’s Participation
Killeen, H., O’Donovan, D., Law, M. & Shiel, A. (2016) The challenges of measuring the participation of young children born preterm 3rd #CountMeIn! International Scientific Meeting, Supporting Children’s Participation [Details]
(2016) Council of Occupational Therapists for European Countries and the European Network of Occupational Therapy in Higher Education Congress
Black, L., Moroney, C., Russell, L. & Killeen, H. (2016) Is Ireland taking advantage of young carers? Same work, same hours, no pay! Council of Occupational Therapists for European Countries and the European Network of Occupational Therapy in Higher Education Congress [Details]
(2014) 16th International Congress of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, Yokohama, Japan
Killeen, H., O'Donovan, D, Law, M, Shiel, A. (2014) The Impact of Preterm Birth on Childhood Occupation 16th International Congress of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, Yokohama, Japan [Details]
(2012) 2nd Irish Congress of Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Perinatal Medicine
Killeen, H., Shiel, A., Law, M. & O'Donovan, D. (2012) The Impact of Preterm Birth on Participation in Childhood occupation 2nd Irish Congress of Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Perinatal Medicine [Details]

Conference Contributions

  Year Publication
(2023) Psychological Society Ireland Conference,
Liu, Y., Dempsey, M., Shiel, A., & Killeen, H. (2023) Service Provider¿s knowledge and application of the `F-Words for Child Development¿ in Children¿s Disability Services in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Psychological Society Ireland Conference, Cork, Ireland , 08-NOV-23. [Details]
(2023) Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists Conference,
Liu, Y., & Killeen, H (2023) Service Provider¿s knowledge and application of the `F-Words for Child Development¿ in Children¿s Disability Services in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists Conference, Online , 13-OCT-23. [Details]
(2023) Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland,
Liu, Y., Dempsey, M., Shiel, A., & Killeen, H. (2023) Service Providers knowledge and application of the `F-Words for Child Development¿ in Children¿s Disability Services in Ireland. [Poster Presentation], Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland, cavan, Ireland , 05-OCT-23 - 06-OCT-23. [Details]

Media - Community Engagement

  Year Publication
(2023) 8 things to know if going abroad for health treatment for a child.
Killeen, H. (2023) 8 things to know if going abroad for health treatment for a child. RTÉ website: Brainstorm: Media - Community Engagement [Details]
(2022) How to support children with cerebral palsy in local community.
Killeen, H. (2022) How to support children with cerebral palsy in local community. Dublin: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) Media - Community Engagement [Details]
(2021) Why healthcare by video is a great idea for children.
Killeen, H. (2021) Why healthcare by video is a great idea for children. Dublin: Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) Media - Community Engagement [Details]

Conference Paper

  Year Publication
(2004) The Irish Adaptation of the Handwriting Speed Test.
Dempsey, M., Killeen, H. (2004) The Irish Adaptation of the Handwriting Speed Test. Galway: Conference Paper [Details]
(2004) Irish research in handwriting speed. National Association of Paediatric Occupational Therapists.
Dempsey, M., Killeen, H. (2004) Irish research in handwriting speed. National Association of Paediatric Occupational Therapists. Belfast: Conference Paper [Details]

