EHS Knowledge With Impact Lecture Series: Professor Karen McCreesh and Lauren Guilfoyle, PhD Researcher

The Faculty of Education and Health Sciences was delighted to host the first of the 2024/25 series of Knowledge with Impact public lectures, with Professor Karen McCreesh (School of Allied Health) and Lauren Guilfoyle (PhD Researcher, Physical Education and Sports Sciences).

Professor McCreesh's presented Navigating pain: Co-creating better musculoskeletal care

Lecture description: This talk showcases the transformative research of a team of musculoskeletal pain researchers, including Profs. Karen McCreesh and Kieran O'Sullivan, alongside post-docs Drs Helen O'Leary and Clodagh Toomey. As recipients of the EHS Research Recognition Award for Public Engagement, we highlight how our collaborative partnerships with stakeholders have not only reshaped our research methods but also significantly enhanced our impact on the lives of those with musculoskeletal pain. Martina Phelan, PPi Partner at Chronic Pain Ireland, joined Prof. McCreesh at the lecture discussing her lived experience.

Lauren Guilfoyle presented her lecture on Youth Rugby in Ireland - a look at injury epidemiology and prevention

Lecture description: This lecture explores injury surveillance and prevention in Irish community rugby with an overview to the Irish Rugby Injury Surveillance (IRIS) Project - a longstanding collaboration between researchers at the University of Limerick and the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU). This lecture delves into the findings of an innovative research project dedicated to monitoring injury trends across grassroots rugby clubs and schools in Ireland. By monitoring rates, patterns and causes of injuries, the IRIS project aims to shed light on key risk factors affecting amateur players. The talk highlights the real-world impact of these findings, focusing on how they inform practical injury reduction strategies tailored to the unique challenges of community rugby. From informing global law trials to coach behaviour change, these efforts are empowering schools and clubs to foster safer playing environments while maintaining the thrill and enjoyment of the game.