See mu full publication list here: publication list Google Scholar

Expertise/interests:

• Multisensory processing, particularly in ageing;
• Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Environmental Sensitivity;
• Nature benefits for cognition and wellbeing, particularly in urban settings in a Planetary Health perspective;
• Psychological Climate resilience, especially in ageing and individuals with sensory processing sensitivity
• Combination of investigation tools from experimental to qualitative methods and community-co-led research.

My research explores how cognitive processes and wellbeing are shaped by the interaction with the physical, social, and emotional contexts in which the person operates.

Currently I focus on how individual characteristics, such as sensory processing sensitivity, influence cognition and wellbeing (e.g. urbanicity, availability of nature, nature connectedness) (funding: Health Service Executive; Horizon Europe- GoGreen Next).

This perspective informs my work on nature-based solutions, where I examine how natural environments supports emotional regulation, resilience, and wellbeing, and sustainable behaviours in a Planetary Health perspective (Funding: Horizon Europe - GoGreen Next).

I am developing educational resources to support climate resilience in older people for health and social care professionals (Funding: Erasmus - chAnGE; EMMA) and for behavioural change implementation in the public administration in relation to NetZero targets and climate resilience (Funding: Net Zero Cities)

Methodologically, I integrate experimental, survey-based, qualitative, neurophysiological, and participatory approaches.

I am in the steering committee of UCC Futures - Future Ageing and Brain Sciences and member of the Collective Social Future. I am co-lead of the ISS21 Ageing Cluster and PI in the Sustainability Institute. Chair of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences Community Engagement Committee and of the School of Applied Psychology Research Committee. I am Director of the Higher Diploma in Applied Psychology.

Dedicated to the applied impact of my research, I work with Cork City Council and collaborate regularly with Cork-Healthy Cities.  

Sensory Processing Sensitivity, Environmental Sensitivity; ageing, life span, perception, multisensory processing, embodiment, nature based solutions

Funding (Current):

• Jan 2024-June 2028 Horizon Europe GoGreen Next WP lead (total funding €6M allocated funding €420,435), Work Package lead;
• Sept 2024-Sept 2026 ‘Accelerating cities' transition to net zero emissions by 2030’ — ‘NetZeroCities‘ Building Capa-Cities (co-PI, leading the Behavioural Change for Public Administration Microcredential) (total funding 1M, allocated funding €21,685);
• Sept 2023-August 2026 Climate change and healthy AgeinG: co-creating E-learning for resilience and adaptation (leading the Mental Resilience Microcredential) (total funding €1,494,686.4, directly managed funding: €34.120);
• Nov 2023- August 2026 Tadgh Connery PhD studentship, National University of Ireland Travelling Doctoral Studentship co-supervisor (€90.000) project 'A mixed-methods examination of the relationship between death anxiety and sensory processing sensitivity‘(co-supervisor)

• Environmental Sensitivity;
• Pschological Benefits of Green Environments;
• Eco Anxiety;
• Climate Change Resilliance (particularly in ageing).