Research Profile

Eoin Gorman

Biography

Eoin Gorman attained his master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Limerick in 2010. Eoin also holds a master’s in anthropology and a bachelors’ degree in psychology. He is currently undertaking a PhD exploring the lived experience of people who self-identify as transgender in Ireland.

Eoin’s educational and career pathway has been heavily influenced by his interest in psychosocial concepts and issues. He is particularly interested in the historical development of “mental illness”, alongside social trends, attitudes and critical perspectives towards mental health and service-user led movements.

Since qualifying as an occupational therapist Eoin has worked both academically and clinically. Eoin worked as a teaching and research assistant within the department of Clinical Therapies at the University of Limerick. During this time, Eoin alongside his colleague, designed, developed and implemented an innovative 10-week occupational therapy community mental health programme called “Activate II”. This programme was designed for unemployed people and was based on the concepts of Lifestyle Redesign ©. Activate II was nominated and shortlisted for the Anne Beckett award in 2013.Clinically, Eoin has worked across various psychosocial settings including adult and older adult inpatient and community mental health, as well as youth and young adult community mental health.

Eoin came to UCC in January 2015 to pursue his PhD, exploring an occupational perspective of gender with focus on the occupations of people who identify as transgender. Since then Eoin has lectured across various modules and worked with the practice education team from 2015 to 2016. In 2016 Eoin joined the department as a full-time lecturer assuming the position of year 3 coordinator. 

In June 2017, Eoin was made Professional Programme Director of the undergraduate course. Eoin continues to lecture across years 3 and 4 of the of the occupational science and occupational therapy programme. Eoin’s teaching in Year 3 focuses on the psychosocial aspects of persons, environments and occupations of adults and older adults. Within year 4, Eoin is the module leader for Integrated Professional Practice, whereby students collate their learning from previous years and apply it to new and increasingly complex issues and concepts. Students also explore and critique the value and impact of legislation on therapy and are provided an opportunity to explore non-traditional and emerging areas for occupational therapy. Eoin has provided research supervision to both master’s level and undergraduate level students.

Eoin completed the certificate in teaching and learning with University College Cork in 2017. He completed training with the Centre for Occupational Therapy Education (COTE) in Colorado State University, USA on the Subject-Centred, Integrative Learning Model for Occupational Therapy (SCIL-OT). A model designed to foster students’ understanding of occupational therapy’s distinct value.  

In 2018, Eoin was a successful recipient of the UCC President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for his development and delivery of an innovative and multifaceted teaching and learning event, “Death Week”.

Research Interests

Eoin’s research interests centre on adopting an occupational perspective across a variety of areas strongly influenced by counter-culture and service-user perspectives. As an evidence-based lecturer, Eoin's areas of research interest are interconnected with his teaching interests; gender and sexuality, mental health and Madness, death and dying, spirituality, human rights-based healthcare, and social justice with emphasis on psycho-social issues.

Publications

Book Chapters

 YearPublication
(2019)'Critical Pedagogy in Occupational Therapy'
Eoin Gorman (2019) 'Critical Pedagogy in Occupational Therapy' In: Harry Gijbels, Lydia Sapouna, Gary Sidley (eds). Inside Out and Outside In: Transforming Mental Health Practices. Manchester: PCCS Books. [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

 YearPublication
(2022)'Doing Dating: Experiences of Dating for Transgender Adults in Ireland'
Gillane, K,. Kelliher, A., & Gorman, E. (2022) 'Doing Dating: Experiences of Dating for Transgender Adults in Ireland'. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, [Details]
(2022)'Transitioning to telehealth in mental-health occupational therapy during COVID-19'
Duffy, A., Hayes, S., Gorman, E., & Boyle, B. (2022) 'Transitioning to telehealth in mental-health occupational therapy during COVID-19'. Digital Health, [Details]
(2022)'Irish Farmer’s Experience of Facilitating Social Farming'
Kingston, S., Giles, N., & Gorman, E. (2022) 'Irish Farmer’s Experience of Facilitating Social Farming'. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, [Details]
(2022)'Spirituality in Mental Health Occupational Therapy Practice in Ireland'
Coombes, L., Coleman, J. & Gorman, E. (2022) 'Spirituality in Mental Health Occupational Therapy Practice in Ireland'. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, [Details]
(2022)'Perspectives & Engagement in Self-Care among Mental Health Occupational Therapists'
Gorman, E., Hoctor, A., & Kiely, M. (2022) 'Perspectives & Engagement in Self-Care among Mental Health Occupational Therapists'. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, [Details]
(2022)'Doing Dying Well’: Positive Narratives of Palliative Care Occupational Therapy in Ireland'
Gorman, E., Daly, C., & Walsh, C. (2022) 'Doing Dying Well’: Positive Narratives of Palliative Care Occupational Therapy in Ireland'. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, [Details]