Conference Poster

  Year Publication
(2012) 'Improving Academic Skills and Occupational Engagement through Structured Physical Education', AOTI Annual Conference, Mullingar, April 27-28. Ireland: Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland.
Gilroy, S., O'Connor, E., Connolly, R., Lavery, S., Killeen, H., Ní Loinsigh, C., Ní Riain, C., McNamara, B. & Collins, A. (2012) 'Improving Academic Skills and Occupational Engagement through Structured Physical Education', AOTI Annual Conference, Mullingar, April 27-28. Ireland: Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland. Conference Poster [Details]
(2012) 'Establishing a Sustainable Homework Club: Facilitators and Challenges', AOTI Annual Conference, Mullingar, April 27-28. Ireland: Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland.
McManus, L., Clarke, J., Frecklington, P. & Killeen, H. (2012) 'Establishing a Sustainable Homework Club: Facilitators and Challenges', AOTI Annual Conference, Mullingar, April 27-28. Ireland: Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland. Conference Poster [Details]
(2012) 'Challenges of implementing client centred practice when developing innovative community based programmes', AOTI Annual Conference, Mullingar, April 27-28. Ireland: Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland.
Price, O., McCormack, H., McGrath, M. & Killeen, H. (2012) 'Challenges of implementing client centred practice when developing innovative community based programmes', AOTI Annual Conference, Mullingar, April 27-28. Ireland: Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland. Conference Poster [Details]
(2011) Roll With It! Developing Wheelchair Skills with Irish Wheelchair Association Service Users’.. College of Occupational Therapists and Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference.
McGrath, V., Barry, H., Gavigan, A., McGrath, M. And Killeen, H. (2011) Roll With It! Developing Wheelchair Skills with Irish Wheelchair Association Service Users’.. College of Occupational Therapists and Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference. Dundalk Conference Poster [Details]
(2011) Getting The Balance Right- Living With Epilepsy’. College of Occupational Therapists and Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference.
Crowe, L., Clarke, R., Monson-Kirby, E., McGrath, M. and Killeen, H. (2011) Getting The Balance Right- Living With Epilepsy’. College of Occupational Therapists and Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference. Dundalk Conference Poster [Details]
(2011) Come Dine With Us - Increasing Social Engagement for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability’.. College of Occupational Therapists and Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference.
Healy, M., O'Flaherty, L., O'Callaghan, C., Killeen, H., McGrath, M. and Keane, L (2011) Come Dine With Us - Increasing Social Engagement for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability’.. College of Occupational Therapists and Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference. Dundalk Conference Poster [Details]
(2011) Exploring Accessibility Issues at NUI, Galway for Students with Intellectual Disabilities’. College of Occupational Therapists and Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference.
Lyons, A., Campbell, M., O'Brien, M., Killeen, H. and McGrath, M. (2011) Exploring Accessibility Issues at NUI, Galway for Students with Intellectual Disabilities’. College of Occupational Therapists and Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference. Dundalk Conference Poster [Details]
(2001) Crossing the Digital Divide with Older Adults’.. College of Occupational Therapists and Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference.
Carpenter, M., Ní Ghríofa, O., Killeen, H., McGrath, M. and Jennings, N (2001) Crossing the Digital Divide with Older Adults’.. College of Occupational Therapists and Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference. Dundalk Conference Poster [Details]

Thesis

  Year Publication
(2015) The impact of preterm birth on adaptive behaviour and participation in childhood occupation.
Killeen, H., Law, M., Shiel, A. (2015) The impact of preterm birth on adaptive behaviour and participation in childhood occupation. Thesis [Details]

Workshops

  Year Publication
(2011) Review of assessments guiding seating intervention in children with complex disabilities’.. College of Occupational Therapists and Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference.
Killeen, H. & Chockalingam, M (2011) Review of assessments guiding seating intervention in children with complex disabilities’.. College of Occupational Therapists and Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference. Workshops [Details]
(2010) The Promotion of Fine Motor Skills in School Aged Children. Irish Learning Support Association.
Killeen, H. (2010) The Promotion of Fine Motor Skills in School Aged Children. Irish Learning Support Association. Galway: Workshops [Details]
(2007) Interventions within the model of Sensory Integration. Paediatric Occupational Therapy Special Interest Group of British Columbia.
Killeen, H. (2007) Interventions within the model of Sensory Integration. Paediatric Occupational Therapy Special Interest Group of British Columbia. Workshops [Details]

Honours and Awards

  Year Title Awarding Body
2022 Dean's Award for Civic Engagement, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences University of Galway
2021 Dean's Award for Civic Engagement Nominee, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences University of Galway
2020 President's Award for Teaching Excellence Nominee, University of Galway University of Galway
2015 5 year Honorary Membership of Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland
2012 Millennium Research Fund National University of Ireland Galway
2004 Certificate of Appreciation Chief Executive Officer, Western Health Board, Ireland

