Research Profile

Biography

Bryan Boyle is Lecturer and Year 2 Co-ordinator at the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at University College Cork.  He is a CORU registered Occupational Therapist with extensive specialist experience in Assistive Technology and in Paediatric practice.  Bryan supervises graduate and post-graduate researchers in the areas of occupation and technology, child-computer interaction, technology and disability, participatory design and school-based Occupational Therapy practice.  He has a successful track record in securing research funding and managing research projects.  Bryan is co-investigator on the EU Horizon 2020 funded P4Play programme (www.p4play.eu) and is currently co-principal investigator on a National Disability Authority funded project examining the assistive potential of consumer technologies.

Following graduation from Trinity College Dublin with a BSc. (Honours) in Occupational Therapy in 1994, he subsequently worked in a variety of settings, working directly with children and adults with physical disabilities.  In 2004 he completed an MSc in Computer Science examining the design of collaborative online learning spaces for children with intellectual disabilities.  His PhD research, completed in 2019, examined the design of immersive virtual reality spaces for children on the autism spectrum and its application in learning and therapeutic practice.  

Throughout his career Bryan has worked directly with children with disabilities specialising in using technology to support participation across all facets of society.  During the early part of his career he played a leadership role in establishing a dedicated, national Assistive Technology assessment service in Ireland at the Central Remedial Clinic in Dublin.  He was instrumental in developing some of the first accredited, third-level education programmes in Assistive Technology in the European Union.  From 2002 – 2009 he acted as Content Director of the Certificate and Diploma programmes in Assistive Technology at University College Dublin.   
He has worked across a range of EU funded research and development projects focussed on disability, technology and accessibility.  During this time he was responsible for managing the European Design for All and eAccessibility Network (EDeAN) in Ireland focussed on contributing to an EU network of excellence in technology and inclusion.  
In 2011 he moved to take the role of Head of Center at the Mada Qatar Assistive Technology Service, located in Doha, Qatar.  The Mada Centre was established as the first centre of excellence in Disability and Technology in the Arabic speaking world and was a winner of the UN Zero Project award during his time.  As Head of Center he led and managed service delivery teams providing Assistive Technology services to people from right across the disability spectrum across a range of sectors.  Of particular note was his establishment of an annual one million dollar fund for the purchase and provision of technology to people with a disability in the State of Qatar. 
Following the awarding of a EU Marie Curie Post-Doctoral Fellowship in 2016, Bryan relocated to Trinity College Dublin to conduct research dedicated to examining next generation assistive technologies for children with on the autism spectrum.  Much of his current research at University College Cork is dedicated to understanding the experiences of children and those with disabilities in digital spaces
.   Bryan retains an ongoing interest in research that focusses on leveraging the potential of new and emergent technologies to support participation and inclusion for all.

Research Interests

The main focus of my research interests is influenced by my backgrounds in occupational therapy and computer science and include how children use technology for occupations such as play, learning and recreation.  In particular, exploring how children with disabilities and those who may be marginalised can use technology to support their development and participation.  I also have a strong interest in assistive technology and exploring mechanisms by which the benefits of technology can be leveraged positively by all people with disabilities.  Much of my research work has explored inclusive and participatory design processes and how children with a disability and their families can influence the eventual outcome of technology design.  I am an active participant and collaborator in local and international research networks including; Institute for Social Science in the 21st Century (ISS21) Children and Youth Research cluster, the Knowledge and Data Engineering Group at Trinity College Dublin and the Neurodiversity in Design Research Group

I am currently engaged in supervising the following students; Ms Alice Moore (PhD), Ms Ruth Cutjar (PhD), Ms Michelle Bergin (PhD), Ms Fiona Loudoun (PhD), Mr. Jack Murphy (MSc by Research), Ms Jennifer O'Leary (MSc by Research) and Ms Aislinn Duffy (MSc by Research).    

Research Grants

 ProjectFunding
Body
Start DateEnd DateAward
Evaluation of Pre-School & In-School Therapy Support Demonstration ProjectOther: Not Listed06-DEC-1831-JAN-21€83,493.00
A user-centred exploration of the assistive potential of Digital Voice Assistants for People with Disabilities in Ireland.Other: Not Listed01-DEC-2130-NOV-22€23,251.00
P4Play: European Joint Doctorate in Occupational ScienceHorizon 202001-MAR-2029-FEB-24€2,200,000.00