Podcast - Media

 YearPublication
(2019)OT After Dark: A Little Foreign Relations in Arizona.
Reese, K., Soros, J., McCarthy, K., Gorman, E., & Twinley, R. (2019) OT After Dark: A Little Foreign Relations in Arizona. USA: Podcast - Media   [Details]

Professional Activities

Honours and Awards

 YearTitleAwarding Body
2018UCC President's Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning President's Office, UCC
2013Anne Beckett Award - Shortlisted Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland

Professional Associations

 AssociationFunctionFrom / To
CORU Professional National Registration/
Association Occupational Therapists Ireland Member/
AOTI - Gender & Sexuality in Occupational Therapy Advisory Group Member/
AOTI - Mental Health Advisory Group Member/
AOTI - Palliative Care & Oncology Advisory Group Member/
The Society for the Study of Occupation:USA Member/
Critical Voices Network Ireland Member/
International Society for Social Transformation through Occupation member/
The Institute for Social Science in the 21st Century Member/

Conference Contributions

 YearPublication
(2022)Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference,
Gillane, K,. Kelliher, A., & Gorman, E. (2022) Doing Dating: Experiences of Dating for Transgender Adults in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference, Athlone, Ireland , 07-OCT-22 - 08-OCT-22. [Details]
(2021)Global Initiatives Poster Session,
Coombes, L., Coleman, J. & Gorman, E. (2021) Spirituality in Mental Health Occupational Therapy Practice in Ireland. [Poster Presentation], Global Initiatives Poster Session, Online , 24-APR-21 - 24-APR-21. [Details]
(2021)Global Initiatives Poster Session,
Kingston, S., Giles, N., & Gorman, E. (2021) Irish Farmer’s Experience of Facilitating Social Farming. [Poster Presentation], Global Initiatives Poster Session, Online , 24-APR-21 - 24-APR-21. [Details]
(2021)13th Annual Critical Perspectives in Mental Health Conference,
Gorman, E. (2021) Mad in the Classroom: Brave, Safe, and Critical Spaces in Higher Education. [Keynote Speaker], 13th Annual Critical Perspectives in Mental Health Conference, Online (Cork) , 10-NOV-21. [Details]
(2021)Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference,
Coombes, L., Coleman, J. & Gorman, E. (2021) Spirituality in Mental Health Occupational Therapy Practice in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference, Online , 08-OCT-21 - 09-OCT-21. [Details]
(2021)Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference,
Kingston, S., Giles, N., & Gorman, E. (2021) Irish Farmer’s Experience of Facilitating Social Farming. [Oral Presentation], Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference, Online , 08-OCT-21 - 09-OCT-21. [Details]
(2019)Society for the Study of Occupation (SSO:USA) Annual Conference,
Gorman, E. (2019) Death Week: A multifaceted learning event for occupational science and occupational therapy students. [Oral Presentation], Society for the Study of Occupation (SSO:USA) Annual Conference, Arizona, USA . [Details]
(2019)College of Medicine & Health: Teaching & Learning Showcase (Inaugural),
Gorman, E. (2019) Death Week: A multifaceted learning event for occupational science and occupational therapy students. [Oral Presentation], College of Medicine & Health: Teaching & Learning Showcase (Inaugural), University College Cork, Ireland . [Details]
(2019)Critical Perspectives in Mental Health Annual Conference,,
Gorman, E. & Ballantyne, E. (2019) Embedding Critical Perspectives of Madness within the Curriculum of Health and Social Sciences Students: Challenges and Opportunities within the Neoliberal University. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Critical Perspectives in Mental Health Annual Conference,, Cork, Ireland . [Details]
(2019)Society for the Study of Occupation (SSO:USA) Annual Conference,
O’Geran, E., Fanning, M., & Gorman, E. (2019) Exploring Irish Occupational Therapy Students’ Perspectives of Death and Dying Before and After Participating in “Death Week”. [Poster Presentation], Society for the Study of Occupation (SSO:USA) Annual Conference, Arizona, USA . [Details]
(2017)Society for the Study of Occupation (SSO:USA) Annual Conference,
Gorman, E., Moore, A., McCarthy, K., & Jackson, J. (2017) How is Gender Contemplated within Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy Literature?. [Oral Presentation], Society for the Study of Occupation (SSO:USA) Annual Conference, Seattle, USA . [Details]
(2016)Irish Society Rheumatology & Irish Rheumatology Health Professionals Society Autumn Meeting,
Brownlee, J., Gorman, E. & Jackson, J. (2016) Lifestyle Management for Arthritis Programmes: Experiences and Implications for Practice. [Poster Presentation], Irish Society Rheumatology & Irish Rheumatology Health Professionals Society Autumn Meeting, Kildare, Ireland . [Details]
(2013)Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference,
Gorman, E., Higgins, A., Warren, A., O'Leary, D., & Pettigrew, J. (2013) Activate II: An Occupational Therapy Programme for Unemployed People. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference, Mullingar, Ireland , 19-APR-13 - 20-APR-13. [Details]
(2012)Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference,
Gorman, E., & Pettigrew, J. (2012) Can Artists with Schizophrenia Experience Flow?. [Poster Presentation], Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Annual Conference, Mullingar, Ireland , 27-APR-12 - 28-APR-12. [Details]
(2011)Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Mental Health Advisory Group Study Day,
Gorman, E. & Pettigrew, J. (2011) Can Artists with Schizophrenia Experience Flow?. [Oral Presentation], Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland Mental Health Advisory Group Study Day, Dublin, Ireland , 10-JUN-11 - 10-JUN-11. [Details]