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
European Academy of Childhood Disability Member /
Irish Academy of Childhood Disability Committee Member /
CORU - Health & Social Care Professionals Council Member /
Association of Occupational Therapist of Ireland Professional Member /

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
European Academy of Childhood Disability 2026 Local Organising Committee Chair /
College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Learning, Teaching and Assessment Committee, University of Galway Committee member /
Discipline of Occupational Therapy Programme Board, University of Galway Committee member /
Irish Academy of Childhood Disability Committee Member - Education and Training /
School of Health Sciences Operational Committee, University of Galway Committee Member /

Employment

  Employer Position From / To
Enable Ireland, Galway. Ireland Supervision of staff grade occupational therapists (one day per week). Interview panels 01-JUN-08 / 01-APR-09
Centre for Ability, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Occupational Therapist. Early Intervention- ASD, resistive feeders, developmental delay. Parent and staff training. 05-MAR-07 / 14-NOV-07
Enable Ireland, Galway, Ireland Senior Occupational Therapist (1 day per week). Children with physical and sensory disabilities 01-JUL-06 / 14-DEC-06
Chernobyl Children International Volunteer. Development of Summer Outreach programme for Belarusian children in Galway, Ireland. Host. 01-SEP-05 / 31-AUG-06
Childline Volunteer 01-OCT-04 / 30-MAR-05
Orphanages and Centres, Omsk, Siberia Volunteer work. Developing occupational therapy for children with physical, intellectual and/or sensory disabilities 01-JUN-04 / 25-JUN-04
Private Practice - Occupational Therapy, Galway, Ireland (5 years 1 month) Director. Caseload included children from 0-18, with physical, intellectual, sensory and complex disabilities (Part-time) 01-NOV-00 / 31-DEC-05
Health Service Executive, HSE West, Galway, Ireland (8 years 11 months) Senior Occupational Therapist (4 days per week). Children with developmental disabilities (Career break 2007) 10-SEP-01 / 05-AUG-10
Enable Ireland, Galway, Ireland Staff Grade Occupational Therapist. Children with physical disabilities 21-AUG-00 / 31-JAN-01
Fairfield Hospital and Community Services, Sydney, Australia Staff Grade Occupational Therapist. School aged children with developmental disabilities and out-patient services 01-MAY-00 / 14-JUL-00
St. Gabriel's School and Centre, Limerick Ireland Staff Grade Occupational Therapist. Children with Physical Disabilities 01-DEC-98 / 23-NOV-99
Brothers of Charity, Galway, Ireland Staff Grade Occupational Therapist. Children with Intellectual Disabilities 30-JUN-98 / 27-NOV-98

Education

  Year Institution Qualification Subject
2015 University of Galway/McMaster University, Canada PhD (Occupational Therapy) The Impact of Preterm Birth on Childhood Occupation
2011 University of Galway Postgraduate Certificate Teaching and Learning In Higher Education
1998 Trinity College Dublin, Ireland Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) 4-year honours degree programme

Community Engagement

  Title Type From / To
Outreach 2022-2023 Ability Awareness Training for Primary School Children /
Outreach 2020-2021 Build-A-Box Campaign /
Teaching (e.g. Service learning / comunity based learning) The F-Words for Child Development framework in Ireland. Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland, Paediatric Advisory Group webinar series 2022 /
Teaching (e.g. Service learning / comunity based learning) Enhancing the occupational participation of former preterm infants in Ireland using the PREP approach. Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland, Paediatric Advisory Group webinar series 2022 27-MAY-22 /