Publications

Book Chapters

 YearPublication
(2021)'Participatory Technology Design for Autism and Cognitive Disabilities: A Narrative Overview of Issues and Techniques'
Robb, Nigel and Boyle, Bryan and Politis, Yurgos and Newbutt, Nigel and Kuo, Hung Jen and Sung, Connie (2021) 'Participatory Technology Design for Autism and Cognitive Disabilities: A Narrative Overview of Issues and Techniques' In: Recent Advances in Technologies for Inclusive Well-Being: Virtual Patients, Gamification and Simulation. Springer International Publishing. [Details]
(2021)'Case Studies of Users with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: Showcasing Their Roles in Early Stages of VR Training Development'
Politis, Yurgos and Newbutt, Nigel and Robb, Nigel and Boyle, Bryan and Kuo, Hung Jen and Sung, Connie (2021) 'Case Studies of Users with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: Showcasing Their Roles in Early Stages of VR Training Development' In: Recent Advances in Technologies for Inclusive Well-Being: Virtual Patients, Gamification and Simulation. Springer International Publishing. [Details]
(2020)'The choice and use of enabling technologies in educational environments : Research findings and case report'
Traina, Ivan and Boyle, Bryan and Mackeogh, Trish and Yakkundi, Anita and Owuor, John and Clinton, Lisa Marie and Power, Alan D. and Desideri, Lorenzo and Cesario, Lisa and Gherardini, Arianna and Rouame, Aziz (2020) 'The choice and use of enabling technologies in educational environments : Research findings and case report' In: The Role of Assistive Technology in Fostering Inclusive Education. London: Routledge. [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

 YearPublication
(2022)'Children’s experiences of play in digital spaces: A scoping review'
Loudoun, F, Boyle, B. & Larsson Lund, M. (2022) 'Children’s experiences of play in digital spaces: A scoping review'. Plos One, 17 (8)   [DOI] [Details]
(2022)'The Inclusion of Children on the Autism Spectrum in the Design of Learning Technologies: A Small-Scale Exploration of Adults’ Perspectives'
Boyle, Bryan and Arnedillo-Sanchez, Inmaculada (2022) 'The Inclusion of Children on the Autism Spectrum in the Design of Learning Technologies: A Small-Scale Exploration of Adults’ Perspectives'. Frontiers In Education, 7   [DOI] [Details]
(2022)'A national study of playground professionals universal design implementation practices'
Alice Moore and Helen Lynch and Bryan Boyle (2022) 'A national study of playground professionals universal design implementation practices'. Landscape Research, 0 (0):1-17   [DOI] [Details]
(2022)'Designing for inclusion in public playgrounds: a scoping review of definitions, and utilization of universal design'
Alice Moore and Bryan Boyle and Helen Lynch (2022) 'Designing for inclusion in public playgrounds: a scoping review of definitions, and utilization of universal design'. Disability and Rehabilitation, 0 (0):1-13   [DOI] [Details]
(2022)'Designing public playgrounds for inclusion: a scoping review of grey literature guidelines for Universal Design'
Alice Moore and Bryan Boyle and Helen Lynch (2022) 'Designing public playgrounds for inclusion: a scoping review of grey literature guidelines for Universal Design'. Childrens Geographies, 0 (0):1-17   [DOI] [Details]
(2021)'A qualitative study of child participation in decision-making: Exploring rights-based approaches in pediatric occupational therapy'
O'Connor, Deirdre, Lynch, Helen & Boyle, Bryan (2021) 'A qualitative study of child participation in decision-making: Exploring rights-based approaches in pediatric occupational therapy'. Plos One, 16 (12)   [Details]
(2011)'Towards a technology transfer roadmap from the Coordination Action in R&D in Accessible and Assistive ICT (CARDIAC)'
Roe, Patrick,Gill, John,Allen, Bob,Boyle, Bryan,Heck, Helmut,Shitta, Georgina, Laouris, Yiannis, (2011) 'Towards a technology transfer roadmap from the Coordination Action in R&D in Accessible and Assistive ICT (CARDIAC)'. Technology and Disability, 23 (1):171-181 [Details]