Committees

 CommitteeFunctionFrom / To
Athena SWAN - School of Clinical Therapies Chair of Culture, Inclusion and Belonging sub-committee2021 /
Society for the Study of Occupation: USA Abstract Reviewer2020 / 2021
School of Clinical Therapies SREC Sub-Committee Review Research Ethics Applications2017 /
School Clinical Therapies Student Academic Affairs Committee Programme Director - Department Representative2016 /
NUI Dr. H.H. Stewart Scholarship Nominations, Competition Reviewer & Organiser2017 /
School of Clinical Therapies Unit Operational Response Plan COVID19 Department Representative2020 / 2020

Employment

 EmployerPositionFrom / To
University of Malta Visiting Lecturer04-JAN-21 /
Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University College Cork Undergraduate Programme Director, Lecturer (Yr 3 & Yr 4)01-JUL-16 /
Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University College Cork Lecturer, Practice Tutor01-JAN-15 / 30-JUN-16
Headstrong - Jigsaw Kerry (Youth Community Mental Health) Occupational Therapist01-MAY-14 / 31-DEC-14
Jonathon Swift Clinic, St. James' Hospital, Dublin (Adult Psychiatry, Acute-Impatient) Occupational Therapist01-DEC-12 / 30-APR-14
University of Limerick Activate II - Community Occupational Therapist01-MAR-12 / 31-MAY-12
University of Limerick, Education & Health Science Occupational Therapy Research & Teaching Assistant01-SEP-11 / 30-SEP-12

Education

 YearInstitutionQualificationSubject
2017UCC Postgraduate CertificateTeaching & Learning in Higher Education
2010University of Limerick M.Sc Occupational TherapyOccupational Therapy
2004Dublin Business School Master of ArtsMaster of Arts in Anthropology
2003Dublin Business School Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of Arts in Psychology

Consultancy

 ClientDescription
Queen Margaret University, UK
External examiner for the MSc programme in Mad Studies
Southern Cross University, Australia
External examiner for MScOT research dissertation

Outreach Activities

 Description

Liaising with ID+ Project to create sustainable collaborations between the OSOT programme and the Certificate in Social Citizenship and Certificate in Disability-Inclusive Practice programmes.