Other Activities

  Description

2022 External examiner for MPhil student, University College Cork

2021 External examiner for MPhil student, Trinity College Dublin

2020-2021 Aurora Womens Leadership Development Programme

2020 Green Badge in Universal Design for Learning

2015 Certified CO-OP therapist (Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance)

2009 -2010 Foundation Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapy

2008 -2009 Diploma in Holistic Massage

2005 Postgraduate Certificate in Neuro-Developmental Therapy for the treatment of neuromuscular dysfunction

2000 - 2003 Certificate in Sensory Integration (Including Certification in administration of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests)

Teaching Interests

Paediatrics

Knowledge Translation - Recent publications on Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ)

RTÉ Brainstorm (2023) - '8 things to know if going abroad for health treatment for a child'

https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2023/1004/1408747-health-treatment-therapy-abroad-children-additional-needs/

RTÉ Brainstorm (2022) - 'How to support children with Cerebral Palsy in your local community'

https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2022/1006/1327453-cerebral-palsy-children-development/

RTÉ Brainstorm (2021): - Telehealth and Children Services

https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2021/0112/1189152-telehealth-telemedicine-digital-health-children-irel...


Community Engaged Learning (CEL)

Overview

http://www.nuigalway.ie/cki/servicelearning/collegeofmedicinenursingandhealthsciences/communityengag... 


Recent Campaigns
Ability Awareness Programme for Primary School Children - As featured on RTÉ News (2022)

https://www.rte.ie/news/connacht/2022/0315/1286522-mobility-equipment-claddagh-galway/ 


Other examples of student projects completed during Community Engaged Learning:

Selected nationally through Campus Engage as one of 6 Community Engaged Learning in Action projects to represent Irish Universities at the Tallories Network of Engage Universities, Boston, 2021
ILAS Webinar 1 Thursday 15th April 2021Developing Community Engagement and Partnerships in the Curriculum Lessons from the Present and the Future

https://www.nuigalway.ie/cki/servicelearning/professionaldevelopment/resources/ilaswebinarseries/ 

Build-A-Box Campaign to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on some of the most vulnerable people in our community (2021)

https://www.nuigalway.ie/about-us/news-and-events/news-archive/2021/march/nui-galway-students-build-...

https://www.donegaldaily.com/2021/04/05/donegal-students-help-combat-loneliness-through-build-a-box-...

https://www.midlands103.com/news/midlands-news/westmeath-student-helps-older-people-through-build-a-...

Field Trip: Exploring a community project developed through service-learning in the University of Vic, Spain.
3rd year occupational therapy students from NUI Galway went to Spain to discuss their experiences of community engaged learning with their Spanish peers. 

https://sin.ie/2013/03/18/occupational-therapy-students-visit-vic/ 





Current Postgraduate Students (Taught)

  Name Degree Primary Supervisor
Yanlin Liu PhD Y

Recent Postgraduate Students

  Graduation Name Degree Primary Supervisor
2023 Cathal Connolly MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY Y

Modules Taught

  Term/Year Module Title Module Code Subject / Desc
Semester 1, Year 2 Enabling Occupation: Paediatrics OY2116 Comprehensive introduction to the role of occupational therapists with children
Semester 2, Year 2 Enabling Occupation: Intellectual Disability OY215 This module explores the strengths and challenges of people with all levels of Intellectual Disability. In this context, the role of the occupational therapist is considered including how they may support them to address their self-identified needs in daily life, advocate for their aspirations and autonomy where possible, and building capacity in their strengths so they can reach their potential.
Semester 1 and 2, Year 3 Community Engagement OY3115 Community Engaged Learning is a dynamic and topical module that enables students to work directly with community organisations to both address real community needs while meeting academic requirements.
Semester 2, Year 3 Community Practice OY311 This module uses a problem-based learning approach to facilitate small student groups in addressing complex case studies focusing on diverse client groups.
Semester 2, Year 4 Research Projects OY403 Final year dissertation supervision
Semester 2, Year 4 Preparation for Practice OY409 This is a unique student-led module that empowers students to identify their own learning needs by selecting the content for this module.