Conference Publications

 YearPublication
(2017)Studies in Health Care Technologies: AAATE 2017
Boyle, Bryan & Arnedillo-Sanchez, Inmaculada (2017) The Application of CSCL Scripts to Support Teaching and Learning for Children with Intellectual Disabilities Studies in Health Care Technologies: AAATE 2017 Sheffield, UK, , pp.241-248   [DOI] [Details]
(2016)T4I 2016 - Technology for Independence Communications 2016
Boyle, Bryan, Arnedillo-Sanchez, Inmaculada & Zahid, A. (2016) Designing collaborative virtual environments for children on the Autism Spectrum . In: De Witte, L., Cudd, Peter & Hawley, Mark & eds. T4I 2016 - Technology for Independence Communications 2016 Sheffield, UK, , pp.1-5   [Details]
(2016)Design, User Experience, and Usability: Design Thinking and Methods
Boyle, Bryan and Arnedillo-S\'anchez, Inmaculada (2016) Exploring the Role of Adults in Participatory Design for Children on the Autism Spectrum . In: Marcus, Aaron eds. Design, User Experience, and Usability: Design Thinking and Methods Cham, , pp.209-218 [Details]
(2016)Proceedings of the 14th Participatory Design Conference: Full Papers - Volume 1
Bossen, Claus and Dindler, Christian and Iversen, Ole Sejer (2016) Evaluation in Participatory Design: A Literature Survey Proceedings of the 14th Participatory Design Conference: Full Papers - Volume 1 New York, NY, USA,   [Details]
(2015)Exploring the Material Conditions of Learning: The Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) Conference 2015
Boyle, Bryan, Arnedillo-Sanchez, Inmaculada & Zahid, A. (2015) AutoBlocks:Using Collaboartive Learning to Develop Joint Attention Skills for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder . In: Oskar Lindwall, Päivi Häkkinen, Timothy Koschmann, Pierre Tchounikine, Sten Ludvigsen eds. Exploring the Material Conditions of Learning: The Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) Conference 2015 Gotenberg, Sweden, , pp.529-534 [Details]
(2013)Assistive Technology: From Research to Practice - AAATE 2013
Zahid, A., & Boyle, B. (2013) Using impact measurement to establish confidence in emergent assistive technology services-first phase translation of the PIADS outcome measurement tool for implementation in an Arabic context . In: Encarnacao, P., & Azevedo, L eds. Assistive Technology: From Research to Practice - AAATE 2013 Lisbon, , pp.1071-1078   [Details]
(2007)Challenges in Assistive Technology: AAATE 2007
Boyle, B., O'Neill, H., Allen, B., Randall, G & Brown, T. (2007) MAPPED: A portable journey planner for wheelchair users in urban environments . In: Eizmendi, G., Azkotia, J.M., & Craddock, G eds. Challenges in Assistive Technology: AAATE 2007 San Sebastian, Spain, , pp.707-715   [Details]
(2007)Challenges for Assistive Technology: AAATE 2007
Cudd, P., Boyle, B., & Hawley, M. (2007) Who Determines the Ethics of Assistive Technology Research? . In: Eizmendi, G., Azkotia, J.M., & Craddock, G eds. Challenges for Assistive Technology: AAATE 2007 San Sebastian, Spain, , pp.605-610   [Details]
(2007)International Conference on Universal Access in Human Computer Interaction
Allen, B. & Boyle, B. (2007) Ensuring Access to the Information Society for People with Disabilities Through Effective Use of Design for All Methodologies . In: Stephanidis, C eds. International Conference on Universal Access in Human Computer Interaction   [DOI] [Details]
(2007)Challenges in Assistive Technology: AAATE 2007
O'Neill, H., Boyle, B., & Allen, B (2007) The ARTEMIS System: Implementing Remote Assessment for the Assistive Technology Needs of End Users . In: Eizmendi, G., Azkotia, J.M., & Craddock, G eds. Challenges in Assistive Technology: AAATE 2007 San Sebastian, Spain, , pp.753-758   [Details]
(2005)Assistive Technology: From Virtuality to Reality - AAATE 2005
Cudd, P.A., Nava, F., Boyle, B., Aalykke, S., Deval., V., Menendez, R., Ruiz, M, & Scaviner, A. (2005) Identification of Assistive Technology Service Elements Across Four European Countries . In: Pruski, A., & Knopps, H eds. Assistive Technology: From Virtuality to Reality - AAATE 2005 , pp.23-30   [Details]
(2005)Assistive Technology: From Virtuality to Reality - AAATE 2005
Boyle, B., MacKeogh, T., Craddock, G., & Fitzsimons, C (2005) Addressing the challenges faced by independent assistive technology centres charged with providing education andtraining . In: Pruski, A., & Knopps, H eds. Assistive Technology: From Virtuality to Reality - AAATE 2005 Lille, , pp.391-396   [Details]
(2005)Assistive Technology: From Virtuality to Reality - AAATE 2005
Boyle, B., O'Neill, H., Cudd, P.A., Nava, F., Menendez, R., & Allen, B. (2005) A Model for Consortium Training in Trans-European Assistive Technology Projects . In: Pruski, A., & Knopps, H eds. Assistive Technology: From Virtuality to Reality - AAATE 2005 Lille, , pp.705-713   [Details]
(2003)Assistive Technology: Shaping the Future
Sax, C., Duffin, D. & Boyle, B. (2003) Building Capacity Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration . In: Craddock, G., et al eds. Assistive Technology: Shaping the Future , pp.1062-1069 [Details]
(2003)Assistive Technology: Shaping the Future
Cooney, D., & Boyle, B. (2003) The Promise of Hands Free Computing: An investigation of speech recognition software for people with disabilities in Ireland . In: Craddock, G., et al eds. Assistive Technology: Shaping the Future [Details]
(2003)Assistive Technology: Shaping the Future
Cartlidge, H., Corraza, F., Boyle, B., & McCullough, G (2003) Towards a Model of Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Assistive Technology Rehabilitation . In: Craddock, G., et al eds. Assistive Technology: Shaping the Future Dublin, , pp.1084-1089 [Details]
(2003)Assistive Technology: Shaping the Future
Boyle, Bryan & Arnedillo-Sanchez, Inmaculada (2003) Meet, Collaborate, Learn: An examination of the potential of the world wide web to support collaborative learning for students with disabilities . In: Craddock, G., et al eds. Assistive Technology: Shaping the Future , pp.216-221 [Details]
(2007)Universal Acess in Human Computer Interaction. Coping with Diversity
Allen, Bob and Boyle, Bryan (2007) Ensuring Access to the Information Society for People with Disabilities Through Effective Use of Design for All Methodologies . In: Stephanidis, Constantine eds. Universal Acess in Human Computer Interaction. Coping with Diversity Berlin, Heidelberg, , pp.10-18 [Details]