Liaising with IGNITE UCC to develop partnership and collaborations with department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy

Global Education Course exploring critical perspectives of mental health in Ireland OT students from Dominican University, California, USA.

Supported UCC OT student’s successful application to attend the USC Summer Occupational Therapy Immersion (SOTI) Program.

Orchestrated two externships to UCC as part of University Southern California's Leadership Capstone module. Coordinated networking opportunities for USC students with UCC students and local occupational therapists

Advising mature applicants to the OSOT programme. Apprising Leaving Cert. students at the Rochestown Park Hotel Recruitment Event. Information provision to Transition Year students.

Provision of 2-day workshop to occupational therapists facilitating practice education placements for UCC students

Other Activities

 Description

Feminist Theory Module 
Module covered a range of themes including representations of women in history, literature and popular culture (music and film); gender and sexuality; women and politics; women, work and family, and gender violence.

Occupational Science Conceptual Development & Application on Research Module
Facilitated by Karolinksa Institute, Sweden.


Recovery’s Wellness Recovery Action Plan (2013) 

Individual Care Planning (2013) 

Lifestyle Redesign Workshop (2012)

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) (2011)

Research Centre for Education and Professional Practice” colloquium on professionalism (University of Limerick, 2011)

Teaching Activities

Teaching Interests

Teaching Interests -Eoin
Drawing upon his qualifications in psychology, anthropology and occupational therapy Eoin is particularly interested in the intersectional dynamics between people as occupational beings, socio-historically constructed concepts, and the environments in which they are performed.  Key areas of teaching expertise and interest are gender and sexuality, mental health and counter-culture movements, death and dying, spirituality, human rights-based healthcare, and social justice.
Throughout his clinical practice, Eoin was a research-focused and evidence-based practitioner. He utilised relevant, peer-reviewed research to reflect upon and advance service delivery. Lived experience, clinical practice, research, and teaching are interconnected, core components that inform Eoin's approach to advancing the disciplines of occupational science and occupational therapy.

As a lecturer in UCC, Eoin aims to share his passion for occupational science and occupational therapy research, education, and practice. Eoin’s area of teaching expertise and interests are heavily influenced by his interest in psychosocial concepts and issues combined with his passion for promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion. Eoin aims to motivate and inspire future practitioners and researchers to work ethically and in anti-oppressive ways. Eoin’s teaching incorporates universally designed methods to enhance learning experiences for all students. Eoin utilises subject-centred integrated learning and task-based learning to create innovative teaching and learning experiences for students to not only develop theory-based, clinical reasoning skills but to provide opportunities for self-reflexion and develop proficiency in critical thinking. 


UCC Teaching Responsibilities
Eoin is responsible for coordinating the undergraduate professional programme for the department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy and teaches in years 3 and 4 of the BSc programme.

International Teaching
Eoin has been invited internationally to teach on topics related to his research and areas of expertise:

1. BSc Occupational Therapy – University of Malta
Visiting lecturer for undergraduate OT programme. Eoin teaches and assesses “Advanced Psychosocial Skills”. Topics covered include Critical Perspectives in Mental Health, Emotional Intelligence,  Stigma, Sanism & Anti-Oppressive Practice and Sex & Sexuality.

2. Mad People’s History & Identity Course - Queen Margaret University (QMU, UK)
Invited lecturer on a collaborative mental health community partnership project between QMU, the NHS and CAPS Independent Advocacy, teaching intersection of Queer and Mad studies with OT.

3. MSc Occupational Therapy – Queen Margaret University (QMU, UK)
Invited lecturer to teach on the topic of Critical Perspectives in Occupational Therapy & Mental Health.

4. Global Education Office - Dominican University California (USA)
Co-designed and delivered an international Critical Perspective on Mental Health learning course with the OT department in Dominican University, California, USA. This course offers American undergraduate and postgraduate OT students an opportunity to network and share learning with Irish OT students, clinicians, and organizations.

