Biography
Qualifications: BSc Speech and Language Therapy (University of Ulster, UK) , MSc Clinical Therapies (University of Limerick, Ireland), PhD Medicine and Health (University College Cork, Ireland).Profile: Áine has worked as a speech and language therapist with a variety of clinical populations across the life span, working within acute, rehabilitation and community services in Ireland and New Zealand. Her clinical areas of interest are inclusive and accessible communication, adult acquired communication disorders, stroke rehabilitation and the assessment and management of feeding, eating drinking and swallowing disorders in adults.
Teaching Experience: Áine is the Course Director for the Professional Diploma in Intermediary Studies. This interfaculty programme is delivered in conjunction with the School of Law and the School of Allied Health and Áine teaching on intermediary practice modules. She also teaches acquired communication disorders and clinical skills in the MSc. Speech and Language Therapy Programme. She also coordinates the Conversation Partner Scheme for first year students.
Research Experience: Áine PhD research, which explored stakeholders' perspectives of ICT-delivered aphasia rehabilitation, was funded by the Health Research Board (HPF-2016-1700). This was followed by a participatory health research study also funded by the Health Research Board, KEDS-2017-007). This resulted in the development of a website for public awareness about computer use in aphasia rehabilitation. In response to the Covid-19 crisis, Áine investigated the feasibility of an online conversation partner scheme with student speech and language therapists and people with acquired communication disorders. Most recently, Áine is involved the ENSPIRED project, an all-Ireland research project funded by the North South Research Programme. We know people with communication disability are at risk of being excluded from society, affecting relationships, and having less opportunities to work, socialise, and participate in everyday activities. The ENSPIRED project aims to tackle that.
Research Interests: Inclusive and accessible communication; Aphasia Rehabilitation; Acceptance and Use of Digital Technologies in Healthcare; Conversation Partner Training; Lived Experience of Non-Oral Feeding.
Professional Membership: CORU, Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, British Aphasiology Society.
Research Interests
Research interests include Accessible Communication in Health and Justice Systems, Use and Acceptance of Digital Technology in Healthcare, Aphasia Rehabilitation, Supported Conversation Training, Case Study design and Mixed Methods ResearchProfessional Activities
Award
- 2022 - North-South Research Programme - ENSPIRED ENhancing Social Participation across IREland for people with communication Disabilities and differences 199,999.81
- 2017 - Health Research Board - Knowledge Exchange and Dissemination Scheme (KEDS-2017-007) 15,733
- 2016 - Health Research Board Research Training Fellowship (HPF-2016-1700) 158,714
Education
- 2020 University College Cork - PhD Medicine and Health
- 2009 University of Limerick - MSc Clinical Therapies
- 2001 University of Ulster - BSc Speech and Language Therapy
Association
- Full member, Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists
- SL015045, CORU
- International Affiliate , Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Member, British Aphasiology Society
- International Affiliate Member , Intermediaries for Justice
Committee
- Clinical Placement Coordination Committee, The Clinical Placement Coordination Committee (CPCC)is partnership arrangement between the M.Sc. Speech and Language Therapy (prof. qual.) programme at the University of Limerick and Managers and representatives of Speech and Language Therapy services in the Mid-West.
- School of Allied Health Athena Swan Committee,