Published Reports

 YearPublication
(2020)Evaluation of In-School and Early Years Therapy Support Demonstration Project.
Helen Lynch; Emer Ring; Bryan Boyle; Alice Moore; Ciara O'Toole; Lisha O'Sullivan; Therese Brophy; Pauline Fizelle; Deirdre Horgan; Dan O'Sullivan (2020) Evaluation of In-School and Early Years Therapy Support Demonstration Project. National Council for Special Education, NCSE - Trim, Co. Meath, Ireland.   [Details]
(2004)The Optimal Graduate Profile for DfA Based on the Needs of Industry and the Possibilities of/within Educational Institutions.
Strobbe, Christophe Nicolle, Colette ; Velasco, Carlos A ; Darzentas, Jenny ; Romero, Rafael ; Verelst, Tony ; Miesenberger, Klaus ; Weber, Gerhard ; Weimann, Kurt ; Craddock, Ger ; Boyle, Bryan ; Petrie, Helen ; Degouzon, Frederic ; Tahkokallio, Päivi ; Gladstone, Keith (2004) The Optimal Graduate Profile for DfA Based on the Needs of Industry and the Possibilities of/within Educational Institutions. University of Leuven, Belgium.   [Details]

Professional Activities

Honours and Awards

 YearTitleAwarding Body
2016Marie-Sklodowska Curie (MCSA) Post-Doctoral Fellowship European Union/DOCTRID
2013Ussher Fellowship Trinity College Dublin

Professional Associations

 AssociationFunctionFrom / To
Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE) Member/
Association of Occupational Therapists in Ireland (AOTI) Member/

Conference Contributions

 YearPublication
(2022)World Occupational Science Conference,
Bryan Boyle & Fiona Loudoun (2022) Distributed Occupation: Exploring doing in digital spaces. [Oral Presentation], World Occupational Science Conference, Vancouver, Canada . [Details]
(2022)World Occupational Science Conference,
Boyle, Bryan & Loudoun, Fiona (2022) Play in Digital Spaces: Scoping Review of the Literature. [Oral Presentation], World Occupational Science Conference, Vancouver, Canada , 15-AUG-22 - 21-AUG-22. [Details]
(2019)ISS21: Children & Young People Cluster Research Showcase,
Helen Lynch, Bryan Boyle,  Alice Moore, Ciara O’Toole, Pauline Frizelle, Deidre Horgan, Dan O’Sullivan (2019) Evaluation of the In-school Therapy Demonstration Project. [Oral Presentation], ISS21: Children & Young People Cluster Research Showcase, UCC, Cork , 09-APR-19 - 09-APR-19. [Details]

Teaching Activities

Teaching Interests

My teaching is focussed on supporting students to develop collaborative and constructive ways to learn with and from each other.  I continue to apply a Universal Design for Learning approach in ongoing efforts to ensure inclusive learning through the modules I contribute to.  The application of digital tools for learning and the development of digital skills for health and social care graduates is also a strong focus for my teaching.

Recent Postgraduates

 Graduation YearStudent NameInstitutionDegree TypeThesis Title
2020Deirdre O'Connor University College CorkChildren’s voices: participation in decision-making within the goal setting process in occupational therapy

Current Postgraduate Students

 StudentDegree Type
Bergin Michelle Mary Doctoral Degree (Structured)
Murphy Jack Masters Degree by Research
O Leary Jennifer Anne Masters Degree by Research
Loudoun Fiona Marguerite Doctoral Degree (Structured)

Research Information

External Collaborators

 NameOrganisation / InstituteCountry
Dr. Inmaculada Arnedillo-Sanchez Trinity College DublinIRELAND
Dr. Fiachra O'Brolcháin Dublin City UniversityIRELAND

Contact details


  • Lecturer
  • bryan.boyle@ucc.ie
  • Dept. of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
    Brookfield Health Science Complex
    University College Cork
    College Road, Cork, Ireland
  • +353 21 4901543

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