5. MSc Occupational Therapy – Dominican University California (USA)
Invited lecturer for “Psychosocial Aspects of Occupation II”. Title of lecture: Mad in the Classroom: Brave, Safe, and Critical Spaces in Higher Education. 
Eoin supervises undergraduate, masters and PhD studies related to his research and teaching interests:

UCC Research Responsibilities
Eoin previously taught the interprofessional module "Advanced Research Methods" to third year occupational therapy and speech and language therapy students. 

Eoin supervises undergraduate and co-supervises postgraduate research:

  1. PhD Research Projects
    2020 (ongoing)
    Exploring the Occupations of Individuals living in Ireland who Hear Voices

  2. Masters' Research Projects
    2021 (ongoing)
    Investigating perceptions of technology use to support wellbeing in individuals with a history of mental health difficulties
    2015-2016
    Participants Perspectives of a "Lifestyle Management for Arthritis Programme": Experiences and Implications for Practice.

  3. Undergraduate Research - Final Year Projects
    2021 - 2022
    (a) Doing Dating: Experiences of Dating for Transgender Adults in Ireland.
    (b) Immigrant Women's Experience of Dating as an Occupation in Ireland
    2020-2021
    (a) Irish Farmer’s Experience of Facilitating Social Farming
    (b) Spirituality in Mental Health Occupational Therapy Practice in Ireland
    (c) Occupational therapists’ experiences of facilitating physical activity in mental health settings
    2019-2020
    (a) Community Mental Health Occupational Therapists Perspectives and Engagement in Self-Care to Combat Burnout in the Workplace: A Qualitative Study
    (b) Celebrating Hanukkah from an Occupational Perspective
    (c) Recruiting from Minority Populations in Ireland
    2018-2019
    (a) Doing ‘Dying Well’: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Narratives of Palliative Care Occupational Therapists in Ireland
    (b) Exploring how gender is understood in children through the form, function and meaning of play occupations within the Irish context.
    2017-2018
    (a) Exploring Occupational Perspectives on Death and Dying Among Undergraduate Occupational Science and Therapy Students
    (b) Exploring Occupational Therapy Lecturers’ Understanding of Gender & How Gender is considered in Occupational Therapy Curricula in Ireland.
    2016-2017
    (a) Exploring the influence of spirituality on the lived experience of transgender people.
    (b) Looking back: a Transgender person reflects on their experience of play in childhood.
    (c) The Transgender Community: Identifying the Challenges of Recruitment with this Hard-to-Reach Population
    2015-2016
    (a) Life after care: experiences of caregivers when their loved ones with dementia move into long term care

Recent Postgraduates

 Graduation YearStudent NameInstitutionDegree TypeThesis Title
2025Joy Kelleher (PhD Student) NUI (UCC)Exploring the Occupations of Individuals who Hear Voices, living in Ireland.
2023Aislinn Duffy NUI (UCC)Investigating Perceptions of Technology Use to support Wellbeing in Individuals with a History of Mental Health Difficulties.
2015Jane Brownlee NUI (UCC)Participants’ perspectives of a ‘Lifestyle Management for Arthritis Programme’: experiences and implications for practice.

Research Information

Internal Collaborators

 NameInstituteCountry
Critical Voices Network Ireland A coalition of people with survivors, supporters, practitioners, academics, and campaigning and advocacy groups, interested in fostering a mental health system based on choice, respect, dignity, non-coercion and principles of social justice.IRELAND

External Collaborators

 NameOrganisation / InstituteCountry
Dept. Occupational Therapy University of MaltaMALTA
National Gender Clinic, Ireland HSEIRELAND
Dept. Biological Sciences Munster Technological UniversityIRELAND
Global Education Office Dominican University of CaliforniaU.S.A.

Contact details


  • Undergraduate Programme Director and Lecturer
  • eoin.gorman@ucc.ie
  • Dept. of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy
    Ground Floor
    Brookfield Health Science Complex
    College Road, Cork.
  • +353-21-490-1584

Search profiles by name

Search profiles by topic

Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

Eolaíocht Cheirde agus Teiripe Shaothair

Ground Floor, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, College Road, Cork, Ireland.

Top